Location: Montevideo
Top Things to do in Montevideo
What to do and see in Montevideo, Montevideo Department: The Best Things to do
Montevideo, a port city and the capital of Uruguay, is a perfect destination for travelers looking for a relaxing stroll past colonial era buildings and along beautiful beaches. The Ciudadela Gateway, the only remaining section of the wall that once surrounded the entire city, now serves as the entrance to Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo's oldest neighborhood. Home to churches, museums, and theaters, at night the area comes alive with nightclubs playing Tango and Candombe music for crowds of dancers.
Restaurants in Montevideo
1. Plaza Independencia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,168 reviews
This prominent plaza divides the old from the new Uruguay, and is surrounded by an interesting array of architectural styles. It also contains a statue of General Artigas, considered the father of Uruguay.
Reviewed By WorldTravelers34 - Chicago, United States
The Plaza Independencia is the most important square in Montevideo, connecting the Ciudad Vieja and the city’s downtown. Several of the city’s most famous landmarks are located here, including the Palacio Salvo and the Teatro Solís. This is a must place to visit for anyone touring Montevideo. Other notable structures surrounding the plaza include the stone gateway Puerta de la Ciudadela, a lonely remnant of the colonial citadel demolished in 1833; the 19th-century Palacio Estévez; and the 26-story Palacio Salvo, the continent’s tallest building when it opened in 1927, and still a classic Montevideo landmark.
2. Theatre Solis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,244 reviews
Opened in 1856, this once-prominent music theater hosted world-renowned conductors, composers and performers until 1930, and now features occasional cultural events.
Reviewed By WImom - Fond du Lac, United States
Would suggest to arrive early to book tours. There was a long line ahead of us but they were able to accommodate everyone. Tour times vary depending on the month so check their website which has accurate information. Cost is 90 Uruguayan pesos or about $3 USD, payable only in cash and pesos. Tours are in Spanish, Portuguese and English. Guide spoke English well. There were only four people on the English tour. Guided tour is one hour.
3. Pocitos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,535 reviews
This fashionable seaside neighborhood has all the amenities: shopping malls, movies, restaurants and bars.
Reviewed By OwenB130
We had two days in Montevideo. On day one, we explored the old town and markets and on day two, we cycled here for lunch and to visit the Montevideo sign at the eastern end of the beach.
4. Rambla de Montevideo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,307 reviews
Reviewed By leonelr2
Over the Paraná Guazu or "river as wide as the sea" in guaraní language, as the Rio de la Plata is locally known, the shore is a symbol of the quiet lifestile of the local "Montevideanos". It extends for 18 km from the "Ciudad Vieja" (old town of the colonial times) with a series of beaches till the fancy neighbourhood of "Carrasco". Getting a bike for a ride (on the sidewalk) is a must. Great for running or just for a relaxing walk as well. Good for all ages. Where to start? Ok, Pocitos beach is a good option, either going West (direction downtown) or East (direction Carrasco). Other recommended beach to try, Playa Verde, or Punta Gorda Point from you can have a nice view of the sunset and the city.
5. Bouza Bodega Boutique
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,049 reviews
Reviewed By 2trvlers - Hendersonville, United States
We arranged directly with the Bodega Bouza winery for a tour and wine tasting lunch during our one day cruise stop in Montevideo. The van picked us up just across the street from the cruise ship pier. While the winery was very busy because of the national holiday, the tour group at the winery was small and in English. After enjoying the lovely scenery and winery buildings we had an excellent wine tasting lunch. There are two set menus to choose from, so my husband and I each had a different one - we tasted and drank everything that way. The wines were excellent and the food was delicious and interesting. This was one of the best experience we had during our cruise. Easy to arrange directly with the winery and very smoothly run. Excellent experience - we highly recommend! Thy explained that if you pay at the winery by credit card you are not charged the tax, therefore don't pay in cash.
6. Mercado Agricola Montevideo - MAM
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,674 reviews
Reviewed By betsaida20
nice place to eat and see the locals. Alot of places to buy fruit and vegatables. And relatively cheap
7. Andes Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,627 reviews
Reviewed By gurob2019 - Manchester, United Kingdom
The museum is a great honour to the 29 who perished and a lesson to us all that life is not a gift but should be deserved. With its combination of storytelling, science and insight into the human spirit it has something for everybody. This is one of the best curated museums I have ever visited. Thank you Jörg!
8. Mercado del Puerto
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 7,818 reviews
At one time a train station, this wrought-iron structure is now a market housing an array of restaurants that specialize in meat and seafood dishes.
Reviewed By Pantherboy - Georgetown, Australia
The Mercado del Puerto is a thriving, bustling, fun mixture of restaurants, souvenir shops, stalls and lots of music, especially on the weekends during the afternoon. Most of the people who work there seem to be having a lot of fun (at least they were each time I was there). Mostly indoor, but plenty outdoor as well. Lots of atmosphere. Loved the place.
9. Ciudad Vieja
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 6,711 reviews
This “Old City” by the harbor retains remnants of the past, like iron gates and colonial street lamps, and, with antique shops, museums and cafes, it’s a great place for browsing.
Reviewed By OwenB130
Beautiful atmospheric old town: sunny skies, pedestrianised malls, street vendors, old buildings, the sea, graffiti, the smell of marijuana and lots of leafy plazas. Felt safe.
10. Parque Rodo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,293 reviews
This seaside park not only has the usual park amenities - trees and a lake - but also has restaurants, discotheques, an amusement center and a summer theater.
Reviewed By AdrianK6 - Warsaw, Poland
Parque Rodo lies not far away from the center and the beaches. Great place to rest among exotic palmtrees and other plants. Beautiful Lake, worth a visit
