Location: Montevideo
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What to do and see in Montevideo, Montevideo Department: The Best Art Museums
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. Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes Juan Manuel Blanes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 435 reviews
Some of Uruguay’s most celebrated artists are exhibited at this national art museum, which features different types of art work from the country’s beginnings to modern times.
Reviewed By 68RichardM68 - Lithgow, Australia
Free entry, some nice oil paintings. When you leave make a point of taking a stroll through the garden at the rear.
2. Palacio Taranco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 626 reviews
This impressive 20th-century building was designed by French architects and now houses a decorative arts museum with Uruguayan furniture, clocks, paintings and more.
Reviewed By sharonhW264WM - Las Vegas, United States
This beautiful early 20th century palace, reminiscent of Versailles, now houses a decorative arts museum with Uruguayan furniture, clocks, paintings, and the most amazing colorfully-painted pianos imaginable. It looked like a baroque palace with lovely intricate plasterwork, beautiful wood floors, and hand-loomed rugs. It is truly a hidden gem—and entrance is free! All of the rooms—upstairs and down—were beautifully decorated and looked like a place that someone of great wealth had really lived. It even displayed family photographs and other personal items of the original owners. This was my favorite site in all of Montevideo. Don’t miss it!
3. Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 353 reviews
The work of local artists is creatively displayed in this museum that dates back to 1911.
Reviewed By mirandasee2017 - Montevideo, Uruguay
A little bit understated this Museum has a great collection of best known Uruguayan painters since the XIX century. Set on "Parque Rodó" (a small version inspired by London's Hide Park) it's always worth the visit. Showing now the largest Picasso exhibition (must buy tickets) overseas you'll see it crowded.
4. Espacio De Arte Contemporaneo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By ASU_DrK - Phoenix, United States
I have visited the Espacio on six different occasions and am always impressed. The art exhibits are typically thought provoking (on this occasion the one about the disappeared students of Mexico was captivating), while the attached natural history museum (though small) is well done. The building itself (former prison), however, is what makes each visit so amazing! I like to visit the Feria de Tristán Narvaja on Sunday afternoon, and then visit the Espacio. Makes a wonderful outing on a quiet Montevideo Sunday.
5. Museo Gurvich
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By pennyfor - Nanaimo, Canada
An extremely talented artist featured in a small museum. Really worthwhile. Small entrance fee. Ask for portable translators if your Spanish isn’t good.
6. Centro Municipal de Exposiciones SUBTE
7. Museo Torres Garcia
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 559 reviews
You'll find the abstract art of Joaquim Torres-Garcia, one of the country's most influential modern artists, at this museum.
Reviewed By Gerardoformoso
A classic and small museum located at the old city. You can spend a few hours and also visit other places in the old city.
8. Museo Romantico - Casa de Antonio Montero
9. Museum of Pre-Columbian and Indigenous
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 172 reviews
The MAPI offers its visitors a permanent collection of over 700 archaeological and ethnographic pieces from different Latin American cultures, specially from the different communities who lived in the current uruguayan territory. Also, MAPI offers temporary exhibitions as "Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano", that closes in June, 15th, 2015.
10. Museo de Las Migraciones
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By ElenaP2205 - Romania, null
It is very interesting and touching that such a museum exists. Some of the quotes are really touching. The museum is free.
