Argentina, Uruguay · UNESCO Heritage Sites

Colonia del Sacramento Small-Group Day Trip

12 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Buenos Aires. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Full-day excursion from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento
  • 02 Scenic ferry ride across the Río de la Plata
  • 03 Guided tour of Colonia’s UNESCO World Heritage historic center
  • 04 See cobbled streets, colorful houses, and colonial architecture
  • 05 Learn about the town’s Portuguese origins and unique layout
  • 06 Free time to explore plazas, parks, museums, and shops at your own pace
  • 07 Hotel pickup and drop-off included in Buenos Aires

Discover the timeless charm of Colonia del Sacramento on this full-day trip from Buenos Aires. Cross the Río de la Plata by ferry and explore one of Uruguay’s most atmospheric historic towns, where cobbled streets, colonial houses, and waterfront views create a memorable setting.

Enjoy a guided tour through Colonia’s UNESCO-listed historic center, learning about its Portuguese origins and distinctive city layout. Afterward, take advantage of free time to wander plazas and parks, browse art and craft shops, visit museums, or relax over lunch before returning to Buenos Aires.

Enjoy a guided tour through Colonia’s UNESCO-listed historic center, learning about its Portuguese origins and distinctive city layout.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Buenos Aires, Colonia del Sacramento
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Your full-day tour starts with hotel pickup in Buenos Aires. Meet your guide and drive to the station catch a ferry to the city of Colonia. The ride is one hour long and you can admire the views as you travel.

Once you get to the city of Colonia, you will enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the city. This quaint town in Uruguay lies just on the opposite side of the River Plate. You will visit the historic center and be taken back in time. Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, the town is famous for its cobbled, windy streets and colorful houses. Today, it is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Learn from your guide about the city's layout and how it differs from the majority of Uruguayan cities. Admire its streets and houses as well as small bars, restaurants. After your tour, you will have three more hours in Colonia to explore on your own. You can head to one of its lovely plazas and small flower-filled parks. You can enjoy lunch and visit some art and craft shops, museums and a large yacht harbour.

After a nice day in Colonia, you will board the ferry back to Buenos Aires, where you will be taken back to your hotel.It is born in the Plaza Mayor and continues on a slope to the Río de la Plata. It is a narrow street with Portuguese characteristics, cobbled with a wedge and without sidewalks. The sides are tilted towards the center to form a drainage channel.

The houses, built in the first half of the 18th century, have stone walls, tile roofs and ceramic floors. The doors and windows are small and made of wood, although only houses with a gabled roof are preserved.It was built in the year 1745 by order of the Portuguese governor Vasconcellos who at that time was leading these lands. In its origins the Door was the portico of entrance to Colony, protected at that time by a strong military of thick walls that were frequent target of pirate attacks, Spanish and English.It was built in January 1857. It has two red flashes every nine seconds. It is a circular tower of white masonry with a dome with white and red radial stripes. It has a unique structure with a square base and a cylindrical tower that reaches the lantern. It was built on one of the old towers of the Convent of San Francisco, whose ruins are at the foot of the lighthouse.

Its height is 26 meters and has a luminous range of 7.8 nautical miles.The Basilica has the most unusual altar feature for its time and even now; a back lit semi-circular alcove that features a very large monstrance (receptacle for displaying the Sacred Host or Blessed Sacrament). The outside brickwork shows the Portuguese influence of its builders.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Buenos Aires. 2 cities · 12 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Professional Guide
  • Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off
  • Ferry tickets
  • Colonia del Sacramento City Tour

What's Not Included

  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities

Know before you go

  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • NOTE: At the time of reservation the following information is needed in order to buy the ferry tickets: full names, date of birth, passport numbers and nationalities
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • This is a kid-friendly tour
  • • Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • Pick up at centrally located hotels in Buenos Aires (Palermo, Recoleta, Downtown areas)

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Buenos Aires.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Buenos Aires.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 12 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Buenos Aires..

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