The Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse began construction in 1855 amidst the ruins of the Convento de San Francisco Javier (Convent of Saint Francis Javier), facing Plaza Mayor in the old town of the city.
Today, it stands as one of the most visited tourist attractions in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. The picturesque setting, created by the stone ruins of the convent, destroyed by fire, seamlessly blends with the lighthouse, making it a postcard-worthy landmark steeped in history and beauty.
In addition to all the external beauty, you can climb the Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse. Upon reaching the top of this tourist spot, after climbing 118 steps, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Rio de la Plata.
Depending on the day, you might encounter a line to climb to the top of the tourist spot, as the number of people allowed to access the attraction at the same time is limited.
To climb the Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse, a small fee of 50 Uruguayan pesos is charged. The fee can be paid in Dollars, Euros, Argentine pesos, or Uruguayan pesos, but change is always given in Uruguayan pesos.
The Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse is one of the most beautiful and photogenic attractions in the destination. It’s our favorite tourist spot there, but we recommend visiting it at dusk when the sunlight gives a special glow to the attraction, making the scenery and photos stunning.
I consider climbing the lighthouse to see the beautiful city view as one of the best things to do in Colonia del Sacramento, but it’s a quick excursion that won’t take much time from your itinerary.
How to get to the Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse?
While strolling through the Old Town of Colonia del Sacramento, the lighthouse is hard to miss, as it draws a lot of attention and stands at a height of 26.92 meters.
The entrance to the Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse is on San Francisco Street. To walk comfortably and climb to the top of the tourist spot, don’t forget to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Location: 70000 San Francisco Street, Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.
Price: 50 Uruguayan pesos (the price can vary, as it is symbolic).
Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:50 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:50 PM (opening hours may vary).
Near the Lighthouse, you’ll find other amazing tourist spots in Colonia del Sacramento, such as Portón de Campo, Calle de los Suspiros, Bastión de San Pedro, and more. Due to the proximity of these attractions, it’s possible to visit most of them on a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento.
Want more information? Then, check out all the articles about traveling to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, and keep planning your trip:
