See

The lighthouse

For a nominal fee you can go up to the top of the lighthouse (faro) and see most of the city and look out over the city and Rio de la Plata. On a clear day probably even Buenos Aires is visible. The lighthouse was built in 1857 and it is 26.92 m high with 118 steps. Its light is not white but red.

Hours: Open until sunset
Price: AR$/U$25

Directions Suggest a nearby place

Listing from Wikivoyage: Colonia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

Close by

See
The ruins of the San Francisco convent
Small brick ruin between the lighthouse and the main square. You would not know what kind of building it was if there weren't a sign next to it.
See
Naval Museum
Museo Naval
Enríquez de la Peña/San Francisco
Mon–Fri 11:00–17:00
See
Casa Nacarello
Casa de Nacarello
A Portuguese 18th-century building: an example of a furnished home from those times.
Closed Tue
See
"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