Gramado and Canela are two charming cities nestled in the Serra Gaúcha region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. They’re famous for their European-style architecture, delicious cuisine, and parks and attractions that appeal to all tastes and ages. If you’re planning a trip to this area, in this post I’ll show you a 4-day itinerary for Gramado and Canela, with tips on tours, accommodation, transportation, and dining. Let’s dive in?
Day 1: Gramado’s Center and a Fondue Extravaganza
On the first day, my suggestion is to explore the center of Gramado, which is absolutely charming. You can start at the Igreja Matriz de São Pedro (St. Peter’s Main Church), which features a stone facade and colorful stained-glass windows. Right in front of the church, you’ll find the Fonte do Amor Eterno (Fountain of Eternal Love), where romantic couples can attach padlocks with their names and make a wish.
Afterward, you can stroll along Avenida Borges de Medeiros, the city’s main street, which is packed with shops, cafés, and chocolate shops. Be sure to try Gramado’s artisanal chocolate—it’s divine. You can also visit the Palácio dos Festivais, the venue for the famous Gramado Film Festival, and the Rua Coberta (Covered Street), an enclosed space with restaurants and cultural events.
For lunch, you’ll have plenty of restaurant options in the center, serving everything from traditional Gaúcho fare to international cuisine. One tip is the Restaurante Colosseo, which offers a varied buffet and a cozy atmosphere.
Exploring Gramado’s Center on Av. Borges de Medeiros
In the afternoon, you can continue exploring Gramado’s center and visit other attractions like the Rua Torta (Crooked Street), a curvy street full of flowers, Praça das Etnias (Ethnicities Square), which honors German, Italian, and Portuguese cultures, and Mini Mundo, a park with miniature replicas of famous buildings from around the world.
At night, there’s nothing better than savoring a fondue, one of Gramado’s most traditional dishes. You can choose from cheese, meat, or chocolate fondue, or even all three in the famous “fondue sequence.” Several restaurants offer this, but one of the most renowned is Le Chalet de La Fondue, which boasts a romantic ambiance and a curated wine list.
Day 2: Parque do Caracol, Skyglass Canela, Catedral de Pedra, and Estação Campos de Canella
On the second day, my tip is to visit the neighboring city of Canela, which also has many attractions. You can rent a car, take a bus, or book a tour with a travel agency. The trip between Gramado and Canela is about 10 km and takes around 15 minutes.
Your first stop is Parque do Caracol, one of the postcards of the Serra Gaúcha. There, you’ll be amazed by the Cascata do Caracol (Caracol Waterfall), which stands 131 meters tall and creates a stunning scene. You can admire the waterfall from various angles, from a walkway to a staircase with over 700 steps. The park also features trails, viewpoints, souvenir shops, and a restaurant.
Get Your Adrenaline Fix at Skyglass
Another unmissable attraction in Parque do Caracol is the Skyglass Canela, a glass platform that extends over the valley, offering incredible views of the waterfall and nature. You can choose to sit or lie down on the platform, and even have the option to swing back and forth if you’re brave enough. The Skyglass Canela is a unique and thrilling experience that’s well worth checking out.
After visiting Parque do Caracol, you can head to Canela’s center, where you’ll find the Catedral de Pedra (Stone Cathedral), an imposing church with Gothic style and a clock on its tower. The cathedral is illuminated at night with different colors, creating a spectacular show. In front of the cathedral, there’s a square with a fountain where you can relax and take photos.
For lunch, you can take the opportunity to explore the Estação Campos de Canella, a gastronomic and cultural complex located in Canela’s old railway station. There, you’ll find various restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, and attractions like Mundo a Vapor, an interactive museum with miniature steam machines, and the Parque Estadual do Caracol, a park with trails, waterfalls, and viewpoints.
In the afternoon, you can head back to Gramado and rest at your hotel, or take the chance to go shopping or visit another park or museum in the city. At night, you can dine at a restaurant in the center or on the Rua Coberta, or opt for a themed dinner like Noite Gaúcha, a folk show with music, dance, and traditional food, or Noite Alemã, a show with a band, choir, and German cuisine.
Day 3: Snowland or Acquamotion
On the third day, my suggestion is to choose between two theme parks in Gramado: Snowland or Acquamotion. Both guarantee fun for the whole family, but they offer very different experiences.
Snowland is the first indoor snow park in the Americas, offering a one-of-a-kind snow play experience all year round. You can hit the slopes for skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating, or simply have a blast with snowball fights, building snowmen, and racing down the toboggans. The park also features a themed area called Vilarejo Alpino, which recreates a European village complete with shops, restaurants, and live shows.
Acquamotion is Brazil’s first indoor water park, delivering an incredible experience of cooling off in pools, sliding down water slides, and splashing around in aquatic play structures. You can enjoy attractions like the Rio Lento (Lazy River), the Wave Pool, the Half Pipe, and the Kamikaze. The park also has a themed area called Cidade da Neve, which simulates a snow-covered city with animatronic characters and special effects.
Incredible adventures at Gramado’s theme parks
You can easily spend an entire day at either of these parks, as they come fully equipped with locker rooms, storage lockers, snack bars, and restaurants. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office, and there are package deals available that include transportation and equipment rentals.
In the evening, after a day packed with adventure and fun, you can grab dinner at a restaurant near your hotel or order delivery and enjoy a cozy meal in the comfort of your room.
Day 4: Le Jardin, Parque Olivas de Gramado, and farewell
On the fourth and final day, my tip is to explore some attractions that are a bit further from Gramado’s center but are absolutely worth the trip for their beauty and tranquility.
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