Outings and excursions · Piriápolis
Piriápolis in a weekend
Photos: Nicobadel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The resort Francisco Piria dreamed up: promenade, hills, a castle and one of South America's great historic hotels.
Piriápolis was born on 5 November 1890 as the "Resort of the Future", the project of Francisco Piria, businessman, writer and alchemist, who bought the land between the hills and the sea. Many of his works still stand, and a weekend is enough to see them.
Day 1: the promenade and the Argentino Hotel
Walk the Rambla de los Argentinos, built between 1910 and 1916, with the port at one end. Facing the sea stands the Argentino Hotel, built between 1920 and 1930 and in its day one of the largest hotels in South America. At sunset, go up Cerro San Antonio (there is a chairlift) to see the bay from above.
Day 2: the castle and Pan de Azúcar
A few kilometres away is Piria's Castle, the residence he finished in 1897. Nearby, Cerro Pan de Azúcar, one of the highest hills in the country, invites a climb to the cross on its summit.
Tips
- Chairlift and castle opening hours: check before you go.
- The Pan de Azúcar climb is demanding: bring water and comfortable shoes.
