Gramado and Canela are nestled in the Serra Gaúcha region of Southern Brazil, they’re famous for their European charm, and food such as meat, cheese and lots of amazing artisan chocolate.
These two towns are a 10 minute drive apart, and they both offer picturesque settings and family fun attractions. In fact, it felt like a German Las Vegas at times, with the big attractions and glitzy supercars.
They’re both unique with their alpine style buildings, and there’s various cultural events during the year, being only a 2 hour drive from Porto Alegre, they’re a must visit on your trip to South Brazil!
Let’s jump into the guide to ensure you make the most of your time in these scenic towns.
Best Time to Visit Gramado and Canela
Each season in this region brings its own beauty, there certainly isn’t a bad time to visit. During the winter you can experience the magical festivities and colder, cosier vibes.
Autumn brings those autumnal colours, the leaves are changing and there’s a certain romance in the air, it’s certainly a season that would enhance the town’s beauty.
Spring brings warmer temperatures, blooming flowers and vibrant colours to the already stunning landscapes.
Summer is a great time to enjoy the best weather and the Natal Luz- Festival of Lights, a real festive couple of months where you’ll certainly feel the Christmas magic.
Weather and Climate
Gramado and Canela are located in the Serra Gaúcha mountains, giving them cooler temperatures and a distinct climate. Let’s take a more detailed look:
- Spring (September to November): Temperatures range from 10°C to 25°C, it’s a pleasant time of year with early mornings feeling quite cool it quickly heats up during the day. You can see more rainfall during this time but also it’s the blooming season so keep an eye out for the hydrangeas, a common flower in this region.
- Summer (December to February): Temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C, it’s the hottest season and with it comes rain and thunderstorms, because it’s a mountainous region the storms can get pretty wild. Overall, the days are usually sunny and it’s a great time for outdoor activities.
- Autumn (March to May): Temperatures range from 12°C to 22°C, Autumn is a lovely time of year, clear skies and less sweaty temperatures, it means less rainfall and just all round more enjoyable. The changing of the leaves during this time of year is truly stunning, many good photo ops.
- Winter (June to August): Temperatures range from 0°C to 15°C, it’s the coldest time of year, snow is actually rare up here, but it can happen, frosty mornings are more common, especially in July. Winter brings the cosy mountain scene, fireplaces, fondue restaurants, winter festivals, it’s a real magical time to visit.
How to get to Gramado and Canela
Gramado and Canela are a 2 hour drive from Porto Alegre, around 120km. It’s the closest city and it has an airport, here are some ways to get from Porto Alegre:
Bus
There are regular bus services from Port Alegre’s Rodoviária Bus Terminal, it takes around 2.30 hours and costs around £10 each ($10 USD). The views are nice and scenic, lots of tree’s, it has a jungle mountain feel.
Car
You can rent a car from Porto Alegre’s Salgado Filho International Airport, it would be the pricer option, but if your budget can stretch it’s always nice to drive on an open road. Especially surrounded by beautiful nature.
Shuttle or Transfer
You can book a private shuttle or shared van, numerous travel agencies offer these services, you can book online. Again, this is going to be a more expensive option, better to jump on a bus.
Where to Stay
There’s numerous places to stay in Gramado and Canela, it really depends on your budget. You’ll find various hotels and rentals, it’s always good to check Airbnb, having your own kitchen can really save money on eating out 3 times a day. Be sure to check out our article on more ways to save money with 7 Airbnb Hacks!
We stayed in a condominium between Gramado and Canela, it had a communal heated pool and it was super cosy. You can find the listing here on Booking.com.
Things to See and Do
Both towns offer an abundance of activities, museums and places in nature. With yearly festivals there’s, always something going on between Gramado and Canela. You won’t be short of things to discover!
Gramado
Museo do Chocolate
If you’re anything like us, you’re always on the hunt for some of the best chocolate in any region you visit! Well, let me tell you Gramado has an abundance of amazing chocolate shops to choose from.
This particular museum will inform you of all the chocolate making processes and the history of chocolate making itself, which is surprisingly very interesting!
Imagine tasting different kinds of melt in the mouth chocolates along side learning about the processes of transforming the cocoa beans to bar, you can also take part in workshops where you can create your own chocolate!
Not only is this experience educational, but it’s also fun to create your very own melt in your mouth piece of heaven!
Aldeia do Papai Noel (Santa Claus Village)
This magical village celebrates Christmas all year round. The Santa Clause village is a charming house that’s been created for those who want to experience some Christmas magic.
This festive house is decorated with ornaments and colourful lights to allow you to immerse yourself into the Christmas spirit, it even has a Santas workshop where you and your little ones can see magical elves preparing gifts and preparing for the run up to Christmas!
It’s the perfect opportunity to get some beautiful family photos or why not catch one of many shows or theatrical plays and performances, and don’t forget to grab some festive gifts on your way out to share the spirit of Christmas with your loved ones.
Natal Luz (Christmas Light Festival)
This festival is one of the biggest light celebrations in the whole of Brazil, the town of Gramado is transformed into a winter wonderland and the joy of Christmas is spread far and wide all over the country.
This special celebration is held from November to mid January, be sure to check online for the exact dates as they can vary each year.
The highlight of this event is without a doubt the enchanting grand Christmas parade, where you can see huge festive floats, performers dressed in festive wear and an array of Christmas lights and fake snow.
With its sub tropical climate, it unfortunately never snows during this time of year, but that doesn’t stop the atmosphere from being super Christmasy! Make sure you look out for Santa as he will make several appearances.
Lago Negro (Black lake)
If you’re a bit fed up of the sights of Christmas and fancy being closer to nature, then check Lago Negro also known as Black Lake. This lake is extremely picturesque and is surrounded by natural beauty.
It’s a very popular spot for travellers to hang out and take part in a number of local activities. How about renting a pedal boat and exploring the lake or you can simply join one of the many walking trails and that way you will get to see many beautiful flowers and native trees and plants.
If you’re into bird watching, this is a great place to try and see various bird species. If your hungry there’s usually many food vendors selling local snacks and drinks. Early mornings offer a tranquil undisturbed time and this is in our opinion the best time to visit to beat the crowds.
Canela
Catedral de Pedra (Stone Cathedral Canela)
Catedral de Pedra also known as the Stone Cathedral is a stunning Church that is famous for its gothic architecture. The cathedral was constructed in 1953 and is located in the heart of Canela.
We actually preferred Canela over Gramado as we felt it was more charming and quirky but they’re both interesting to visit. Guided tours are a great way to learn more about its historical value.
You can go up one of the towers, to not only get a stunning view of the town itself but to also appreciate the workmanship that went into building this stunning piece of Neo-Gothic architecture.
This site is especially beautiful during Christmas time as the whole church is lit up with festive Christmas lights and decorations to celebrate this magical time of year.
Space Adventure Museum
This museum is dedicated to space exploration and astronomy, you’ll learn about the universe, space missions and the science behind space travel.
The museum is huge and it has a planetarium, where immersive shows will take you on a journey into space. There’s also a simulation which will have you feeling like you’re on a space mission.
The museum has an array of interactive exhibits, space models and hands on activities. It’s cheaper to book your ticket online as they charge more in person, however being a foreigner in Brazil and trying to pay for things online doesn’t always go smoothly.
Parque do Caracol (Caracol Park)
This natural park is famous for its natural beauty, especially the Caracol Waterfall. To see the waterfall you follow a trail which involves some steep steps, it can be challenging but it’s def worth it.
Standing at an impressive 131 meters tall, the cascading waterfall is a must see on your visit to Canela.The park also has many hiking trails and a lookout point with stunning views of the valley and forests. Just breathing in that fresh forest air will soothe your soul.
Festival de Natal (Christmas Festival)
During November to January, Canela transforms into a winter wonderland, if you love Christmas or you need some Christmas sprit in your life, you’ll find it here.
Sparkling lights and decorations light up the picturesque streets, parades and concerts echo joy all around. Everyone’s feeling the Christmas cheer in Canela.
You’ll discover a vibrant Christmas market filled with unique crafts, seasonal treats and holiday gifts. The atmosphere is magical and the festival really captures the sprit of the season. It’s truly a special time of year to visit and it’ll be a trip that leaves lasting precious memories.