A quick guide to Colonia de Sacramento in Uruguay

Colonia de Sacramento, an old colonial town in Uruguay, is usually visited by tourists coming from Buenos Aires. This UNESCO World Heritage Site founded by Portuguese in the 17th century takes you back straight to Portuguese little towns. You may even forget for a moment that you are in South America. It is easy to reach by boat and makes a very pleasant day-trip from the capital of Argentina and the business of the big city. I somehow never managed to take a boat trip from Buenos Aires during my visits. Because it was bothering me so much that the town is so charming and I yet don’t know it, it become our one-day excursion from Punta del Este.

Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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What to do in Colonia de Sacramento

There is no much to see and do in Colonia de Sacramento. If you are looking for some thrilling experiences this is not the place to be, but idle walks or sipping a coffee without any rush is your thing- go ahead, put Colonia in your travel plans.

Historic Quarter: Wander through the UNESCO-listed Historic Quarter, where you’ll find well-preserved colonial buildings, quaint cafes, and art galleries.
Lighthouse: Climb to the top of the iconic Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse for panoramic views of the city and river.
Street Art Tour: Explore the vibrant street art scene with a guided tour, discovering colorful murals and graffiti around every corner.
Matriz Church: Visit the historic Matriz Church, dating back to the 17th century, and admire its Baroque architecture and ornate interior.
Plaza Mayor: Relax in Plaza Mayor, the heart of the city, surrounded by colonial-era buildings and shaded by ancient trees.

When you see everything in town, book a tour further:

What to eat in Colonia de Sacramento

Uruguayan Asado: Indulge in a traditional Uruguayan asado (barbecue), featuring succulent cuts of meat grilled to perfection.
Chivito: Sample the famous chivito sandwich, made with thinly sliced steak, ham, cheese, and toppings like lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
Dulce de leche: Satisfy your sweet tooth with dulce de leche, a caramel-like spread made from condensed milk, enjoyed in pastries, desserts, and coffee.

Best restaurants in Colonia de Sacramento

El Drugstore: Enjoy contemporary Uruguayan cuisine with a view of the river at this stylish waterfront restaurant.
Buen Suspiro: Dine in a historic colonial building at Buen Suspiro, known for its gourmet dishes and romantic ambiance.
La Florida: Feast on classic Uruguayan fare at La Florida, a local favorite famous for its hearty portions and friendly service.

Quick tip: if you are a foodie like me and really want to dine in the best restaurant (and not necessarily for a lot of money), use TripAdvisor to check reviews and best places to eat. It is my go-to guide for restaurants.

Where to stay in Colonia de Sacramento

Colonia is one of those places that draws attention by its charms, not the amount of attractions. The quietness, picturesque Río de la Plata with Buenos Aires on the other side and cute coffee places are enough to make visitors fall in love.

Magically time slows down in Colonia de Sacramento and all troubles seem to be floating somewhere far away.

It is one of those places where you want to come back to, if only for a calming stroll through small, cobbled streets. A little treat there is a possibility to have a bath in Río de la Plata and at a little drive from the town you can find some nice sandy beaches. So if you are tempted to have a bath in the widest river in the world, you can easily fulfil your temptation.

My hotel recommendations for Colonia de Sacramento:

Charco Hotel– a beautiful hotel with a character in the heart of the historical centre. It has a riverfront restaurant, a garden and really nice balconies.
Posada Boutique Las Terrazas– a budget friendly hotel in the very centre of the old town with over a thousand of incredible reviews. Worth checking out.

Use Booking.com for more options

We walked around, got to the top of the lighthouse, visited a church…then quickly realized that this is it! Not much to see in Colonia, so we decided to soak the beauty of the amazing Río de la Plata so wide that you can hardly see the other side and enjoy the soft sun. Staying still like that for a while could only do good to us. Me and my boyfriend enjoyed this little town a lot before it was time to go back to golden beaches of Punta del Este and relax even more.

How to get to Colonia de Sacramento

There are two ways to get to Colonia de Sacramento:

By plane arriving in Montevideo, then driving or by bus to get to Colonia de Sacramento. Use SkyScanner to search for the most convenient flights.
By ferry from Buenos Aires, which is what I did. It is really convenient to visit these two cities, so even if you are stating in Buenos Aires, you can visit Colonia on a day trip. However, I stayed for a couple of weeks to discover more places in Uruguay and hired a car to make it easy and comfortable. Use this website to search for ferry options.

See also:

Uruguayans in general seem to be laid back. This creates an atmosphere without rush and hurry. It allows you to slow down. The little town of Colonia is so peaceful (although filled with people from all over the world) that you are in danger of forgetting the time.

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