Bento Gonçalves offers different ways to explore wine and local history: from a tourist steam train ride and guided tastings to museums and a route featuring century-old vineyards. When planning your trip, it helps to consider whether you are mainly looking for a train ride, a wine experience, historic sites or active pursuits.

Train Ride, Route and Wine

Maria Fumaça – Trem do Vinho is a tourist steam train ride with a clear timeframe: visitors are welcomed at the Bento Gonçalves railway station, the route covers 23 kilometres and the ride takes an average of about two hours. The average duration can help you plan your time; schedules may change, so check the current departure times in advance.

Caminhos de Pedra in the São Pedro district of Bento Gonçalves offers a different way to explore the area. The route takes in wineries with century-old vineyards along a twelve-kilometre stone road. Unlike the train ride, this experience centres on a route and its vineyard landscape: the 23 kilometres and approximately two hours refer to the train journey, while the twelve kilometres describe the stone road.

At Casa Valduga, the traditional tour combines a guided visit to the winery with a tasting of its distinctive wines. It offers a specific wine and sightseeing experience, while the wines and sparkling wines of Vale dos Vinhedos have a distinct connection to their place of origin: they were the first in Brazil to be recognized with an indication of origin. Tour booking details may change; if you plan to include it in your itinerary, check the current conditions in advance.

History in Museums and Memorial Sites

The Museu do Imigrante is dedicated to the memories of Bento Gonçalves and has been housed in a historic building since 1974. Visitors can learn about practices and creations from a broad period: from the end of the 19th century to the second half of the 20th century. The building and the exhibits thus offer different points of reference in time.

Casa da Memória Merlin offers a closer look at a single house: built in 1898, it is a living museum in Caminhos de Pedra. Guided tours take visitors through the original rooms, with furniture and household objects that belonged to generations of the family. The historic building and the family objects passed down through the generations are presented together. If you plan to include this visit in your itinerary, check the current visiting conditions beforehand.

Epopeia Italiana is presented as an experience in a cultural park, adding another cultural attraction to the museums and memorial sites. Opening conditions may change; check in advance if you would like to include a visit in your plans.

Explore Active Pursuits

Parque de Aventura Gasper offers a wide range of activities: ziplines, high ropes courses, artificial climbing, rappelling, quad biking, a pendulum ride, bungee jumping, paintball, target shooting and motorcycle trail rides. The options range from high-altitude activities and rides to target-based and skill activities. The availability of individual activities may change; check what is on offer for your visit date.

These different themes give you specific points of reference for the kind of stay you are looking for in Bento Gonçalves.

Discover more destinations: Morro Redondo, São Jorge, Nova Pádua, Taquari, Pinto Bandeira, Pinhal, Gramado, Cachoeira Do Sul.

See the regional travel overview: Rio Grande Do Sul.