Cidade Turismo
Uruguay
Montevidéu

Montevidéu · Uruguay

Montevidéu

The capital of Uruguay on the Río de la Plata: Ciudad Vieja, Teatro Solís, the parrillas of Mercado del Puerto and 22 km of Rambla for walking.

Montevidéu e arredores

In the photo: Palacio Salvo seen from Plaza Independencia

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Montevidéu is the capital and largest city of Uruguay, with about 1.3 million inhabitants. It sits on the northern bank of the Río de la Plata and almost its entire coast is lined by the Rambla, a continuous promenade of more than 22 km where residents walk, cycle, fish and drink mate.

The historic center is the Ciudad Vieja, founded in 1724 as a walled town on a peninsula at the entrance to the port. The wall was demolished in 1829 and only the Puerta de la Ciudadela remains, now on Plaza Independencia next to Palacio Salvo and Teatro Solís. Nearby are Plaza Matriz, the cathedral, the Cabildo, museums such as Torres García and Andes 1972, and Mercado del Puerto, with its parrillas.

Outside the center, the city has the Palacio Legislativo, faced with Uruguayan marbles; the Estadio Centenario, venue of the final of the first World Cup in 1930; the Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales in Parque Rodó; the Jardín Japonés in the Prado; and the Fortaleza del Cerro, on the highest point of the city across the bay.

On Sundays the Feria de Tristán Narvaja fills several blocks of the Cordón neighborhood.

This destination brings together 1 city: Montevidéu.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Montevidéu is
Montevidéu

Contornos: Servicio Geográfico Militar / IDE Uruguay, Licença de Dados Abertos. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Montevidéu

✈ Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco (MVD), in Ciudad de la Costa · 19 km to Montevidéu

Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco (MVD) is about 19 km from the city center. Check before booking. By car, from Rio Grande do Sul, the Chuí/Chuy border is about 340 km via Rutas 9 and 8 or the Interbalnearia.

The local experience

Things to do in Montevidéu

Ciudad Vieja
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Historic neighborhood

Ciudad Vieja

The founding core of Montevidéu, established in 1724 as a walled town on a peninsula by the port. Streets of old houses, Peatonal Sarandí, plazas, museums and Mercado del Puerto are all concentrated within a few blocks.

Plaza Independencia
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Square

Plaza Independencia

The main square of Montevidéu, between Ciudad Vieja and the Centro. It has the equestrian statue of Artigas, the underground mausoleum of the national hero, the Puerta de la Ciudadela and the Palacio Salvo around it.

Palacio Salvo
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Historic building

Palacio Salvo

Skyscraper of about 100 meters at Plaza Independencia, completed in 1928 and designed by the Italian Mario Palanti. It is one of the city's symbols and offers guided visits with access to the viewpoint.

Teatro Solís
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Theater

Teatro Solís

Uruguay's main theatre, inaugurated in 1856 next to Plaza Independencia. It hosts opera, Comedia Nacional, orchestra and dance, and offers guided tours in several languages of its halls and backstage.

See 14 more places in Montevidéu
Plaza de la Constitución
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Square

Plaza de la Constitución

The oldest square in Montevidéu, known as Plaza Matriz, in the heart of Ciudad Vieja. On one side is the Catedral Metropolitana; on the other, the Cabildo, the former seat of the colonial government.

Mercado del Puerto
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Market

Mercado del Puerto

Old market dating from 1868, with an iron structure manufactured in Liverpool, today taken over by parrillas that grill meats over coals. It is in Ciudad Vieja, facing the port.

Museo Torres García
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Museum

Museo Torres García

Museum dedicated to Joaquín Torres García, one of Uruguay’s major 20th-century artists. It is on Peatonal Sarandí in Ciudad Vieja and houses paintings, drawings and objects related to Constructive Universalism.

Museo Andes 1972
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Museum

Museo Andes 1972

Museum in the Ciudad Vieja that tells the story of the Uruguayan plane that crashed in the Andes mountain range in 1972 and of the 16 survivors rescued after 72 days. It has original objects, photos, videos and a cold simulator.

Museo del Carnaval
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Museum

Museo del Carnaval

Museum facing the port, next to the Mercado del Puerto, about the Uruguayan Carnival: murga costumes, candombe drums, masks, photos and recordings spanning more than a century of celebration.

Palacio Legislativo
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Palace

Palacio Legislativo

Headquarters of the Uruguayan Parliament, inaugurated in 1925 and clad inside and out with marbles and granites from the country itself. Guided tours take place on weekdays, also in Portuguese.

Mercado Agrícola de Montevideo
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Market

Mercado Agrícola de Montevideo

Market from 1912 in the Goes neighborhood, restored in the early 21st century. It brings together fruit, vegetable and meat stalls, grocers, crafts and restaurants under a large iron and glass structure.

Feria de Tristán Narvaja
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Market

Feria de Tristán Narvaja

Street market held every Sunday since 1909 in the Cordón neighborhood, near the University. It covers several blocks with fruit, used books, antiques, records, curious objects and animals.

Estadio Centenario
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Stadium

Estadio Centenario

Stadium built for the first World Cup, in 1930, where Uruguay won the final. Under the Tribuna Olímpica is the Museo del Fútbol, with the national team's trophies and access to the Torre de los Homenajes.

Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Museum

Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales

The museum with the largest public art collection in Uruguay, about 6,500 works, highlighting Blanes, Figari, Torres García and Barradas. It's in Parque Rodó, near the Rambla.

Playa de los Pocitos
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Beach

Playa de los Pocitos

The best-known urban beach in Montevideo, with about 2 km of sand along the Rambla, tall buildings in front, sports courts and lifeguards in season. That's where the MONTEVIDEO sign is located.

Faro de Punta Carretas
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Lighthouse

Faro de Punta Carretas

Lighthouse from 1876 on the tip of Punta Carretas, at the edge of the Rio da Prata. The surrounding area is a natural viewpoint on the Rambla, frequented by fishermen and by people walking along the waterfront at dusk.

Fortaleza del Cerro
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Fort

Fortaleza del Cerro

Spanish fortress atop Cerro de Montevideo, the highest point in the city at 134 meters. It houses a military museum and has views of the bay, the port and Ciudad Vieja across the water.

Jardín Japonés
Montevidéu · Montevidéu · Garden

Jardín Japonés

Garden in the Japanese 'mountain-and-water' style, donated by Japan in 2001, with a carp pond, waterfall, bridges and a tea house. It is located at the rear of the Museo Juan Manuel Blanes, in the Prado neighborhood.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Summer, from December to March, is the beach season and Carnival, which usually runs from January to March. Spring (October and November) and autumn (April and May) have milder temperatures for walking. From June to August the winter is cold, humid and windy, with averages around 10 °C.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days cover Ciudad Vieja, Plaza Independencia, Mercado del Puerto and an evening on the Rambla. With three days you can add the Palacio Legislativo, Estadio Centenario, the Prado and the Fortaleza del Cerro. Travelers coming from afar often combine Montevidéu with Colônia do Sacramento or Punta del Este.

Which city to stay in

Ciudad Vieja and the Centro, near Plaza Independencia and Avenida 18 de Julio, put the main museums, Teatro Solís and Mercado del Puerto within walking distance. Cordón lies between the center and Terminal Tres Cruces. Punta Carretas and Pocitos are residential neighborhoods along the Rambla and the beach, with many restaurants and cafés. Carrasco, farther out, is close to the airport.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Montevidéu

How many days to stay in Montevidéu?

Two days are enough for the essentials: Ciudad Vieja, Plaza Independencia, Teatro Solís, Mercado del Puerto and the Rambla. With three days you can visit the Palacio Legislativo, Estadio Centenario, the Prado and the Fortaleza del Cerro without rushing. If a Sunday falls during your stay, save the morning for the Feria de Tristán Narvaja.

What is the best time to visit Montevidéu?

Summer, from December to March, brings the beach, a busy Rambla and Carnival, which usually runs from January to March. October, November, April and May have milder weather for walking around the city. From June to August it is cold and quite windy near the river: bring a windbreaker.

Can you do a day trip from Montevidéu to Colônia or Punta del Este?

Yes. Colônia do Sacramento is about 180 km away, and Punta del Este about 130 km. By bus from Terminal Tres Cruces, trips generally take between two and three hours each way. The day is long, so many people prefer to spend at least one night in each place.

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