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Montevideo is a charming city, especially if you have spent time in hectic Buenos Aires. It’s calmer, more laid back, and locals take advantage of the river all year round. You’ll see kite surfers and families along the city’s ten beaches, people heading to the bars and cafés to take in the sunset, and the massive fifteen-mile rambla is perfect for cycling, roller-blading, getting in a run or just walking off the awesome food and drink. We put together this list of ten things to do in Montevideo, but if you haven’t yet, you should definitely buy the Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo for 140 pages of carefully curated info and spots.
Montevideo deserves at least three days and nights in your travel itinerary—to really get a flavour of the city. Even better, stay a week or ten days. Head out taking your time—and sleep siestas. The city needs to be slowly savoured to feel its essence.
Montevideo has the longest unbroken sidewalk in the world, though of course, given Uruguay’s low-key attitude, no one had ever written about it that way, till Guru’Guay did back in 2016 when our first guidebook came out. The rambla, as it is known, is Montevideo’s 14-mile (24 km) promenade, which stretches from the Old City to Carrasco near the airport. And to make it even better, the rambla passes by ten beaches, all with fine white sand. Montevideans just love the rambla and their beaches, and flock to them all year round, by day and by night. Parque Rodó, Pocitos, Malvin and Carrasco have their own beaches but any beach is accessible by bike, bus or walking within minutes. The word for beach in Spanish is playa—pronounced ply-zhah in Uruguayan 🙂
The Teatro Solís (say it tay-AA-tro sol-EES), Uruguay’s oldest working theatre, was inaugurated in 1856 and refurbished and reopened in 2004. There is a lively 30-minute tour to all the secret parts of the building as well as the two theatres and backstage. Visit the theatre in the morning to find out what time the English tour is that day and while you are it, why not check the box office for shows, which are very affordable. Tickets are often available until the last minute. The theatre has a lovely gift shop and a good café. Open daily with tours several times a day in English for a small entrance fee.
For an unforgettable experience, catch a performance—whether opera, ballet, theatre, or live music—inside this stunning historic venue. Tickets are available online via Tickantel or at the theatre’s box office daily from 3 PM to 7 PM.
Outdoor living is a big part of Montevidean life. This is something I love about the city. Montevideans love to eat and drink in the open air, so when Uruguay became the fourth country in the world to ban smoking indoors in public places no one had much trouble adapting to the new legislation and street-side cafés blossomed.
Parque Rodó (par-kay roh-DOH), also the name of its lively neighborhood, boasts more statues and monuments than any other park in the city. Join mate-sipping locals for a daytime stroll, or revisit simpler times at its charming waterside funfair.
In leafy El Prado, grand 1880s summer mansions—some elegant, some faded—line quiet streets perfect for off-the-beaten-path wandering. At its heart lie El Prado Park and the delightfully “wild” (as my mother put it) Botanical Garden.
While Buenos Aires’ Recoleta Cemetery draws global crowds, Montevideo’s Buceo Cemetery—even more striking, in my opinion—remains a hidden gem. Palm-shaded tombs overlook the river, just a 30-minute bus ride from downtown. Open daily, 8 AM–5 PM.
Most of Montevideo’s museums are free to the public. It is a real shame that most museums don’t include any information in English and that they do not tend to open on weekends. Fortunately art museums are open on weekends. The best explanation that I’ve been volunteered for this is that the local government appears to envisage the majority of visitors to museums as being local schoolchildren.
Not to be missed is the Andes Plane Crash Museum. Besides that check out the stunning buildings housing the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Gaucho Museum and the Romantic Museum.
Montevideo has a bunch of public art museums. There are very few private galleries with exhibitions; instead most galleries are primarily dedicated to selling. Most art museums are free of charge and unlike regular museums tend to be open on weekends. Private museums charge a small fee. Personal favourites include the National Museum of Visual Arts (in Parque Rodó, see above), Museo Torres García and the Montevideo Photography Centre. For more museum recommendations check the Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo.
Most people are taken by surprise to hear that tango is a quintessential Uruguayan music form and dance. As usual, those flashy Argentinians have done a better job at marketing. But it’s actually more accurate to refer to tango as rioplatense, that is, from the River Plate region encompassing the area on both side of the river, including Buenos Aires and Montevideo. If you are a beginner or intermediate dancer, Montevideo is definitely the place for you to improve your technique. The milonga—or tango salon—scene in Montevideo is much more friendly and less intimidating than in Buenos Aires.
Check Baar Fun Fun, the oldest tango club in town. Open five days a week from early by Uruguayan standards, drinks are reasonably priced and the performers are the real deal. Esquina Carlos Gardel and El Chamuyo are classic venues, they keep their pages up to date with the weekly schedule and classes are offered at really affordable prices.
The early 1900s in Uruguay was a period of extraordinary change and progress, which was reflected in the 1930s by a golden era in architecture. Architects like Julio Vilamajó and Mauricio Cravotto were at the vanguard—designing modernist houses and buildings in the very heart of the city. There are hundreds of wonderful buildings to see in Montevideo. For this selection, I have focused on places where you can actually go and wander. But when you are on the streets, do look out for buildings, including many homes “signed” by architectural giants like Vilamajó, Cravotto and Scasso.
Railway buffs should check out the Peñarol Railway Industrial Heritage Centre.
Recommended architectural guide to Montevideo: To get your architectural juices flowing, check out the Architectural and Urban Guide to Montevideo—a little gem I unearthed on the local government website. In English and Spanish, the guide is beautifully designed and perfect for curious travellers and photographers. It includes almost 400 buildings and spaces organised by neighbourhood.
Uruguay is a hidden gem for wine lovers. With over 180 wineries (many considered world-class), there’s something for everyone. Try Tannat, the country’s flagship wine. Or take a chance with fun newcomers like pet-nat (a natural sparkling wine) or orange wine (made with grape skins). Sip a glass paired with local cheese or grilled meats. Pro tip: Take your time. Uruguay’s wine scene is all about slowing down and enjoying the moment.
Check Baco, a neighbourhood French bistro with fine dining flair, featuring an extensive wine list and varied by-the-glass choices. In addition to the fun wines by the glass list, the bottle list has around 150 options, almost all of which are South American. The emphasis is on boutique wines that can’t be found in the supermarket.
The Guardian described Mercado del Puerto (Port Market) as “Disneyland for carnivores”. I’ve not seen any place like it, not even in Argentina. Flames everywhere! It’s a bit of a tourist trap and more expensive than most parrillas, but saying that, Uruguayans love it too. It’s a place to go at midday when you’ll see the market in its full glory. In the evening most stands are closed. Our recommendation: Cabaña Verónica for guaranteed great steak & Uruguayan asado.
Vegetarians or those who would like the experience but want to order something lighter and then have lunch elsewhere should order the classic roasted stuffed pepper with melted cheese and olives and ham, which is often not on the menu. To get it without the ham, order “Un morrón relleno sin jamón”.
Candombe is an essential part of Uruguayan culture. Every neighbourhood has its comparsa (troupe), regardless of social class or background. Anyone who spends time in Uruguay, should keep your ears open for the sound of candombe. The drum-heavy music is native to Uruguay. You’ll see groups of drummers processing down the street accompanied by dancers at the head of the procession. Neighbours hang out on their balconies watching. Crowds gather to watch and follow along. Traffic will stop to let the drummers slowly cross the street. Check out the dos and don’ts of what to do at a candombe practice.
Montevideo has charming bookshops. Historic Más Puro Verso, in the Old City next to the Torres Garcia Museum, and Escaramuza, in Parque Rodó are probably the most gorgeous.
Looking for books in English? The more modern bookshops, especially those in upper-middle-class neighbourhoods like Pocitos and Punta Carretas and in shopping malls, sell a small selection of books in English. There is a huge selection of second-hand books in English at Diomedes Libros in Parque Rodó.
Need a Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo and Uruguay? There’s a small stash at Baco and Fuzz Cafe in Punta Carretas and the Old City respectively and Salon No. 3 in La Barra.
Namasté — Vegetarian restaurant in Montevideo
Namasté is more than just a vegetarian restaurant in Montevideo. This colourful, family-run spot has been serving vegetarian and vegan food since 2008. And the food is only part of the experience. Come for a relaxed meal, stay for the atmosphere, the friendly service and the chance to slow down for a while.
Dance tango in Uruguay. Whether a complete newbie or you already dance, the tango scene in Montevideo is a great way to make friends.
Estancia Los Plátanos – Authentic 6th generation ranch
Venture into deep Uruguay to Estancia Los Platanos, a working ranch. Just 3 guestrooms—and there’s a gorgeous indoor pool.
Nominate your favourites for the 2027 Montevideo Guru’Guay guide
Do you love a business in the capital that absolutely MUST be in our next best selling Montevideo guidebook?
Ignacio Fuentes, RE/MAX – Recommended Montevideo realtor
Montevideo real estate made easy—foreigners trust this realtor for smooth, reliable rentals and property purchases.
Estancia El Cangüé – Cattle & roses in Paysandú
Home to Uruguay’s biggest rose collection, this 200 year west Uruguay estancia is the perfect destination for outdoor adventure or a wedding.
Martín Pescador – Sierras ranch 1 hr from ocean
Just an hour inland from the beaches of Punta and José Ignacio, the perfect Uruguay estancia, horse riding and trekking.
Uruguay LGBT rights – A trailblazer for over a century
Did you know Uruguay is among the most LGBT-friendly countries worldwide? Small nation. Big equality record.
TEFL Uruguay: new qualification for foreigners and Uruguayans to teach English abroad
TEFL Uruguay comes to Montevideo in 2027: Four-week face-to-face training for foreigners and English-fluent locals.
Expats in Uruguay spill the beans: What life is really like
We interview foreigners in Uruguay who moved here from principally English-speaking countries so you can learn from their mistakes.
Dance tango in Uruguay. Whether a complete newbie or you already dance, the tango scene in Montevideo is a great way to make friends.
TEFL Uruguay comes to Montevideo in 2027: Four-week face-to-face training for foreigners and English-fluent locals.
Between June and August, visit Uruguay for horse-riding, great music and culture, bonfire parties, wine tasting & whale-watching.
For 200 years, estancia San Pedro de Timote has been the pride of Uruguay. Today it’s a historic country hotel where you can go riding and meet gauchos.
Unique ocean-front location to reconnect with nature—with luxury touches—on one of Uruguay’s most deserted beaches in Maldonado.
Fine white sands, pines, mysterious structures—an eagle head & a UNESCO Heritage church. This Uruguay beach town is 30′ from the airport.
