Cidade Turismo
Uruguay
Colônia do Sacramento

Colônia · Uruguay

Colônia do Sacramento

City founded by the Portuguese in 1680 opposite Buenos Aires, with a historic district that is a World Heritage Site, and Carmelo, land of wineries and a 1912 swing bridge.

Litoral Oeste

In the photo: Calle de los Suspiros, Colônia do Sacramento

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Colônia do Sacramento was founded in 1680 as a Portuguese outpost on the north bank of the Río de la Plata, right opposite Buenos Aires. Portugal and Spain contested the town for more than a century, and that history is written into the cobbled streets of the Barrio Histórico, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995.

The old core can be covered on foot: the Portón de Campo, the Calle de los Suspiros, the Faro built over the ruins of a convent, the Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento and the spaces of the Museo de Colonia are all a few minutes from each other. About 5 km to the north, the Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos, from 1910, was restored and turned into a cultural center with a museum.

Following the coast along Ruta 21, Carmelo lies near the mouth of the Arroyo de las Vacas on the Río de la Plata. The town, founded by Artigas in 1816, has the Puente Giratorio, from 1912, operated by human power, and the Plaza Independencia with the church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. In the surroundings there are wineries that receive visitors, such as Zubizarreta, Narbona and El Legado, and the Jesuit ruins of the Calera de las Huérfanas.

The language is Spanish, and dinner usually starts after 9:00 p.m.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Colônia do Sacramento, Carmelo.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Colônia do Sacramento is
Colônia do SacramentoCarmelo

Contornos: Servicio Geográfico Militar / IDE Uruguay, Licença de Dados Abertos. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Colônia do Sacramento

✈ Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco (MVD), in Ciudad de la Costa · 200 km to Colônia do Sacramento

From Buenos Aires, ferries cross the Río de la Plata to Colônia's port in about 1h15 to 1h30. From Montevideo it's roughly 180 km via Ruta 1. Confirm before buying.

Suggested arrival point: Colônia do Sacramento

Colônia do Sacramento
Colônia · Colônia do Sacramento Capital Suggested arrival point

Colônia do Sacramento

Capital of the department of Colonia, the city lies on the north bank of the Rio da Prata, opposite Buenos Aires, and was founded by the Portuguese in 1680. The Barrio Histórico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes the Portón de Campo, the Calle de los Suspiros, the Faro, the Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento and the Museo de Colonia sites. About 5 km to the north, the Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos, from 1910, has become a cultural center.

The local experience

Things to do in Colônia do Sacramento

Barrio Histórico de Colonia del Sacramento
Colônia do Sacramento · Colônia · Historic neighborhood

Barrio Histórico de Colonia del Sacramento

The core founded by the Portuguese in 1680, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Cobblestone streets, single‑story houses, the Plaza Mayor 25 de Mayo, the Faro, the Basílica and the museums are concentrated within a few blocks at the tip of the peninsula.

Puente Giratorio
Carmelo · Colônia · Bridge

Puente Giratorio

A 1912 iron bridge over the Arroyo de las Vacas, considered the first swing bridge in South America. The central span rotates by human power to let boats pass. It is a National Historic Monument.

Calle de los Suspiros
Colônia do Sacramento · Colônia · Street

Calle de los Suspiros

One of the most typical streets in the Barrio Histórico: uneven stone paving, low colonial houses and the river in the background. It begins beside the Plaza Mayor and slopes down toward the riverbank.

Plaza Independencia
Carmelo · Colônia · Square

Plaza Independencia

Carmelo's central square, with the church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, the town's patron saint, and cafés and restaurants around. It's the starting point for exploring the centre on foot.

See 9 more places in Colônia do Sacramento
Calera de las Huérfanas
Carmelo · Colônia · Historical site

Calera de las Huérfanas

Ruins of the Estancia de Belén, founded by the Jesuits in 1741, with the chapel, walls and the lime kilns that gave the place its name. A National Historic Monument, about 16 km from Carmelo.

Portón de Campo
Colônia do Sacramento · Colônia · Monument

Portón de Campo

The entrance gate of the old Portuguese citadel, from 1745, with a wooden drawbridge and sections of the wall. It is the traditional access to the Barrio Histórico coming from the center.

Bodega Zubizarreta
Carmelo · Colônia · Winery

Bodega Zubizarreta

Family winery of Basque origin, producing wine since 1957 on lands of the former Calera de las Huérfanas. It offers guided tours, tastings and lunch at Casa de Aitona, an early-20th-century manor house.

Faro de Colonia del Sacramento
Colônia do Sacramento · Colônia · Lighthouse

Faro de Colonia del Sacramento

1857 lighthouse built on the ruins of the Convento de San Francisco. Still in operation, it can be climbed via a spiral staircase to a viewpoint over the Barrio Histórico and the Rio de la Plata.

Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento
Colônia do Sacramento · Colônia · Church

Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento

Considered the oldest church in Uruguay, with the parish established in 1680. The current temple dates from the early 19th century and was rebuilt after a lightning strike caused gunpowder stored in the sacristy to explode in 1823.

Narbona
Carmelo · Colônia · Winery

Narbona

Former estancia from 1909, founded by Juan de Narbona, transformed into a winery, restaurant and lodging on Ruta 21. It offers guided tours with tastings of wines and cheeses produced on the property, by reservation.

El Legado Bodega Boutique
Carmelo · Colônia · Winery

El Legado Bodega Boutique

Small family winery in the rural area of Colonia Estrella, near downtown Carmelo, with vineyards planted from 1968. It hosts visits by reservation, with tastings, snacks or lunch.

Museo de Colonia
Colônia do Sacramento · Colônia · Museum

Museo de Colonia

Municipal museum spread across historic houses in the Barrio Histórico, with a single ticket: Espacio Rebuffo, Espacio Portugués, Vivienda Portuguesa (Casa de Nacarello), Espacio Español, Espacio Indígena and Archivo Regional.

Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos
Colônia do Sacramento · Colônia · Cultural center

Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos

Former bullring in Moorish style, inaugurated in 1910 and closed shortly afterwards with the ban on bullfighting. Restored, it now functions as a cultural center and houses a museum about its history.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Spring (October and November) and autumn (March to May) have mild days for walking in the Barrio Histórico and visiting wineries. Summer, from December to March, brings heat and more activity, with highs that often exceed 28 °C in January. From June to August winter is cold and windy on the riverfront.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

A full day is enough for the Barrio Histórico, including the Faro, the Basílica and one or two sections of the Museo de Colonia. With two days you can add the Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos and a relaxed sunset by the river. Adding Carmelo, 75 km away, allow one or two more days for the swing bridge, the Calera de las Huérfanas and the wineries.

Which city to stay in

In Colônia, the Barrio Histórico concentrates guesthouses in old houses and allows you to do everything on foot; it's the choice for those who want the cobbled streets at night. The commercial center, around Avenida General Flores, is a few blocks away and offers more variety. The Real de San Carlos, to the north, is more residential and quiet. In Carmelo there is accommodation in the town center, near Plaza Independencia, and in the rural area at wineries and estancias along Ruta 21 and in the Colonia Estrella region.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Colônia do Sacramento

Is it possible to do a day trip from Montevideo or Buenos Aires?

Yes. From Buenos Aires the ferry arrives a few blocks from the Barrio Histórico, and a one-day trip is common. From Montevideo it's about 180 km each way; a day trip is possible but tiring, and staying one night in Colônia is more rewarding.

How many days to stay in the region?

One day for Colônia do Sacramento, two if you want to include the Plaza de Toros and see the sunset without rushing. Carmelo requires one or two more days, especially to visit wineries, which operate by reservation.

Do you need a car?

For Colônia, no: the Barrio Histórico is walkable, and the Real de San Carlos is about 5 km away, reachable by city bus, taxi or bicycle. For Carmelo and the wineries, a car is very helpful because they are spread out across the countryside along Ruta 21 and Ruta 97.

What's the best time to go?

October, November and March to May usually have pleasant temperatures for walking. Summer, from December to March, is hot and busy. From June to August it's cold and windy on the riverbank.

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