Key facts

• Barrio Histórico — 50 Hectares: the most precisely Barrio Histórico single 50 hectares 17th-18th century cobblestone Portuguese Spanish UNESCO heritage — the Barrio Histórico (the most precisely Barrio Histórico single 50 hectares cobblestone streets 17th-18th century mixed Portuguese Spanish architecture heritage: the entire historic quarter covers only 50 hectares (a 15-minute walk across); the streets are original 17th-18th century cobblestones; the architecture shows the Portuguese/Spanish hybrid that developed after the repeated changes of sovereignty; some buildings are pure Portuguese (azulejos tiles; whitewash; low sills), others are pure Spanish (carved stone surrounds; iron grilles), and many are hybrid — the most precisely Barrio Histórico single 50 hectares cobblestone streets 17th-18th century mixed Portuguese Spanish architecture heritage in any European UNESCO world heritage site)
• Calle de los Suspiros — Street of Sighs: the most precisely Calle de los Suspiros single Street of Sighs 17th century cobblestone most photographed Colonia heritage — the Calle de los Suspiros (“Street of Sighs”; the most photographed street in Uruguay) is a narrow cobblestone lane of original 17th-century paving stones flanked by low colonial houses and flowering hedges; it runs from the Plaza Mayor down toward the river; the name is believed to refer to the sighs of prisoners taken through it to the fort, or alternatively to lovers parting
• Ferry from Buenos Aires — 1 Hour: the most precisely Colonia del Sacramento single 1h ferry Buenos Aires Argentina day trip heritage — Colonia del Sacramento is 1h by high-speed ferry (Buquebus) from Buenos Aires across the Río de la Plata; it is the most popular day trip from Buenos Aires for foreign visitors; the historic quarter can be covered on foot in 2-3 hours; a full day allows time for the museums (there are 7 small ones) and the beach
• GPS: -34.4724° S, -57.8441° W