Gramado: The Jewel of Southern Brazil

Gramado is a beautiful and charming city located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Known for its European architecture, beautiful blossoming gardens, delicious chocolate and wine, and breathtaking landscapes, Gramado is a popular destination for people from all around the world. The city has a population of approximately 35,000 people and offers a wide range of experiences for visitors, from cultural and historical visits to adventure and nature tours. In this article, we will present 10 places to visit and 5 places to avoid in Gramado.

Places to visit

1. Lake Negro

Lake Negro is one of the most beautiful and popular tourist attractions in Gramado. With its crystal clear waters, surrounded by pine trees, and stunning landscape, it offers visitors an unforgettable experience. There are paddle boats and kayaks for rent, and you can also walk along the trails surrounding the lake.

2. Mini World

Mini World is a charming and unique theme park that showcases miniature replicas of famous cities, landmarks, and buildings from around the world. The attention to detail is impressive, and visitors can also enjoy interactive exhibits and activities.

3. Gramado Zoo

Gramado Zoo is not like any other zoo you’ve visited before. Here, you can observe and learn about Brazilian fauna and flora living in spacious and natural habitats. The zoo also has a strong focus on education and conservation.

4. Snowland

Snowland is a fantastic indoor theme park that simulates a winter wonderland. Visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, and a variety of other snow activities, all year round.

5. Rua Coberta

Rua Coberta, or Covered Street, is a charming pedestrianized street in the heart of Gramado. The street is covered by a glass roof and is home to a variety of cafes, restaurants, and shops. It’s an ideal place to relax, enjoy the scenic views and try some of the local cuisine.

6. Harley Motor Show

The Harley Motor Show is a unique museum and bar that showcases over 20 Harley Davidson motorcycles models, dating back to 1940. Visitors can explore the collection while enjoying live music and drinks.

7. Black Lake Park

Black Lake Park is a picturesque public park located about 5km from Gramado city center. The lake is surrounded by native forest and has walking trails, picnic areas, and a playground.

8. Saint Peter’s Church

Saint Peter’s Church is a beautiful and historic church located in the center of Gramado. The church’s architectural style is modeled after Germany’s Bavarian churches and attracts a significant number of tourists.

9. Chocolate factory

Gramado is known for its chocolate, and a visit to a chocolate factory is a must-do activity. Visitors can observe the manufacturing process, attend chocolate-making workshops, and, of course, taste a variety of delicious chocolates.

10. Festivals

Gramado is home to several annual festivals, including the Gramado Film Festival, the Hortensias Festival, and the Chocolate Festival. These festivals attract visitors from all over the world and offer a unique cultural experience.

Places to avoid

1. Gramado Zoo in peak season

Gramado Zoo can get crowded during peak seasons, especially December and January. Visitors might not enjoy the experience due to the lack of space and long lines.

2. The Wax Museum

While the Wax Museum is an interesting museum with life-size wax figures of famous people, the museum has not been properly maintained, and many of the figures have lost their lifelike appearance.

3. Lago Joaquina Rita Bier

Lago Joaquina Rita Bier is a small and unimpressive lake compared to other attractions in Gramado. It’s not worth the effort to visit unless you have plenty of time to spare.

4. Gramado’s “pedalinhos”

“Pedalinhos” are small pedal boats you can rent to paddle on some of the city’s lakes. While the activity can be fun, it can also be expensive, especially in peak season, and the boats are not always in good condition.

5. The Tourist Bus

The Tourist Bus is a hop-on-hop-off bus tour that offers a city tour of Gramado. However, this tour can be overcrowded and tends to skip many of the city’s best attractions.

Overview about the city