Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
The things to do in Colonia Uruguay revolve around its preserved colonial quarter, riverfront promenades, and a handful of small but important historical sites. This compact town sits on the banks of the Río de la Plata and is known for its slow pace and well-maintained 17th-century architecture. You can walk almost everywhere, with each turn leading to a different landmark, museum, or scenic viewpoint. Whether you arrive by ferry from Buenos Aires or by road from Montevideo, Colonia offers a practical and rewarding stop.
Top 10 Things To Do In Colonia, Uruguay
These things to do in Colonia, Uruguay, cover the town’s most well-known landmarks, quiet walking spots, and cultural sites worth including in your short stay.
1. Explore The Historic Quarter
Photo: Tama66 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
A key part of experiencing the things to do in Colonia Uruguay, is walking through the Historic Quarter, where the original 17th-century layout still guides the streets. The roadways twist naturally with no clear pattern, a result of early Portuguese planning that didn’t follow modern grids. Most of the buildings in this area are made from thick stone and feature simple wooden doors, tile roofs, and small iron balconies. Several corners have historical plaques that identify the original use of homes or mark where colonial-era walls once stood. As you walk through, you’ll see traces of both Portuguese and Spanish influence in the architecture, especially around Plaza Mayor and Calle de San Pedro.
Location: Av. Gral. Flores & Ituzaingó
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Calle de los Suspiros, Portón de Campo, Plaza Mayor
2. Climb The Colonia Del Sacramento Lighthouse
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
Climbing the lighthouse is among the most practical things to do in Colonia Uruguay, especially if you want a full view of the old town and coastline. The structure dates back to the mid-19th century and was built directly on top of the ruins of a former convent, making it one of the few places where two layers of Colonia’s past are visible in the same space. The staircase inside is steep and made of iron, with a few resting spots on the way up. Once at the top, the open platform gives you clear views across the Historic Quarter, the river’s edge, and even parts of Buenos Aires if the weather holds.
Location: Plaza Mayor 25 de Agosto
Timings: 10 AM – 12:50 PM & 2 PM – 4:50 PM (closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Average Cost: $1.5 / ₹125
Nearby Attractions: Ruins of Convent of San Francisco, Bastión del Carmen
3. Visit Museo Portugués
Photo: Drew Dempsey / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
One of the most informative things to see in Colonia Uruguay, is a visit to the Museo Portugués. It’s located inside a well-preserved Portuguese-era house built in the 1700s, with original stone walls, red clay tiles, and wooden doors typical of early colonial homes. The collection includes military coats, weapons, trade items, maps, and maritime tools from the time when Portugal controlled the town. Each room is arranged by theme, and the written panels provide a clear background in both Spanish and English. Most of the objects were recovered locally and give a clear sense of how the early settlers lived and defended this port.
Location: Calle Del Comercio 77
Timings: 11:40 AM – 4:30 PM (closed on Mondays)
Average Cost: $2 / ₹165
Nearby Attractions: Museo Municipal, Casa Nacarello
4. Walk Along The Rambla De Colonia
Photo: Mars / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Walking the Rambla is one of the most enjoyable things to do if you are wondering what to do in Colonia Uruguay. This waterfront path follows the Río de la Plata’s curve, starting near the old town and heading west toward Playa Ferrando. The paved trail runs beside a low stone wall, offering open river views. Along the way, you pass quiet beaches, fishing spots, historic homes, city wall sections, and small parks. Evenings before sunset are ideal for a peaceful stroll when the water reflects the light and the winds are calm. The Rambla is safe, well-lit, and perfect for longer walks without commercial distractions.
Location: Begins near Real de San Carlos to the Historic Quarter
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Playa Ferrando, Muelle del Puerto
5. Watch Sunset At Plaza De Armas Manuel Lobo
Photo: Huguitoportal / Wikimedia Commons
If you’re listing out the most atmospheric things to do in Colonia Uruguay, watching the sunset from Plaza de Armas Manuel Lobo belongs high on that list. This central square sits at the heart of the old fortified area and is surrounded by colonial buildings that now serve as civic offices, museums, and religious sites. The square itself is open and elevated slightly, with benches, a few old cannons on display, and low stone borders marking the edge. From the western side of the plaza, you get an uninterrupted view of the Río de la Plata. As sunset approaches, the open side of the plaza faces directly toward the river, giving you a clear view of the horizon.
Location: Inside Historic Quarter
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Basilica del Santísimo Sacramento, Calle Portugal
6. Relax At Playa Ferrando
Photo: Asad Photo Maldives / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Among the quieter things to do in Colonia, Playa Ferrando offers a natural break from the built-up areas around the old town. It’s located a short distance from the centre and is commonly used by residents. The beach is small, bordered by trees, and doesn’t attract large crowds. The shoreline is clean, and the water stays shallow close to the edge, which makes it suitable for wading or swimming without worrying about depth or strong currents. It’s a sandy beach, but you’ll also find some pebbles near the waterline. It’s a practical stop if you want to rest outdoors, read a book, or take a short swim before continuing to other parts of town.
Location: South of the city centre, near Ruta 21
Nearby Attractions: Río de la Plata, Laguna de los Patos
7. Visit The Basilica Del Santísimo Sacramento
Photo: Mike Peel / Wikimedia Commons
This church stands at the centre of Colonia’s original settlement and dates back to 1680. Over the years, it was rebuilt multiple times due to lightning strikes and structural collapse. The current design is plain and unadorned, typical of early colonial construction. From the outside, you’ll see white plaster walls and two short bell towers. Inside, the space is simple. The stone floor is uneven, the wooden benches show signs of long use, and the altar is modest. It is not much decorated, and only a few devotional items are placed near the front. Residents still use the church for regular services, and it stays open during the day.
Location: Plaza de Armas, Colonia del Sacramento Historic Quarter
Timings: 11 AM – 1 PM & 6 PM & 8 PM
Nearby Attractions: Calle de los Suspiros, Museo Portugués, Lighthouse, and Convent Ruins
8. Visit Museo Del Azulejo
Photo: hulkiokantabak / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Stopping at the Museo del Azulejo is one of the more overlooked yet worthwhile things to do in Colonia, Uruguay. The museum is housed in a restored colonial building and focuses entirely on ceramic tiles brought over during the 19th century. The collection includes decorative wall tiles, floor pieces, and mosaic samples from France, Belgium, and Spain, many of which were once used in local homes and public buildings. Each display is grouped by country and period, with clear labels explaining the production techniques and materials. The museum itself is compact and arranged straightforwardly, allowing you to move from one exhibit to the next without confusion.
Location: San Gabriel & Misiones de los Tapes
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (closed on Mondays)
Average Cost: $2 / ₹165
Nearby Attractions: Calle de los Suspiros, Museo Municipal
9. Check Out The Old Bullring
Photo: Mx. Granger / Wikimedia Commons
Visiting the restored bullring is one of the most distinct things to do in Colonia, Uruguay, especially if you’re interested in unusual architecture. The structure was originally built in 1910 and hosted a handful of bullfights before the practice was banned just two years later. What remains is a large, circular iron-and-brick stadium with Moorish-style arches, now reinforced and safe for guided entry. After being closed off for decades, it reopened recently following extensive restoration, allowing you to walk through the interior and view the preserved grandstands. Exhibits inside explain its brief operation, early tourism links with Buenos Aires, and the nearby sports complex that once made this area a resort zone.
Location: West end of Av. Mihanovich
Average Cost: $3 / ₹250
Nearby Attractions: Muelle Real, Museo del Ferrocarril
10. Take A Boat Tour On Río De La Plata
Photo: Daniele La Rosa Messina / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Joining a boat tour is one of the more practical things to do in Colonia, Uruguay, if you want to understand the town’s layout from the water. Boats depart from the main port and follow a fixed route along the shoreline, passing the lighthouse, the edge of the Historic Quarter, and the more modern outskirts of the city. Each tour usually takes between 45 minutes and one hour. Boats are open-air with fixed wooden benches and no shade or onboard facilities. Evening departures are the most popular, as they give a direct view of the sunset across the river.
Location: Colonia Port or Muelle del Puerto
Average Cost: $10 – 15 / ₹820 – 1230
Nearby Attractions: Bay of Colonia, Lighthouse
From walking through centuries-old streets to watching the Río de la Plata from a boat or beach, the range of things to do in Colonia Uruguay, is surprisingly broad for such a compact town. Colonia offers a well-preserved mix of Portuguese and Spanish influence, with small details in its buildings, plazas, and museums. Plan your next trip with TripXL to make the most of your stop in Colonia.
Cover Photo: SalvadorNavarroMaldonad / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
