Orientation
Officially, downtown Recife has three district sections. Recife Antigo (Old), aka Recife Velho, is the part of the city that was established by the Dutch in 1630. It was largely neglected as newer sections were built, but several years ago the city fathers decided to restore its colonial buildings, repair its cobblestone streets and encourage restauranteurs and nightspot owners to open here. Their plan worked and Recife Antigo is now a popular dining section with live music options too. They even offer free concerts in the squares. A dozen blocks around Rua do Bom Jesus are crowded with revelers, usually on weekends.
Bridges across the Capibaribe River connect Old Recife to Recife proper (Centro). The districts of Santo Antônio and São José share one island and are the most interesting parts of the city for visitors. They are lined by narrow streets where modern high-rise buildings stand adjacent to colonial- style churches and bustling markets. They are also commercial centers; on weekdays, you’ll see well-dressed business people in the shops and restaurants. A key spot here is the Praça da República at the narrow tip of Santo Antônio. Several government buildings are located here.
Many bridges connect Santo Antônio and São José to the mainland where the districts of Boa Vista and Santo Amaro are located. They are primarily residential, but do have several museums you might enjoy.
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