What to See in Montevideo
Did you know that the southernmost capital of South America is in Uruguay? Montevideo is full of interesting places to visit, with palaces, museums, skyscrapers, parks, temples and much more. Plus, you’ll find Latin joy and exquisite cuisine all over this must-see destination.
Despite its many charms, this city remains fairly unknown to many international tourists. Therefore, we’ve prepared a short guide on what to see in Montevideo so you don’t miss out on any of the essential places to visit in the city.
Montevideo at a glance
Population: 1,780,000 inhabitants
Size: 200.7 km2 (77.5 mi2)
National language: Spanish
Currency: Uruguayan peso
A bit of history
Many people believe that the first Europeans that came to Montevideo were the Portuguese. However, Spaniards from Buenos Aires and the Canary Islands arrived in 1724 which was what would condition the future of these lands. Montevideo became the main port of the Río de la Plata River, giving it endless possibilities for growth. It also established a relationship of ongoing feuds with Buenos Aires.
British and Brazilian invasions marked the history of Montevideo until Uruguay’s ultimate Declaration of Independence in 1828. Since then, the capital has also experienced various civil wars before reaching the state of prosperity that characterises it today.
Metropolitan Cathedral of Montevideo
Listed as a National Historic Monument, it’s obvious why the Metropolitan Cathedral is a must-see in Montevideo. It’s the most important Catholic temple in the city and dates back to colonial times.
The building we see today looks nothing like the original brick church from the 18th century. However, the current building is impressive with its neoclassical aesthetics and is famous for being home to the two patron saints of the city, Santiago and San Felipe. An excellent way to learn all about this cathedral is by taking our guided tour of Montevideo.
Salvo Palace
During your visit, you’ll definitely come across Independence Square, one of the most important central locations in Montevideo. There are various interesting places around here, including the Salvo Palace. At 83 meters (272 feet) high, it’s one of the tallest buildings in the city. Designed in the early 20th century in the Art Deco style, at the time of its construction, it became one of the tallest towers in Latin America.
In fact, this monument has a twin, the Barolo Palace in Buenos Aires. Both buildings were designed by the Italian architect Mario Palanti designed and based on Dante’s Divine Comedy. How interesting!
Uruguay’s Parliament Building
On a sightseeing tour of Montevideo, you can’t miss out on Uruguay’s Parliament Building, also known as the Legislative Palace. It was inaugurated on 25th August 1925, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Brazil. It took almost 3 decades to be built!
The palace is reminiscent of the temples of Classical Antiquity in Greece due to its Greco-Roman style. It’s also known for the sculptures that decorate its gardens, thanks to the Italian sculptor Giannino Castiglioni.
Andes Museum 1972
Among the numerous museums to see in Montevideo, we recommend checking out the Andes Museum 1972. Here, you can discover all the details of one of the most tragic plane crashes in the history of aviation. On the 13th of October 1972, a Uruguayan Air Force plane crashed at an altitude of 3700 meters (12,140 feet) in the middle of the Andes. The chances of survival here were minimal and the passengers who survived had to face extreme weather conditions for more than 70 days before they were rescued. Their heartwrenching story is told through the museum expositions, the 1993 film Alive and the more recent Society of the Snow from 2023.
Emblematic neighbourhoods such as Prado or Punta Carretas
In addition to the bustling downtown area, there are also other neighbourhoods well worth a visit. One example is the Prado neighbourhood. Here, you can see the Quinta de Aurelio Berro, a peculiar mansion reminiscent of medieval European castles. Nearby, you can also find the neo-gothic Carmelitas church and the Montevideo Botanical Garden.
At the opposite end of the city, in the south, is the neighbourhood of Punta Carretas. This area is known for its landscaped areas, lighthouse, and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Take a stroll through this neighbourhood and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of downtown Montevideo.
A taste of Montevideo
Of course, Montevideo always delights its visitors with its exquisite cuisine. It has a deep-rooted winemaking tradition, especially notable in the northern part of the city, where we can find numerous vineyards and wineries. Some of the most famous are Bouza, Carrau, Pizzorno, and Familia Dardanelli. Cheers!
Additionally, during your stay in the capital of Uruguay, don’t miss out on trying asado (the national barbecue), a good puchero (stew), empanadas, and of course, some dessert with dulce de leche. Yum!
