13 Best Places to Shop in Montevideo, Uruguay

Started in the early 1900s by Italian immigrants, Feria Tristán Narvaja is Montevideo's top attraction on Sunday and one of the city's largest and most popular fairs. (It operates only on Sunday, a day when all other markets, and much of the city, are closed. Hours run about 9–3.) The fair, a 5- to 10-minute walk from the Old City and in the Centro district, is plentifully stocked with secondhand goods and antiques.

With six locations total in Montevideo and Punta del Este, Manos del Uruguay stock a wide selection of woolen wear and locally produced ceramics crafted by women's artisan cooperatives around the country.

Housed in a former prison, Punta Carretas Shopping is the city's largest and most upscale mall, measuring in at around 200 stores mixing local and international brands. It's in a pleasant residential area near the Sheraton Montevideo, a 10-minute cab ride from the Old City.

A small gift shop that specializes in items from and for the campo. Aside from a good selection of mate paraphenalia, there's hats and boinas (gaucho berets), ponchos, and clothing, too. There's a small selection of souvenir items such as fridge magnets.

Dating back to 1836, El Mercado de la Abundancia is a fun indoor market in Centro, a few blocks from the Palacio Municipal. Inside are a tango dance center, a handful of good choices for a lunchtime parrillada, and a crafts fair.

This antiques store is the only source for handmade and painted trinket boxes—the perfect recuerdos (souvenirs). It also offers an impressive selection of jewelry and silver.

Don't let the kitsch turn you away, this shop also sells well-crafted jewelry, art, handbags, lovely knitwear, leatherwear, and other objects by local designers that are elegant and eye-catching. And, yes, you can also pick up the typical souvenir for that relative who eats that stuff up. The prices are quite fair given its Ciudad Vieja location.

There are three major shopping centers in Montevideo, offering everything from designer clothing to gourmet foods to art supplies. Montevideo Shopping is the oldest along the Rio de la Plata and has more than 175 stores and entertainment options including a movie theater.

The Saturday morning market at Parque Villa Biarritz in the neighborhood of Pocitos sells crafts, clothes, and some antiques. You can find some vendors set up other days of the week, as well. The small park also has a recreational center, Club Biguá, with tennis courts and other sports facilities.

Contemporary women's clothing store specializing in knitwear, shoes, and the place to buy your leather pants. 

Between Avenida 18 de Julio and Calle Rondeau in Centro, Plaza Cagancha regularly has vendors set up in the area at all hours selling trinkets and crafts.

Adjacent to the Portones terminal, Portones Shopping is an indoor mall with more than 130 stores and a movie theater.

Classically styled outdoor clothing for men and women that you can wear in the campo or back home. They also sell a broad array of accessories including hats, handbags, and other leather goods, as well as nifty household and gift items.