Colonia

"Colonia" sign

Like Montevideo, Colonia has a sign by the water displaying the city's name in big white letters, though this one is newer (installed in 2017) and less well known. A popular spot for taking pictures.

"Dr Bautista Rebuffo" Municipal Museum

Museo Municipal Dr. Bautista Rebuffo

Museum in two floors presenting objects of daily life 200 years ago as well as the works of scientists and explorers that have lived and worked in the town. In the room dedicated to a biologist there are various two-, six-, and eight-legged creatures on display, as well as small and very large fossils. If you're lucky you get to meet the offspring hanging next to the fusebox in the back corner. This museum is also where you buy the U$50 ticket that allows you into all eight museums.

Closed Tue

Armando Calcaterra Paleontological Museum

Museo Paleontológico Armando Cancaterra

Fossils, including a glyptodon, and other paleontological and archeological discoveries on display.

Thu-Sun

Barbot

Brewpub/restaurant with craft beers and a decent selection of pizza, sandwiches, desserts, and snacks (including good vegetarian options). Casual but still elegant, with colorful but unobtrusive artwork on the brick wall that forms one side of their otherwise modern interior. Reservations recommended for large groups or popular nights. Happy hour with 2-for-1 beers Thursdays 20:00–22:00.

U$200–230 for a pint

Basilica del Santísimo Sacramento

Iglesia Matriz

The oldest church in Uruguay. Constructed by the Portuguese in 1808, but the first church on this place was built in the 1690s.

Bocadesanto

Burger place with craft beers and a vegetarian option. Menu in Spanish and English.

Tue–Thu 12:00–19:00, Fri–Mon 12:00–16:30, 20:00–23:00·U$450–600

Buena Moza

Inexpensive empanadas and pizza with lots of options for fillings/toppings. Delivery available.

Thu-Tue 11:30–13:00 and 20:00–24:00·U$150–300

Calle de los Suspiros

Probably Colonia's most famous street and the view along the street towards the main square is featured on many tourist related publications of the town. The name of the street translates to "the street of sighs". There are two stories of how the street got its name: either because the houses along it used to be brothels, or because prisoners were brought along it before being put to death.

Candela

Candela Express

Cozy restaurant, crowded on weekends, with inexpensive, generous servings. Two people can easily share a serving. Messages from customers are written all over the walls. Indoor and outdoor seating. Delivery available.

Mon Wed-Sat 12:00-02:00, Sun 12:00-24:00·U$200-300

Casa Nacarello

Casa de Nacarello

A Portuguese 18th-century building: an example of a furnished home from those times.

Closed Tue

Charco

Charming, stylish restaurant run by a hotel. Delicious food served on a heated patio right on the river with beautiful views. Indoor seating is also available. Reservations recommended but not required.

Daily 12:00–15:30, 20:00–23:00·U$600+

Chopería Mastra

A chain also present in other cities in Uruguay, with brick walls and barrels surrounded by stools used as tables. Indoor and courtyard seating. A variety of beer as well as pizza and snacks.

Fri–Sun 12:00–17:00; 20:00–closing daily·U$160 for a pint

Colonia Farmers' Market

Feria de Productores de Colonia

A farmers' market on two blocks of Calle Fosalba, selling clothes, food, and all sorts of items. Try authentic Uruguayan foods like queso Colonia, a type of cheese invented in the region, or a torta frita (a sort of fried pancake for U$20).

Sun mornings

Colonia Shopping

A small shopping center with a restaurant, stores, a movie theater, a go-kart track, currency exchange, and an ATM with relatively low fees.

Dock

Muelle

Built in 1866 as the city's port, before the new port was built on the other side of the peninsula. Relax on the water and see the yachts and views of the northern part of the city.

08:00–01:00

El Abuelo

Rotisería & Pastelería

Small shop selling slices of more than 40 types of pies, savory and sweet. Generous portions, especially of the sweet pies. Menu in Spanish and English, good vegetarian options. Takeout or delivery only.

Tue–Sat 09:00–15:00, 19:00–21:30·Around U$100 for a slice

El Drugstore

This restaurant is pretty artsy and colorful on the inside. Everything seems to be painted in different colors and there's a quirky assortment of paintings, posters, photos and trinkets decorating the walls. There is a small stage where local guitarists are playing. They have an extensive menu ranging from Uruguayan specialties (though their chivito is only served al plato) to Japanese vegetarian dishes. On the downside they charge a cover charge (like most restaurants in Uruguay). They have outdoor seating as well.

U$250–500

El Tambor

A courtyard right next to La Carlota, surrounded by little shops selling clothing, art, handicrafts, and all sorts of souvenirs.

El Torreón

If you always wanted to eat or have a glass in an old mill, you can do so at El Torreón. They also have outdoor seating. The food itself is nothing special, but it's right by the water so the views are lovely.

Daily 08:00–24:00·U$500+

Feria Artesanal

A cluster of small shops selling handicrafts and souvenirs, including clothes, bags, dreamcatchers, and various knickknacks

Ganache

A charming and cozy coffee shop with a good selection of beverages and pastries. Outdoor and indoor seating, with a homey feel.

Mon–Sat 09:30–20:00, Sun 10:00–20:00·U$200 for coffee and a snack

Granja Arenas

A farm outside of Colonia with an animal reserve and two unique attractions.

Indigenous Museum

Museo Indígena

Showcases numerous artifacts, mostly from the indigenous population of the area.

Closed Mon Thu

Irene's

Mostly vegetarian food, including vegan and gluten free options. Good for visitors hoping to try vegetarian versions of Uruguayan specialties like milanesas and chivitos, or looking for a respite from standard meat-heavy Uruguayan cuisine. Menu in Spanish and English. There is a health food store next door.

Mon–Sat 11:00–17:00·U$250–400

La Bodeguita

A great place if you want something lighter than the common asados. Try to get a table at the lower patio with a view over the water. They have excellent sangria.

U$250–550

La Carlota

Cozy shop stuffed with art and high-quality handicrafts, including unique funky, decorative, and functional souvenirs.

Lentas Maravillas

Amazing cafe and lounge with garden overlooking the Rio de la Plata. Brunch is especially good with Illy coffee. Stop by for 17:00 tea to enjoy tartlets, muffins, cookies, and other culinary delights or sip mojitos in the garden while reading a wide selection of books from the lounge.

Daily 10:30-20:00

Parrillada El Portón

Family-run restaurant with some of the best barbecue in Colonia. The meal for two is enough to feed three or four. Warm atmosphere, good for families.

U$300–500

Paseo de San Gabriel

Goes along the seashore with a beautiful white handrail all the way.

Plaza 25 de Mayo

Plaza Mayor

Everyone wandering around the barrio histórico will pass through the main square at some point. It is lined by several points of interest for travelers such as museums, places to eat, drink and sleep, and some small stands selling souvenirs. On the western edge there are old cannons laying on the ground and in the middle there is a palm functioning as an electrical pole and a lamp post complete with a fuse box and even electrical sockets! If you wonder about the noise from the palms, it's from small green parrots that have their nests there.