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Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay — A Perfect Day Trip from Buenos Aires

  • Writer: Globe-Trotting Addicts
    Globe-Trotting Addicts
  • Feb 3, 2024
  • 2 min read

Sign reading "COLONIA" with smaller signs showing altitude 600m and distance 246 km. Background has trees and buildings under a blue sky.
Colonia del Sacramento is a perfect day trip from Buenos Aires


If you're visiting Buenos Aires and looking for a quick escape, hop on a ferry and head to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, for a day trip. This postcard-perfect town on Uruguay’s southwestern coast is just a 75-minute ferry ride across the Río de la Plata—and it feels like stepping into another world.


Woman in a pink jacket with a camera smiles on a boat, with the Uruguay flag waving. Brown water, clear blue sky, and waves in the background.

Border control for both Argentina and Uruguay is conveniently handled at the ferry terminal in Buenos Aires, so once you dock, you're free to start exploring immediately. Within ten minutes on foot, you'll find yourself in the heart of the Barrio Histórico, the town’s charming UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic quarter.


Sunny beach scene with two small boats on sandy shore, a palm tree to the left, and a sunlit, calm sea with sailboats in the distance.
Coastal Uruguay

Colonia has a timeless feel, with cobblestone streets that have weathered centuries, colorful colonial facades, vintage cars resting under shady trees, and vine-covered cafés perfect for a slow midday pause. The town is incredibly photogenic and effortlessly atmospheric, inviting you to pause, breathe, and take it all in.


Stroll through the artisan markets, climb the lighthouse for sweeping views, or let yourself drift without an itinerary—Colonia invites you to slow down and enjoy the moment.


And when it’s time for a break, grab a seat at Vinoteca De La Colonia (Gral. Flores 111), where a glass of Uruguayan Tannat and a front-row view of the sunset make for the perfect sendoff.


Vivid sunset over a rocky shoreline, sky painted with gradients of blue, purple, and orange, reflecting on gentle ocean waves. Serene mood.
The sunset in Colonia del Scaramento was one of the most memorable ones I have ever seen!

Though compact, Colonia delivers a full experience in just a few hours. It’s ideal for a half-day getaway that feels refreshingly different from the energy of Buenos Aires.


Been to Colonia? Drop me a line—I’d love to hear what charmed you most about this magical little town.


Woman in pink jacket stands smiling with arms outstretched in front of a yellow building. Sign reads "ABIERTO." Cobblestone street.
Charming Barrio Histórico in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

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