One Day Colonia del Sacramento Itinerary in Uruguay

Colonia del Sacramento is without doubt the prettiest and most visited city in Uruguay. Its well-preserved Historic Centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, and displays a mix of Portuguese, Spanish and post-colonial styles. In this guide, we’ll detail everything you can do in Colonia in one day, including how to get there from Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay, the best time to visit, and whether a one day trip is really worth it or not.

Before sharing our travel plans with our Argentine and Uruguayan friends, we didn’t know much about Colonia; or Uruguay for that matter. However, they convinced us that we should definitely visit Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires. Of course, this initial one day trip turned into a 10-day stay, as we then also added in a visit to Montevideo and Punta del Este along the country’s southern coast.

If you’d like to see what we got up to in the country, make sure to watch our dedicated Uruguay video, which we shared on our YouTube channel Kitti and Jon.

About Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

Colonia del Sacramento is located in southwestern Uruguay, on the north shore of the Rio de la Plata. It sits right across from Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. Colonia was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, which makes it one of the oldest towns in Uruguay. The city served as a strategic stronghold for European powers on the continent thanks to its location. In 1828, Colonia became part of Uruguay when the country was declared independent.

Since 1995, its Historic Quarter (Barrio Historico) has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, it’s not just the prettiest city in Uruguay, but is also one of the most popular day trips from Buenos Aires. As we walked down its cobblestone streets, we could clearly see the blend of different architectural influences: Portuguese, Spanish, and post-colonial.

How to Get to Colonia del Sacramento

From Buenos Aires, Argentina

One of the most popular places to visit Colonia del Sacramento from is actually Buenos Aires in Argentina. That’s because Colonia is only a short ferry ride across the Rio de la Plata from the capital of Argentina.

Two main ferry companies provide quick and easy transport between Buenos Aires and Colonia: Buquebus and Colonia Express.

Both companies will get you across the Rio de la Plata in about 1 hour 15 minutes. In Buenos Aires, there is a separate Colonia Express Terminal and a Buquebus Terminal, both within the Puerto Madero neighbourhood, an upscale area of Buenos Aires. There’s only one joint terminal in Colonia del Sacramento where both ferries depart from.

To learn more about which company to use, how the check-in and immigration process works, and what the ferry ride is like, read our dedicated Buenos Aires to Colonia ferry guide.

From Montevideo, Uruguay

If you’re visiting from the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, just take one of the many buses operated by COT. We could buy tickets in advance on COT’s website, but purchasing one at the bus station is also possible.

Buses to Colonia depart from the Tres Cruces Bus Terminal in Montevideo. Take either a taxi or a local bus to get to the station. Read our dedicated post if you want to learn more about how to get around Montevideo.

The journey to Colonia from Montevideo takes about 3 hours because the bus goes in and out of small towns along the way. Although there are about 2 “express” buses per day that only take 2 hours and 20 minutes. The bus itself was comfortable enough for a short journey. It also had a toilet on board.

How to Spend One Day in Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay

Enter Colonia’s Historic Centre via Puerta de la Ciudadela

The best way to start your day in Colonia is by making a grand entrance to its Historic Centre through Puerta de la Ciudadela, the old city gate. It was built in the 18th century, and was part of the stone wall that used to defend Colonia when the Portuguese and Spanish fought for control of it.

We could still see some parts of the wall, as well as a cannon on the interior, which gave us a sense of Colonia’s strategic importance during the colonial period. There were also a few cafes and small independent shops on both sides of the gate that were worth stopping in before we headed further into the Barrio Historico.

Stroll Down Calle de los Suspiros

One of the most beautiful historical streets in Colonia is Calle de los Suspiros. Translating to the “Street of Sighs”, this small cobblestone street dates back to the 17^th century, when Colonia was founded. According to legend, the street got its name from the sighs of sailors as they embarked on long voyages, leaving their homes and loved ones behind.

The photogenic street is lined with colonial buildings dating back to the same time period. Whilst it’s only a short little stretch of cobblestone, you really can’t miss walking down it. We felt like we’d been transported back in time.

During the day, Calle de los Suspiros can get quite busy. However, because we stayed a few nights in Colonia, we could enjoy this alley without the crowds in the morning and evening.

Hang out at Plaza Mayor

Right on the upper end of Calle de los Suspiros is Plaza Mayor, one of two squares in Colonia. It was built in 1680 by the Portuguese as the main public square, and was surrounded by important buildings. Plaza Mayor remained the bustling centre of the city throughout much of Colonia’s history. People used the square for meetings, merchants set up their stalls there to sell various products, and they even held military and other public events at Plaza Mayor.

Today, the square is still very much the heart of Colonia. Many of the most iconic landmarks and museums are in the vicinity of the plaza. We saw a few eateries and a handful of vendors selling handmade products here during the day too.

Climb Up to Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse

Faro de Colonia is another iconic landmark in the Historic Centre that you can’t miss. As we mentioned before, Colonia was an important port under both Portuguese and Spanish rule. In order to guide ships safely to the harbour, they built this lighthouse. The 26 metre tall lighthouse was first lit in 1857.

Whilst you should stop for a moment and appreciate the landmark from outside, we also suggest visiting the interior. We had to climb about 100 steps to reach the top but the views we got from the viewing platform across Colonia and the Rio de la Plata were worth the effort.

Note. Entry is $35 UYU per person. You can only pay in cash and they only accept Uruguayan pesos. When the winds get too strong, the lighthouse might be closed.

Check Out the Ruins of the Convent of San Francisco

We noticed some ruins surrounding the lighthouse. As it turns out, these walls are the remains of the Convent of San Francisco, which was built by the Portuguese in the 1690’s. Unfortunately, much of the building was destroyed by fire in 1705.

The lighthouse was actually constructed later using the ruins from the convent’s tower, but the convent itself was never rebuilt.

Visit One of Colonia’s Museums

Apart from enjoying the colonial architecture of Colonia, you can also learn a bit more about its history by visiting one of its many museums. You can buy a museum pass for $150 UYU that allows you to visit 9 museums in Colonia. Its worth noting that not all museums are open every day of the week.

Espacio Portugués (Portuguese Museum) is located at Plaza Mayor and opened in 1928. As you might guess, it focuses on Colonia’s Portuguese past. It exhibits different objects that give patrons a glimpse into the everyday lives of people during the Portuguese colonial era.

Espacio Español (Spanish Museum) on the other hand has an exhibition displaying items from the end of the Portuguese occupation until the early 19th century.

Espacio Dr. B. Rebuffo (Municipal Museum) opened its doors to visitors in 1951. It houses a collection of items related to social life, from prehistoric times to the present day.

Stroll Down Paseo de San Gabriel 

Paseo de San Gabriel is a cobbled street running around the edge of Colonia. It dates all the way back to the Portuguese era of Colonia’s history. It was named after the old San Gabriel Fort and Bastion that used to be part of the structure protecting Colonia from attacks.

Today, Paseo de San Gabriel is a lovely road to walk down. It’s lined with colonial buildings on one side and views out to the Rio de la Plata on the other. If you’re visiting in November, you’ll be able to enjoy the blooming Jacaranda trees too.

Do Some Street Photography

If it wasn’t obvious up until now, the streets of Colonia del Sacramento are incredibly photogenic. Even if you’re not a photographer, we guarantee that you’ll want to snap a few photos of streets lined with colonial structures, blooming flowers and other quirky elements, such as vintage cars or sleeping cats.

We love going on little wanders through pretty towns, as you never know what you’ll find around the next corner. Colonia is also a safe place to walk around, so you don’t have to worry about ending up in a bad neighbourhood.

Relax at Plaza de Armas

Another popular gathering place in Colonia is Plaza de Armas. The main landmark in this square is the Basilica of the Holy Sacrament (Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento), which dates back to the 17th century. Another point of interest is the excavation of the remains of Colonia’s governors house (Ruínas das Casa dos Governadores Portugueses) right in the centre of the plaza.

In front of the basilica, we found many eateries with colorful seating areas, as well as some vintage cars overgrown with plants. It’s worth having a wander and perhaps taking a little rest here at one of the many restaurants.

Stop By Mercado Artesanal de Colonia

As you make your way back to the ferry terminal, we suggest stopping at the artisan market. We popped in briefly and they had some lovely handmade items for sale by local artists.

Don’t expect it to be the biggest or the best market in the country, but if you’re only in Uruguay for a day then you may find a typical souvenir here, like a mate kit.

Walk Through the Historical Colonia Railway Station

After your visit to the Artisan Market, we suggest walking past Colonia’s old railway station before you arrive at the ferry terminal. It was built in the 19th century and was used to connect Colonia to other major cities in Uruguay.

Whilst it’s not the most popular thing to do in Colonia, we found the old station building very photogenic and well-preserved. The station still has the Colonia sign displayed, giving a nostalgic feel to the place, and we also saw some of the old tracks further down. There’s also a sizeable green space here, from where we could enjoy some lovely views out towards the Rio de la Plata.

Best Time to Visit Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay

The best time to visit Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay is between November and April. This is essentially late spring, summer and early autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. However, it’s late autumn, winter and early spring for those who live in the Northern Hemisphere.

December, January and February are the warmest and driest months, which is also the peak tourist season in Uruguay. Colonia will be more crowded with day trippers, so perhaps try to visit on a neutral weekday if you can, or stay at least one night.

March and April are going to be quieter but the weather is still nice and warm. The only thing to be mindful about is that many seasonal places will start to close down for the winter.

We visited at the start of November which is, in our opinion, a fantastic time to visit Colonia for many reasons. The weather is going to be warming up again after winter, and shops and restaurants will be fully open for the season. In addition, the Jacaranda trees will be blooming in November and will be painting the streets in different shades of purple.

How Long Do You Need in Colonia del Sacramento

If you’re really short on time, then one day in Colonia del Sacramento is more than enough. It’s a small city and all the main sights are a walkable distance from one another. This is the reason why it’s probably one of the most popular day trips from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Of course, if you can we recommend spending at least one night in Colonia. This way you can get up early and enjoy the very quiet streets before the first ferry arrives. Plus, you’ll also get a quiet evening once the last ferry departs with all the day-trippers.

You can totally spend more nights in Colonia if you’re in no rush and just want a very relaxing couple of days.

Where to Stay in Colonia del Sacramento

If our post has convinced you to spend at least one night in Colonia, then below we’ve listed a few hotel options you could consider staying at.

Posada Boutique Las Terrazas is a lovely boutique hotel a few minutes from the ferry terminal. It has spacious rooms, breakfast included and even a small outdoor pool.

Don Antonio Posada is another great option for a night, with breakfast included and a swimming pool.

Casa Lahusen offers a 4-star hotel experience with a sun terrace, garden and bar. Breakfast is also included in the price.

Colonia Suite Apartments are perfect if you’re staying at least 2 nights in Colonia. Their country-style apartments are equipped with everything you’d need for a few days. Plus, you can even attend a painting and drawing class in their workshop!

Final Thoughts on One Day Colonia del Sacramento Itinerary

Our friends were totally right! Colonia del Sacramento is absolutely worth visiting. Whilst we could’ve easily just spent one day in Colonia, we’re so happy that we decided to stay a few extra nights before taking the bus to Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital city. This way we could enjoy the Barrio Historico before and after all the day-trippers had come and gone, and got the chance to take our time exploring, rather than just rushing around. Visiting in November was also perfect because the weather was nice and warm already and we could enjoy the blooming Jacaranda trees and other seasonal flowers.

Have you ever been to Colonia del Sacramento before? If so, did you visit as a day trip or did you stay overnight? If not, would you want to visit Colonia from Buenos Aires? Let us know in the comments below.