Photo Essay Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
This photo essay of Colonia del Sacramento will inspire you to plan a trip to this beautiful colonial town in Uruguay. Just an hour long ferry ride from Buenos Aires is this must see Unesco World Heritage site. Spending time in Barrio Histórico, or the historic quarter, is a wonderful day trip from Buenos Aires.
Quick disclosure: Content may include affiliate links. I *only* recommend products/services I love and think you will, too! Also, as anAmazon AssociateI earn from qualifying purchases.
How to Get There
You can easily access Colonia del Sacramento by taking a one hour ferry ride from Buenos Aires.Colonia ExpressandBuqueBusoffer a daily service to and from Colonia del Sacramento. Unless you want to stay and enjoy the beach as well, four to five hours is plenty of time to explore.
When you’re ready to plan your trip to Argentina and Uruguay, Booking.com can help.
Photo Essay of Colonia del Sacramento
The History
From the moment you enter along the Puerta de la Ciudadela, the drawbridge, you will want to go off in every direction to explore. If you like historic old towns, then you will quickly understand why this is Uruguay’s diamond. Originally founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, but taken over several times by multiple countries, this town has a very interesting past. Luckily in 1828 it finally earned it’s independence when it became part of the new state of Uruguay.
Stroll the Cobblestone Streets
Step back in time and stroll aimlessly through Colonia’s enchanting cobblestone streets. For instance, Calle de Los Suspiros, also known as Street of Sighs, dates back to the 16th Century and is the most popular spot for photos. You will love the charming colonial homes and all the colors, flowers, and tree lined walls.
Climb to the top of Faro Lighthouse
Next stop on our pictorial essay is Faro, the Lighthouse on Colonia del Sacramento. Climbing to the top is a must do for a gorgeous arial view of Colonia. Of course, the climb to the top is in a very tight space and straight up a small spiral staircase. I would not advise it to any anyone with health issues. The cost to go up is 100 Argentine pesos, which is about $1 US, at the the time of writing this post.
You’ll also want to visit the Convent of San Francisco ruins that still remain connected to the lighthouse. The Convent was destroyed in 1704 by a terrible fire.
Wander in Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is the main square and it is a beautiful place to just sit, enjoy the beauty, and relax. You’ll also be able to see, and visit if you like, the oldest church in Uruguay. Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento, or Church Matriz, was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. You can also see the remains of the old cisterns that provided water to the Governor’s Mansion. The original Governor’s Mansion is across the way and is now a hotel.
Visit the Harbor
You will eventually run into the Rio de la Plata while exploring old town Colonia. When you do, be sure to visit the Marina. It’s quite lovely and a great spot for photos.
Enjoy a Meal or Mate at a Cafe
I suggest taking your time in Colonia del Sacramento. There are many cafes to choose from to relax and take in the scenery. Here you can enjoy a nice meal or sip some Mate, the National drink of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It’s like a tea, but not, it’s something that’s quite different, you should give it a try.
A Photographer’s Paradise
Why did I decide to write a photo essay about Colonia del Sacramento, you might ask. Because it is a photographer’s paradise. There is so much history, colors and charm, you just won’t be able to help yourself. I encourage you to go crazy and have fun taking your best shots.
Colonia de Museo
If you are a museum enthusiasts, Old Town Colonia del Sacramento has quite a few. You can learn more about each of the museums here. If you do plan to visit the museums, start at the Municipal Museum. You can purchase a combined ticket to most of the museums for a nominal fee, approximately $2 US dollars. However, it is important to note that all the museums are not open on the same day, and they close by 4:30 p.m.
We certainly hope you have enjoyed this photo essay about Colonia del Sacramento. If so, you may also enjoy Must Try Experiences in Buenos Aires and Top Foods to Eat in Buenos Aires.
If you have any other suggestions for the best things to do in this area, please share a comment below, I would love to hear from you! Also, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of this post for more destinations and positivity messages!
Also, we are always working to make the blog better. We want to make sure the content we provide is informative and fun! For that reason please leave a comment or reach out to us on ourLet’s Connectpage.
If you enjoy the free content I provide and would like to support me, please use my Amazon Shop link to purchase things you were already going to buy anyway.
Thank you so much for visiting Followsoots.com!
