Top places to visit in Montevideo

• Mercado del Puerto

  food hall · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A wrought-iron 1868 market hall in Ciudad Vieja now filled with parrilla grills. The smoky asado, chivito and medio y medio wine make it Montevideo's essential lunch ritual, busiest and best at weekend midday.

• Plaza Independencia y Palacio Salvo

  plaza · 4.6 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  Montevideo's grand central square, joining the old and new cities. Dominated by the eclectic Palacio Salvo tower, the Artigas mausoleum stands beneath the equestrian statue at its centre.

• Rambla de Montevideo

  promenade · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The 22 km coastal promenade tracing the Rio de la Plata, the soul of the city. Locals stroll, jog, fish and share mate here; sunsets over the river are spectacular.

• Mercado Agricola de Montevideo (MAM)

  food market · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A restored 1913 market hall north of centre, now a gourmet food market with producers, cafes, craft stalls and excellent empanadas and coffee.

• Playa Pocitos

  city beach · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A clean crescent of city beach backed by apartment towers and the iconic MONTEVIDEO letters sign. Calm river water, beach volleyball and a buzzing summer scene.

• Parque Rodo

  urban park · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A leafy lakeside park along the Rambla with an amusement park, rowing lake, Sunday craft fair and the National Museum of Visual Arts.

• Peatonal Sarandi y Ciudad Vieja

  old town · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The pedestrian spine of the old town, running from Plaza Independencia past Plaza Matriz to the port. Lined with colonial facades, cafes, bookshops and street artists.

• Estadio Centenario y Museo del Futbol

  sports · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The stadium built for the first World Cup in 1930, a FIFA football monument. Its museum traces Uruguay's two World Cup wins; pitch-side access is included.

• Teatro Solis

  theatre · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Uruguay's premier opera house, opened in 1856. Its neoclassical hall hosts ballet, opera and concerts; daytime guided tours reveal the lavish interior.

• Feria de Tristan Narvaja

  street market · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A sprawling Sunday street market on Tristan Narvaja avenue - antiques, books, vinyl, plants, food and live animals. A weekly Montevideo institution since the 1900s.

• Catedral Metropolitana y Plaza Matriz

  cathedral · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The city's oldest public square (Plaza Constitucion) facing the 1804 Metropolitan Cathedral and the colonial Cabildo. The heart of historic Montevideo.

• Palacio Legislativo

  government · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Uruguay's monumental neoclassical parliament building (1925), clad in 50 types of marble. Guided tours showcase the Hall of Lost Steps.

Things to do

• Montevideo Ciudad Vieja Walking Tour Cultural · 3 h · from USD 25 per person
• Montevideo Food & Market Tour Culinary · 3.5 h · from USD 75 per person
• Tango Show & Dinner Cultural · 2.5 h · from USD 90 per person
• Montevideo Rambla Bike Tour Cycling · 3 h · from USD 40 per person
• Estadio Centenario Football Experience Cultural · 3 h · from USD 55 per person

Day trips and tours

• Montevideo City Highlights Full-Day Tour 8 h · from USD 95

Where to stay in Montevideo

• Pocitos about UYU 95 per night

  Montevideo's most popular residential beach neighbourhood — a crescent of sand on the Rambla, leafy streets, cafes and easy bus links to the centre. Safe and walkable, the default base for most visitors.

• Ciudad Vieja about UYU 80 per night

  The historic old town packed with museums, the Mercado del Puerto, Plaza Matriz and nightlife. Atmospheric and central but quieter and less safe after dark on the fringes.

• Punta Carretas about UYU 110 per night

  Upscale district between Pocitos and the old town, anchored by Punta Carretas Shopping and the lighthouse. Quiet, leafy and secure with good hotels.

• Carrasco about UYU 130 per night

  Elegant garden suburb near the airport with mansions, the Carrasco casino-hotel and wide beaches. Far from the centre but refined and calm.

Hotels

• Alma Historica Boutique Hotel 4-star · USD 120 to USD 210 per night
• Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco & Spa 5-star · USD 260 to USD 520 per night
• Hyatt Centric Montevideo 5-star · USD 180 to USD 330 per night
• Don Boutique Hotel 4-star · USD 110 to USD 190 per night
• Ukelele Hostel 2-star · USD 18 to USD 55 per night
• Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza 5-star · USD 150 to USD 280 per night

Where to eat

• Mercado Ferrando International, Food Hall · about UYU 1,000 per person
• El Palenque Parrilla, Uruguayan, Grill · about UYU 1,400 per person
• La Pasiva Uruguayan, Fast Food · about UYU 700 per person
• Estancia del Puerto Parrilla, Uruguayan, Grill · about UYU 1,300 per person
• Cafe Brasilero Cafe, Uruguayan · about UYU 600 per person
• Jacinto Mediterranean, Modern, Bistro · about UYU 1,500 per person
• Candy Bar Cafe, American, Brunch · about UYU 850 per person
• Bar Tabare Uruguayan, Parrilla, Modern · about UYU 1,600 per person

Getting to Montevideo

Airport: Montevideo (MVD)

How visitors arrive in Montevideo

• Flight to Carrasco International Airport By air from Regional and international cities · common

  Carrasco airport takes flights from major South American cities, Panama City, Miami and Madrid; public buses and taxis link it to the centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Ferry from Buenos Aires By ferry from Buenos Aires · common

  Fast ferries cross the River Plate from Buenos Aires and arrive in the Old Town near downtown; a ferry to Colonia plus a bus is another way. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus to Tres Cruces terminal By road from Other Uruguayan cities, Argentina, Brazil · common

  Tres Cruces is the main intercity and international bus station, with services from across Uruguay and neighbouring countries. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drive from southern Brazil By road from Porto Alegre · possible

  Drivers from Porto Alegre enter Uruguay at Chuy or Jaguarao and continue by road. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• City bus from Carrasco airport to Rio Branco terminal

  City buses marked Montevideo leave from a stop outside the airport terminal and end near Plaza Independencia. You can get off earlier in Pocitos or Cordon. Check the bus direction. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• COT intercity coach to Tres Cruces terminal

  Westbound COT coaches stop at the airport and run to the Tres Cruces bus terminal. Buy the ticket at the COT office or on board, and confirm you are boarding the westbound direction. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Uber from the airport unconfirmed

  The guide recommends Uber over the single taxi company operating at the airport. Metered city taxis are also available from Tres Cruces terminal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Change money at a city cambio rather than the airport desk, where rates are noticeably worse. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• City buses from Tres Cruces to the old town

  Lines 180 and 188, and CA1, link Tres Cruces terminal with the old town. An STM card gives transfers between buses; sold at the Abitab shop in the terminal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  Buses are the only form of mass public transit in Montevideo, and route maps are often missing at stops, so apps like Moovit help.

• Car Rental Self

  Cars can be hired in Montevideo, with offices at the airport and ferry terminal as well as elsewhere in the city; booking ahead is advised.

• Ride Hail useful for some trips

  Uber operates in Montevideo and is widely used as an alternative to taxis.

• Taxi

  Taxis are plentiful in Montevideo and run on a meter, and a prearranged private transfer service is also available.

• Walking

Paying

• Taxis are metered; ask for the fare chart if it is not displayed. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Distraction theft in Ciudad Vieja

  Ciudad Vieja, Plaza Independencia, crowded buses

  A stranger points out a stain on your clothes (or "accidentally" spills something) and helps clean it while an accomplice lifts your wallet or phone. Also common: bag-snatching on packed buses.

  How to avoid it: Keep bags zipped and in front of you, do not let strangers brush you down, and carry only what you need in Ciudad Vieja, especially after dark.

• Unofficial taxi overcharging

  Airport arrivals, port, tourist areas

  Drivers without a meter, or who claim it is "broken", quote inflated flat fares to tourists.

  How to avoid it: Use Uber or Cabify, or insist on the meter (reloj) in a marked taxi. Agree a price before getting in if there is no meter.

Best time to visit Montevideo

• Jan 28°C
• Feb 27°C
• Mar 25°C
• Apr 22°C
• May 19°C
• Jun 16°C
• Jul 15°C
• Aug 17°C
• Sep 18°C
• Oct 21°C
• Nov 24°C
• Dec 26°C

More in Uruguay

• Punta del Este
• Colonia del Sacramento
• Punta del Diablo
• Piriapolis
• La Paloma

Frequently asked questions about Montevideo

What are the top-rated places to visit in Montevideo?

The highest-rated places in our Montevideo guide are Rambla de Montevideo, Teatro Solis, Plaza Independencia y Palacio Salvo, Estadio Centenario y Museo del Futbol, Feria de Tristan Narvaja.

Where should I stay in Montevideo?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Montevideo: Pocitos, Ciudad Vieja, Punta Carretas, Carrasco.

How do I get around Montevideo?

Ways to get around Montevideo covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Taxi.

What scams should I watch out for in Montevideo?

Scams reported to us for Montevideo include Distraction theft in Ciudad Vieja; Unofficial taxi overcharging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Montevideo?

Average daytime highs in Montevideo run from 15°C in Jul to 28°C in Jan.

Which airport is nearest to Montevideo?

The nearest airport to Montevideo has the code MVD.