Colonia del Sacramento

Travel Guide
Municipal Museum
Cobblestone streets, colorful houses, museums and beaches make this one of the most popular towns on Uruguay’s west coast.

Take a step back in time at Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay’s oldest settlement and a town blessed with picturesque colonial architecture lining sleepy cobblestone streets. Visit museums and an aquarium, climb to the top of a lighthouse or enjoy spectacular sunsets from the waterfront.

Founded in 1680, Colonia del Sacramento changed hands between the Portuguese and Spanish, while fighting off British raids, before eventually becoming part of independent Uruguay in 1828.

You’ll find most of what you’ll want to see in the Barrio Histórico (Historic Center), a walled district awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1995. Start at the Portón de Campo, the town gate built by the Portuguese in 1745, which opens onto the tree-shaded Plaza Mayor. From here, cobblestone streets lined with pastel-colored Portuguese and Spanish houses lead in all directions. A prime example is Calle de los Suspiros, an extremely photogenic street that stands largely untouched since the 1700s.

Climb the stairs to the top of the 89-feet (27-meter) tall Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse for uninterrupted views of the town and coastline. On a clear day you can see across the river to Buenos Aires. Follow the old town wall along the waterfront, which passes the ruins of 18th-century fortifications. Continue to the marina, a great place to watch the sunset and enjoy a picnic.

Find displays about Portuguese colonization at the Museo Portugués or visit the Museo Español to see artifacts relating to the Spanish colonial era. One ticket covers admission to all of the town’s museums, and is available from the Museo Municipal. Kids will enjoy the interactive marine life exhibits at the Acuarió.

Colonia del Sacramento is a 2.5-hour drive from Montevideo or a 1-hour boat ride from Buenos Aires. Rent a golf buggy or bike to explore areas outside of the historic center and a car to go farther afield. Just north of town you can relax on river beaches and see the Plaza de Toros bullring.

Where to stay in Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento featuring religious elements, a church or cathedral and interior views

Barrio Histórico

If you're spending some time in Barrio Histórico, Colonia del Sacramento Plaza de Armas and Colonia del Sacramento Plaza Major are top sights worth seeing.

Barrio Histórico
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Real de San Carlos

While visiting Real de San Carlos, you might make a stop by sights like San Benito Chapel and Paleontological Museum.

Real de San Carlos
Nova Posada
Nova Posada
3.5 out of 5
Rivadavia 463, Colonia del Sacramento, Colonia
The price is HK$548 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
HK$548
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star B&B in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and babysitting services. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (327 reviews)
"Staff was great, cold breakfast was very good and filling, common area, deck and patio all very nice. For our room, I feel like the following happens a lot: needs some TLC. Some of the problems require $ so get why those issues exist but a lot of them are just doing a deep cleaning and small fixes. ..."

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2024

Nova Posada
Radisson Hotel Colonia del Sacramento
Radisson Hotel Colonia del Sacramento
4 out of 5
Washington Barbot 283. Colonia Del Sacra, Colonia del Sacramento, Colonia
The price is HK$798 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
HK$798
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (791 reviews)
"The staff was friendly and helpful. The morning breakfast was delicious and included hot eggs. The infinity pool overlooking the river was stunning. Beautiful property and attentive staff."

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2024

Radisson Hotel Colonia del Sacramento
Costa Colonia - Riverside Boutique Hotel
Costa Colonia - Riverside Boutique Hotel
4 out of 5
Rambla Costanera esquina Pedro Figari, y Torres Garcia, Colonia del Sacramento, Colonia
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is HK$791 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
HK$791
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions City Craft Fair and San Benito ...
9/10 Wonderful! (662 reviews)
Perfect!
"Perfect location, huge room, best river view, nice modern decoration and excellent customer service"

Reviewed on 13 Mar 2024

Costa Colonia - Riverside Boutique Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sacramento Terrace - Sunset in the Historic District
Sacramento Terrace - Sunset in the Historic District
Colonia del Sacramento
Stay at this apartment in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy 1 bedroom. Popular attractions Indian Museum and Rambla Colonia Del Sacramento are located nearby. Discover ...
Sacramento Terrace - Sunset in the Historic District
Lomas del Real Resort
Lomas del Real Resort
3 out of 5
Dr. Carlos Martinez Moreno 174, Colonia del Sacramento
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy free parking, private pools, and a terrace. Popular attractions Paleontological Museum and Museum ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (6 reviews)
"Estuvo muy bien, es un lugar para pasar muy tranquilos, en familia. Tal vez faltan algunos cubiertos, maderas o utensilios básicos para usar el parrillero. El placar es muy pequeño, suficiente si vas 2 días . Pero se pasa muy bien si el clima acompaña, muy lindo jardín con piscina, muy ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jan 2024

Lomas del Real Resort
Colonia, Uruguay.  Studio Apt in the Historic District
Colonia, Uruguay. Studio Apt in the Historic District
Colonia Del Sacramento
Stay at this apartment in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a TV. Popular attractions Rio de la Plata and Puerta de la Ciudadela are ...
Colonia, Uruguay. Studio Apt in the Historic District
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Colonia del Sacramento

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 20%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 60%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Chris
17 Jan 2020

Probably one day and night is long enough there, but quite a unique place. If you are staying at Hotel Italiano I would check out your room first before committing as ours was terrible. They can't all be as bad as that.