Gramado is a slice of Bavaria in the heart of Brazil. The picturesque mountain town was founded by German settlers in the 19th century and is filled with half-timbered chalets. Artisan shops sell everything from cuckoo clocks to gourmet chocolate and fresh-baked pretzels. Colourful flowers and strings of twinkling fairy lights add to the alpine charm.
Things to do in Gramado
Gramado is a gateway to the exhilarating Serra Gaúcha mountains. Challenge yourself on high-altitude hiking trails and explore Itaimbezinho, one of the largest and most impressive canyons in Brazil. For something less intense, try Belvedere Vale do Quilombo. The hike up to the lookout is easy and rewards you with sweeping valley views.
Igreja Matriz São Pedro overlooks the main square and features magnificent stained-glass windows designed by a famous German artist. Hilltop Igreja do Relógio is another local landmark. The church is set in a beautiful hydrangea garden and houses a bell forged in Germany in the 19th century.
Rent a swan boat and paddle around Lago Negro. The lake is just out of town and framed by thick pine forests and bright blue hydrangeas. Follow the scenic walking trail around the lake and enjoy a picnic on the foreshore.
Restaurants in Gramado serve a mix of Brazilian and European cuisine. Warm up with pots of creamy fondue and dig into enormous bowls of “capeletti” pasta soup. Dishes like “churrasco” grilled meat showcase the region’s “guacho” cowboy heritage. Wash down your meal with a glass of Italian-inspired wine from the Vale dos Vinhedos viticultural region. Chimarrao, a caffeine-rich tea sipped through a metal straw, is a great pick-me-up.
Getting there
Gramado is compact and easy to get around on foot. The town is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, a two-hour drive from Porto Alegre. Rent a car and drive to Gramado or ride the bus in under 2.5 hours. Porto Alegre International Airport is a two-hour drive away.