Home › Journeys › Pernambuco: Recife, Olinda & Porto de Galinhas › 4 days
Pernambuco: Recife, Olinda & Porto de Galinhas: 4-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
Last updated:
The 4-day version for December: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 2-day plan · 3-day plan · 4-day plan · best time to go.
Use this plan → Customize this plan →
4
days
70 km
distance
3.5 h
driving
18
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~12.5 hours of daylight in December — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Dry-season tide pools at Porto de Galinhas glow aquarium-clear — time visits to low tide — and Olinda's viewpoints stay rain-free for golden hour.
- Light day: day 4 has one stop and time left over. Local tours and day trips are the way to fill it — each day links to what is bookable in its own town.
Day 1 Recife
- Transit
- 0h43
- Finish
- ~16:00
- Temperature
- 23.9°C–30.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~5
- Daylight
- 12.5h
09:00
10:00
11:00
Museum of the Archeological, Historic and Geographic Institute of Pernambuco arqueologico.com.br read more map ↗
Explore extensive collections spanning prehistoric to colonial Pernambuco.
50 min · Recife
open: M-F 13:00-17:00, Sa 08:00-12:00
12:00
13:05
Ricardo Brennand Institute institutoricardobrennand.org.br read more
Admire an impressive collection of Brazilian and European historical artifacts.
50 min · Recife
open: Tu-Su 13:00-17:00
14:10
Nossa Senhora do Carmo read more
Behold the baroque altar adorned with gold engravings and precious stones.
50 min · Recife
open: M-F 07:00-19:00, Sa 07:00-12:00, Su 08:00-12:00 and 18:00-21:00
15:00
Armazém Guimarães armazemguimaraes.com.br map ↗
Delight in famous Italian pizzas in a cozy restaurant.
60 min · Recife
open: M-Sa 12:00-22:00, Su 12:00-21:00
Overnight here
e.g. Hostel Boa Viagem · Piratas da Praia
Day 2 Around Recife
- Transit
- 1h00
- Finish
- ~16:15
- Temperature
- 23.9°C–30.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~5
- Daylight
- 12.5h
09:00
Convento Franciscano de Santo Antônio read more
Admire the lavish Golden Chapel and baroque architecture of this historic convent.
50 min · Recife · R$2
open: M-F 08:00-11:30, 14:00-17:00; Sa 08:00-11:30
10:05
Malakoff Tower Cultural Observatory read more
Enjoy panoramic views from this beautiful 1853 tower.
50 min · Recife
open: Tu-F 10:00-20:00, Sa 14:00-20:00, Su 14:00-19:00
11:10
Museum of the State of Pernambuco museudoestadope.com.br read more
See historical objects ranging from Dutch cannons to Afro-Brazilian art.
50 min · Recife
open: Tu-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 14:00-17:00
12:15
Parque Dois Irmãos read more
Discover a vast zoo and botanical garden in the Atlantic Forest.
50 min · Recife · R$2
open: Tu-Su 08:00-16:00
13:20
São Pedro dos Clérigos read more
Visit the replica of Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore, surrounded by colorful colonial buildings.
50 min · Recife
14:25
Nossa Senhora da Conceição dos Militares read more
See stunning ceiling paintings depicting historic battles and visit a sacred museum.
50 min · Recife
15:15
Papaya Verde facebook.com map ↗
Feast on flavorful Middle Eastern dishes in a self-service setting.
60 min · Recife
open: daily 11:30-15
Overnight here
e.g. Hostel Boa Viagem · Piratas da Praia
Day 3 Olinda
- Transit
- 0h33
- Finish
- ~12:10
- Temperature
- 23.9°C–30.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~5
- Daylight
- 12.5h
09:10
Olinda Cathedral read more
Visit Brazil's first church, built in 1540.
50 min · Olinda · R$10.00
open: 8AM-Noon, 2PM-5PM
10:15
Contemporary Art Museum of Pernambuco search
View works by celebrated Brazilian artists in a historic building.
50 min · Olinda · R$ 5 (R$ 2.50 for students)
open: 08:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00
11:20
Sacred Art Museum of Pernambuco read more
Contemplate religious art pieces dating back to the 16th century.
50 min · Olinda · R$ 1
open: Tu-F 09:00-13:00
Overnight here
e.g. Albergue de Olinda · Pousada Alquimia
Day 4 Porto de Galinhas
- Transit
- 1h13
- Finish
- ~11:45
- Temperature
- 24.7°C–29.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~6
- Daylight
- 12.5h
10:15
Catamarã Cavalo Marinho search
Snorkel and swim on Caribbean-style Ilha de Santo Aleixo.
90 min · Porto de Galinhas
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.