With charming European-style architecture, lovely beaches, and a lively arts scene, Uruguay’s largest city is an exciting mixture of cultures old and new.
The capital of Uruguay is Montevideo, an engrossing modern city with a small-town atmosphere. It is a city of many faces, just waiting to be explored. Admire the European stylings of the colonial old town, stroll around its high-end beach suburbs, and delve into the passion of its football culture and its arts scene.
On a western peninsula of the city, you will find the remarkably scenic and eminently walkable Ciudad Vieja (Old Town). This historic centre is home to lovely edifices from the 18th and 19th centuries. Enter the French-style Palacio Taranco and browse the European art and furniture on display at the Museum of Decorative Arts inside. Head to the Mercado del Puerto, a market area with craft shops, parrillas (steakhouses), and street performers.
Visit the Plaza Constitución to see some of the city’s finest architecture on display: the 18th-century Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral and the old neoclassical city hall, the Montevideo Cabildo. Take a walk along the pedestrian-only Sarandi street, which is lined with antique stores, galleries, and artisan stands.
The old town is connected to central Montevideo by the Plaza Independencia. Take a look around, keeping an eye out for the last remnant of the city’s fortifications, the Puerta de la Ciudadela (Gateway of the Citadel). Head to the Teatro Solís to watch an opera or to tour the backstage areas, then visit the Museo Torres Garcia to see the works of Uruguayan artist Joaquin Torres Garcia.
Experience a different angle on Montevideo with a walk through the city’s exclusive beach suburbs of Carrasco and Pocitos. Stroll along the beautiful riverside promenade called La Rambla, which is lined with beaches, public parks, restaurants, and bars. There you will also find the open-air Teatro de Verano, which hosts performances of traditional murga and candombé song and dance.
Over at Parque Batlle, you can see first-hand the famous South American passion for soccer by catching a match at the Centenary Stadium. Continue on to the Museum of Football, which houses displays of soccer memorabilia.
Montevideo is accessible by plane, bus, or ferry. Get around the city using its cheap, efficient public bus system. Think about getting out to see the rest of Uruguay, a small nation famous for its beautiful beaches and wine-growing regions, by using a rental car or long-haul bus service.
