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Which is better: Gramado or Paraty?

Short answer

Gramado is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS), while Paraty is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Gramado: the town of half-timbered architecture, handmade chocolate and hydrangeas; Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands. For this month's weather, Gramado 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 ParatyParaty Islands Tour★ 8.9 · 47 reviews · from US$ 24 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Gramado Paraty
Best time to visit Aug → Dec Jun → Aug
Weather this month 24° · 12 days of rain 28° · 14 days of rain
By car R$ 71 · from Porto Alegre R$ 155 + tolls · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Romantic, Food, Family, Relax Romantic, Food, 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 Paraty if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: uneven cobblestones, whitewashed houses and craft cachaça on the Costa Verde.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Gramado or Paraty

The average nightly rate is around R$ 579 in Gramado and R$ 507 in Paraty; 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 Paraty on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Pousada Porto Imperial in Paraty 9.5 ★★★★ · 11 reviews Pousada Porto Imperial See on Booking → Pousada das Pedras in Paraty 8.4 ★★★★ · 412 reviews Pousada das Pedras See on Booking →
See all hotels in Paraty

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

Frequently asked questions

Gramado or Paraty: which is better?
Gramado is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS), while Paraty is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Gramado: the town of half-timbered architecture, handmade chocolate and hydrangeas; Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands. For this month's weather, Gramado has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Gramado and Paraty?
The best time to visit Gramado is from August to December; for Paraty, it is from June to August, 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 São Paulo, Paraty is 280 km (174 mi) and costs about R$ 155 each way (fuel only, tolls not included). 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 Paraty?
Averaged over the year, Gramado has 11 rainy days a month and Paraty has 14. Gramado is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Gramado is October and in Paraty, January. For temperature, Paraty is the warmer one (average high of 28° versus 24°).
How many days should you spend in Gramado and in Paraty?
To see the main sights without rushing, Gramado calls for 3–4 days and Paraty, 3–4 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 Paraty with kids?
Gramado (half-timbered architecture, mountain chill, and handmade chocolate) is the better pick of the two for families. Paraty (colonial historic center, boat trip, and waterfalls in the mountains) is geared more toward adults or couples. With small children, weather matters: Gramado has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Gramado: Lago Negro, Rua Coberta, Mini Mundo. In Paraty: Colonial historic center, "Pé de moleque" streets, Paraty Bay and boat trip. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.