Montevideo: The Best Things to Do
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Montevideo packs its best things to do into a compact, walkable core. You don’t need a car or a week; you need 2 to 3 days, comfortable shoes, and an appetite for asado.
Things to do in Ciudad Vieja
Start in the old town. Plaza Matriz, the oldest square in the city (1726), sits next to the Metropolitan Cathedral, free to enter and modest dress is expected. The Cabildo, the old colonial town hall from 1804-12, is a short walk away, and pedestrian Sarandí strings the old-city sights together on foot. Look for the Puerta de la Ciudadela, the last surviving gate of the old citadel wall.
From there, walk into Plaza Independencia, where old Montevideo meets new. Palacio Salvo, the 26-story eclectic tower finished in 1927-28, was the tallest building in South America when it opened. It is not the world’s tallest, and hasn’t been the region’s tallest in decades, but the rooftop deck still delivers a genuine view over the old city’s low rooftops. Guided tours run daily. Nearby, the Artigas Mausoleum sits beneath the equestrian statue of national hero José Artigas, guarded around the clock.
Things to do at Mercado del Puerto
The 1868 iron-and-glass market hall in Ciudad Vieja is Montevideo’s temple of the parrilla asado, with around 14 grill stalls under one roof. Entry is free; you pay for what you order. Go for lunch, ideally Saturday, when the market runs at full smoke. El Palenque is the best-known parrilla inside; Estancia del Puerto is the cheaper, still-solid option if the lines at El Palenque are long.
Things to do along the Rambla
The Rambla runs roughly 22km along the Río de la Plata and is sometimes called one of the world’s longest continuous sidewalks, though that claim isn’t independently certified, so take it as local pride rather than fact. What is certain is how the city actually uses it: mate drinkers, joggers, cyclists, fishermen, and couples on benches, at every hour. Walk or bike a stretch toward sunset for the best light.
Things to do for culture and sport
Teatro Solís, Uruguay’s 1856 opera house, runs guided tours Tuesday through Sunday and is free on Wednesdays. Estadio Centenario, built for the 1930 World Cup, hosted the tournament’s first-ever final (Uruguay 4, Argentina 2), and the attached Museo del Fútbol holds the actual match ball from that game. If it’s Sunday, the Feria de Tristán Narvaja flea market in Cordón, running since 1909, is worth the crowds; arrive around 9am.
Things to do at the beach
Pocitos is the postcard city beach, curved sand backed by a high-rise skyline, with the “Montevideo” sign nearby for the obligatory photo. Carrasco, closer to the airport, is quieter and more upscale. Neither is a Caribbean beach; the water is river water from the Río de la Plata, calm and brownish rather than clear, which surprises first-timers.
| Sight | Price | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Palacio Salvo rooftop | Paid tour | Morning, before crowds |
| Mercado del Puerto | Free entry, pay per dish | Saturday lunch |
| Teatro Solís tour | Free Wednesdays | Tue-Sun |
| Museo del Fútbol | Small fee | Any weekday |
Book a Montevideo city tour on GetYourGuide if you’d rather have Ciudad Vieja and Plaza Independencia narrated than self-guided, and check Montevideo hotel rates on Booking.com for a base near Ciudad Vieja or Pocitos before you build the rest of the list. For where to actually eat between sights, our Montevideo eating guide covers the verified spots worth the walk.