20 Non-European Towns That Are Straight Out of a Fairytale

18. Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay: Time’s Gentle Pause

Across the river from Buenos Aires lies Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO-listed gem where time seems to slow. Its cobbled streets are uneven, shaded by bougainvillea and lined with crumbling colonial facades that whisper stories from centuries past. Originally Portuguese, then Spanish, the town wears its layered history with quiet dignity. Gas lamps flicker at dusk, antique cars are still parked by the curb, and sunsets spill gold over the Rio de la Plata. It’s a place of pauses and poetry, where even the air feels older. For those seeking softness over spectacle, Colonia is enchantment incarnate.