Before you go
Your trip to Gramado.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Gramado – RS Destination Serra Gaúcha about 115 km from Porto Alegre
How to get there
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Aeroporto Internacional Salgado Filho (POA) Porto Alegre · 94 km
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Aeroporto Regional Hugo Cantergiani (CXJ) Caxias do Sul · 65 km
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Rodoviária de Gramado
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Gramado is 115 km from Porto Alegre, about two hours by car. Citral buses leave from the Porto Alegre Bus Station, and the company also picks up at Salgado Filho Airport. The nearest airport is in Caxias do Sul, 65 km away; Salgado Filho, 94 km away, has more flights.
How many days
Two days cover the center, Lago Negro and the parks. Three or four, if you want to include Canela, 8 km away, and a day of wineries in Bento Gonçalves.
When to go
Winter, from June to August, is the most popular season: cold, early-morning frost and a packed July. The Film Festival is in August. Natal Luz runs from late October to mid-January and is the other high season. Outside these periods, the town is calmer.
Do you need a car?
Not in the center: Lago Negro, the Rua Coberta, the Igreja Matriz and Mini Mundo are within walking distance. For Canela, there are Citral buses between the two centers. For Snowland, on RS-235 toward Nova Petrópolis, and for the Vale dos Vinhedos, take a car or a booked tour.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Gramado
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Morning
Lago Negro
Start early, while the lake is still empty. The walk around it takes less than an hour.
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Morning
Mini Mundo
Set aside about two hours. It's a bigger hit with kids, but the detail of the miniatures captivates anyone.
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Afternoon
Igreja Matriz São Pedro Apóstolo
The stone church in the center, after lunch. Half an hour is enough.
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Late afternoon
Rua Coberta
Coffee, chocolate and bustle. It's where the town gathers at the end of the day.
2 days in Gramado
Day 1
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Morning
Lago Negro
Same start, no rush.
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Morning
Mini Mundo
A few minutes from the center. About two hours.
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Afternoon
Igreja Matriz São Pedro Apóstolo
In the center, on foot after lunch.
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Late afternoon
Rua Coberta
To end the first day.
Day 2
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Morning
Snowland
Indoor snow park, on RS-235, on the way to Nova Petrópolis. Set aside the morning. In the low season, it's closed on Wednesdays.
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Afternoon
Parque do Caracol, in Canela
From Snowland, drive on to Canela, home of the Cascata do Caracol.
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Late afternoon
Catedral de Pedra, in Canela
In downtown Canela, before heading back to Gramado.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Gramado or Canela: where should I stay?
The two are neighbors, 8 km apart. Gramado has more hotels, restaurants and bustle; Canela is quieter and closer to the Cascata do Caracol. You can stay in one and explore the other.
Can I get there from Porto Alegre without a car?
Yes. Citral runs buses from the Porto Alegre Bus Station and picks up at Salgado Filho Airport. In town, you can explore the center on foot, and there are buses to Canela.
Does it snow in Gramado?
Snow is rare and you can't plan your trip around it. What is guaranteed in winter is cold and early-morning frost.
When is Natal Luz?
It starts in late October and runs until mid-January. It's the busiest time of year, along with the July school holidays: book lodging early.
When is the Film Festival?
In August, at the Palácio dos Festivais, next to the Rua Coberta. During festival week, the town fills up.