Piriapolis, Uruguay: travel guide
A Belle Epoque seaside resort beneath the hills of Cerro San Antonio
A nostalgic Belle Epoque seaside resort built by Francisco Piria, framed by the Cerro San Antonio and Cerro del Toro hills. Its grand Argentino Hotel, palm-lined rambla, chairlift and family beaches give it an old-world, low-key charm.
About Piriapolis
Piriapolis is a seaside town on Uruguay's coast, founded by Francisco Piria as a resort in the early twentieth century. It still carries that old-fashioned character, with a palm-lined rambla, a long beach and hills rising straight behind the town.
Things to do in Piriapolis include riding the chairlift or walking up Cerro San Antonio, visiting the eccentric Castillo de Piria and strolling the harbour and promenade. The Cerro Pan de Azucar reserve offers longer walks for those who want to leave the beach behind.
It suits families, retirees and travellers who want a calm, traditional Uruguayan resort rather than a party scene. Summer is the main season, with warm water and lively evenings; the shoulder months are quiet and pleasant.
- Country
- Uruguay
- Currency
- UYU
- Time zone
- America/Montevideo
- Nearest airport
- PDP
Last updated
Top places to visit in Piriapolis
Rambla de los Argentinos y Playa Piriapolis
promenade beach · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Piriapolis's palm-lined seafront promenade and main beach, watched over by the grand Argentino Hotel. The nostalgic heart of this Belle Epoque resort.
Cerro San Antonio
hill · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A 110 m hill overlooking town, reachable by road or a vintage chairlift (aerosilla), with sweeping views of the bay and a cluster of cafes at the top.
Reserva Cerro Pan de Azucar
hill reserve · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 423 m sugarloaf peak and wildlife reserve north of town, with a hiking trail to a summit cross and a small native-animal rescue centre at its base.
Puerto de Piriapolis
harbour · 4.4 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
The yacht and fishing harbour at the east end of the rambla, with seafood stalls, sport-fishing charters and a relaxed waterfront scene.
Castillo de Piria
castle · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The eclectic 1890s mansion of town founder Francisco Piria, an esoteric-minded entrepreneur, now a museum set in gardens at the foot of the hills.
Fuente de Venus y Cerro del Toro
hill park · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A wooded hill on the edge of town crowned by a bull-shaped fountain (Fuente del Toro) and walking paths - a leafy retreat with a touch of Piria's mystic design.
Things to do
- Cerro Pan de Azucar Guided Hike Adventure · 4 h · from USD 35 per person
- Sierras de las Animas Trek Adventure · 6 h · from USD 45 per person
- Piriapolis Sport Fishing Trip Adventure · 4 h · from USD 70 per person
Day trips and tours
- Piriapolis & the Sierras Day Trip 7 h · from USD 70
Where to stay in Piriapolis
- Rambla Centro about UYU 70 per night
The seafront strip around the historic Argentino Hotel, with the pedestrian rambla, beach and most restaurants and lodging.
Hotels
- Escondido Hotel Boutique 4-star · USD 85 to USD 160 per night
- Argentino Hotel 4-star · USD 90 to USD 200 per night
- Piriapolis Hostel 2-star · USD 18 to USD 50 per night
- Hotel Rivadavia 3-star · USD 55 to USD 100 per night
Where to eat
- Don Pipo Uruguayan, Italian · about UYU 1,200 per person
- Rincon del Puerto Seafood, Uruguayan · about UYU 1,400 per person
- La Cuadra Parrilla Parrilla, Uruguayan · about UYU 1,300 per person
- Artemisia Cafe Cafe, Brunch · about UYU 650 per person
Getting to Piriapolis
Nearest airport: Punta del Este (PDP), about 17 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Piriapolis
- Bus from Tres Cruces, Montevideo By road from Montevideo · common · unconfirmed
Buses run from Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal to Piriapolis; direct services are best. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Walk from Terminal Piriapolis unconfirmed
The terminal is three blocks north of the Casino; most of the town is walkable. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
Intercity buses link Piriapolis with Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal, and a local bus runs from the town terminal to Pan de Azucar.
- Car Rental Self
- Taxi
There is a taxi stand downtown, and the town is small enough that most places can be reached on foot.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Petty beach and rambla theft
Central beach and Rambla de los Argentinos
Unattended phones, towels and bags are occasionally taken from the busy summer beach and promenade.
How to avoid it: Keep valuables with you, especially during peak summer weekends, and do not leave items unattended on the sand.
Best time to visit Piriapolis
- Jan 25°C
- Feb 25°C
- Mar 24°C
- Apr 21°C
- May 17°C
- Jun 14°C
- Jul 13°C
- Aug 14°C
- Sep 15°C
- Oct 18°C
- Nov 21°C
- Dec 24°C
More in Uruguay
Frequently asked questions about Piriapolis
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Piriapolis?
- The highest-rated places in our Piriapolis guide are Rambla de los Argentinos y Playa Piriapolis, Cerro San Antonio, Reserva Cerro Pan de Azucar, Puerto de Piriapolis, Castillo de Piria.
- Where should I stay in Piriapolis?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Piriapolis: Rambla Centro.
- How do I get around Piriapolis?
- Ways to get around Piriapolis covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Piriapolis?
- Scams reported to us for Piriapolis include Petty beach and rambla theft. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Piriapolis?
- Average daytime highs in Piriapolis run from 13°C in Jul to 25°C in Jan.
- Which airport is nearest to Piriapolis?
- The nearest airport to Piriapolis has the code PDP.