Lacerda Elevator at a glance
72 meters
Height
R$0.15
Fare
06:00 - 23:00 daily
Hours
1873 (rebuilt 1930)
Built
About the Lacerda Elevator
The Lacerda Elevator (Elevador Lacerda) is the public elevator connecting the upper and lower halves of Salvador, Bahia. Salvador sits on a cliff facing the Bay of All Saints, and the city has been split into Cidade Alta (upper) and Cidade Baixa (lower) since the 16th century. The Lacerda Elevator is the simplest way across that 72-meter drop, and one of the most visited landmarks in the city.
The structure has two parts: a 22-meter cliff-side hall with the engine room and lower entrance, and a 50-meter art deco tower above it that opens onto Praca Tome de Souza in the upper city. Four cabins run continuously, each carrying about 20 people. The crossing takes 30 seconds.
Hours, price, how to visit
Hours: daily 06:00 to 23:00. Fare: R$0.15 per ride, paid in cash at a kiosk before the turnstile. Wait time: typically 2-5 minutes; longest at midday and during cruise ship arrivals.
Upper entrance: Praca Tome de Souza, next to the Palacio Rio Branco. Walk-up access from Pelourinho is 5 minutes downhill. Lower entrance: Praca Cairu, immediately next to the Mercado Modelo and the ferry terminal.
Use it both ways
The bay view
The upper platform of the Lacerda Elevator is the most accessible viewpoint in central Salvador, and entry is free even without buying the elevator ticket. From the railing you see, left to right: the Mercado Modelo immediately below, the lower city of Comercio, the Forte de Sao Marcelo sitting alone in the bay, the ferry terminal, and across the water the islands of Itaparica and Frades.
The platform faces west, so sunsets arrive with the bay in the foreground. Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset for the best light.
72 m
Total height of the elevator
30 sec
Trip duration between cities
1873
Year the original was built
Want context with the visit?
Our walking tours include the Lacerda Elevator and the Praca Tome de Souza viewpoint, with the historical context and the lower city continuation through Mercado Modelo.
History since 1873
The original elevator was inaugurated on 8 December 1873 as the Elevador Hidraulico da Conceicao da Praia, designed by the engineer Antonio de Lacerda. It ran on hydraulic power and had two cabins. At the time it was the largest urban elevator in the world.
In 1896 the system was electrified. The current art deco structure dates from a 1930 reconstruction by the architect Luis Pedreira do Couto Ferraz, with the tower in reinforced concrete and four cabins. The municipal government has run the elevator continuously since the 1930s, and it remains a working part of Salvador's public transport system.
The Lacerda Elevator is officially listed as historical heritage by IPHAN (the Brazilian heritage institute) and is one of the symbols of the city, alongside the Pelourinho and the Bay of All Saints.
How to combine with other sights
The Lacerda Elevator sits at the natural hinge of any Salvador walk. A practical loop:
- Start in Pelourinho, walk through the historic center.
- Exit at Praca Tome de Souza for the upper Lacerda platform and the bay view.
- Take the elevator down to Praca Cairu (R$0.15, 30 seconds).
- Visit Mercado Modelo (immediately at the lower exit) for artisan stalls and lunch.
- Walk to the boat dock for the optional 15-minute boat ride to Forte de Sao Marcelo.
- Take the elevator back up at the end of the day.
For the wider list of city landmarks, see top things to do in Salvador.
Plan your trip
Salvador travel guide
Full city guide: neighborhoods, food, transport, safety
Top things to do in Salvador
15 attractions ranked by what is worth your time
Pelourinho guide
UNESCO historic center: what to see, what to skip
Walking tours in Salvador
Private and free walking tour options in Pelourinho
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Lacerda Elevator cost?
The Lacerda Elevator costs R$0.15 per ride (about three US cents). The fare is paid in cash at a small kiosk before the turnstile.
What are the Lacerda Elevator opening hours?
The Lacerda Elevator runs daily from 06:00 to 23:00. It operates as a working public transit link as well as a tourist attraction.
How tall is the Lacerda Elevator?
The Lacerda Elevator rises 72 meters between the lower and upper city of Salvador. The trip takes about 30 seconds in one of four cabins.
Is the Lacerda Elevator worth visiting?
Yes. The Lacerda Elevator is the simplest way to move between Pelourinho and the Mercado Modelo, and the upper platform offers one of the best free viewpoints in central Salvador.