Recife

Recife

Brazil

Explore the colorful colonial architecture and vibrant street culture of Recife's historic Four Islands, where centuries-old churches meet lively plazas.

💱 Currency Brazilian Real (BRL)
🗣 Language Portuguese
🕐 Time Zone BRT (UTC-3)
☀️ Best Time to Visit Nov–Apr
🚢 Typical Duration 21-26 nights
💰 Price Range From $1,050 pp
Port Type Port of Call
🚤 Tender Port No

Gateway to South America's Atlantic coast, offering access to iconic destinations like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires on extended South American and transatlantic cruises.

Cruises that visit Recife

Build Your Day in Recife

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Getting around:
RioMar Recife Lots of activities for children. Shopping mall · ★ 4.7 · 93k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Shopping Recife It has many shops with excellent prices and good quality. Shopping mall · ★ 4.7 · 90k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Praça do Marco Zero Perfect for photos, events, and soaking in local culture. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 77k
Building Parking Shopping Boa Vista Very complete shopping Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 72k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Shopping Tacaruna There's a very pleasant coffee shop at the food court. Shopping mall · ★ 4.5 · 56k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Plaza Casa Forte Window shopping galore, open till 9pm. Shopping mall · ★ 4.6 · 29k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Paço Alfândega - Office e Mall Mega shopping Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 17k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Instituto Ricardo Brennand Fair price, no wait and absolutely the best art experience in Recife. Art museum · ★ 4.9 · 16k 🕐 Closed · Opens 1 PM Thu
Casa da Cultura de Pernambuco Former prison converted into a crafts market. Cultural center · ★ 4.5 · 15k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Bode do Nô Boa Viagem - Restaurante Top service, delicious food. Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 13k
Restaurante Parraxaxá Boa Viagem The restaurant has a good environment, decoration, and the staff is amazing. Self service restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 12k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Thu
Bar do Cuscuz A very cool looking restaurant with live music. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 12k
Botanical Garden of Recife Small botanical garden, my walk rook me 20 minutes. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 10k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Centro Cultural Cais do Sertão It is an amazing and inspiring museum. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 9k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Paço do Frevo It’s a small museum with lots of cool pictures and music and history. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 9k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Shopping ETC Shopping legal Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 7k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Entre Amigos Praia ... best food we ever had, My husband is fussy and he loved the food. Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 6k
Vasto Restaurante Recife Mac and cheese pulled pork was amazing! Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 5k 🕐 Closes soon · 11 PM
Seu Boteco The service is very good and the views are nice. Bar · ★ 4.3 · 4k
Artesanato de Pernambuco There js a large diversity of different types of art crafts. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 4k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Recanto Paraibano I recommend. Bar · ★ 4.6 · 4k
Recife City Museum There's also two temporary galleries (local art) and a theater. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 3k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Tio Pepe Excellent food, and excellent customer service! Seafood · ★ 4.6 · 3k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Thu
Bargaço Recife Very good food, excellent service! Seafood · ★ 4.6 · 3k
Bodega de Véio - Recife Antigo The place is nicely decorated. Bar · ★ 4.5 · 3k 🕐 Closes soon · 11 PM
Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel The ceiling painting is amazing. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 3k 🕐 Closed · Opens 7 AM Thu
Castelus Restaurante great food in a lovely place with excellent service. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 3k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
Conchittas Bar Love the decor, the music, the drinks, and the prices!! Live music bar · ★ 4.4 · 3k
Game Station - Shopping Recife Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 3k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Restaurante Leite Delightful atmosphere , first class service and excellent food and drink. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu
Cais Rooftop Lounge Bar Very good if you want a unique experience but not otherwise Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 2k
Seu Tito Praia The feijoada is great and the drinks are lovely. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 2k
Restaurante Famiglia Giuliano The place is spacious, good food, great service. Italian · ★ 4.7 · 2k
Seu Pêu Gastropub Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Bar · ★ 4.6 · 2k
Malakoff Tower 1800s observatory & cultural space Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Embassy of Pernambuco - Olinda Dolls Giants Beside my comments, I recommend, it’s a way to promote local culture. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Parque de Esculturas Francisco Brennand Some great art but some is a bit strange too. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Museu do Homem do Nordeste There's some old train locomotives out front as well. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 1k 🕐 Temporarily closed
Galeria Santo Antônio Shopping mall · ★ 4.5 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Adega do Futuro - Gastronomia Contemporânea & Wine Bar Carol and Igor gave us the best restaurant experience. Restaurant · ★ 5 · 1k
Gilberto Freyre Foundation A highly recommended attraction when looking for something to do in Recife. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Thu
Ponto Cego speakeasy Great environment, and perfectly executed cocktails. Pub · ★ 4.9 · 1k
Barchef Boteco This corner bar is exceptional 👌. Grill · ★ 4.3 · 1k
Shopping Parnamirim Shopping mall · ★ 4.5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 6 AM Thu
Entre Vinhos - Wine Bar e Restaurante Really excellent wine and food and service. Wine bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k
RECIFE-PE Shopping mall · ★ 4.9 · 0k
Letreiro "Recife"no Marco Zero Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Next Departures from Recife

About Recife

Recife has emerged as a vibrant cruise port serving seven major cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, Seabourn, Viking Ocean Cruises, and Holland America Line. Primarily a port of call rather than an embarkation point, Recife welcomes approximately 35 cruises annually, with most itineraries spanning 21 nights. The port's peak season runs from November through April, making it an ideal stop for those exploring South American and transatlantic routes to destinations like Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and the Falkland Islands.

What awaits you in Recife is a delightful blend of colonial charm and modern Brazilian energy. The historic Recife Antigo district enchants visitors with its 16th-century architecture, vibrant street art, and waterfront character, while the nearby beaches of Boa Viagem offer a more relaxed escape. Whether you're seeking cultural immersion or seaside relaxation, Recife delivers an authentic Brazilian experience that complements any South American cruise itinerary beautifully.
Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

Explore Colonial Architecture in Recife Antigo

Wander through Recife Antigo, the historic old town featuring stunning 17th-century Portuguese colonial buildings, vibrant street art, and charming plazas. Visit the iconic Five-Point Bridge and explore museums housed in beautifully restored mansions that tell the story of this UNESCO-recognized cultural district.

2

Savor Fresh Seafood at Harborside Markets

Experience authentic Pernambuco cuisine at bustling waterfront markets and casual restaurants serving ceviche, grilled fish, and regional specialties. Don't miss fresh açaí bowls and local cachaça tastings that showcase the region's culinary traditions and tropical flavors.

3

Relax at Boa Viagem Beach's Golden Sands

Escape to Boa Viagem, Recife's most popular beach with calm, reef-protected waters perfect for swimming. The long sandy shoreline offers beachfront restaurants, coconut vendors, and stunning Atlantic Ocean views—ideal for sunbathing and refreshing dips during your port day.

4

Shop Local Crafts at Pátio de São Pedro

Browse artisan markets and boutiques in Pátio de São Pedro, discovering handmade ceramics, colorful textiles, and traditional Pernambuco crafts. This lively cultural square also features live music performances and local vendors selling unique souvenirs you won't find elsewhere.

5

Experience Frevo Music and Dance Culture

Immerse yourself in Recife's vibrant frevo tradition—a uniquely Brazilian musical and dance style born in this city. Visit cultural centers or catch street performances featuring the iconic colorful umbrellas and infectious rhythms that define Pernambuco's festive spirit year-round.

Cruise Lines at Recife

Cruises Departing From Recife

Cruises Visiting Recife

Ship Schedule at Recife

Recife Location

Other Cruise Ports in Brazil

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Recife known for?

Recife is known for its rivers, historic Recife Antigo, vibrant gastronomy, and modern infrastructure.

What is BRREC?

BRREC is the UN/LOCODE for Recife, Brazil.

What are must-see areas in Recife?

Recife Antigo, Boa Viagem Beach, and nearby Olinda's historic sites.

When is the best time to visit Recife?

Dry season is roughly October to March; rain can occur year-round.