Are you going to visit Uruguay and don't know what to do in Montevideo? So check out this post with the best attractions and an itinerary of up to three days to enjoy the city on a weekend or long holiday!
Despite being a popular destination among Brazilians, I never really wanted to visit Montevideo. Even though it was a capital, in my mind the city was small and boring, and it wasn't part of my plans to visit it anytime soon.
That is, until my family decided to spend a month there touristing and working (we all work on the internet). I agreed to go along because I imagined it would be good content for the blog, but what I didn't expect was to fall in love. so much around the place.
Nowadays, when people ask me if it's worth going to Uruguay, in general, I honestly answer yes, and I also add that, although there are beaches and other incredible places in the country, the capital cannot be left out. of the script.
This is because, in addition to being an easy destination to reach (there are direct flights leaving from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Porto Alegre), you can see the main attractions in a few days. In other words, this is a perfect trip to take on a long holiday or even a weekend!
Another advantage is that you can enjoy the city all year round, you don't have to wait for high season when tickets and hotels are very expensive. I went in August and September and, even though I couldn't go to the beach, I really enjoyed it! I have other friends who also went in colder times and don't regret it.
Did I convince you to visit the capital of Uruguay? So it's time to plan that trip! To help you, I wrote this post with tips on what to do in Montevideo, with the best attractions and a three-day itinerary, to make your adventure even easier!
What to do in Montevideo – Best attractions
I have selected some of the tourist attractions that you cannot miss in Montevideo. Of course, there is much more to see in the city, but these are the places that I consider essential on a first-time itinerary in the region:
Sunset on the Rambla
A Avenue is the name given to the seaside avenue that passes through Pocitos and Punta Carretas, continuing until reaching Ciudad Vieja. It's a delightful place to walk, and it's common during the day to see people having a snack or just resting there.
The biggest attraction of this area, however, is the sunset. The landscape is magnificent, with the beach in the background, and even locals stop to watch. My suggestion is to watch the sun near the Parque Rodo area or the Golf Club, where in addition to the sidewalk there is also a lawn to sit and wait for the show.
Tristán Narvaja Fair
The best way to understand the size of the Tristán Narvaja fair is to think of a large street fair and multiply it by a thousand. I thought it would be something like one or two streets, these small markets, and the reality was that my family and I spent the whole morning there without being able to see everything.
In general, you can find anything you can imagine there. I saw books, magazines, antiques, plants, toys, clothes, food, accessories, sunglasses, decorative objects and all kinds of things vintage is used. If you want to shop, bring cash as vendors do not accept cards.
Please note that it only takes place on Sundays, from 9:00 to 16:00.
Rodó Park
Easily accessible and close to the Rambla, this is one of the city's most famous parks. In addition to the normal things, such as lakes and fountains and lots of green space, there is also a castle whose interior is a library for children, a casino and even a museum of visual arts.
On Sundays there is also a fair where you can find everything, from clothes and accessories to home decoration objects.
Telecommunications Tower
How about seeing the city from above? The Telecommunications Tower (also known as Torre Anatel) é It's actually a commercial building, but visitors can take the elevator to the 26th floor and enjoy a 360-degree view of the city.
Like most attractions of this type, on the upper level there are signs showing what you are seeing, with the city's main buildings and landmarks. The climb is free, but can only be done at pre-determined times according to the tower's website.
Port Market
Mercado del Puerto is one of those unmissable places when talking about what to do in Montevideo. It's a market full of restaurants serving local cuisine, and, as is to be expected due to the large number of tourists, prices are quite high.
Even so, due to its great atmosphere and excellent cuisine, I consider it worth the visit. We chose the El Palanque restaurant to eat the famous Uruguayan parrilla and we didn't regret it.
On your way out, be sure to stop by the alfajores store to enjoy some of the wonders of Punta Ballena (which, let's face it, are the best alfajores, sorry Argentina).
Librería Más Puro Verso
Unmissable for both those who like bookstores and those who appreciate a beautiful architectural work. The staircase that leads to the second floor is practically a symbol of the city, and the number of books will take any reader's breath away.
The environment is super pleasant and in addition to taking great photos, there is also a space for those who want to read in peace. There is also a cafe on site, but as it is such a popular place the prices are quite high.
As it is in the heart of Ciudad Vieja, it is a great place to stop by when you are in the vicinity of Plaza Independencia.
Old City
Both Mercado del Puerto and Librería Más Puro Verso are in Ciudad Vieja, but there are several other attractions within the neighborhood. My suggestion (as I put in the itinerary at the end of the post), is to also know the Plaza Independencia, Plaza de la Constitución, Teatro Solís and Puerta de la Ciudadela.
All of these places are rich in history and you can walk from one to the other while admiring the fantastic architecture of yesteryear.
What to do in Montevideo – 3-day itinerary
The best option to follow this itinerary is to visit the city on a weekend, as Sunday is the day when the biggest fairs take place. You can either arrive on Friday and leave on Sunday night, or arrive on Saturday morning and return to Brazil on Monday night, and you will still have time to do practically everything.
Whether by car or using the bus, my suggestion is to use the Google Maps app to easily get around the city. In this post I showed you how to use the app during your travels.
Where to stay in Montevideo
Although prices are lower in Ciudad Vieja, The best regions to stay in Montevideo are Pocitos and Punta Carretas. Staying there, you can walk to many of the attractions, or you can just take a bus if you are going to use public transport.
Some of the best hotels are:
- Ermitage Hotel: Have you ever imagined enjoying the weekend in this four-star hotel with a privileged location, right in front of Pocitos beach? The place has a 24-hour reception, free wifi and parking, as well as offering a delicious breakfast. All this with rooms with flat screen television, air conditioning and a great price! Booking rating: 8,5 Very Good.
- Mercure Punta Carretas: Another four-star with a sensational price and a view of the sea, but this time of Punta Carretas. It has an on-site restaurant, as well as a gym and a luxurious lounge, as well as a garden and terrace. Booking score: 8,8 Fabulous.
- Rambler Punta Carretas: If you want to save money, Montevideo also has great hostels. The Rambler is close to Pocitos beach, has a 24-hour reception, free wifi and even a kitchen if you want to prepare your own meals. Each bed in the shared rooms has its own light and socket, as well as being super comfortable. Booking score: 8,6 Fabulous.
1st Day in Montevideo
On the first day, the ideal is to visit the city center and Ciudad Vieja, as on Sundays and Mondays many stores and attractions are not open.
Start the route at 18th of July Avenue, where there are several shopping centers and restaurants. I recommend going through Fuente de los Candados, symbol of the region and where couples place padlocks so that their love lasts and so that they return to the place in the future (similar to the bridge in Paris). From there, walk along the avenue until Independence Square, where the mausoleum of José Artigas, an important soldier in the history of the country's independence, is located.
At the end of the square is the Puerta de la Ciutadella, the former city gate of Montevideo when it was still a fortress built by the Spanish. Currently, this door is known as the entrance to Ciudad Vieja. When crossing it, visit the Libraría Más Puro Verso, and prepare to be enchanted by the local architecture.
Leaving the bookstore, go down Bartolomé Miter street and visit the Solís Theatre, built in 1856 and still in operation today (on the theater website There are guided tour times if you want to see the interior).
From there, go back to Sarandí street (the one with the bookstore) and walk to the Plaza constitution, where on Saturdays a small antiques fair takes place. Explore the stalls and, when you're ready to leave, walk to Calle Perez Castellano. This is a pedestrian street, and following it towards the port you will arrive at Port Market, where you can have lunch at the famous Uruguayan parrilla. The restaurants are open until 17:30 pm, so there's no need to rush and you can have a later lunch to explore Ciudad Vieja.
After that, if you stayed in Pocitos or Punta Carretas, my suggestion is to return to the hotel area. At the beginning of Pocitos beach is the famous Montevideo sign, and as the sun will be lower it will be the ideal time to take photos. Remembering that, if it is very crowded, just take a photo of the back of the sign and then reverse the photo on your cell phone.
Finally, you can have an afternoon coffee at the Nuevo Expreso Pocitos, a super traditional restaurant that serves the city's famous teas (with juices, savory snacks and more). If you want to wait for dinner, the suggestion is to walk along the Rambla or the streets of the neighborhood, which are super pleasant and at night try the goat, wonderful and traditional sandwich. I recommend the Chivitos Lo de Pepe.
2nd Day in Montevideo (Sunday)
This day accurate be on a Sunday, as that is when the biggest fairs take place. At 9 am the Feria de Tristán Narvaja begins, in the city center (the start is on Av. 18 de Julho, corner of the street that gives its name to the fair), and I suggest you arrive early so it's not so crowded.
You can easily spend the whole morning there, as the number of stalls is infinite. Don't worry if you get hungry, as several of them sell Uruguayan delicacies, including alfajores and dulce de leche churros.
As it is a very busy day in the center despite it being Sunday, restaurants in the area are usually open on that day.. You can enjoy the simplicity and flavor of La Tortuguita or Gran Sportman.
After eating, go to the Rodó Park where there is also a market on Sundays. It is small (much, much smaller than the one in Tristán Narvaja) but it ends at 15pm, so the ideal is not to arrive too late. There is more decoration and clothes there, with much more current and cheaper models than at the fair in the center of Montevideo.
In the afternoon, the suggestion is to explore the rest of the park. I recommend visiting the National Museum of Visual Arts and Municipal Art Gallery. There is also a casino, a lake and a castle that serves as a children's library inside. On the side near McDonald's is also the La Manola Churros, a stall considered by many to have the best churros in the city.
Pay attention to the sunset time and go to the Rambla a little earlier, to get a spot on the lawn to watch the show.
At night you can enjoy dinner at some of the capital's most acclaimed restaurants, such as Baco Vino y Bistro on the seafront in Punta Carretas or the The Pulperia to eat delicious meat for a fair price.
3st Day in Montevideo
After passing through the main tourist attractions, it can be difficult to figure out what to do in Montevideo. Despite this, there are some places that have not yet been included in the itinerary that you can visit on your third day in the city.
My suggestion is to start the day at Prado Park, Where is the Montevideo Botanical Garden and Rosedal (Roses garden). There are also other monuments and points to take photos at the site.
Then, around lunch time, leave for the MAM – Montevideo Agricultural Market. It's like a public market, with several stands selling fruits, vegetables, crafts and local produce, as well as countless restaurants. It's great for lunch and then buying some jars of dulce de leche and alfajores to take back home.
In the afternoon, if you like football, you can take the opportunity to visit the Centennial Stadium, which was built for the first World Cup. Visit the Football Museum, where you can learn about the history of sport in the country and even access the stadium's stands (not open on weekends).
If you're not a big fan of the sport, you can take advantage of the early afternoon to visit the Natural History Museum inside the IAVA or take a walk around the Tres Cruces shopping mall, until it's time to climb the Telecommunications Tower – on Mondays and Fridays, climbs take place every half hour between 15:30 pm and 17 pm.
At night, the suggestion is the same as on other days: enjoy one of the city's restaurants. If you want to do something different, you can also go to the mall to do a little shopping. The one in Punta Carretas is the best in the region and also has a cinema.
And there they are, all the tips on what to do in Montevideo with a 3-day itinerary showing the best of the capital of Uruguay!
If you have more time in the country, it's worth visiting other cities. On the Foco do Mundo blog there is a really cool post about what to do in Punta del Este in 2 days!
Do you think we missed any cool rides? Do you have any other tips for the city? Share in the comments! 🙂
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