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Which is better: Gramado or Natal?

Short answer

Gramado is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS), while Natal is on the Rio Grande do Norte Coast (RN): different regions of Brazil. Gramado: the town of half-timbered architecture, handmade chocolate and hydrangeas; Natal: the City of the Sun trades the clock for the rhythm of the tides, with dunes that run down to the sea and sunshine on almost every day of the year. For this month's weather, Natal has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in GramadoTicket to Skyglass Canela★ 8.7 · 47 reviews · from US$ 29 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in NatalPipa Beach Day Trip★ 8.9 · 14 reviews · from US$ 24 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Gramado Natal
Best time to visit Aug → Dec Sep → Dec
Weather this month 24° · 12 days of rain 30° · 5 days of rain
By car R$ 71 · from Porto Alegre R$ 104 · from João Pessoa
Ideal stay 3–4 days 4–5 days
Best for Romantic, Food, Family, Relax Family, Adventure, Relax
Choose Gramado if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: mountain chill and Christmas lights almost all year.

See guide
Choose Natal if

you want a trip for families and adventure seekers: the City of the Sun trades the clock for the rhythm of the tides, with dunes that run down to the sea and sunshine on almost every day of the year.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Gramado or Natal

The average nightly rate is around R$ 579 in Gramado and R$ 571 in Natal; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Gramado on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Buona Vitta Gramado Resort & Spa by Gramado Parks in Gramado 9.3 ★★★★★ · 103 reviews Buona Vitta Gramado Resort & Spa by Gramado Parks See on Booking → Hotel Valle Dincanto in Gramado 9.5 ★★★★ · 20 reviews Hotel Valle Dincanto See on Booking →
See all hotels in Gramado

Compare hotels and places to stay in Natal on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Majestic Ponta Negra Beach, WorldHotels Elite in Natal 9.3 · 18 reviews Majestic Ponta Negra Beach, WorldHotels Elite See on Booking → Manary Praia Hotel in Natal 9.3 ★★★★ · 13 reviews Manary Praia Hotel See on Booking →
See all hotels in Natal

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Gramado or Natal: which is better?
Gramado is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS), while Natal is on the Rio Grande do Norte Coast (RN): different regions of Brazil. Gramado: the town of half-timbered architecture, handmade chocolate and hydrangeas; Natal: the City of the Sun trades the clock for the rhythm of the tides, with dunes that run down to the sea and sunshine on almost every day of the year. For this month's weather, Natal has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Gramado and Natal?
The best time to visit Gramado is from August to December; for Natal, it is from September to December, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from Porto Alegre, Gramado is 115 km (71 mi) and costs about R$ 71 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from João Pessoa, Natal is 185 km (115 mi) and costs about R$ 104 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Gramado or Natal?
Averaged over the year, Gramado has 11 rainy days a month and Natal has 11. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Gramado is October and in Natal, June. For temperature, Natal is the warmer one (average high of 30° versus 24°).
How many days should you spend in Gramado and in Natal?
To see the main sights without rushing, Gramado calls for 3–4 days and Natal, 4–5 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Gramado or Natal with kids?
Both work with kids: Gramado (half-timbered architecture, mountain chill, and handmade chocolate) and Natal (sun all year; dunes and buggies; city beaches). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure.
What should you not miss in each?
In Gramado: Lago Negro, Rua Coberta, Mini Mundo. In Natal: Ponta Negra Beach and Morro do Careca, Genipabu Dunes, Forte dos Reis Magos. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.