The old city gate, with a wooden drawbridge, built by the Portuguese in 1745 and rebuilt in the 1970s. Part of the old fortification wall runs next to it. This is the natural place to start your walk.
Price: free · Time needed: 15 minutes.
Colonia del Sacramento Travel Guide 2026: Old Town, History and Ferries
Uruguay · August 2024
Overview
First Impressions
Colonia is a small, slow town of cobbled streets, old Portuguese houses with tiled roofs, vintage cars parked as decoration and bougainvillea everywhere. The historic quarter takes only a few hours to walk, but it's best to stay the night: when the day-trippers from Buenos Aires leave on the evening ferry, the town gets very quiet and the sunset over the river is beautiful. Keep in mind that the old town is mostly about walking, cafes and atmosphere; there are no big sights.
History & How Long to Stay
The Portuguese governor of Rio de Janeiro, Manuel Lobo, founded Colonia do Sacramento in 1680, right across the river from Spanish Buenos Aires, to trade and smuggle goods into Spanish territory. The Spanish attacked it the same year, and for almost a century the town changed hands between Spain and Portugal several times, through sieges and treaties. In 1777 the Treaty of San Ildefonso finally gave it to Spain. That mix is why the old town has Portuguese-style streets that follow the land, with drainage in the middle, next to Spanish-style buildings. In 1995 the Barrio Histórico was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the early 1900s Argentine businessman Nicolás Mihanovich built the Real de San Carlos resort just north of town, with a bullring, a casino and a jai alai court.
How long to stay: 1 to 2 days.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick Facts
Everything at a glance
- Country
- Uruguay
- Population
- About 27,000
- Founded
- 1680
- UNESCO
- Historic quarter since 1995
- Currency
- Uruguayan peso (UYU); Argentine pesos and US dollars often accepted
- Best time
- October to April
- Known for
- The old town, sunsets over the Río de la Plata and ferries to Buenos Aires
Location
On the map
On the Río de la Plata, 180 km west of Montevideo and only about 50 km across the water from Buenos Aires.
Budget
What a day actually costs
Per person, per day, in Uruguayan pesos (October 2026).
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | UYU 900–1,300 (dorm) | UYU 3,000–4,500 | UYU 7,000+ |
| Food | UYU 1,000 | UYU 2,200 | UYU 4,000+ |
| Transport | UYU 100 | UYU 800 (golf cart, split) | UYU 1,500 |
| Activities | UYU 300 | UYU 600 | UYU 1,500 |
| Daily total | about UYU 2,400 | about UYU 6,600 | about UYU 14,000 |
Things to Do
What earned its place
The most famous street in Colonia, sloping down to the river, with uneven stones, a drainage channel in the middle and low Portuguese houses from the 18th century. Nobody knows for sure where the name ("Street of Sighs") comes from; there are several legends.
Price: free · Tip: go early in the morning for photos without people.
The lighthouse was built in 1857 on top of the ruins of the 17th-century Convent of San Francisco, whose walls you can still see at its base. Climb the 118 steps for the view over the tiled roofs and the river.
Price: about UYU 100 · Time needed: 30 minutes · Tip: it's the best spot before sunset; check closing time.
Considered the oldest church in Uruguay, first built by the Portuguese in the late 1600s and rebuilt several times, the last after an explosion in the 19th century. The plain white facade faces Plaza de Armas.
Price: free.
The old town has several small museums: Portuguese, Spanish, the Casa de Nacarello (a colonial house), the Indigenous museum and the Archivo Regional. They are basic, but they explain the city's history well.
Price: one combined ticket for all the municipal museums, about UYU 100–150 · Hours: each one closes one day a week.
A cultural center in an old soap factory next to the remains of a bastion, with a theatre and exhibitions. From here the waterfront promenade is perfect for sunset.
Price: free.
Five km north of the old town, the remains of a 1910 tourist complex. Its bullring held only a few fights before Uruguay banned bullfighting in 1912; it was abandoned for decades and reopened in 2021 as a cultural space after restoration.
Price: free or small fee for events · Tip: rent a golf cart or bike to get there along the coast.
Transit Tips
Getting around
Getting there
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From Buenos Aires: fast ferries with Buquebus and Colonia Express take about 1 hour 15 minutes; Colonia Express is usually cheaper (about US 35–65 dollars one way, versus 55–90 with Buquebus). Book online for discounts.
From Montevideo: COT and Turil buses from Tres Cruces terminal, about 2 hours 45 minutes (about UYU 600–700).
Getting around
On foot: the old town is tiny and walkable.
Golf carts, scooters and bikes: rented near the old town, popular for going along the coast to Real de San Carlos.
Taxis: few, and ride apps have very few cars here, so ask your hotel to call one.
Good to know
Keep in mind that the cobblestones are very uneven, so wear good shoes. Most day-trippers come on weekends from Buenos Aires; on weekdays it's much calmer. Restaurants in the old town are touristy and more expensive than outside it.
Helpful Words
Useful words in the local language
A few basics in Spanish can make everyday conversations much easier.
- Hola
- Hello
- Por favor
- Please
- Gracias
- Thank you
- Disculpe
- Excuse me
- ¿Cuánto cuesta?
- How much is it?
- ¿Dónde está…?
- Where is…?
Where to Stay
Where to Stay
- Barrio Histórico: boutique hotels in colonial houses, the best experience.
- Near the port and bus terminal: practical if you arrive late or leave early by ferry.
- Along the coast north of town: quieter hotels and resorts with river views.
Plan & Book
Browse hotels in Colonia del Sacramento
Explore accommodation options and open hotel details directly from the map.
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