Go next

Piriapolis

city of Uruguay

99km

-34.9-55.2833

Punta del Este

city and resort on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay

137km

-34.9667-54.95

Colonia

Uruguayan city

188km

-34.471389-57.844167

La Plata

known as "the perfect city" for its tracing; just look at a map of the street pattern of the city

197km

-34.921111-57.954444

La Paloma

small city in the Rocha Department of southeastern Uruguay.

226km

-34.665-54.155

Buenos Aires

or "Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires", which people occasionally call Capital Federal to distinguish it from the province of Buenos Aires

245km

-34.603-58.382

Punta del Diablo

human settlement

303km

-34.045-53.538

Salto

city in Uruguay

380km

-31.383333-57.95
Sights (30)

Palacio Legislativo (Uruguay)

National parliament, the first one in South America and an iconic symbol of Uruguay's long lasting democracy. The building was completed in 1925, inaugurated the same year to celebrate the centenary of the country's declaration of independence. It is a National Historic Landmark and quite impressive as it stands in the middle of a large square. It houses the legislature and the general assembly.

905m

-34.89107-56.18726

Telecommunications Tower

157 m high, this skyscraper is Uruguay's highest building. There's a viewing platform and even free guided tours (in Spanish).

1.6km

-34.89194444-56.19472222

Palacio Municipal (Montevideo)

The massive brick building is not just a city hall but also hosts the museums of photography and art history (MuHAr). There is a viewing platform in the tower that is open to the public.

2.0km

-34.90555556-56.18416667

Obelisk of Montevideo

A 40-m-high obelisk that was built in 1930 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Uruguayan constitution. The three statues next to the obelisk represent "law", "liberty" and "force".

2.3km

-34.8975-56.1644

Central Cemetery of Montevideo

A historic cemetery with sculptures. Founded in 1835 and the final resting place for many important Uruguayan politicians, authors and artists.

2.7km

-34.9125-56.18722222

Palacio Salvo

Eastern side of Plaza Independencia. Once South America's highest building, the 95-m-high Art Deco building Palacio Salvo still dominates Montevideo's skyline. In the past there used to be an observation deck that could be accessed for free.

2.8km

-34.906725-56.19830833

Plaza Independencia

The square at the end of 18 de Julio Ave., with the latter being the main commercial artery of the city. On the last Saturday of September, all the museums and historical places of interest around the Plaza Independencia open for free to the public. There is also a large "Murga," or a traditional South American parade in which all the Uruguayan political parties take part. The event is known as El Día del Patrimonio, the Day of Heritage. On the middle of the square there is a statue of general José Artigas, and under it, his mauseoleum.

2.9km

-34.9065-56.19975

Estévez Palace

The Palacio Estévez was the office building of Uruguayan presidents until 1985. Today it is a museum of the Uruguayan presidency.

2.9km

-34.90711111-56.19938889

Artigas Mausoleum

This large monument in the Plaza Independencia pays tribute to José Gervasio Artigas, one of the heroes of the Uruguayan Independence. Under the monument is the mausoleum, which is open on the weekends. It contains an urn with his ashes and two honor guards keeping watch.

2.9km

-34.90652778-56.2

Gateway of the Citadel

A gate to the old town; if you pass through it you're at Sarandí, Montevideo's main pedestrian street. This is one of the few remaining parts of the old city wall.

3.0km

-34.9065-56.20077778

Executive Tower, Montevideo

The current presidential office, next to the former. The Executive Tower was first planned as a courthouse in the 1960s, the project was halted several times until the house was finalized as the presidential office in 2009.

3.0km

-34.90722222-56.20027778

Museo Torres García

Displaying works by one of most prominent Uruguayan artists, the painter and sculptor Joaquín Torres García (1874-1949).

3.0km

-34.9065-56.20138889

Plaza de la Diversidad Sexual

Basically a work of modern art, graffiti painted fences and walls, all at a side alley that should probably be avoided after dusk. It reads "Honouring diversity is honouring life; Montevideo is for the respect of all identities and sexual orientations" and was erected in 2005. It's South America's first monument dedicated to sexual diversity. Other places of interest to gay people include the Edificio Liberaij, where two gay Argentine bank robbers (featured in the 1998 movie Plata Quemada) died in 1965.

3.0km

-34.906-56.2018

Solís Theatre

The main theater of Montevideo — consider going here if you want to see a theater performance. Also hosts a museum of its own history and is itself one of the old town's most iconic buildings.

3.1km

-34.90805556-56.20111111

Montevideo Cabildo

During the Spanish rule in the early 19th century and the first decades of independence, El Cabildo was the parliament building. Later on various governmental departments were housed there, but since 1959 the building has been a museum, Museo Histórico Municipal, displaying the city governments archives.

3.1km

-34.9065-56.20269444

Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral

The Catholic cathedral of Montevideo and the seat of the archidiocese of Montevideo. The cathedral features beautiful artwork, among them the picture of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, the patron saint of Uruguay. Mass at least one time per day, the schedule is posted outside the door so you can check the schedules in the case you want to attend one or if you want to have a closer look at the church without disturbing a ceremony.

3.3km

-34.907-56.20411111

National Museum of Visual Arts (Uruguay)

National museum of modern Uruguayan art, exhibiting paintings. They have a permanent exhibition featuring works of Juan Blanes, Rafael Barradas, Pedro Figari and José Cuneo.

3.4km

-34.91388889-56.16472222

Parque Rodó

district of Montevideo

3.4km

-34.915-56.16611111

Estadio Centenario

football stadium

3.4km

-34.89444444-56.15277778

Carnival Museum

Small museum with carnival costumes and paraphernalia. If you don't have the opportunity to visit Montevideo during the yearly carnival, at least you will get to see some costumes and drums here.

3.9km

-34.905436-56.21226083

Holocaust Memorial, Montevideo

A work of contemporary art at the beach in Punta Carretas. It's intended to be experienced by walking through it from northwest to southeast.

4.0km

-34.92508333-56.17019444

Punta Brava Lighthouse

On the southernmost peninsula of the city. You get to walk a bit to get there. For a small fee you can get up in the tower, but the view over the city across the small bay is good from the ground too. The peninsula seems to be a quite popular spot for hobby fishers.

5.3km

-34.935311-56.160579

World Trade Center Montevideo

The largest concentration of glitzy skyscrapers in Montevideo, consisting of five towers and a square in the middle of them which is used both for business and cultural events. The complex also incorporates a major shopping mall, the Montevideo Shopping.

6.2km

-34.92055556-56.135425

Fortaleza del Cerro

This fort, on the top of the Cerro Hill, houses a collection of armoury. It is the original fort from which Montevideo originated. The fort sits on the top of a hill and can be seen from many places in the city - and you'll have a fantastic view of the city from the fort. Visiting the fort can be hard, as the Cerro district is somewhat of a shantytown and reportedly not safe to wander around in — though it is possible to reach the fort by car or taxi.

8.7km

-34.888479-56.259928

Carrasco, Montevideo

Reached by bus or taxi it is a beautiful neighborhood full of trees by the beach twenty minutes from the Ciudad Vieja. It has nice restaurants with outdoor tables. Its really nice to walk around and visit the small upscale boutiques in nice houses, bookstores, a small shopping center Arocena and a movie theater. The best ice cream parlor Las Delicias. If weather permits the beach is really nice and good for long walks and swimming. There is a very large street fair on Wednesdays full of fruits, foods, and clothing, especially bathing suits! Also has upscale hotels.

12km

-34.88333333-56.06666667

Cathedral of The Most Holy Trinity, Montevideo

An Anglican church and the oldest non-Catholic place of worship in Montevideo. Looks more like a Roman temple than a church.

13km

-34.88822222-56.05663889

Cerro Pan de Azúcar

mountain, Uruguay

102km

-34.80916667-55.25861111

Chamangá

120km

-33.666666666667-56.583333333333

Salto del Penitente

133km

-34.37251-55.05264

Gorriti Island

island in Uruguay

134km

-34.9525-54.97166667
Nature

we will see

Montevideo

Uruguay
Someday we will visit Montevideo or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Montevideo

Montevideo is the capital city of Uruguay, located on the east bank of the Rio de la Plata. Though sometimes overlooked beside nearby Buenos Aires, Montevideo is a significant city in its own right: it's the cultural and political center of the country, home to well over a million people, more than ten times the size of the next largest Uruguayan city. The metro area has around two million—half of the population of Uruguay—but the friendliness and helpfulness of the residents will make you think you're in a much smaller city.

In recent years Montevideo nightlife has moved to Parque Rodó, where a large concentration of buildings cater for the recreational interests of young people during the night time. Under a presidential decree of 1 March 2006 smoking is prohibited in any public place with roofing, and there is a prohibition on the sale of alcohol in certain businesses from 21.00 to 9.00.

Montevideo is situated on the north shore of the Río de la Plata, the arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates the south coast of Uruguay from the north coast of Argentina; Buenos Aires lies 230 kilometres (140 mi) west on the Argentine side. The Santa Lucía River forms a natural border between Montevideo and San José Department to its west. To the city's north and east is Canelones Department, with the stream of Carrasco forming the eastern natural border. The coastline forming the city's southern border is interspersed with rocky protrusions and sandy beaches. The Bay of Montevideo forms a natural harbour, the nation's largest and one of the largest in the Southern Cone, and the finest natural port in the region, functioning as a crucial component of the Uruguayan economy and foreign trade. Various streams criss-cross the town and empty into the Bay of Montevideo. Its coastline near the emptying rivers are heavily polluted.

Your notes (private)

What's on your mind? (you can type here notes just for you and they will show on your dashboard)

Information for getting there

When someday comes you'll need to get in.

Information for getting around

When someday comes you'll need to be able to get around.

Your tips and questions

Let us know your best tips about Montevideo.

Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

28°C18
Precipitation: 87 mm

Feb

28°C18
Precipitation: 102 mm

Mar

26°C16
Precipitation: 105 mm

Apr

22°C13
Precipitation: 86 mm

May

19°C10
Precipitation: 89 mm

Jun

15°C8
Precipitation: 83 mm

Jul

15°C7
Precipitation: 86 mm

Aug

16°C8
Precipitation: 88 mm

Sep

18°C9
Precipitation: 94 mm

Oct

21°C12
Precipitation: 109 mm

Nov

24°C14
Precipitation: 89 mm

Dec

27°C16
Precipitation: 84 mm