Gramado is a city that sharpens all your senses. The smell of chocolate and fondue is everywhere and invites you to a gastronomic experience in the cafes, restaurants and artisanal factories along the streets. In winter, which runs from June to September, the city is especially charming, when thermometers can reach negative temperatures and frosts are frequent. Occasionally it is even possible to see snow in the city.
The Bavarian-inspired architecture fills the eyes with the romanticism of the half-timbered facades. The hydrangea gardens and the beautiful nature that the city was gifted with also delight visitors. The accents and music, from German, Italian and Portuguese traditions, make you get into the city’s atmosphere. The spas and various hotels in the city complement the experience and offer comfort and relaxation at the top of the Serra Gaúcha.
Tourist Attractions Tour
Gramado and Canela, which are about 9 km away from each other, are part of the well-known Romantic Route for tourism in the region and have numerous attractions. In Gramado, don’t miss the São Pedro Church, opened in 1942, with a structure made of basalt stone and with art in the stained glass windows.
Nearby you can enjoy and visit Rua Coberta, great for strolling, enjoying the local cuisine and doing some shopping. Another charming spot is Lago Negro, where the option is to explore the space on fun pedal boats – boats controlled by passengers using pedals. The city’s entrance porticos are also one of the place’s postcards, it’s worth visiting and recording your trip with a beautiful photo!
But Gramado’s attractions don’t stop there. Be sure to include in your itinerary a visit to Mundo de Chocolate, which tells the story of the sweet and gives access to the artisanal production area, Dreamland, a museum that presents icons of cinema and pop culture and Hollywood Dream Cars, an exhibition of old cars where you can feel the atmosphere and glamor of Hollywood from the 50s and 60s. For those who love miniatures, a must-see is Mini Mundo, a leisure park with tiny buildings. And for those who like adventure, it’s also worth a visit to Snowland, the first indoor snow park in Brazil.
Canela also has fantastic attractions and is worth a visit. In the city, visit the Caracol State Park, which has the Caracol Waterfall, one of the most famous in the region, the biggest reference and symbol of Canela. Nearby, Castelinho Caracol also attracts attention. It was Canela’s first residence, built between 1913 and 1915. Today, it houses a museum and a tea house. Stopping there, be sure to try the apfelstrudel, one of the apple pies of European origin, which is famous in the region.
Another famous attraction is Mundo a Vapor, a kind of museum with working miniatures of factories and steam engines. For those who can’t do without a good adventure, Alpen Park and Skyglass are sensational. The first is a park that has around 15 toys for the whole family. You can have fun on the roller coaster, sled, 4D cinema, tree climbing, zip line, mini rider, quad bike and much more. Skyglass Canela is a cable-stayed platform made of glass and steel, which extends 35 meters over the Ferradura Valley, amidst araucaria trees, birds and wild animals. A stunning landscape!
If you are going to spend a little more time in Gramado, be sure to plan ahead and take advantage of the agritourism routes, which are also very popular for wine and sparkling wine tasting. With several wineries and wineries in the Serra Gaúcha region, there is a special itinerary where you can enjoy everything the place has to offer!
Fun facts
Cozy Accommodation:
The city is known for its charming inns and boutique hotels, offering accommodation with style and comfort.
Snowland Park:
Snowland is the first indoor snow park in the Americas, providing a unique experience with snow activities at any time of year.
Handmade Chocolates:
Gramado is a paradise for chocolate lovers. The city is home to several artisanal chocolate shops that produce delicious delicacies.
Culture and Enchantment in Serra Gaúcha
The city’s graceful architecture and lively artistic events are an invitation to enjoy an incredible cultural experience. Gramado is a charming city by nature: the Bavarian-style buildings are complemented by the beauty of the hydrangeas that occupy most of the spaces, giving a Brazilian touch to the region’s European charm. The city is one of the gateways to discover and fall in love with Gaucho customs, accents and traditions.
One of the biggest attractions of Gramado’s cultural life are the various events, which include film screenings and musical shows. For fans of the seventh art, the Gramado Film Festival, one of the most renowned in the country, is a mandatory item on the itinerary. Held annually for almost 50 years, the event celebrates and awards several national cinematographic productions. If you want to plan your trip to enjoy the festival, set aside the month of August in your calendar.
From October to January, the city lights up and transforms into a true fairytale! Natal Luz de Gramado is enchanting for adults and children. With a program full of activities such as The Great Christmas Parade, Christmas Village and several other shows, the event is full of magic and makes celebrating the date a moment of great emotion.
The mountains of Rio Grande do Sul are also the stage for intense musical experiences with Gramado In Concert – International Music Festival. There are several performances by orchestras, bands and chamber groups that explore the best of classical and popular music in an eclectic program.
Another incredible event on the city’s agenda is the Gramado Culture and Gastronomy Festival, which combines the flavors of Gaucho gastronomy with a wide range of cultural events. Through tastings, workshops, musical shows and plays, visitors have the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in Gramadian culture and try delicacies prepared by great culinary personalities.
But if your idea is to get to know “Gaucho” memory in depth, the perfect event is the traditional Festa da Colônia, which has been taking place for 3 decades. At the event, the descendants of German, Portuguese and Italian colonizers radiate joy throughout the city with cultural presentations that celebrate and perpetuate the farmer’s identity.
The destination also has several other options, such as the Middle Ages themed museum and the wax museum, as well as museums of precious stones and even vintage cars.
Gastronomic Journey in Serra Gaúcha
The smell of chocolate that permeates every corner of the city is an invitation to let yourself be seduced by the Gramado gastronomic experience. The local gastronomy is, without a doubt, one of the region’s flagships, which attracts thousands of tourists every year. The eclectic menu includes wines of all classes, establishments with the most varied types of cuisine and, of course, the famous Gramadan chocolate.
Visiting Gramado means being sure to eat well and in abundance. Local establishments are known not only for their generous portions, but also for their wide range of delicious preparations. The varied restaurant options allow visitors to choose what they want to eat.
The pastas and fondues combine perfectly with the cold of the “Gaucho” winter, while the German beer and the “Gaucho” barbecue go very well with an unpretentious lunch with the family. And have you ever imagined tasting the most varied desserts in a colonial-style café?
The mild climate of the southern region is very favorable for the production of different types of wine, to the delight of wine tourism lovers. Tourists who visit the region can enjoy itineraries in family wineries, where wine is accompanied by sophisticated meals that are abundant in flavor. Rosé, sparkling wine, red… whatever your choice, visiting a winery is a great program for those who are curious to know more about the production process and enjoy one of the most beloved drinks in the world.
Gramado is full of events that play an important role not only in entertainment, but also in the tourist’s gastronomic experience. Easter is the time of year when the region comes to life and becomes the stage for various events that entertain adults and children. The delicious smell of chocolate fills the city and invites tourists to try the handmade Easter eggs.
The charming city of Rio Grande do Sul also offers a special combination of art and cuisine, such as the Culture and Gastronomy Festival. The festival program, held annually, brings together big names in national and international cuisine. The wines and sparkling wines produced in the region are also highlighted at the event, which offers a variety of cultural activities.
And for those who enjoy learning more about the destination’s gastronomic traditions, the “Colônia Party” is a great opportunity! The event brings together the unique flavor of the region’s typical products with the fun of cultural presentations, all respecting the memory and identity of the farmer and the German, Portuguese and Italian colonizers.
Furthermore, “Olivas de Gramado” is a spectacular place at the top of a canyon, surrounded by Atlantic Forest and with the production of award-winning olive oils, where you can experience gastronomy, events and even a beautiful sunset.
Gramado is one of those destinations that effortlessly enchants and quickly wins the hearts of visitors. One visit to the city is enough to make you fall in love and want to return as soon as possible!
