Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay. This is a country of 3 million people and half of that population lives in Montevideo. As a result, it is an incredibly important city for the country. In addition, it has one of the main ports into the South America continent. Below are some of the various things to do in Montevideo.
Logistics of Staying in Montevideo
Where to Stay
The best neighborhood to stay in is Pocitos, Montevideo. It is a dense residential neighborhood next to a large beach. This neighborhood is where you’ll find many restaurants and bars in the city. It is a comfortable and walkable area where you can truly walk around at any time of the day. While the center seems tempting, it does get empty and uncomfortable in the evenings and weekends. For the sake of this article, we will assume that you are staying in Pocitos.
Check out different hotels available in the Pocitos neighborhood of Montevideo.
Getting Into the City
If you are taking a bus into the city, either from Punta del Este or from Colonia del Sacramento, you will arrive at the main bus station, Tres Cruces. To get to your accommodations, you can take a taxi or the bus. You can read about transportation through Uruguay and in Montevideo here.
Check out different bus options available to get to Montevideo.
Renting a car may be helpful to get around Uruguay independently. Check out your options here.
Here are some flight options for getting to Montevideo.
Day 1: Arrival and Discovering the Things to do in Montevideo
Exploring Your New Neighborhood
After dropping off your bags at your accommodation, you will walk through the neighborhood to explore. If the weather is nice, take advantage of the beach that is at your footsteps. Check the flags on the lifeguard stations if you want to go into the water. Remember that the water here is freshwater from the Rio de la Plata.
If you want to go for a walk, take a stroll along “the rambla” (the road along the bank of the river) towards the Montevideo letters. This will be a nice walk along the neighborhood and you will be able to take in the large condos that line the river. This walk is one of the best things to do in Montevideo.
There are a number of places in the neighborhood to eat dinner, including traditional Uruguayan cuisine and other international foods.
Day 2: Exploring the Old Town
Best Things to Do in Montevideo: Touring the Old Town
You will start this day of exploring the things to do in Montevideo with a walking tour of the Old Town. This is a free walking tour, but don’t forget to tip the guide! The tours are in Spanish or English and give you an overarching view of the history and culture of Montevideo and Uruguay as a whole. You can sign up for the tour here. The tour takes about 3 hours and will end at the Mercado del Puerto, a food market in the Old Town. This will be the perfect place to grab lunch.
Taking in the Views
After lunch, take a walk down the main avenue of Uruguay. You will be heading towards a free viewpoint of the city. On the way, stop by Libreria Puro Verso to see a beautiful and unique bookstore.
The viewpoint is the “Mirador Panorámico de la Intendencia de Montevideo”. It is completely free and has a 360 degree view of the city. You will be able to see the Pocitos beach, the old town area, and the surrounding metro. The viewpoint is open until 8 pm, allowing you to take advantage of the sunset views and one of the best things to do in Montevideo. Stay here as long as you want before heading back to the Pocitos neighborhood for dinner and a night out at some of the bars in the area.
Day 3: A Relaxing Departure
Best Things to Do in Montevideo: Walking Along the Rambla
You can start your final day exploring the different things to do in Montevideo by walking along the Rambla, towards the west. Your first stop will be Castillo Pittamiglio, a unique structure that is now a cultural center. Next, you will head to the Punta Carretas Shopping Center. This was a former prison that has been converted into a modern mall. During the dictatorship of the 70s and 80s, political prisoners were housed and tortured in this prison. It now has a memorial for those who fought for political freedom and democracy.
Optional Things to do in Montevideo: Heading to the Park
If you have time after this walk, you can take a bus or taxi to Parque Prado. This is a large and beautiful park and has multiple gardens within that you can explore. Spend the rest of your time in Montevideo here before picking up your luggage and continuing on your journey.
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