← Santa Maria Marathon·4 nights

Porto Alegre and Gramado: Four Nights in the Serra Gaúcha

Two nights in Porto Alegre and two in the mountain town of Gramado, ending with a transfer to Porto Alegre airport for the flight home.

Duration4 nights
TransitCoach from Santa Maria to Porto Alegre, then road to Gramado
DepartsSanta Maria

After the Santa Maria Marathon: Porto Alegre and Gramado

The Route: Santa Maria → Porto Alegre (2 nights) → Gramado (2 nights) → Porto Alegre airport Logistics: The first leg is about 325 km by coach and takes roughly 4 hours 40 minutes moving, more in traffic. The operator Citral publishes Gramado to Porto Alegre and airport services; one displayed airport-bound example runs 06:15 to 08:30, but the outward direction and your date need checking. Marathon Month: September Duration: 4 nights

Santa Maria ──(coach)──> Porto Alegre ──(road)──> Gramado
                                                     │
                       Porto Alegre airport ◄──(road, early start)

This is the longest plan for a Santa Maria runner, and it is built around the flight home. The Serra Gaúcha is cooler than the lowlands and a good place for a few unhurried days.

September in Gramado: September is spring, and mountain weather changes quickly. Bring a layer for the evenings and check the forecast.

Getting There

Use the Porto Alegre article for the first stage. For the second, ask Citral or your hotel for the actual Porto Alegre to Gramado departure on your date. The displayed timetable carries old operational notices, so do not treat it as a guarantee. Do not squeeze a Gramado transfer into the same day as a long coach.

Where to Stay

  • Hotel Bella Gramado by Gramado Parks is a mid-range family hotel with a high rating from thousands of reviews.
  • Wish Serrano Resort is a resort-style hotel with a rating of 4.6 from thousands of reviews.

Both are well reviewed. Compare live rates and cancellation terms.

What to Do

Keep it light. Walk the town slowly, sit by the lake and let the legs recover. A September 2026 municipal programme confirms that Lago Negro is used for public activities, though that is not a promise of any event next year. Check opening times and access for each attraction before you go.

Where to Eat

Ask your hotel for a restaurant close by. Gramado is a tourist town, so book ahead for dinner on a weekend.

Getting Home

Leave Gramado early on the last day, with a generous buffer for the road and the airport. If your flight is in the morning, stay in Porto Alegre the night before.