Discover the cities
The capital, Montevideo, and the colonial gem, Colonia
Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is an interesting mix of modern and classical architecture. In Colonia del Sacramento, on the other hand, it feels as though time has stood still.
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The capital of Uruguay
Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay and boasts the highest standard of living of any city in Latin America. The city has a similar atmosphere to Buenos Aires, but is a little quieter and smaller. Thanks to its straightforward street layout, it’s quite a challenge for a traveller to get lost here.
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Stroll through the historic centre
Set off on your own or with a guide and take a stroll through the old town centre. The centre is an intriguing mix of classic and modern, creating a fascinating atmosphere. This gives the city a unique identity.
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Cycle or walk along the promenade
Montevideo is situated on the waterfront, and a kilometre-long promenade has been built along the coast where you can walk or cycle. Tip: do take a good look at the colours of the water. At Montevideo, the Río de la Plata flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The water is sometimes brownish-green from the river and sometimes blue from the sea.
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The market in the harbour
Uruguayans have lunch at the ‘Mercado del Puerto’. This is a large covered market where you can both buy food and have lunch. Around midday, the market fills up with office workers who come here during their lunch break to enjoy a large steak with a good glass of wine. It’s great fun to experience this for yourself, but do make sure you’re on time, otherwise there won’t be any seats left.
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From Buenos Aires
From Buenos Aires, a ferry takes you to the town of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay in just one hour. The country could not wish for a more beautiful gateway to the often-overlooked Uruguay. Colonia del Sacramento is a beautiful little town that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1995.
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Where time has stood still
As you stroll through the narrow streets with their irregularly laid cobblestones, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. Colonia del Sacramento, or Colonia for short, is a melting pot of typical 17th-century Portuguese and Spanish low-rise architecture. Have a drink at one of the cosy outdoor cafés and climb the town’s lighthouse for a lovely view.
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The sunset at the pier
There’s no better way to round off a day in Colonia than by taking a stroll to the pier and enjoying the beautiful sunset.
Fancy a trip of Uruguay?
Would you like to organise your own trip of Uruguay and are you curious about the options? Then do have a look at the itineraries we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.