What started as a rope-and-pulley elevator used by the Jesuits in the early 1600s has become one of the city’s star attractions (and a part of day-to-day life for many Brazilian commuters). Four cabins make the trip up and down, carrying up to 128 passengers at a time. Due to its popularity among visitors and icon status in the city, the elevator features on just about every sightseeing tour around town, along with other marquee attractions, like the Bahia Lighthouse, Barra Fortress, Jesuit Basilica Cathedral, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed neighborhood of Pelourinho.
The elevator runs between Praça Visconde de Cayrú in the Lower City and the Paço Municipal in the Upper City. The easiest way to get to the terminal is by taxi, but you can also ride the double-decker sightseeing bus to the Mercado Modelo stop, just in front of the Lacerda Elevator.
The elevator is open daily, with extended hours on weekends, during the summer months, and during Carnival. Weekday afternoons tend to be the least crowded time to ride.
The elevator is centrally situated in Salvador, with plenty of other attractions nearby. The 17th-century city hall sits across from the elevator and frequently hosts cultural exhibitions. The sprawling Mercado Modelo arts and crafts market is also near the lower terminus. The historic city center is also within easy walking distance.