Colonia del Sacramento

Travel Guide

Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento showing signage
Colonia del Sacramento showing street scenes
Street of Sighs which includes street scenes, a small town or village and a house

Cobblestone streets, colourful 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 which includes religious aspects, 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 Paleontological Museum and Museum of Shipwrecks and Treasures.

Real de San Carlos
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 €103 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
€103
27 Aug - 28 Aug
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (897 reviews)
"Great location - nice to have a pool"

Reviewed on 9 Apr 2025

Radisson Hotel Colonia del Sacramento
Posada Boutique Las Terrazas

Posada Boutique Las Terrazas

3 out of 5
Manuel Lobo 281, Colonia del Sacramento, Colonia
The price is €95 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
€95
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (393 reviews)
"The hotel is located within walking distance to the ferry port and close to all points of interest in town. It is also close to many restaurants and shops. The hotel itself is very welcoming. The lobby has comfortable seating areas and a cozy fire for cool winter days. My room was modern, clean and ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Posada Boutique Las Terrazas
Real Colonia Hotel & Suites

Real Colonia Hotel & Suites

3.5 out of 5
Gonzalez Moreno 001, Colonia del Sacramento, Colonia
The price is €64 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
€64
11 Aug - 12 Aug
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions City Craft Fair ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (431 reviews)
"Hotel was nice, we upgraded to an apartment so we could have a balcony. Good breakfast in the morning, a little far from the old town, but we walked and enjoyed the view along the river."

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

Real Colonia Hotel & Suites
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.
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 bicycle rentals on site. Popular attractions Paleontological ...
"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
Captive House Colonia

Captive House Colonia

Colonia del Sacramento
Stay at this vacation home in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Granja Colonia and Capilla Jesuítica ...
The best places for rest
"I don’t have words to describe how this people make me feel , just I love this place and persons"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Captive House Colonia
APARTMENT IN COLONIA ONE BLOCK FROM THE BULLRING

APARTMENT IN COLONIA ONE BLOCK FROM THE BULLRING

Colonia del Sacramento
Stay at this apartment in Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions Capilla Jesuítica and San Benito Chapel are located nearby.
APARTMENT IN COLONIA ONE BLOCK FROM THE BULLRING
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.

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