Did you know that the southernmost capital of South America is in Uruguay? The city of Montevideo offers a mixture of enchanting historic architecture, vibrant culture and relaxing parks. There’s an endless list of places to visit, with palaces, museums, skyscrapers, temples and much more. Plus, you’ll find Latin joy and exquisite cuisine all over this must-see destination!

Despite its many charms, this city remains fairly unknown to most international tourists. Therefore, we’ve prepared a list of the top 10 things to do in Montevideo so you don’t miss out on any of the essential places to visit in the city.

1. Delve into Old Town Montevideo

The heart of the capital of Uruguay is the Old Town. Here, you’ll find old buildings, charming squares and historic monuments. It’s a must-visit on your list of things to do in Montevideo. The main tourist sites in the Old Town are:

Independence Square

This central square was founded in the 19th century after the destruction of the two walls of the colonial city. Did you know that before this, the city was kept inside a fortress built by the Spanish?

During your visit, you’ll definitely come across Independence Square, due to its important central locations in Montevideo. There are various interesting places around here including:

• The City Gate. It’s one of the few remaining parts of the old city walls that was used by the military and authorities.
• Salvo Palace. At 83 meters (272 feet) high, it’s one of the tallest buildings in the city. Designed in the early 20th century in the Art Deco style, at the time of its construction, it was one of the tallest towers in Latin America.
• The Artigas Mausoluem. Under the general’s 17 metre (55 foot) high equestrian statue is Artigas’ mausoleum, where his remains are watched by guards. It was built in homage to José Artigas, leader of the republican resistance against Spain.

Solís Theatre

Over 150 years old, it’s the most important theatre in Uruguay, built in the Neoclassic style. If you have time in the city, why not go to a show at this theatre? It’s the perfect opportunity to soak up some local culture.

Montevideo Cabildo

The Cabildo is a historic building that was the first administrative HQ of Uruguay. Today, it’s home to a museum about the history of Uruguay and has some fantastic exhibitions ranging from pre-Colombian history to today. These include artefacts, historic documents, paintings and other pieces that help to tell the story of the country.

Sarandí Street

It’s an exclusive pedestrian street and one of the most lively in the Old Town, with lots of cafes, artisan shops and art galleries. Here, you’ll also find the world-famous bookstore Librería Más Puro Verso.

Montevideo Cathedral

Listed as a National Historic Monument, it’s obvious why the Metropolitan Cathedral must be included on this list of things to do in Montevideo. It’s the most important Catholic temple in the city and dates back to colonial times.

The building we see today looks nothing like the original brick church from the 18th century. However, the current one is impressive with its neoclassical aesthetics and is famous for being home to the two patron saints of the city, Santiago and San Felipe.

La Farmacia Café

It’s an old pharmacy that in 2017 became a cafe, maintaining the beautiful apothecary cabinets, which go from floor to ceiling, jars with roots and herbs and a large yellowed page from the Ministry of Health with the legislation on medicines.

Mercado del Puerto Market

This is the most famous food market in Montevideo. A total paradise for BBQ lovers! The market opened in 1868 and is famous for its metallic architecture from the 19th century and for being the perfect place to try traditional Uruguayan cuisine, such as churrasco.

To explore and learn more about all of these sites in the Old Town, this guided tour of Montevideo with transport is essential!

2. Discover Montevideo Farmer’s Market

A trip to the Farmer’s Market is an obligatory place to visit in Montevideo if you’re looking for authentic cuisine and want to try high quality local products. Located in the neighbourhood of La Aguada, MAM is a public market with a huge variety of fresh produce, prepared meals, handmade products and much more.

The market also houses various restaurants, cafes and bars where you can delight in traditional Uruguayan dishes, such as churrasco, accompanied by local wine and artisanal beer. Beside from this, Montevideo Farmer’s Market is also a cultural centre, with live music performances, art exhibitions and special events to appreciate Uruguay’s culture.

If you want to discover all about this market, book a private tour of Montevideo and enjoy an exclusive guide just for your group.

3. Stroll or Cycle along the Esplanade

The esplanade of La Plata River, or The Rambla in Spanish, is a coastal walkway that has to be included in our list of the top 10 things to do in Montevideo. In total, it’s 30 km (18.5 miles) long. However, you don’t have to walk the whole way! The most famous stretches, aside from the section close to the Old Town, are in the neighbourhoods of Punta Carretas, Pocitos and Buceo.

Explore the esplanade by taking a stroll around the neighbourhoods or by joining this bicycle tour of Montevideo. Alternatively, you can see the esplanade from the water on this rowboat tour. There are endless ways to enjoy this stunning part of the city.

4. Relax in Rodó Park

Right next to Punta Carretas, Rodó Park is another must-see spot in Montevideo. It’s one of the most popular parks in the city, both for locals and tourists thanks to its ideal location on the shore of La Plata River.

Rodó Park offers the perfect combination of green spaces, cultural activities and leisure options, and is an important recreational and cultural area in the city. You’ll find a lake, rose garden, summer theatre, a venue that hosts music shows, and the National Museum of Visual Art, all located within the park.

As well as this, on Sunday, the park hosts a craft fair, where you can find a huge variety of handmade products by local artists. Have we convinced you that this park is well worth a visit yet?

5. Explore the City’s Fascinating Museums

Exploring museums is always an excellent option when visiting a new place to uncover its history, culture and traditions. Montevideo is no different and is home to unique and informative museums and exhibitions. Here are just a few of our favourites:

Andes Museum 1972

Here, you can discover all the details of one of the most tragic plane crashes in the history of aviation. On the 13th of October, 1972, a Uruguayan Air Force plane crashed at an altitude of 3700 meters (12,140 feet) in the middle of the Andes. The chances of survival here were minimal and the passengers who survived had to face extreme weather conditions for more than 70 days before they were rescued. Their heartwrenching story is told through the museum expositions, the 1993 film Alive and the more recent Society of the Snow from 2023. Get your ticket for the Andes Museum 1972 today!

El Juguetero Toy Museum

This is another fantastic museum in Montevideo. You’ll see more than 2,500 old toys that will take you on a journey back in time, including toy cars, dolls, games, video game machines, table football and much more. If you want to be taken back to your childhood, purchase your ticket for the El Juguetero Museum here.

The Pre-Colombian and Indigenous Art Museum (MAPI)

As its name suggests, this is a space dedicated to the art of culture of indigenous communities in Latin America. It displays an impressive collection of ancient artefacts that you can admire to learn more about these communities.

Torres de García Museum

This museum exhibits the work of the famous Uruguayan artist Joaquín Torres García, as well as other Latin American artists. Here, you’ll find the iconic work of América Invertida, a map of South America upside down. Come and discover some of the best pieces of art made in Latin America!

The Carnival Museum

Celebrating the city’s carnival spirit, this museum offers exhibitions such as The Carnival of Uruguay, Candombe and The Old Tablados. If you’re not visiting Montevideo during carnival, this is the perfect way to still get an idea of what this party feels like!

National Museum of Visual Arts

Finally, on our list of museums to visit in Montevideo, we highly recommend the National Museum of Visual Arts. It’s home to a collection of Uruguayan artwork, with some dating back to the 19th century. What’s even better, is entry is free!

6. Gamble at The Casinos

In the capital of Uruguay, gambling is legal, so a visit to a casino is a must-do in Montevideo. The most famous is the Casino Carrasco. Opening in 1921 in a cultural heritage building, it’s part of the Hotel Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa complex.

This casino is full of slot machines and has two lobbies divided by an escalator. In the lower part, you can find the Palace Point Exclusive, where dealers in white shirts and waistcoats hand out chips and man the gaming tables. There’s also a bar and a large screen for broadcasting games.

There are other casinos in Montevideo, such as Casino Montevideo Shopping, in the shopping centre, and Casino Victoria Plaza, right next to Independence Square.

7. Watch A Match at Estadio Centenario Stadium

For football fans, the Centenario Stadium, located in Batlle Park, is an essential visit on our list of things to do in Montevideo.

Did you know that the first-ever World Cup was held in the Centenario Stadium? The stadium is a source of great pride for Uruguayans, as it was declared by FIFA as the first historical monument of world football.

You can watch a Uruguayan national team football match here, or another team (remember to check the match schedule), and visit the Football museums to learn more about the history of this iconic sport in the country. If you want, you can visit the Centenario Stadium by booking a panoramic tour of Montevideo. What are you waiting for?

8. Take a Day Trip from Montevideo

Punta del Este

One of the most popular trips from Montevideo is a day trip to Punta del Este, the city of Los Dedos. As well as travelling along the so-called Gold Coast, you’ll also see the iconic Casapueblo, a construction by Carlos Páez Vilaró, built with materials found on the coast. Its landscape is reminiscent of Santorini in Greece. Join us on this day trip to Punta del Este.

Colonia del Sacramento

The Portuguese city of Colonia del Sacramento is a World Heritage Site with a rich history and charming architecture that combines Portuguese, Spanish and post-colonial influences. On this day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, you’ll discover Calle de los Suspiros, the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, the Bastion of San Pedro, the lighthouse and many other attractions in the city. You’ll love it!

9. Delight in The Fabulous Wine Culture

Montevideo always delights its visitors with its exquisite cuisine. It has a deep-rooted winemaking tradition, especially notable in the northern part of the city, where we can find numerous vineyards and wineries.

Some of the most famous wineries that you can tour are Bouza, Carrau, Pizzorno, and Familia Dardanelli. Cheers!

10. Enjoy Tango and Candombe Shows

If you’re looking for a night out in Montevideo, you can choose to watch a tango or candombe show, two very important cultural spectacles in Uruguay and the Río de la Plata region.

You’ll enjoy a show featuring dancers and singers performing tango and the various folk dances of Uruguay, especially candombe. This dance, of African origin, is very popular in the streets of Montevideo during Carnival. You won’t be able to get the rhythm out of your head!

To combine one of these spectacular shows and Uruguayan cuisine, book a dinner with a show at Primuseum restaurant or El Milongón!

What to Know Before Travelling to Montevideo

• Citizens of MERCOSUR countries can travel to Uruguay with their passport or ID card. Other nationalities must enter with their passport.
• The currency in Uruguay is the Uruguayan Peso, but most tourist places accept American dollars and international cards. However, we recommend having some cash in the local currency
• Using credit, debit and/or prepaid cards is beneficial in Montevideo, since according to law, VAT tax is refunded in restaurants, bars and even car rental companies
• To enter Uruguay with a car, you’ll need to have Green Card Insurance. Also, bear in mind that rental companies don’t allow you to cross the border with a rented car.
• The voltage in Uruguay is 220V, so if you bring any equipment that needs to be plugged in, make sure it has that voltage or is bivolt.

Now you know the top 10 things to do in Montevideo! Why not check out what other activities, tours and experiences we offer to make the most of your trip?