There are several city parks to take kids to and have some fun in, and the picturesque Pituacu Park is among the best of them. Golf, tennis and scuba diving can also be enjoyed in Salvador, as well as sunbathing, while the Aeroclube Plaza has numerous opportunities for active kids, with its many fun options and games room.

Aeroclube Plaza
If you have bored or adventurous kids, Aeroclube Plaza (Avenue Otavio Mangabeira) is perfect for them to spend some energy. It is a huge outdoor mall with all sorts of activities on offer, such as: bowling, mini golf, climbing and go-kart racing. Younger children can try Formula Jr, while video games are also onsite as well as restaurants and bars. 
Phone: +55 71 3462 8000.

Dique do Tororo Park
Dique do Tororo Park on Avenue Marechal Costa e Silva is one of the city’s best parks to have fun in. There is a stretch of water here where kayaks and paddle boats can be rented out and buzzed around, while big statues have been constructed and placed in the middle of the lake and are beautifully lit at night. 
Phone: +55 71 3382 0847.

Golf
There are a number of good golf courses in and around Salvador although many are private, where guests must be accompanied by members. However, the Sofitel has a decent 18-hole course and even if you aren’t staying here, it is open to the public. Green fees are reasonable and you’ll find the hotel in Itapua. 
Phone: +55 71 3374 9296.

Pituacu Park
Located on Avenue Otavio Mangabeira in Pituacu, Pituacu Park has a nice setting near Pituacu Beach and is great for kids, with its children's playground. There is a huge Atlantic rainforest reserve in the park with lots of palm, mango, and cashew trees, as well as several miles of cycle trails. Bikes can be rented onsite. 
Phone: +55 71 3231 2829.

Scuba Diving
There are many nice reefs to dive to as well as shipwrecks and marine life to discern off the Bahia coast. Prices are reasonable for daily outings and include equipment hire, and there are several dive companies vying for business. Local dive company, Dive Bahia, on Avenue Sete de Setembro, is one such company. 
Phone: +55 71 3264 3820.

Tennis
Salvador has a couple of tennis clubs open to non-members. Costa Verde Tenis Clube (phone: +55 71 3367 9805) on Avenue Orlando Gomes in Piata has 13 quality courts while Clube Bahiano de Tenis (phone: +55 71 3336 9411) on Avenue Princesa Leopoldina in Baha has nine courts. Court time is chargeable by the hour at both clubs.

Salvador, like much of Brazil, has much history of war and religion, which is best seen in its many old buildings and museums. The Afro-Brazilian Museum is one of the more interesting museums, while the museum in the lighthouse is also worth exploring. One of the most fun cultural highlights in Salvador is the downtown Model Market.

Afro-Brazilian Museum (Museu Afro-Brasileiro)
The Museu Afro-Brasileiro is situated in an interesting early 1800s building and details the development of the Afro-Brazilian slaves of Brazil. The Candomble religion is well exhibited and more than two-dozen huge carved wood panels reside in the back. They are the creation of Bahian artist, Carybe, and portray the orixas (gods), which were important to the community of the day. English-language booklets provide translations. 
Phone: +55 71 321 0383.

Casa de Jorge Amado
Although not enthralling for most visitors, the house of one of Brazil’s most famed authors, Jorge Amado, is on display for all to see. He died aged 93 in 2001 and his house features many of his works in several languages. The crux of the exhibits on Amado’s life is only in Portuguese, however, yet the café downstairs is quite revealing. 
Phone: +55 71 3321 0122.

Catedral Basilica
The 17th century cathedral in Terreiro de Jesus Square is one of the main landmarks of downtown Salvador. It has recently been completely restored and features striking altars, sculptures and carvings, the largest of which, Christ the Saviour, is the biggest wood sculpture in Brazil. Check out the basilica on a Sunday to see the Baroque Chamber Concerts (Barroco na Bahia). 
Phone: +55 71 3321 4573

Model Market (Mercado Modelo)
The Model Market is one of the main tourist attractions in Salvador and is perfect for a wander. It was fully restored to its 19th-century customs building and slave warehouse look after a devastating fire hit in the 1980s. This is the place to come for souvenirs and arts and crafts, but bargain hard. 
Phone: +55 71 3243 6543

Nautical Museum of Bahia (Museu Nautico da Bahia)
This museum is located in the Forte de Santo Antonio da Barr, which is a lighthouse, fort, and museum overlooking the sea. The building was constructed in 1534 by the Portuguese to protect Salvador and was subsequently routed by the Dutch in 1624, only to be retaken in 1625. It features a collection of maps and navigational instruments although the views are the most interesting aspect. 
Phone: +55 71 245 0539.

Salvador food is Bahian, featuring its own unique ingredients and is wholly different from standard Brazilian food. The seafood here—oysters, prawns, crab, and fish—is particularly rich with the addition of dende oil African flavours. Must-tries are acaraje (bean fritters), moqueca de siri-mole (a crab stew), and the famous bobo de camarao (shrimp in yuca cream). Portions in Salvador are generally hearty.

There are several places to eat in and around town. Pelourinho (Pelo) is the foremost place, with its colonial houses and fine ambience. Comercio, just below Pelourinho, is also good in the daytime, while the beach neighbourhood of Barra has loads of hotels and restaurants and is especially favoured by the locals. The street stalls of Terreiro de Jesus are also worth checking out while Burger King and McDonald's are never far away.

Salvador is one of shopping malls, craft stores and street stalls, and picking up a cheap souvenir is easily done. Crafts are the best buys in Salvador, including wood, leather, and ceramics, while musical instruments and CDs are also easily bargained for. Crafts and clothes are best found in the old town or Mercado Modelo.

There are loads of shopping malls in Salvador which mainly reside outside downtown. Shopping Barra and Shopping Iguatemi are two of the more popular ones, while the Aeroclube Plaza Show (Avenue Otavio Mangabeira, near the airport) has great shopping as well as entertainment options for kids. Souvenirs, T-shirts and hand-painted hammocks are good buys.