Things to do & places to visit in Montevideo Department, Uruguay

Montevideo Department #1 destination in Uruguay 2023. The average rating score is 4.36 based on 83.3k traveler reviews, of 32 attractions. Timezone: America/Montevideo, current date and time: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 2:59.

Top things to do (22)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Auditorio del Sodre (1.233 reviews)
- spacious, good acoustics
Theaters

This cultural center features concerts, movies, ballets and other types of performances, as well as art and other cultural exhibits. See more..
5.0 Bodega Spinoglio (191 reviews)
- Absolutely amazing
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

BODEGA SPINOGLIO | A WINELAND TO DISCOVER GUIDE VISITS-WINE TASTINGS-RESTAURANT The experience of visiting this this family winery will be unique for your senses. Exceptionel surrounding where you´ll be able to connect with nature, enjoying the vineyards and more than 6000 m² of park. You will be able to visit te XIX century built cellar, with its awesome arquitecture and the seal of French craftmen, which is now enhanced with technology to help produce high quality wines. Lying underground, the impressive CAVA with its solid stone walls and natural control of temperature and humidity, has the ideal conditions to grow our wines. Our RESTAURANT MonfrA (which in Piedmontese means Monferrato) offer a unique gourmet experience in an exceptional place, where family celebrations and lunches were held. In this way we honor our history by recalling the culinary traditions of the family, with the wood fire, the fresh ingredients of the garden and the love in the preparation of each dish. See more..
4.5 Rambla de Montevideo (15.4k reviews)
- Montevideo's Best Free Activity-Walking the Rambla!
Scenic Walking Areas

The Rambla is a paved pedestrian walkway that goes on for miles and miles from Montevideo's Old City (Ciudad Vieja) all along the water past many of the city's neighborhoods (Parque Rodo, Pocitos, Buceo, etc.). Walk as far as you want, then take a cab back.Cabs are very inexpensive in MVD. Or, like we did, take a cab to a far point and work your way back. We had the cab drop us at Cementario del Buceo, which is the city's old (established 1872) cemetary. It is a beautiful park with stunning tomb sculptures. Then we walked back, investigating the neighborhoods as we went and soaking up the sunshine. We stopped at the Montevideo Shopping Mall for lunch with the locals at La Pasiva (wildly popular Uruguayan fast food) in the food court. Caught a cab back to our place in the old city from Playa Ramirez (best place to watch the sunset in MVD). The Rambla is a real treasure of the city, and a great place to watch and meet people. See more..
4.5 Plaza Independencia (8.199 reviews)
- Gateway to the Old City
Points of Interest & Landmarks

This prominent plaza divides the old from the new Uruguay, and is surrounded by an interesting array of architectural styles. It also contains a statue of General Artigas, considered the father of Uruguay. See more..
4.5 Mercado Agricola Montevideo - MAM (6.710 reviews)
- Much better than the typical tourist destinations to get a taste of Montevideo
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

It's a real mix of vendors and products, but it's well worth a visit to get a taste of Montevideo. There are also some very good restaurants in the market -- among a wide range of choices. There are souvenirs that tend to have prices somewhat below what you would pay in the Center, Old Town, or Port Market. While this market is a bit out of the way (that simply means not within easy walking distance of the center of town), nonetheless, it is well worth a visit. See more..
4.5 Theatre Solis (6.254 reviews)
- Great tour!
Saturday: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Theaters

Opened in 1856, this once-prominent music theater hosted world-renowned conductors, composers and performers until 1930, and now features occasional cultural events. See more..
4.5 Pocitos (5.552 reviews)
- Meeting Pocitos
Neighborhoods

This fashionable seaside neighborhood has all the amenities: shopping malls, movies, restaurants and bars. See more..
4.5 Palacio Legislativo (3.525 reviews)
- Beautiful and interesting
Spent 1-2 hours Government Buildings

One of Montevideo's most impressive landmarks is this neo-classical, three-story building, constructed in the early 1900s, and housing significant works of art inside. See more..
4.5 Catedral de Montevideo (3.087 reviews)
- Peaceful beauty
Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

Notable for its domed bell towers, this 1804 cathedral is the burial place for some of the country’s most important figures. See more..
4.5 Andes Museum (1.735 reviews) from $8.00
- An outstanding small museum; a highlight of Montevideo
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

The Andes Museum is one of the best small museums I have visited in a long time, and my visit was definitely one of the things I will remember most about Montevideo. The museum covers the true story of the 1972 Uruguayan plane crash in the Andes Mountains, the inspiring story of the 16 survivors, and the tragic and heartbreaking stories of the 24 men and women who lost their lives. The museum is very well-organized and clears up a number of misconceptions about the crash but it was the unexpected commentary and personal attention from the museum's founder that made visiting the museum a truly special experience. I spent far longer here than I expected to and the whole experience made me want to learn even more by reading books by some of the survivors. Highly recommended. See more..
4.5 Bouza Bodega Boutique (1.080 reviews)
- Do the lunch!!!
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Wineries & Vineyards

We started out with a wine tour, which was very informative. We then had lunch at the winery. The lunch was absolutely magnificent. The steak was a very large portion that melted in your mouth. The serving of salmon was huge and cooked to perfection. This was one of the best meals we have had. The meal also came with 3 different wine pairings, which were superb. See more..
4.5 Mirador Panoramico de Montevideo (846 reviews)
- And It's FREE!
Lookouts

Certainly can't beat the price. Given the fantastic views, the city could make a few bucks with a small admission charge. It wouldn't have deterred us. We were there on a beautiful sunny breezy day. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. See more..
4.5 Sofitel Montevideo Casino (714 reviews)
- Restored beautifully
Casinos

While we only hear for the half day tour this was included because of its beauty. Abandoned and abused by transients. Sofitel came in and renovated it. The was much to do but surprisingly much of the interior decorations were still intact before they started the renovation See more..
4.5 El Prado (706 reviews)
- Great old 20th century upper class neighborhood and parks
Parks

Pause for a restful break at this tranquil park with beautiful trees, fountains, a lake and walkways. See more..
4.5 Palacio Taranco (638 reviews)
- Gorgeous!
Saturday: 12:30 PM - 5:45 PM Art Museums

This impressive 20th-century building was designed by French architects and now houses a decorative arts museum with Uruguayan furniture, clocks, paintings and more. See more..
4.5 Iglesia de las Carmelitas (551 reviews)
- Lovely
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals

Gorgeous gothic church in the Prado neighbourhood. Lots of history here. Unfortunately it wasn't open when we arrived but still nice to see from the outside. See more..
4.5 Mercado Ferrando (527 reviews)
- Great destination for foodies
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 AM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

In Mercado Ferrando you will find 2000 M² of architectural heritage reborn as a purely gastronomic experience, with a careful selection of local proposals with global thinking. It is a place created to unite proposals, people and innovative experiences around the gastronomic universe. We work on a schedule of events that fill you with reasons to want to return. There is always something new to do in the Market. We are waiting for you! See more..
4.5 Librería Puro Verso (438 reviews)
- Stunning historic bookstore
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Libraries

This bookstore is breathtakingly beautiful. We just happened upon it one evening and I was shocked at accidentally coming across such a gem. Go in for the architecture and history and, if you're a reader and you read Spanish, you won't be able to leave without buying at least one book. See more..
4.5 Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes Juan Manuel Blanes (436 reviews)
- Surprising Japanese garden
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Art Museums

Some of Uruguay’s most celebrated artists are exhibited at this national art museum, which features different types of art work from the country’s beginnings to modern times. See more..
4.5 Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales (359 reviews)
- Really lovely mix of Uruguayan artists and others - and free entry too!
Saturday: 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM Art Museums

The work of local artists is creatively displayed in this museum that dates back to 1911. See more..
4.0 Mercado del Puerto (7.868 reviews)
- Place to Eat and Drink
Spent More than 3 hours Flea & Street Markets

At one time a train station, this wrought-iron structure is now a market housing an array of restaurants that specialize in meat and seafood dishes. See more..
4.0 Ciudad Vieja (6.735 reviews)
- Lots of great architecture
Neighborhoods

This “Old City” by the harbor retains remnants of the past, like iron gates and colonial street lamps, and, with antique shops, museums and cafes, it’s a great place for browsing. See more..
4.0 Parque Rodo (2.311 reviews)
- peacefull and pretty
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Parks

This seaside park not only has the usual park amenities - trees and a lake - but also has restaurants, discotheques, an amusement center and a summer theater. See more..
4.0 Montevideo Sign (2.227 reviews)
- Love these city signs!
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

It's great to take photos of these city signs, especially when the background is so pretty. In the background of this sign, is a skyline of Montevideo along La Rambla, a 10 mile upscale ride along the waterfront. Our Uber driver was kind enough to stop here while we took photos. La Rambla was very busy with traffic so watch when you cross the street to get here. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the sign. There is a line to take solo photos of the sign so you need to be assertive in order to get your photos done in a timely fashion. See more..
4.0 Palacio Salvo (1.894 reviews)
- The most beautiful building in Momtevideo
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Architectural Buildings

This striking building, once the highest in South America, towers over the main square, Plaza Independencia. See more..
4.0 Estadio Centenario (1.127 reviews)
- Piece of history
Sports Complexes

It is a stadium that brings back impressions of the 30s and 50s. Built 100 years after the constitution was established in Uruguay and hosted the world cup that Uruguay won. It feels old as it enters its 9th decade but this feeling is what exactly makes it a piece of football history. The tower is an imposing structure overseeing the stadium. You can visit the tribunes but not the pitch. Great experience. See more..
4.0 Artigas Mausoleum (1.070 reviews)
- Below the monument
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Under the Jose Artigas monument in Plaza Independencia lie his remains. There are ramps on the side on the monument that go to the underground mausoleum. There are guards there during opening times from 9-5 PM. There is an urn with his remains on a marble slab. On the walls are important dates in his life. Photos allowed. See more..
4.0 Castillo Pittamiglio (815 reviews)
- Wonderful and magical place
Saturday: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Castles

It is wonderful to see that this magical place, unique un Uruguay, has been recovered. The museum and a walk through the castle grounds, take us back to an era thet we should not forget. After visiting the museum and going through the mysterious gardens, we enjoyed a nice coffee in the shop, full of creativity and magic. When visiting Uruguay, don't miss this experience. See more..
4.0 Fortaleza del Cerro (675 reviews)
- high point of the city
Military Museums

Take that title literally. Uruguay is rather flat and low so even though the fort is only on a low hill it is certainly the highest point in the area. The problem with visiting the fort is that you probably need your own vehicle to do it. The area around the fort is partly slums and my wife who is Uruguayan is very wary of being in such areas. Plan your route and go straight to the fort. They supposedly have an entry fee, about 20 pesos (US$1) from memory but the last time I went there was no-one there to collect it. The interior rooms have an interesting collection of uniforms and armaments from down the ages. One time when the weather was good we had a picnic on the lawns to one side of the fort. Again, my wife was not comfortable because of the proximity to the slums further down the hill. I guess I am a bit more laid back when it comes to things like that. All in all a nice way to spend a couple of hours if you have access to a vehicle. See more..
4.0 Jardin Botanico (448 reviews)
- An Oasis of Peace in Prado
Saturday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Gardens

As oasis of peace, tranquility and reflection not too far outside of Montevideo centro. What better way to get away from it all than a stroll through the beautiful and lush Jardin Botanico in Prado. I recommend spending at least one hour here to explore the various paths. Signs point to Asia floral. Be sure to have your phone or camera ready to capture spectacular shots of nature. Well--maintained location and beautiful. See more..