Montevideo Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Salvo Palace which includes heritage architecture and a city
The capital and largest city of Uruguay combines history and architecture with theatres and live music, beaches and waterfront walks.

Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay, blends a distinct European flavour with a welcoming small-town feel. Enjoy the many aspects of this coastal city: 18th- and 19th-century edifices in its historic centre, a vibrant arts scene and upmarket beachside suburbs.

Start your visit in the Ciudad Vieja (Old Town), the historical area that sits on a western peninsula of the city. Here you’ll find major attractions, such as the Mercado del Puerto, a market area with parrillas (steakhouses), craft shops and street performers. Spot European art and furniture at the Museum of Decorative Arts, set inside the French-style Palacio Taranco.

Stroll along pedestrianized Sarandi street and browse galleries, antique stores and stands selling artisanal items. Stop at Plaza Constitución to admire the 18th-century Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral and the 19th-century neoclassical old city hall, the Montevideo Cabildo. 

Take time to explore Plaza Independencia, which connects the Ciudad Vieja with central Montevideo. Look for the Puerta de la Ciudadela (Gateway of the Citadel), the last-surviving landmark of fortified Montevideo. See work by Uruguayan artist Joaquin Torres Garcia at the Museo Torres Garcia. Watch an opera or take a backstage tour at Teatro Solís.

Make your way over to Parque Batlle and experience the passion of a South American soccer match at the Centenary Stadium. Soccer fans will appreciate the displays of memorabilia at the Museum of Football.

Be sure to walk along picturesque La Rambla, a riverside promenade that stretches from the city port through exclusive beach suburbs such as Pocitos and Carrasco. The promenade is lined with public parks, beaches, bars and restaurants. It’s also home to the open-air Teatro de Verano, a main venue during the city’s carnival celebrations. Come here to watch traditional murga and candombé song and dance performances.

Reach Montevideo by plane, bus or ferry. Once in the city, use the efficient and low-cost public buses to get around. Consider using long-haul bus services or renting a car to see more of this small country known for its wine-growing regions, beautiful beaches and friendly locals.

Where to stay in Montevideo

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Punta Carretas

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Punta Carretas is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Punta Carretas Shopping Mall and Ramirez Beach while in the area.

Punta Carretas
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Pocitos

5/5(4 area reviews)

Unique features of Pocitos include the beaches and restaurants. Make a stop by Pocitos Beach or Rambla of Montevideo while you're exploring the area.

Pocitos
Montevideo

Montevideo Centro

4/5(8 area reviews)

Montevideo Centro is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Salvo Palace and Radisson Victoria Plaza Casino.

Montevideo Centro
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Carrasco

Beaches, casinos and shopping are some highlights of Carrasco. Make a stop by Sofitel Montevideo Casino or Carrasco Beach while you're exploring.

Carrasco
Montevideo

Ciudad Vieja

5/5(5 area reviews)

Ciudad Vieja is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Montevideo Cathedral and Solis Theater.

Ciudad Vieja
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Cordón

While visiting Cordón, you might make a stop by sights like Tristan Narvaja Flea Market and Palacio Municipal.

Cordón
Regency Way Montevideo Hotel
Regency Way Montevideo Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Av. General Fructuoso Rivera 3377, Montevideo
The price is ₹7,206 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹7,206
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Montevideo. Enjoy free WiFi, room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (900 reviews)
"Hotel was clean, updated and bed/room was comfortable. Staff was excellent, spoke English, and gave us good recommendations for shopping and dining, etc. Included breakfast was delicious and plentiful. Location was convenient to who we were visiting and the park/zoo one block away was a fabulous ..."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Regency Way Montevideo Hotel
Dazzler by Wyndham Montevideo
Dazzler by Wyndham Montevideo
3.5 out of 5
21 de Setiembre 2752, Pocitos, Montevideo
The price is ₹8,171 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
₹8,171
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Montevideo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the spacious rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"I like the room was of a good size. The bed was comfortable. I like the included breakfast that was very good. I like that it was safe and quiet. It is a large hotel of 12 floors and there were a lot of people checking in every day. They have a nice pool on the 12th floor with a beautiful view of ..."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Dazzler by Wyndham Montevideo
Hotel Montevideo - Leading Hotels of the World
Hotel Montevideo - Leading Hotels of the World
5 out of 5
2905 José Benito Lamas, Montevideo
The price is ₹14,591 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
₹14,591
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Montevideo. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (123 reviews)
"Great service and location"

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Hotel Montevideo - Leading Hotels of the World
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Gema Luxury Suites
Gema Luxury Suites
3.5 out of 5
Roque Graseras 644, Montevideo
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Montevideo. Enjoy free WiFi, room service and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Castillo Pittamiglio ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (273 reviews)
"Excelente atencion , en yna habitación espaciosa y confortable. Hotel muy bien ubicado en zona de negocios y restaurantes"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Gema Luxury Suites
Marti Apart Hotel
Marti Apart Hotel
3 out of 5
Jose Marti 3325, Montevideo
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Montevideo. Enjoy private hot tubs, breakfast and room service. Popular attractions Pocitos Beach and Ombu ...
7.8/10 Good! (57 reviews)
Not recommended
"In few words, Marti Apart Hotel was my worst experience. Avoid staying there."

Reviewed on 4 Apr 2018

Marti Apart Hotel
Aras Century Tower
Aras Century Tower
3.5 out of 5
Arenal Grande 1435, Montevideo, Montevideo
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Montevideo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions National Library of Uruguay and Tristan ...
Aras Century Tower
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Montevideo

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
" "5 - Excellent 41.1764705882353%
4 - Good
6
" "4 - Good 35.294117647058826%
3 - Okay
4
" "3 - Okay 23.529411764705884%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Sue
29 Jan 2020

Had a bad experience at Le Cerro where we had a camera stolen. Not recommended to hang around by the Montevideo sign there or outside the fort.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
7 Mar 2019

Fabulous.

Cities near Montevideo