Five jewels on the margins of the São Francisco River

Brazil celebrated São Francisco River National Navigation Day this Saturday (3). The river, affectionately known as Velho Chico (Old “Chico", short for "Francisco"), runs from Southeast to Northeast of the country, crossing five states and 521 municipalities in its path. From its spring in the Serra da Canastra mountain chain (Minas Gerais) to the mouth on the border of Sergipe and Alagoas, the São Francisco travels for a whopping 2,700 kilometres.

Learn more about some of the tourist destinations and attractions awaiting visitors along the river.

Serra da Canastra

This is the mountain chain where the São Francisco river is born. The Canastra is located in the vicinity of six cities: Sacramento, Delfinópolis, São João Batista do Glória, Capitólio, São Roque de Minas and Vargem Bonita. In addition to the river spring itself, tourists can also the visit Casca D'Anta, a 186-metre-high waterfall, and the first great leap of the river, located 14 km from the source.

Pirapora (MG)

Pirapora, also in Minas Gerais, is famous for the beauties of the São Francisco along which it was slowly built. One of the city's most popular tourist attractions is the Benjamin Guimarães, the only steam boat still in operation in the world. Built in 1913 in the United States, the vessel offers tours of the river that go for as long as 28 km.

Canyons of São Francisco

In the Northeast, the Canyons of the São Francisco are an increasingly sought-after attraction. The city of Canindé de São Francisco, 213 km from Sergipe state capital Aracaju, offers one of the most beautiful tours in Brazil: the crossing of the Canyons of Xingó, formed by a gorgeous valley that runs for 65 km and is 170 m deep.

São Francisco Valley

The scorching heat of the Brazilian backlands also (and amazingly) produces great wine. The São Francisco Valley has seven wineries between the countryside of Pernambuco and northern Bahia that together make up the second largest production complex of wines, sparkling wines and natural grape juices in Brazil. The region lies in an area of more than 10,000 hectares between Lagoa Grande (PE) and Casa Nova (BA).

Petrolina (PE)

Just like Pirapora, Petrolina emerged on the banks of the São Francisco. The city is famous for the natural landscapes and scenarios of the caatinga biome, which visitors can appreciate on a boat ride through the Old Chico to the city of Juazeiro (on the other side of the river). Petrolina is also home to the Sertão Museum, built to showcase the culture of the Brazilian backlands (the "Sertão") and the sertanejos who live on them, with their unique customs and culture.

Images: Divulgação/MTur