Location: Montevideo
Top Things to do in Montevideo
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What to do and see in Montevideo, Montevideo Department: The Best Budget-friendly 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. Auditorio del Sodre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,233 reviews
This cultural center features concerts, movies, ballets and other types of performances, as well as art and other cultural exhibits.
2. Bodega Spinoglio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 134 reviews
BODEGA SPINOGLIO | A WINELAND TO DISCOVER GUIDE VISITS-WINE TASTINGS-RESTAURANT The experience of visiting this this family winery will be unique for your senses. Exceptionel surrounding where you´ll be able to connect with nature, enjoying the vineyards and more than 6000 m² of park. You will be able to visit te XIX century built cellar, with its awesome arquitecture and the seal of French craftmen, which is now enhanced with technology to help produce high quality wines. Lying underground, the impressive CAVA with its solid stone walls and natural control of temperature and humidity, has the ideal conditions to grow our wines. Our RESTAURANT MonfrA (which in Piedmontese means Monferrato) offer a unique gourmet experience in an exceptional place, where family celebrations and lunches were held. In this way we honor our history by recalling the culinary traditions of the family, with the wood fire, the fresh ingredients of the garden and the love in the preparation of each dish.
Reviewed By GPR21 - Canada, null
Lovely family winery with totally engaged staff. We participated in a cooking lesson followed by a wonderful lunch featuring their beautiful Sauvignon and Tannat wines and traditional Uruguayan lunch.The owner Alexandra was our lovely host all day and communicated with our group in English, Spanish , Italian and even in French with my spouse. Highly recommended for a true Bodega experience.
3. Catedral de Montevideo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,066 reviews
Notable for its domed bell towers, this 1804 cathedral is the burial place for some of the country’s most important figures.
Reviewed By Bruce7460
The Cathedral is well worth a visit to see the simplicity that makes it quite spectacular. So much to see and take in.
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. El Prado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 704 reviews
Pause for a restful break at this tranquil park with beautiful trees, fountains, a lake and walkways.
Reviewed By V2442MBwilliamj - Oslo, Norway
At Prado you have stylish old mansions, beautiful churches, the botanical gardens and much more. Every year around Easter you may also join in the celbration of a weeklong fair called the Semana Criolla de Prado. This is the real Uruguay.
9. 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.
10. Palacio Legislativo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,508 reviews
One of Montevideo's most impressive landmarks is this neo-classical, three-story building, constructed in the early 1900s, and housing significant works of art inside.
Reviewed By WorldTravelers34 - Chicago, United States
Built in imposing neoclassical style, Palacio Legislativo serves as the seat of the national parliament. Completed in 1925, the palace features 50 different types of marble and ranks among the city's most famous landmarks. Admire the stately exterior, complete with columns and intricate carvings along its façade. A symbol of national pride and an authentic representation of democratic values in Uruguay, this building was declared a National Historic Monument in 1975. Definitely worth seeing.
