Montevideo

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Montevideo - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Bodega Bouza

    Argentina and Chile grab all the attention in discussions of South American wines, but Uruguay has a number of impressive wineries of its own. It's worth stopping by the Bodega Bouza outside of Montevideo for a tour and sampling; it's one of the few wineries open for daily visits. For a real treat (4,500 pesos), reserve the works: a tour, tasting, and extravagant lunch with, of course, wines to accompany each course and that all-important transfer to and from Montevideo. It's worth visiting the winery for its standout restaurant alone.

    Camino la Redención 7658, Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
    2323–7491

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Winery tour free; tasting and tour 1,500 pesos, Closed Tues.
  • 2. Mercado del Puerto

    Ciudad Vieja

    For Montevideo's quintessential lunch experience, head to the old port market, a restored 1868 building of vaulted iron beams and colored glass, and a terrific example of urban renewal at its best. The market shields 14 stalls and eateries where, over large fires, the best asado (barbecue) in the city is cooked. It's a mix of casual lunch-counter places and sit-down restaurants. The traditional drink here is medio y medio (champagne mixed with white wine). Other eateries congregate outside around the perimeter of the building and are open for dinner as well as lunch.

    Piedras 237, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11000, Uruguay
    27-116–801
  • 3. Playa de los Pocitos

    Pocitos

    This stretch of sand is the city's most attractive beach, and surprisingly tranquil. Throughout the day you'll see locals running, biking, strolling, and rollerblading along the rambla (boardwalk) here. Snap a picture with the sculpture spelling out "Montevideo" for a classic tourist shot. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunrise; sunset; swimming; walking.

    Rambla Perú at Gabriel A. Pereira, Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
    4141–9285
  • 4. Plaza Independencia

    Connecting Cuidad Vieja and the Centro, Independence Square is the heart of Montevideo. All that remains of the original walls of the Spanish fort is the Puerta de la Ciudadela, the triumphal gate to the Old City. In the center stands a 30-ton statue of General José Gervasio Artigas, the father of Uruguay and founder of its 19th-century independence movement. At the base of the monument, polished granite stairs lead to an underground mausoleum that holds Artigas's remains, open Tuesday through Sunday, 10–6. The mausoleum is a moving memorial: bold graphics chiseled in the walls of this giant space detail the feats of Artigas's life. There's a changing of the guard every Friday at noon.

    Plaza Independencia, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11000, Uruguay
  • 5. Teatro Solís

    Ciudad Vieja

    Named in honor of the discoverer of the Río de la Plata, Juan Díaz de Solís, the 1856 Solís Theater is famed for its fine acoustics. Informative guided tours of the building are offered in Spanish Tuesday through Sunday at 4; call ahead to arrange one in English. (The afternoon tours are occasionally canceled if the theater is in use for rehearsals.) The theater maintains an active calendar of concerts, dance, and plays, all in Spanish, and all for prices much lower than you'd pay for a comparable evening back home.

    Reconquista at Bartolomé Mitre, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11000, Uruguay
    1950–3323

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 90 pesos
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  • 6. Cabildo de Montevideo

    Ciudad Vieja

    The original City Hall is where the Uruguayan constitution was signed in 1830. This two-story colonial edifice houses an impressive collection of paintings, antiques, costumes, and rotating history exhibits. Fountains and statuary line the interior patios. English-speaking guides are available.

    Calle Juan Carlos Gómez 1362, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11000, Uruguay
    2915–9685

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun.
  • 7. Casa de Fructuoso Rivera

    Ciudad Vieja

    Once the home of General Fructuso Rivera, Uruguay's first president, this neoclassical Rivera House from the early 1800s was acquired by the government in 1942 and opened as a national history museum. Exhibits inside this pale yellow colonial house with an octagonal cupola document the development of Uruguay and showcase daily life in Montevideo of the 1900s.

    Calle Rincón 437, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11000, Uruguay
    2915–3316

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon.–Tues.
  • 8. Casa de Lavalleja Museum

    Ciudad Vieja

    This Spanish neoclassical home was built in 1783 and later became the home of General Juan A. Lavalleja, who distinguished himself in Uruguay's war for independence. This pristine colonial home with lovely wrought-iron balconies displays manuscripts and historical memorabilia.

    Calle Zabala 1469, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11000, Uruguay
    2915–3316

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon.–Tues.
  • 9. Club Uruguay

    Ciudad Vieja

    Uruguay's most prestigious private social club, founded in 1888, is headquartered in this eclectic, three-story neoclassical national monument on the south side of Plaza Matriz. Formed for high society of European descent, today it opens to the public. Friendly, English-speaking guides bring visitors up the marble staircases so they can marvel at the elegant salons. The club also hosts cultural events, including music performances and art shows, throughout the year. Nonmembers are welcome at the on-site bar and restaurant, but full access to the club's luxe facilities, including a library and billiards room, is reserved for its exclusive members.

    Calle Sarandí 584 CP, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11000, Uruguay
    2915–7820

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free
  • 10. Iglesia Matriz

    Ciudad Vieja

    It's officially the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and St. Phillip and St. James, but it is known to Montevideans as the Matriz ("head") Church, as well as the Catedral Metropolitana de Montevideo. The cathedral is the oldest public building in Montevideo, with a distinctive pair of dome-cap bell towers that stand guard over the plaza below. Besides its rich marble interior, colorful floor tiling, stained glass, and dome, the Matriz Church is notable as the final resting place of many of Uruguay's most important political and military figures.

    Calle Ituzaingó 1373, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11000, Uruguay
    2915–7018
  • 11. Museo de Bellas Artes Juan Manuel Blanes

    Prado

    Known locally as the Blanes Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts is housed in an elegant colonial mansion that once belonged to Uruguay's foremost 19th-century painter, Juan Manuel Blanes. He was entirely self-taught, and did not begin painting until he was in his fifties. His realistic portrayals of gauchos and the Uruguayan countryside compose the core of the museum's collection.

    Av. Millán 4015, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11700, Uruguay
    2336–7134

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon.
  • 12. Museo de Historia del Arte (MuHAr)

    Centro

    In the Palacio Municipal (an ambitious name for this unremarkable brick city hall) you'll find the Museum of Art History, which has the country's best collection of pre-Columbian and colonial artifacts. You'll also find Greek, Roman, and Middle Eastern art, including ceramics and other antiquities. On the street level is the Biblioteca de Historia del Arte (Art History Library), worth a stop if you're a student of the subject matter.

    Calle Ejido 1326, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11200, Uruguay
    19-502–191

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun.
  • 13. Museo de la Memoria

    Prado

    The question still pains Uruguayans who remember the era: How did South America's strongest democracy dissolve into 12 years of brutal military dictatorship? This museum documents the history of the 1973–85 period that people here call simply the dictadura, during which an astounding 2% of the population experienced arrest for "political crimes" at some time or other. (The government did not begin investigating abuses by the military government until 2011.) The museum won't be a stop on most visitors' Montevideo itineraries, but if you're a student of Latin American history and politics, it's worth a look.

    Av. Las Instrucciones 1057, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11700, Uruguay
    2355–5891

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun.
  • 14. Museo del Carnaval

    Ciudad Vieja

    Move over, Rio. Montevideo's annual Carnaval celebration may be more low-key than that of its northern neighbor, but it lasts for a full 40 days. This museum next to the Mercado del Puerto celebrates and honors the pre-Lenten festivities year-round with displays featuring the elaborate costumes and photos of processions. Guided tours are available.

    Rambla 25 de Agosto de 1825 No. 218, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11000, Uruguay
    2916–5493

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 150 pesos
  • 15. Museo del Fútbol

    Prado

    "Other countries have their history," Helenio Herrera, Uruguay's most famous soccer coach once said. "We have our fútbol." Indeed, fútbol—that's "soccer" to U.S. readers—is played anywhere there's space, by kids of all ages. Uruguay both hosted and won the first World Cup competition in 1930 here at the Estadio Centenario. In the pits of the stadium is this museum (the AUF) dedicated to the country's soccer heritage. It's worth a detour if you're a big fan of the sport.

    Av. Dr. Americo Ricaldoni, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11700, Uruguay
    2480–1259

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 150 pesos, Closed weekends
  • 16. Palacio Estévez

    Ciudad Vieja

    On the south side of Plaza Independencia, Estévez Palace, one of the most beautiful old buildings in the city, was the seat of government until 1985, when the president's offices were moved to a more modern building. This building, unfortunately closed to the public, is used on occasion for ceremonial purposes.

    Montevideo, Montevideo, 11000, Uruguay
  • 17. Palacio Legislativo

    Prado

    Almost 50 different types of native marble were used in the construction of the Legislative Palace, the seat of Uruguay's bicameral legislature. Free Spanish- and English-language tours are available when the congress is in session; passes are available inside at the information desk.

    Av. De las Leyes s/n, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11800, Uruguay
    2400–9111

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 140 pesos, Closed Mon.
  • 18. Palacio Taranco/Museo de Artes Decorativas

    Ciudad Vieja

    Built in 1907, the ornate Taranco Palace in the Ciudad Vieja is representative of the French-inspired architecture favored in fin-de-siècle Montevideo. Even the marble for the floors was imported from France. Today you can survey that bygone glory in the palace's new incarnation as the Museo de Artes Decorativas (Museum of Decorative Arts). Its rooms are filled with period furniture, statuary, draperies, clocks, and portrait paintings. A cultural center within has a calendar of performances and live music.

    Calle 25 de Mayo 376, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11100, Uruguay
    2915–6060

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sat.–Sun.
  • 19. Parque del Prado

    Prado

    The oldest of the city's parks is also one of the most popular. Locals come to see El Rosedal, the rose garden with more than 800 different varieties, and the fine botanical garden. Also in the 262-acre park, you'll find the statue called La Diligencia, by sculptor José Belloni.

    Av. Delmira Agustini, Montevideo, Montevideo, 11700, Uruguay
    1950–3660
  • 20. Parque Rodó

    This park has a little something for everyone, with two amusement parks, a number of decent eateries, and the National Museum of Visual Arts. The park also has an outdoor theater and hosts an open-air feria (fair) on Sunday.

    Julio Maria Sosa, Punta Carretas, Montevideo, Uruguay

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