I visited Montevideo during one of my many trips to South America and enjoyed the super chilled vibe, the friendly atmosphere, and how fun it is to visit.
There are more things to do in Montevideo than you’d imagine. Though this city is often overlooked for its more popular neighbors, it’s an interesting place to spend a few days exploring all the Montevideo top attractions and taking in the chilled atmosphere.
Montevideo may lack the buzz and the chaos of other South American capitals – but traffic isn’t nearly as bad as that of Buenos Aires. It may not have the picture-perfect Montevideo tourist attractions. But what it lacks in architectural delights, it surely makes up in vibe and in cultural events.
Take my word for it: Montevideo deserves to be visited, and you’ll end up enjoying it way more than you can anticipate. I certainly was sad to leave after spending some time there to explore!
In this post, I will highlight what to do in Montevideo and share some useful tips to help you plan your trip there.
27 Things To Do In Montevideo
Pass by Plaza Indipendencia
One of the best things to do in Montevideo Uruguay is visit Plaza Indipendencia. This is the most important square in Montevideo and the easiest place to start exploring the city. Located at the center of the square is the Artigas Mausoleum, a monument surmounted by a massive statue representing the hero of Uruguayan independence.
Plaza Indipendencia is lined with important buildings, such as Palacio Estevéz, which was the seat of the government until 1985. Palacio Salvo is located on its eastern side, and on the western side, you’ll find the Puerta de la Ciudadela, one of the few remnants of the colonial town, which was almost completely demolished in 1883.
Admire Palacio Salvo
Among the unmissable things to do in Montevideo is seeing and even going inside Palacio Salvo. This building of 27 floors and 100 meters used to be the tallest one in South America when it was inaugurated in 1927.
It’s built in a mixture of Art Deco, Renaissance, and Gothic styles and is often seen as the building that best reminds visitors and locals alike of Montevideo’s most prosperous times.
I recommend this Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour. It’s an easy way to get your entrance ticket and also includes a guided tour of the palace. It’s a great learning experience while in Montevideo.
Explore the Ciudad Vieja
West of Plaza Indipendencia and through the Puerta de la Ciudadela, you’ll find Montevideo Ciudad Vieja. This is by far the most charming part of town, a mixture of crumbling old buildings and newer ones where you’ll find quaint coffee shops and small boutiques.
It’s a nice place to walk around, take photos, and just enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
One of the best ways to explore the Old City is with a guided walking tour. I recommend this Montevideo: Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer. This is a private tour with a knowledgeable local guide who also takes some wonderful pictures.
Visit Montevideo Cathedral
The Cathedral, located in Ciudad Vieja, is a must do Montevideo attraction and a nice place to visit. It was built in 1790 in place of a small brick church that had existed since 1740. Pope Leo XIII named it the Metropolitan Cathedral in 1897. Make sure to stop by while exploring Ciudad Vieja.
Attend a show at Teatro Solis
Close to Plaza Indipendencia, Montevideo’s most important theater was first inaugurated in 1856. It was completely renovated in the last 15 years and enjoys fabulous acoustics. To fully appreciate its magnificence, you can go on a guided tour or, even better, go to a show.
Actually a show here is one of the best things to see in Montevideo, no matter the show. And there’s a large variety of different shows, events, and subjects.
Learn about Uruguay’s history at Museo Historico Nacional
This museum is spread across three buildings in Ciudad Vieja. The best part is the Casa Rivera, once the residence of Fructuoso Rivera, Uruguay’s former president and founder of Partido Colorado. It has an interesting collection of documents, paintings, furnishings, and other artifacts documenting the country’s history from its origins until its independence.
Eat at Mercado del Puerto Montevideo
If you only have a few hours in Montevideo, drop everything else and just head to Mercado del Puerto for a meat extravaganza (or not, if you are vegan or vegetarian). The market’s building, on Rambla 25 de Agosto de 1825 228, has been beautifully restored, and it’s a good place to get an idea of the local way of life.
More than anything else, in a city where good restaurants abound, this is the best place in town to have a proper steak. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen (and wanted) that much meat in my life.
There is an endless array of fantastic parrillas (parrilla means grill, and that’s the word used to refer to restaurants whose main focus is barbecued meat) where parrilleros can be seen piling stacks of meat and vegetables over the biggest grills known to men.
Eating at Mercado del Puerto isn’t cheap, but it’s worth every penny. It’s open every day, making it a good spot for lunch, but you won’t find it open for dinner.
Drink mate
I used to think that the Argentines were obsessed with their mate. Then I visited Montevideo and realized that Uruguayans have taken their mate obsession to a whole new level. If there is a place in South America where you should try it, this is it: mate is a serious business—or shall I call it “ritual” here?
For this reason, if you’re wondering about Montevideo what to do while traveling in this beautiful country, you have to spend some time tasting mate.
Virtually every person you meet walking down the street holds a cup and carries a flask of hot water (rigorously at 84 degrees Celsius) along with a bombilla (the metal straw used to sip mate) and a bag of yerba (mate powder).
Mate isn’t the kind of drink you’ll be able to get at a coffee shop. There used to be a “materia,” but it closed down, so your best bet to enjoy it is to hang out with a local and ask to explain more about it. I am sure you’ll be able to find someone at your hotel or hostel who is willing to share his or her mate with you.
Attend a tango show
Not many people know it, but tango is as much an Argentine thing as it is Uruguayan. One of the best things to do in Montevideo is go to a tango show or, even better, attend a milonga and learn how to tango. There are several milongas in town, as well as tango shows—they typically also involve dinner.
Attend Montevideo Carnival
If you happen to be there at the right time of year, one of the best things to do in Montevideo is attend its carnival.
Montevideo Carnival is one of the largest in South America and is known to be the longest Carnival celebration in the world. It usually starts in January and goes on until early March. The best bits are the Desfile Inaugural, which usually opens up the celebrations, and the Desfile de las Llamadas, which takes place for two consecutive days at the beginning of February.
You may want to attend the Carnival Tablados during Carnival in Montevideo. It’s a night show featuring four to seven groups that take place each night until early March.
Visit the Museo del Carnaval
Wondering what to see in Montevideo if you can’t make it for Carnival?
If you can’t visit Montevideo during its amazing Carnival, you may want to do the next best thing: visit the Museo del Carnaval. This is actually one of the best things to do in Montevideo Uruguay (unless you can make it to the real thing) because of its unique vibrancy and long history.
At the museum, you can appreciate the collection of costumes, masks, and photos documenting more than a century of this tradition.
Enjoy a show of Candombe
Candombe is a popular musical tradition that involves drumming and dancing and is commonly heard during Montevideo’s carnival. Its roots are in African slave music and traditional European folk dance. In other words, it’s quite unique.
It is so much part of Uruguay’s heritage that in 2006, the Chamber of Deputies adopted a bill to celebrate the National Day of Candombe – Afro-Uruguayan Culture and Racial Equity, each 3 of December. In 2009 Candombe was inscribed in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
A show of Candombe is a great way to get to know Uruguayan culture and spirit better. Shows are held every Sunday. You can even join a guided tour where you’ll get a proper explanation of what the music and the dance mean.
Walk or bike along the Rambla
Among the most local things to do in Montevideo is walking along the Rambla.
Montevideo’s waterfront is called Rambla, and it runs along the city’s coastline for 22 km. This is the best place in town to go for a run, to bike, or simply walk. Locals love hanging out there.
When the weather is nice, and at weekends, they can be seen enjoying a game of volleyball in one of the grassy stretches, biking, or simply doing what they love most: drinking mate.
Pretty much any hostel in Montevideo will be able to rent you a bike. Alternatively, you should be able to rent a bike at Orange Bike, or you could join this Montevideo: 3-Hour Bike Tour. You’ll bike around to Plaza Zabala, Taranco Palace, Plaza Matriz, and more. The guide will also tell you more about Montevideo’s rich history and culture, making it a great learning experience.
Hang out at the beach
Walking along the Rambla takes you to the main beaches in town. Montevideo is directly facing the estuary of the Rio de la Plata, so don’t expect clear waters. Yet, there are some nice beaches where you can enjoy the sun, play volleyball, and just relax. Among the best are Playa Ramirez and Playa de Los Pocitos.
Get puzzled by Castillo Pittamiglio
Castillo Pittamiglio is located along the Rambla, between Punta Carretas and Pocitos. It was the house of eccentric alchemist and architect Humberto Pittamiglio, making it one of the most unique things to do in Montevideo. While the facade is worth stopping for, the interior is even more interesting.
There are tours of the castle, rotating events and workshops, and other fun Montevideo activities. It’s a great way to learn a little more about Uruguay’s (and international) culture. It’s a big mix of a little bit of everything. There are usually even different games for children.
Get a bargain at Sunday’s Feria de Tristan Narvaja
One of the nicest things to do in Montevideo if you happen to visit during a weekend is going to Sunday’s Feria de Tristan Narvaja. The country’s largest open-air market is where you’ll find all sorts of artisan jewels, second-hand clothes, antiques, old books, and even fruits and vegetables. It’s a cool place to visit, even if you have no intention of shopping.
See a soccer game at Estadio Centenario
Second to Uruguay’s obsession with mates, there’s the obsession with football—soccer, and this is one of the most fun activities in Montevideo.
Come to think of it, I think these two obsessions go hand in hand, as a typical scene will be that of people watching a game while drinking, mate. Anyways, if you fancy mingling with the locals, make sure to go watch a game at Estadio Centenario.
The stadium, which can seat more than 76,000 people, was built between 1929 and 1930 to host the 1930 FIFA World Cup.
For a heated game, try attending the superclasico—Nacional vs. Peñarol. It’s one of the most fun things to do in Montevideo Uruguay.
Visit the Museo de la Historia del Arte
If you are into art, visit the Museo de la Historia del Arte, as it’s one of the biggest highlights of Montevideo for art-history enthusiasts.
It’s located in the undergrounds of Palacio Municipal and has an interesting collection of original pieces and reproductions of famous ones from Egypt, Persia, Greece, Italy, and even the Americas.
Go to the Museo de Arte Precolombino e Indigena
Museo de Arte Precolombino e Indigena (Pre-Colombian and Indigenous Museum) has a permanent collection of artifacts and documents that explain the life and traditions of the now-extinct indigenous peoples of Uruguay. There also are exhibits about other indigenous groups in the Americas.
And to Museo Blanes
Located in Prado, Museo Blanes is dedicated to Juan Manuel Blanes, Uruguay’s most famous painter. The paintings and the mansion where the museum is set are beautiful. It’s a nice place to spend a couple of hours.
Honestly, art is one of the best ways to capture a region’s culture and history. So, this little art museum and the mansion are a good peek into this side of Uruguay. You should also check the calendar because there are some really interesting events and workshops each week.
Explore the Botanical Garden
The Jardin Botanico is one of the best Montevideo attractions that you shouldn’t miss if you want to walk in a peaceful and relaxing place. It’s located in Prado, which is a lovely part of the city.
It’s the first and only botanical garden in Uruguay, and while it’s not the best garden in South America, it’s still one of the loveliest places in Montevideo. The garden features a lot of local fauna that illustrates the region’s natural and cultural heritage, among other exhibits.
Spend a day at Parque Rodó
Parque Rodó is the place to be any day of the week. It’s a large, lush park in Montevideo that’s often used as an event space for different Montevideo activities. The Feria Ideas Mas is a beautiful Christmas festival of sorts.
All year long, there are little boats that glide through the small lake in the park, making it amongst the most popular places in Montevideo. You can hire a driver and enjoy the ride. Otherwise, you can also have a picnic, visit one of the museums in the center of the park, and just enjoy nature.
Visit Fortaleza del Cerro
The name couldn’t be more clear: this fort was built on the highest hill (cerro) of Montevideo in the 19th century. It was used to protect the population and the harbor, and it now is a nice place to admire the views of the city – one of the nicest things to do in Montevideo.
Go on a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento
If you’re running out of places to visit in Montevideo, you can also consider a day trip.
Colonia del Sacramento is a charming little city about two hours from Montevideo.
To be fair, Colonia is so lovely and full of atmosphere (and tourists) that you should spend more than a day there. But if that is all you have, then go and appreciate this lovely colonial town with cobbled alleys, bright white buildings with colorful gardens, vintage cars, and lovely restaurants.
Colonia is a two-hour drive from Montevideo, and several daily buses go there. However, a guided day trip may be the most efficient way to visit. I recommend this From Montevideo: Colonia del Sacramento Full Day Tour. You’ll visit all the best places, including the Bullring, Costanera Avenue, and the Historic Quarter. The tour includes an English-speaking guide and transportation.
Or to Punta del Este
Punta del Este is one of the trendiest summer holiday destinations in South America—it’s where rich Argentines go to spend their vacation. The beaches are nice, there are plenty of good restaurants, and there is an overall sophisticated yet chilled vibe.
Considering Punta del Este is one of the best places to visit in Uruguay, it’s worth spending at least one night there. However, if you’re short on time, it’s still possible to visit on a day trip from Montevideo.
It’s just a two-hour drive from Montevideo, and there are regular buses. If you want to go on a guided tour, I recommend this From Montevideo: Punta del Este Full-Day Tour. The tour passes by Hotel Argentino Piriapolis, Cerro San Antonio, Punta Ballena, Casapueblo, and other great spots around the city.
Take a day trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina
When you’re visiting a country, the last thing on your mind is heading to another country for the day. However, it’s so easy to travel to Buenos Aires that a day trip from Montevideo is definitely possible.
If you’re in South America, I strongly recommend setting aside time to explore Argentina. There are so many amazing places to see and things to do. However, if you want just a little taste, Buenos Aires is a good adventure for a day.
There’s a direct ferry between Montevideo and Buenos Aires. It takes three to four hours from Montevideo, or you can also depart from Colonia and Punta del Este.
Go on a wine-tasting tour
You may not know it, but Uruguay has its very own wine production, with Tannat grapes and wines being the star of the show.
Personally, I’m a big fan of Mendoza, Argentina, when it comes to wine country in South America. There are so many incredible wineries in Mendoza that it’s almost too overwhelming. However, Uruguay’s wine scene is very underrated, so it’s still worth checking out when visiting Montevideo.
I recommend getting out of town for a wine-tasting tour such as this Montevideo: Tannat Wine Experience in Canelones. It’s one of the best wine tours in the Canelones region and includes a tour of the vineyard, a sampling of delicious wines, and even a light lunch.
Practical Guide
When to visit Montevideo
Montevideo is great in the spring and summer months. It tends to get hot in the summer, but that’s also when carnival takes place, so you may want to endure the heat and enjoy the show. Summer is also the best time to enjoy the amazing beaches of Uruguay!
However, you can enjoy most of the top things to do in Montevideo at any time of the year. So, don’t cancel your plans if you think it’s the “wrong time to visit.“
Where to stay Montevideo
There are some excellent accommodation options in Montevideo, with something suitable for all tastes and budgets. I have selected the best options for you:
- Circus Hostel and Hotel Montevideo is a very budget-friendly option. It offers both dorms and plain but spotless private rooms. It’s near Montevideo Port’s Market, El Cabildo, and Palacio Taranco. It’s also in the perfect location for all the best Montevideo tourist attractions.
- Hyatt Centric Montevideo has beautiful, spacious rooms. It’s located right by one of Montevideo’s best beaches (making it the perfect spot for all the best places to go in Montevideo), and it has a pool, a gym, and a restaurant.
- Bit Design Hotel features a very modern, spacious room. The hotel rooms are comfortable and clean, and it’s in a quiet and safe neighborhood. There is also a gym.
- Armon Suites Hotel is another wonderful hotel in Montevideo. It has a comfortable, spacious room with a small kitchenette. The hotel has a spa, a bar, and a restaurant.
How to get to Montevideo
By plane
Montevideo is connected by plane to other cities in South America and to North America and Europe (mostly Spain). Montevideo International Airport is about 25 km from the city. To get to the city, you can take a bus, a private transfer, or a taxi. The bus is the most convenient way—you can take any bus that says Montevideo; the bus stop is right outside the terminal.
Taxis are more expensive and often uncomfortable, so your best option if you don’t want to take the bus is to get a remis – a private transfer.
Airport transfers in Uruguay are relatively affordable. Also, if you are traveling with friends, it’ doesn’t end up being too expensive’s even better. I recommend this Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer. It’s reliable and comfortable.
By ferry
There are several daily ferries connecting Buenos Aires to Montevideo, run by either BuqueBus or Colonia Express. The fast ferry takes about 1.5 hours.
By bus
Regular buses connect Montevideo to Buenos Aires, Colonia del Sacramento, Punta del Este, and Punta del Diablo. Buses in Uruguay are usually punctual, reliable, and inexpensive, but you should book them in advance as they are a common means of transportation.
How to move around Montevideo
The best way to explore Montevideo is on foot, and save for the area of the harbor, the city is quite safe.
Alternatively, you can rent a bike—it’s particularly pleasant to bike along the Rambla. Buses work well, and they are a reliable and inexpensive way to reach places a bit further from your hotel.
No matter which way you go, make sure to set aside enough time to truly explore this city. Between the beautiful architecture, lovely little shops, and smiling faces, there’s so much personality to experience.
Other useful information
As for any other trip, I recommend purchasing good travel insurance for your trip to Uruguay. Make sure to read my post Why You Need A Good Travel Insurance. I always recommend HeyMondo for international travel insurance.
Further Readings
Most of those who visit Uruguay do so during longer trips to South America, usually pairing it with Argentina. Here are some posts you may find useful:
- A Flash Pack’s Argentina Itinerary
- 10 Fantastic Day Trips From Buenos Aires
- A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Buenos Aires
- A Complete Guide To Salta Argentina
- Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Iguazu Falls Argentina
- A Complete Guide To Puerto Madryn, Argentina
- A Complete Guide To El Calafate, Argentina
- An Excellent Guide To El Chalten
- Everything You Need To Know About Ushuaia, Patagonia
- A Guide To The Most Fun Things To Do In Mendoza, Argentina
- 13 Fantastic Wineries In Mendoza
Pin It For Later!
