Montevideo, Uruguay: travel guide
Uruguay's capital and largest city, set on the Rio de la Plata. Known for its 22 km waterfront Rambla, the Ciudad Vieja old town, Mercado del Puerto parrilla halls, Art Deco architecture, tango and candombe, and a relaxed beach-city rhythm.
- Country
- Uruguay
- Currency
- UYU
- Time zone
- America/Montevideo
- Nearest airport
- MVD
Top places to visit in Montevideo
Mercado del Puerto
Market · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
A wrought-iron 1868 market hall in Ciudad Vieja now filled with parrilla grills. The smoky asado, chivito and medio y medio wine make it Montevideo's essential lunch ritual, busiest and best at weekend midday.
Plaza Independencia y Palacio Salvo
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.7 h
Montevideo's grand central square, joining the old and new cities. Dominated by the eclectic Palacio Salvo tower, the Artigas mausoleum stands beneath the equestrian statue at its centre.
Rambla de Montevideo
Viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 1 h
The 22 km coastal promenade tracing the Rio de la Plata, the soul of the city. Locals stroll, jog, fish and share mate here; sunsets over the river are spectacular.
Mercado Agricola de Montevideo (MAM)
Market · 4.5 rating · about 1 h
A restored 1913 market hall north of centre, now a gourmet food market with producers, cafes, craft stalls and excellent empanadas and coffee.
Playa Pocitos
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
A clean crescent of city beach backed by apartment towers and the iconic MONTEVIDEO letters sign. Calm river water, beach volleyball and a buzzing summer scene.
Parque Rodo
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1 h
A leafy lakeside park along the Rambla with an amusement park, rowing lake, Sunday craft fair and the National Museum of Visual Arts.
Peatonal Sarandi y Ciudad Vieja
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h
The pedestrian spine of the old town, running from Plaza Independencia past Plaza Matriz to the port. Lined with colonial facades, cafes, bookshops and street artists.
Estadio Centenario y Museo del Futbol
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · entry UYU 240
The stadium built for the first World Cup in 1930, a FIFA football monument. Its museum traces Uruguay's two World Cup wins; pitch-side access is included.
Teatro Solis
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry UYU 80
Uruguay's premier opera house, opened in 1856. Its neoclassical hall hosts ballet, opera and concerts; daytime guided tours reveal the lavish interior.
Feria de Tristan Narvaja
Market · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h
A sprawling Sunday street market on Tristan Narvaja avenue - antiques, books, vinyl, plants, food and live animals. A weekly Montevideo institution since the 1900s.
Catedral Metropolitana y Plaza Matriz
Church · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h
The city's oldest public square (Plaza Constitucion) facing the 1804 Metropolitan Cathedral and the colonial Cabildo. The heart of historic Montevideo.
Palacio Legislativo
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · entry UYU 110
Uruguay's monumental neoclassical parliament building (1925), clad in 50 types of marble. Guided tours showcase the Hall of Lost Steps.
Things to do
- Montevideo Ciudad Vieja Walking Tour Cultural · 3 h · from USD 25 per person
- Montevideo Food & Market Tour Culinary · 3.5 h · from USD 75 per person
- Tango Show & Dinner Cultural · 2.5 h · from USD 90 per person
- Montevideo Rambla Bike Tour Cycling · 3 h · from USD 40 per person
- Estadio Centenario Football Experience Cultural · 3 h · from USD 55 per person
Day trips and tours
- Montevideo City Highlights Full-Day Tour 8 h · from USD 95
Where to stay in Montevideo
- Pocitos about UYU 95 per night
Montevideo's most popular residential beach neighbourhood — a crescent of sand on the Rambla, leafy streets, cafes and easy bus links to the centre. Safe and walkable, the default base for most visitors.
- Ciudad Vieja about UYU 80 per night
The historic old town packed with museums, the Mercado del Puerto, Plaza Matriz and nightlife. Atmospheric and central but quieter and less safe after dark on the fringes.
- Punta Carretas about UYU 110 per night
Upscale district between Pocitos and the old town, anchored by Punta Carretas Shopping and the lighthouse. Quiet, leafy and secure with good hotels.
- Carrasco about UYU 130 per night
Elegant garden suburb near the airport with mansions, the Carrasco casino-hotel and wide beaches. Far from the centre but refined and calm.
Hotels
- Alma Historica Boutique Hotel 4-star · USD 120 to USD 210 per night
- Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco & Spa 5-star · USD 260 to USD 520 per night
- Hyatt Centric Montevideo 5-star · USD 180 to USD 330 per night
- Don Boutique Hotel 4-star · USD 110 to USD 190 per night
- Ukelele Hostel 2-star · USD 18 to USD 55 per night
- Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza 5-star · USD 150 to USD 280 per night
Where to eat
- Mercado Ferrando International, Food Hall · about UYU 1,000 per person
- El Palenque Parrilla, Uruguayan, Grill · about UYU 1,400 per person
- La Pasiva Uruguayan, Fast Food · about UYU 700 per person
- Estancia del Puerto Parrilla, Uruguayan, Grill · about UYU 1,300 per person
- Cafe Brasilero Cafe, Uruguayan · about UYU 600 per person
- Jacinto Mediterranean, Modern, Bistro · about UYU 1,500 per person
- Candy Bar Cafe, American, Brunch · about UYU 850 per person
- Bar Tabare Uruguayan, Parrilla, Modern · about UYU 1,600 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Distraction theft in Ciudad Vieja
Ciudad Vieja, Plaza Independencia, crowded buses
A stranger points out a stain on your clothes (or "accidentally" spills something) and helps clean it while an accomplice lifts your wallet or phone. Also common: bag-snatching on packed buses.
How to avoid it: Keep bags zipped and in front of you, do not let strangers brush you down, and carry only what you need in Ciudad Vieja, especially after dark.
Unofficial taxi overcharging
Airport arrivals, port, tourist areas
Drivers without a meter, or who claim it is "broken", quote inflated flat fares to tourists.
How to avoid it: Use Uber or Cabify, or insist on the meter (reloj) in a marked taxi. Agree a price before getting in if there is no meter.