Uruguay Department brings together a distinctive natural landscape and buildings and places of remembrance that reveal different aspects of regional history. In Parque Natural Provincial Islas y Canales Verdes del Río Uruguay, islands, wetlands, and native forests take center stage; in Concepción del Uruguay, Basavilbaso, and other named places, architecture, railway history, and Jewish history offer other discoveries. This allows you to experience nature and culture as different focal points of your trip.
Natural landscape along the Río Uruguay
Parque Natural Provincial Islas y Canales Verdes del Río Uruguay protects more than 4,000 hectares in Uruguay Department, including islands, wetlands, and native forests near Colonia Elía. The combination of these landscape features gives the protected area a distinct natural character. For the 2026 school year, a camping area, sanitary facilities, and trails were set up on Isla Dolores for school groups. If you are interested in this offering, check the current status of the school program in advance.
Architecture and history
Palacio San José – Museo y Monumento Histórico Nacional Justo José de Urquiza in Uruguay Department was the residence of Argentina’s first constitutional president and his wife, Dolores Costa. At the provincial level, in Entre Ríos, the palace is considered a notable example of mid-19th-century Italianate architecture in Argentina. It currently houses Museo Nacional “Justo José de Urquiza.”
The Edificio de la Aduana Vieja in Concepción del Uruguay offers another architectural feature: it has a projecting portico in the Italianate style, as well as a distinctive square tower topped with an octagonal, crenellated section. If you are interested in architectural forms, you can focus on these two characteristic features of the building.
Railway and Jewish history
Basavilbaso is nicknamed “Capital of the Trains”; Museo RIEL Basavilbaso recalls the importance of the railway to the town’s development. The permanent Museo del FFCC in Caseros displays various objects related to the town’s railway history.
Colonia Novibuco 1 includes a Jewish cemetery and a synagogue (Shill) dating from 1895. It served the Jewish community as a cultural, social, educational, and religious center. During a documented visit to Circuito de Colonias Judías del Centro de Entre Ríos, the tour began in Basavilbaso; the delegation was welcomed at Sinagoga Tefila L’ Moisés. Check the current visiting program in advance. In Colección Evocativa “Miguel Fulgencio Britos,” Miguel Fulgencio Britos is regarded as a prominent rancher, merchant, and military figure from the time of General J. J. de Urquiza. Before visiting the museum, it is advisable to check the current visitor regulations.
Festivals and dates
The Fiesta Aniversario in Colonia Elía took place without interruption from 2009 through 2024. Its program included a business fair, local music and dance performances, and a closing dance evening. Check dates separately for future editions.
Entre Ríos in a broader context
At the provincial level, hot springs are a broader theme in Entre Ríos: the province is Argentina’s National Capital of Thermal Circuits. Two national parks also showcase different landscapes in the province. Parque Nacional El Palmar protects more than 8,200 hectares of the Espinal and Pampa ecoregions, including wetlands of international importance. Parque Nacional Pre-Delta protects more than 2,600 hectares of the Paraná Delta and Islands ecoregion, also including wetlands of international importance. Entre Ríos cuisine includes asado criollo and asado con cuero, cheeses, escabeches, sweets, tortas fritas, alfajores, and fresh fish.
Discover more destinations: Concepción Del Uruguay, Colonia Sagastume, Arroyo Urquiza, Basavilbaso, Villaguay, Gualeguay, Gualeguaychú Dept, Islas Del Ibicuy.
For the broader travel overview: Entre Ríos.
