Colonia del Sacramento Things to Do

1 more image

I visited Uruguay in the month of September, and the weather was awesome at Colonia de Sacramento. After riding the ferry from Buenos Aires, I just walked to its famous lighthouse which is also known as the El Faro, located at San Pedro’s Point (Punta de San Pedro).

The El Faro was built in 1857 from stones actually taken from the ruins of the Convento de San Francisco. I was able to go up to it, but I forgot how much it cost – I’m sure it was not much. But it was nice to go up this wonderful highlight of the Rio de Plata. From above, I did see the artist on the ground making a charcoal painting of the lighthouse.

When I went down, I asked him to include a small silhouette of me on the lighthouse, and then I bought the artwork for only about $25! It’s now hanging in our home…

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!

I made a video of my short trip to Colonia del Sacramento!
Hope you like this:

JUMPINGNORMAN IN COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO, URUGUAY!

1 more image

Colonia is a world heritage site.It's very pretty small town.I walked around town ,seeing beautiful colourful houses built in Portugese style.The colour of the houses are so colouful ,like the one in the picture.It's pink one with beautiful flower tree.I think this house will be one of the most taken picture in Colonia.But at that moment I didn't see any other people around ,and I like it like this so much .....quiet town.. without tourists...... serene....

1 more image

While it may not be one of the official museums listed in the brochures or identified on the maps, if you appreciate or enjoy old antique cars, you will not be disappointed.

Scattered throughout all of the old district, the barrio historico, there are antique cars parked on nearly every street. Some are very well preserved and look to be near mint condition. Others are so dilapidated that they may have trees growing out of them. There are European models dating from the 30's as well as American classics of the same era all the way up to current.

Price is free, all you have to do is walk the old historical district.

If you are really a car aficionado, there is an old Ford that has been converted into a dining car. See my restaurant tip for details.

1 more image

Perhaps because we live near the ocean ,we always head first to the coast.
The old wharf has long since disappearedbut the current one offers nice views of the coast.There are lots of inviting restaurants along this area too.

1 more image

Colonia is a joy to explore by foot. We follow cobbled stone streets to what was once a main town areaof 1600's Colonia. The ancient stone houses,shaded by massive palms are a wonder to behold.....couldn't get enough pictures.

2 more images

Seven different small museums can be seen for the bargain price of about 1 US dollar. You start at the Museo Portugues on the South side of the Plaza Mayor and pay for a ticket which gets validated as you enter each of the other six museums. None of them take very long to go through, in fact a couple consist of just one small building with one gallery. The different buildings are scattered throughout the Historical Center and are:
Municipal Museum (which in September 2007 was closed for renovations)
Indigenous Museum
Spanish Museum
Nacarello House
Tile Museum
Portuguese Museum
Regional Museum and Archives

Colonia de Sacramento was the only Portuguese settlement along the Rio de la Plata founded in 1680 by Manuel de Lobo, and it operated as a contraband port for years…and now it is a wonderful but relatively underrated tourist destination!

You will enjoy walking along the cobblestone streets which have been likened to the streets of old Lisbon. You also see colorful houses, and I liked taking pictures by the nice lamps on the side of little buildings, houses.

The historic quarter, Barrío Historico, on a small peninsula jutting out into the river, was named a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1995.

4 more images

Colonia's Barrio Historico (Old District), now a UNESCO World Heritage site, is what attracts the majority of visitors to the town. It encompasses a small section of the town, close to the river, and is made up of narrow, cobbled streets and old, atmospheric colonial buildings.

The entrance to the Barrio Historico is via a reconstructed 18th century gate, and from here a thick stone wall runs down to the river and onto the beautiful and much photographed Calle de los Suspiros (Street of Sighs).

Many of the colonial buildings in the barrio are now museums, and you can visit them all on one ticket costing less than a dollar. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants as you might expect in such a popular place. You could probably see everything in the Barrio Historico in one day but if you have the time it's much better to relax and enjoy it over 2 or 3 days.