The Teatro Arthur Azevedo is one of the most beautiful theatres in northeastern Brazil, a neoclassical building in the heart of the historic centre with an elegantly restored interior. It dates from 1817, making it one of the oldest active theatres in the country, and its horseshoe-shaped auditorium with painted ceiling and gilded boxes is well worth seeing.
The theatre stages a varied programme of music, dance, and drama, and it's worth checking what's on during your visit. Even if nothing appeals, the building itself can be visited during the day. It stands in the Praia Grande neighbourhood, surrounded by the tiled colonial houses that make this part of the city so distinctive.