Paço Alfândega, Shopping center in historic customs building of Recife, Brazil.
Paço Alfândega is a shopping and dining destination housed in a restored colonial-era building with original stone walls and wooden architectural elements spread across multiple levels. The complex contains approximately 40 shops and restaurants integrated throughout the preserved structure.
The building started as a customs house in 1720 during Portuguese colonial rule, where officials managed trade between arriving ships and local merchants. It later served as a monastery before being converted into a shopping venue in recent decades.
The space displays and celebrates art and crafts from northeastern Brazil through exhibitions and events held throughout the year. Visitors can experience the creative traditions of the region directly while shopping or dining.
The venue sits right along Recife's waterfront and is easily reached on foot, especially for those exploring the harbor area. The multi-floor layout with its original floor plan takes time to navigate, but clear signage helps you find your way.
The stone facade displays visible traces from its dual past - religious carvings left by monastery monks sit alongside marks from the customs period. This layering of two very different purposes remains visible in the physical structure today.
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