This ‘runseeing’ tour of Recife, the ‘Venice of Brazil’, explores the city’s parks, squares, historic section, and the numerous bridges over the Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers, connecting Recife & Santo Antônio islands. It’s a scenic 8 km run, with lots of harbor and water views.
Torre Malakoff. Creative Commons.
Start on the mainland with a ~1 km loop of the Parque Treze de Maio, a lush urban green space. Take the short R. Princesa Isabel bridge over to the Praça da República(Republic Square) on Santo Antônio island. There are views to the Palácio do Campo das Princesas (state government offices) and the historic Santa Isabel Theater. Take the Buarque de Macedo bridge to Recife Island, where you’ll do a ~1.5 km tour of the historic center of Recife. Key sights: the Praça do Marco Zero open plaza, the 19th-century Malakoff Tower, and several museums.
Return to Santo Antônio using the Pte. Maurício de Nassau, and enjoy the scenic, 1 km out & back path along the Capibaribe River (rio). Just inland from the river path are two of Santo Antônio’s main sights: the Pátio de São Pedro & the bustling Mercado de São José. Use the Pte. Boa Vista to return to the mainland, and finish with the colorful riverside houses along R. da Aurora.
This ‘runseeing’ tour of Recife, the ‘Venice of Brazil’, explores the city’s parks, squares, historic section, and the numerous bridges over the Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers, connecting Recife & Santo Antônio islands. It’s a scenic 8 km run, with lots of harbor and water views.
Torre Malakoff. Creative Commons.
Start on the mainland with a ~1 km loop of the Parque Treze de Maio, a lush urban green space. Take the short R. Princesa Isabel bridge over to the Praça da República(Republic Square) on Santo Antônio island. There are views to the Palácio do Campo das Princesas (state government offices) and the historic Santa Isabel Theater. Take the Buarque de Macedo bridge to Recife Island, where you’ll do a ~1.5 km tour of the historic center of Recife. Key sights: the Praça do Marco Zero open plaza, the 19th-century Malakoff Tower, and several museums.
Return to Santo Antônio using the Pte. Maurício de Nassau, and enjoy the scenic, 1 km out & back path along the Capibaribe River (rio). Just inland from the river path are two of Santo Antônio’s main sights: the Pátio de São Pedro & the bustling Mercado de São José. Use the Pte. Boa Vista to return to the mainland, and finish with the colorful riverside houses along R. da Aurora.
The Boa Viagem Beach Promenade is the signature run in Recife. This festive, palm-lined promenade runs alongside Boa Viagem Beach for up to 12 km south to Piedade. There are good views of the South Atlantic the whole way.
Run on a 5.3 km concrete path out to a lighthouse, at this haborside park on a reef featuring unique works by the famous Brazilian sculptor Francisco Brennand. Great water and art views!
Parque Histórico Nacional dos Guararapes features scenic & hilly options for running on mainly forested trails. It's fun to run to or between the viewpoints. Located in the Jardim Jordão section in southern Recife, near Recife International Airport.
Nice waterfront running in the colonial town of Olinda, just north of Recife. A wide sidewalk/waterfront promenade runs for nearly 6 km from the historic center north to Rio Doce. Also worth exploring the windy, hilly cobblestone streets of the historic center.
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