Things to do in Colonia Del Sacramento
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Real de San Carlos
At the turn of the 20th century, Argentine entrepreneur Nicolás Mihanovich spent US$1.5 million building an immense tourist complex 5km north of Colonia at Real de San Carlos. The attractions included a 10,000-seat bullring (made superfluous after Uruguay outlawed bullfights in 1912), a 3000-seat fronton (court) for the Basque sport of jai alai, a hotel-casino and a racecourse.
Only the racecourse functions today, but the ruins of the remaining buildings make an interesting excursion, and the adjacent beach is popular with locals on Sundays.
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Plaza Mayor 25 de Mayo
At the southwest corner of the plaza are the Casa de Lavalleja (formerly General Lavalleja's residence), the ruins of the 17th-century Convento de San Francisco and the restored 19th-century faro (lighthouse). At the west end, on de San Francisco, the Museo Municipal has antique homewares, dinosaur remains and huge petrified mushrooms. The Casa del Virrey - which was never home to a viceroy - is just to the north.
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Iglesia Matriz
Historic Colonia's two main squares are the vast Plaza Mayor 25 de Mayo and the shady Plaza de Armas, also known as Plaza Manuel Lobo. The latter plaza is the home of Colonia's Iglesia Matriz. The church, begun in 1680, is Uruguay's oldest, though it has been completely rebuilt twice. The plaza also holds the foundations of a house dating from Portuguese times.
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Teatro Bastión del Carmen
At the north end of Calle España is the Puerto Viejo, the old port, now a yacht harbor. One block east, the Teatro Bastión del Carmen is a theater and gallery complex that incorporates part of the city’s ancient fortifications. The huge chimney is newer, dating from the 1880s.
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Faro
Off the southwest corner of the Plaza Mayor are the ruins of the 17th-century Convento de San Francisco, within which stands the 19th-century faro. The lighthouse provides an excellent view of the old town.
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Museo Indígena
From the Museo del Azulejo, walk north two blocks, then inland to the Museo Indígena, which houses a collection of Charrúa (the indigenous people of Uruguay) stone tools and exhibits on indigenous history.
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Convento de San Francisco
Off the southwest corner of Plaza Mayor 25 de Mayo are the ruins of the 17th-century Convento de San Francisco, within which stands the 19th-century faro. The lighthouse provides an excellent view of the old town.
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Sacramento
Sacramento earns its reputation as one of Colonia’s best restaurants, with tasty creations such as risotto in champagne with sesame-marinated spider crabs, or ricotta, leek, and bacon ravioli.
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Drugstore
Reasonable set meals for two, eclectic decor (try dining in the vintage car on the street) and live music on weekends. If you're hungry, go for the picada a la mar (seafood assortment).
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Pulpería de Los Faroles
Specializing in seafood and pasta, this reader-recommended eatery has a rainbow of colorful tablecloths in the artsy interior dining room, plus a sea of informal outdoor seating on Plaza Mayor.
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Calle de los Suspiros
Famous streets of Colonia's Barrio Histórico include the narrow, roughly cobbled Calle de los Suspiros, lined with tile-and-stucco colonial houses, and the riverfront Paseo de San Gabriel.
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Horse Treks
As well as being a good place to sleep, Hostel Colonial organizes half-day horse treks from an inland forest, along ravines and down to the coast. Shorter and longer rides are also available.
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Museo Español
Heading east on Av General Flores and then a block further north brings you near the Museo Español, which has exhibitions of replica colonial pottery, clothing and maps.
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La Luna
This laid-back pub-restaurant with a great rooftop terrace is the perfect place to grab a beer as the sun goes down and watch the ferries taking those poor fools back to Buenos Aires.
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Casa Nacarello
Casa Nacarello is one of the prettiest colonial homes in town, with period furniture, thick, whitewashed walls, wavy glass, original lintels and a nice courtyard.
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Museo Municipal
Museo Municipal houses an eclectic collection of treasures, including a whale skeleton, an enormous rudder from a shipwreck and a scale model of Colonia c 1762.
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El Torreón
By far the best place to eat in terms of views, this place is set in an old tower overlooking the water. The back deck makes for a cozy, intimate spot for a romantic dinner.
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La Bodeguita
Nab a table out back on the sunny, two-level deck and soak up the sweeping river views while drinking sangría or munching on La Bodeguita’s trademark pizza.
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Museo Portugués
Museo Portugués holds Portuguese relics including porcelain, furniture, maps and the old stone shield that once adorned the Portón de Campo.
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El Rincón
El Rincón is best enjoyed on a sunny weekend afternoon, lounging out back under a big tree between stone and stucco walls or watching the riverfront scene.
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Don Pedro
It's nothing fancy, but it does serve great sandwiches, pasta, meats and ice cream. The shady outdoor seating on Plaza Mayor makes this a great lunch spot.
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Museo del Azulejo
Head to the west end of Misiones de los Tapes to the dinky Museo del Azulejo, a 17th-century house with a sampling of colonial tile work.
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Nuevo San Cono
With a well-stocked bar and a roaring fire, this traditional neighborhood parrilla (steakhouse) is a cozy place to pass a chilly evening.
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Parrilla del Barrio
Once the sun sinks a little and they put the tables out on the street, this friendly little parrilla is the place to be.
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Restaurante del Yacht
This somewhat snooty place serves up excellent seafood and afternoon teas, and the pierside deck affords stunning river views.
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