Colonia del Sacramento Things to Do

The Museo Espanol was, in my opinion, was the best of Colonia´s many museums. It describes Colonia from its founding as a smuggling port right up to the present day, and does a good job of explaining the town's rather complicated history. Colonia was ruled by Spain and Portugal at different times in its history and evidence of both occupations are still highly visible in the old town.

Most of the exhibits are in Spanish so it's helpful to understand at least a little of the language. Accompanying the displays are portraits of the town´s most important personalities throughout its history. You can visit this museum on one ticket which costs 25 Pesos and gives entry to most of the sights in the old town.

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The white lighthouse is one of the most recognisable buildings in the Ciudad Vieja. Most of Colonia´s attractions can be visited with one ticket though you need a separate ticket for the lighthouse. It costs only 15 pesos however, and it´s worth it for the view over the town and out across the river.

The lighthouse dates from the 18th century, and lies at the western end of the Ciudad Vieja. From the top you get a good idea of the layout of the old town. The old town is picturesque at street level though it looks less appealing from on high. Nevertheless, the views out over the Rio de la Plata are fantastic. The top of the lighthouse is also a popular place for sunset so it might be a good plan to time your visit for this.

The best attraction of Colonia was simply to walk the streets of the old town and experience the colonial architecture. Most of the historic buildings now contain either museum, souvenir shops and restaurants.

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Kim and I had experienced walking in one of the many narrow cobblestone streets in Barrio Historico Colonia. Some with a view and others with an old canon, a remnant of the past, lying on the cobblestone waiting to be sat by oncoming tourist (see photo). Even Alcopone the infamous gangster park his vintage car on the cobblestone (see photo). For ladies a high heel shoes are not compatible for walking on a cobblestone.

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Walking around in Old Colonia Town - Barrio Historico you will find many interesting old historical houses, especially the simple design and well built. Most of the houses are double brick and stones. The wall are rendered, maybe the rendering is not so old. Many of the houses turn into restaurant, cafe or souvenir shop.

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Walking along the cobblestone in the old historical town of Colonia Uruguay, there stood enormous Kapok tree. According our Tour Director the Kapok tree is over hundred years old. We have never seen Kapok tree older than us put together ;-)

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The photo shows of what is left of the old city gate. The gate was built in 1745 and leads to the old town. The original town was surrounded by fortified wall and unfortunately not much left of the wall.

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A small street called Calle de los Suspiros (Street of Sighs) runs gently from Plaza Mayor down to Rio de la Plata. This cobblestone street is lined with early 18th century single-storey peasant houses. One is now transformed into art gallery. It is the most scenic Colonia's street and can rival any street of Latin America for its romantic effect.

Calle de los Suspiros is the best place to enjoy spectacular sunset. At night it is lit by yellow street lights and brings the feeling of the old time. It's magic!