Situated just north of the city of Recife on Brazil's northeast coast, the historic city of Olinda is one of Brazil's best-preserved, most picturesque colonial towns. Known by many to be the country's cultural hub, it is most famously known for its striking heritage buildings, scenic cityscapes and rich culture. Alongside this, Olinda has developed a reputation as a vibrant artist's colony with many galleries and artisans' workshops. Visitors can look forward to exploring the UNESCO-listed historic downtown area, featuring streets fringed by a host of fascinating museums, old Baroque-style churches and colourful 18th-century colonial architecture everywhere you look. Olinda also plays host to the best Carnival in Brazil, where hundreds of parades swarm the streets in festive mode.