Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car
Local costs

Montevideo travel guide

Montevideo Tourism | Montevideo Guide

You're Going to Love Montevideo

Montevideo is set along the banks of the Río de la Plata. Visitors will be struck by the historic architecture of Ciudad Vieja (Old Town), striking mountains, and the Spanish and Portuguese influences. For views of the entire city, check out the Fortaleza del Cerro, stroll through the Plaza Independencia, or go for a swim in the Carrasco neighborhood.

Article

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Montevideo

1. The Rambla

The Rambla is a 17-mile-long boardwalk along the coast. Enjoy the fresh breeze while sipping a "mate", herbal tea poured into a hollow gourd for sweetness.

2. Go Back in Time in Ciudad Vieja

Spend an entire day rummaging old bookshops and antique stores, and then hit the Mercado del Puerto around lunchtime for grilled meats, stews, and market fare.

3. Dinner and a Dance

Watch a tango show on Fridays and Saturdays, or participate in a milonga, a group that tangos just for fun.

4. Scour the Flea Markets

Latin America's largest flea market, the Feria de Tristán Narvaja, runs on Sundays and sells everything from tortas fritas to old cameras and furniture.

5. Come for Carnaval

Carnaval runs for a week in February, which begins with the main "llamadas" in the south part of downtown Montevideo. Take in the colorful folk performances, live dioramas, and nighttime celebrations of Murgas.

1. The Rambla

The Rambla is a 17-mile-long boardwalk along the coast. Enjoy the fresh breeze while sipping a "mate", herbal tea poured into a hollow gourd for sweetness.

2. Go Back in Time in Ciudad Vieja

Spend an entire day rummaging old bookshops and antique stores, and then hit the Mercado del Puerto around lunchtime for grilled meats, stews, and market fare.

3. Dinner and a Dance

Watch a tango show on Fridays and Saturdays, or participate in a milonga, a group that tangos just for fun.

4. Scour the Flea Markets

Latin America's largest flea market, the Feria de Tristán Narvaja, runs on Sundays and sells everything from tortas fritas to old cameras and furniture.

5. Come for Carnaval

Carnaval runs for a week in February, which begins with the main "llamadas" in the south part of downtown Montevideo. Take in the colorful folk performances, live dioramas, and nighttime celebrations of Murgas.

What to do in Montevideo

1. Plaza Independencia: A View to Remember

No matter which angle you set up from, the Plaza Independencia offers breathtaking views you'll never forget. You could take a promenade of her spaces and streets from the ground and this pedestrian view will open up details about the stunning buildings, greens, and fountains. You can experience its beauty from nearby buildings like the Solis Theatre or the Executive Tower. Or you could compare the views from the Gateway of the Citadel versus the Artigas Mausoleum at its very heart. No matter how you cut it or from where you stand, the Plaza is a breathing monument to Montevideo.

2. Playa de los Pocitos: Where Beaches are Barrios

"Playas" are just a way of life in Montevideo. In fact, beaches are so prevalent and so intertwined with everyday life that neighborhoods or "barrios", as they're better known, are created around them. Picots is one such upscale barrio where, besides finding scores of teenagers playing soccer and volleyball, you'll be able to tuck into great open-air restaurants and chic shops. Picots should not be labeled as "just a beach district", however, because there is no such thing in Montevideo. The neighborhood has its share of architectural beauty with the nearby Casa Darnaud and Casa Towers, as well as the Escuela Brasil, named as a National Heritage site in 2002.

3. Iglesia Matriz: A Church on the Steps of the Port

The "puerto" barrio (which is the port district) is home to the impressive Catedral Matrix or the Iglesia de la Matriz. The ecclesiastical structure dominates the Plaza Matriz and is located in the Ciudad Vieja neighborhood. Its simple exterior of 8 columns opens to a stunning interior full of zenithal paintings, ornaments, and sombre but beautiful ceremonies. The church is also the home for voting on election day and features a beautiful little park and fountain outside.

4. Mercado del Puerto: A Bustling Bazaar!

Use your time winding around the Mercado del Puerto wisely: there is a lot to do and see and you'll find your senses competing for your attention as you try and take in everything at once. This is Montevideo's oldest market. It's not a makeshift set up: although this "market" may seem informal, it is here to stay, with its wrought-iron superstructure that provides roofing for many steak restaurants. There are always artists and musicians hanging around as well.

5. Museum of Art History: Art and its Antecedents

Whether you're a self-professed art lover or not, the Museum of Art History in Montevideo features a robust collection from civilizations and cultures all over the world. Besides featuring pieces form Hellenic and Egyptian traditions, the museum also puts special emphasis on pre-Columbia art and indigenous cultures. The preservation as well as the exhibition of these historical works is what the Museum of Art History specializes in. It's a great way for travelers to understand the significance and evolution of Montevideo into its modern-day avatar.

1. Plaza Independencia: A View to Remember

No matter which angle you set up from, the Plaza Independencia offers breathtaking views you'll never forget. You could take a promenade of her spaces and streets from the ground and this pedestrian view will open up details about the stunning buildings, greens, and fountains. You can experience its beauty from nearby buildings like the Solis Theatre or the Executive Tower. Or you could compare the views from the Gateway of the Citadel versus the Artigas Mausoleum at its very heart. No matter how you cut it or from where you stand, the Plaza is a breathing monument to Montevideo.

2. Playa de los Pocitos: Where Beaches are Barrios

"Playas" are just a way of life in Montevideo. In fact, beaches are so prevalent and so intertwined with everyday life that neighborhoods or "barrios", as they're better known, are created around them. Picots is one such upscale barrio where, besides finding scores of teenagers playing soccer and volleyball, you'll be able to tuck into great open-air restaurants and chic shops. Picots should not be labeled as "just a beach district", however, because there is no such thing in Montevideo. The neighborhood has its share of architectural beauty with the nearby Casa Darnaud and Casa Towers, as well as the Escuela Brasil, named as a National Heritage site in 2002.

3. Iglesia Matriz: A Church on the Steps of the Port

The "puerto" barrio (which is the port district) is home to the impressive Catedral Matrix or the Iglesia de la Matriz. The ecclesiastical structure dominates the Plaza Matriz and is located in the Ciudad Vieja neighborhood. Its simple exterior of 8 columns opens to a stunning interior full of zenithal paintings, ornaments, and sombre but beautiful ceremonies. The church is also the home for voting on election day and features a beautiful little park and fountain outside.

4. Mercado del Puerto: A Bustling Bazaar!

Use your time winding around the Mercado del Puerto wisely: there is a lot to do and see and you'll find your senses competing for your attention as you try and take in everything at once. This is Montevideo's oldest market. It's not a makeshift set up: although this "market" may seem informal, it is here to stay, with its wrought-iron superstructure that provides roofing for many steak restaurants. There are always artists and musicians hanging around as well.

5. Museum of Art History: Art and its Antecedents

Whether you're a self-professed art lover or not, the Museum of Art History in Montevideo features a robust collection from civilizations and cultures all over the world. Besides featuring pieces form Hellenic and Egyptian traditions, the museum also puts special emphasis on pre-Columbia art and indigenous cultures. The preservation as well as the exhibition of these historical works is what the Museum of Art History specializes in. It's a great way for travelers to understand the significance and evolution of Montevideo into its modern-day avatar.

1. Plaza Independencia: A View to Remember

No matter which angle you set up from, the Plaza Independencia offers breathtaking views you'll never forget. You could take a promenade of her spaces and streets from the ground and this pedestrian view will open up details about the stunning buildings, greens, and fountains. You can experience its beauty from nearby buildings like the Solis Theatre or the Executive Tower. Or you could compare the views from the Gateway of the Citadel versus the Artigas Mausoleum at its very heart. No matter how you cut it or from where you stand, the Plaza is a breathing monument to Montevideo.

2. Playa de los Pocitos: Where Beaches are Barrios

"Playas" are just a way of life in Montevideo. In fact, beaches are so prevalent and so intertwined with everyday life that neighborhoods or "barrios", as they're better known, are created around them. Picots is one such upscale barrio where, besides finding scores of teenagers playing soccer and volleyball, you'll be able to tuck into great open-air restaurants and chic shops. Picots should not be labeled as "just a beach district", however, because there is no such thing in Montevideo. The neighborhood has its share of architectural beauty with the nearby Casa Darnaud and Casa Towers, as well as the Escuela Brasil, named as a National Heritage site in 2002.

3. Iglesia Matriz: A Church on the Steps of the Port

The "puerto" barrio (which is the port district) is home to the impressive Catedral Matrix or the Iglesia de la Matriz. The ecclesiastical structure dominates the Plaza Matriz and is located in the Ciudad Vieja neighborhood. Its simple exterior of 8 columns opens to a stunning interior full of zenithal paintings, ornaments, and sombre but beautiful ceremonies. The church is also the home for voting on election day and features a beautiful little park and fountain outside.

4. Mercado del Puerto: A Bustling Bazaar!

Use your time winding around the Mercado del Puerto wisely: there is a lot to do and see and you'll find your senses competing for your attention as you try and take in everything at once. This is Montevideo's oldest market. It's not a makeshift set up: although this "market" may seem informal, it is here to stay, with its wrought-iron superstructure that provides roofing for many steak restaurants. There are always artists and musicians hanging around as well.

5. Museum of Art History: Art and its Antecedents

Whether you're a self-professed art lover or not, the Museum of Art History in Montevideo features a robust collection from civilizations and cultures all over the world. Besides featuring pieces form Hellenic and Egyptian traditions, the museum also puts special emphasis on pre-Columbia art and indigenous cultures. The preservation as well as the exhibition of these historical works is what the Museum of Art History specializes in. It's a great way for travelers to understand the significance and evolution of Montevideo into its modern-day avatar.

Where to Eat in Montevideo

Enjoy a scrumptious but inexpensive meal at Café Bacacay for U$400. Or check out Cru for authentic and innovative Uruguayan cuisine, where two can dine for around U$2,400.

When to visit Montevideo

Montevideo in August
Estimated hotel price
$176
1 night at 3-star hotel
Montevideo in August
Estimated hotel price
$176
1 night at 3-star hotel

Summertime (from mid-November to mid-March) is pleasant, and temperatures can get up to 86 degrees. Though it can get cold, temperatures rarely go below 33 degrees.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Montevideo

Plane

The Carrasco International Airport (CVD) is 9 miles east of the city center. From here, you can take a local bus for U$51, or a coach to the central Tres Cruces bus terminal downtown for U$134.

Car

The fastest way to reach Montevideo from cities like Porto Alegre, Brazil, is to take route route BR-116 and cross at Jaguarão. There are plenty of tolls along the route so carry Uruguayan currency.

Bus

The main bus station that services buses coming in from Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile is the Tres Cruces terminal.

Plane

The Carrasco International Airport (CVD) is 9 miles east of the city center. From here, you can take a local bus for U$51, or a coach to the central Tres Cruces bus terminal downtown for U$134.

Car

The fastest way to reach Montevideo from cities like Porto Alegre, Brazil, is to take route route BR-116 and cross at Jaguarão. There are plenty of tolls along the route so carry Uruguayan currency.

Bus

The main bus station that services buses coming in from Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile is the Tres Cruces terminal.

Airports near Montevideo

MVDMontevideo Carrasco
PDPPunta Del Este

Airlines serving Montevideo

Lufthansa
Good (7,208 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,366 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,089 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,975 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,654 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,889 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,818 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,859 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,472 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,285 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,593 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,669 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (998 reviews)
Avianca
Good (2,363 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,805 reviews)
Air Europa
Good (540 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,718 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,465 reviews)
GOL
Good (1,082 reviews)
Qantas Airways
Good (870 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Montevideo

Where to stay in Montevideo

Carrasco - this "barrio" is its own trendy haven of shops with an upscale main street, local restaurants, and an extensive beach.

Popular Neighborhoods in Montevideo

Ciudad Vieja - situated right on the Rambla, Ciudad Vieja was the only part of Montevideo for a long time. It is historic, with tons of beautiful architecture, theaters, and cafes, and live music in the square.

Centro - this is the downtown area with very affordable hotels along the Rambla and Avenida 18 de Julio, Plaza Independencia, and the Art Deco-inspired Palacio Salvo.

Ciudad Vieja - situated right on the Rambla, Ciudad Vieja was the only part of Montevideo for a long time. It is historic, with tons of beautiful architecture, theaters, and cafes, and live music in the square.
Centro - this is the downtown area with very affordable hotels along the Rambla and Avenida 18 de Julio, Plaza Independencia, and the Art Deco-inspired Palacio Salvo.
Most popular hotel in Montevideo by neighbourhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Montevideo

Most booked hotels in Montevideo

See all
Palladium Business Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
$94+
View
Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
$230+
View
Alfa Suites - Montevideo
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$82+
View
Holiday Inn Montevideo
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$132+
View
Dazzler by Wyndham Montevideo
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
$107+
View
Hotel California
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$64+
View

How to Get Around Montevideo

Public Transportation

Montevideo is well connected by public transit. A single fare for the bus costs U$26 and lasts for an hour. You can also use the rechargeable Tarjeta STM cards.

Taxi

There are lots of taxis but they are steep in price. The flat rate starts at U$35.81 and it is U$33.53 per mile after that.

Car

Montevideo is easily navigable, and you can rent cars starting at U$1,000 from Avis. From Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, there is a tariff for parking. Pay the fee at the closest Abitab office.

Public Transportation

Montevideo is well connected by public transit. A single fare for the bus costs U$26 and lasts for an hour. You can also use the rechargeable Tarjeta STM cards.

Taxi

There are lots of taxis but they are steep in price. The flat rate starts at U$35.81 and it is U$33.53 per mile after that.

Car

Montevideo is easily navigable, and you can rent cars starting at U$1,000 from Avis. From Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, there is a tariff for parking. Pay the fee at the closest Abitab office.

Car hire agencies in Montevideo

Avis

Avis

Thrifty

Thrifty

Budget

Budget
Find car hire in Montevideo

The Cost of Living in Montevideo

Shopping Streets

Check out the Tres Cruces Terminal shopping mall, Portones Shopping in Carrasco, or the Mercado del Puerto, which is a covered, outdoor marketplace.

Groceries and Other

A quart of milk costs U$25.56, you'll find Tienda Inglesa supermarkets near the waterfront.

Cheap meal
$22.88
A pair of jeans
$152.42
Single public transport ticket
$1.60
Cappuccino
$4.84

Montevideo Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Montevideo city guide for the best Montevideo travel tips. To help you organise your Montevideo trip ideas, this Montevideo visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.