10 Top Tourist Attractions in Montevideo

If you love adventure and appreciating the greatest places all over the world, you need to visit Montevideo and experience the beauty of the people, the tourist attractions and the landscape.

The best time to visit Montevideo is every time of the year. However, for the very time and weather conscious people, the best time is March to May and September to November, in order to enjoy yourself to the maximum. Summers are too humid and warm. Montevideo, despite being said to have a high cost of living, teems with things to see, do and visit and to cap it all up, there is incredible nightlife for everyone.

A few of the places to visit while in Montevideo:  

Rambla

This large sidewalk separates the sea from the city. It is just perfect place for walks. During the walks along this sidewalk, you enjoy the beautiful sunrise or sunset and the view of the sea. There are beaches along La Rambla so be ready to have fun on the beaches. Restaurants along this sidewalk serve good meals including the best fish. The walk might be too long and tiresome but the food, scenery, and fun are worth the pain.  

Teatro Solis

This is the most valued theater in Uruguay. It was built in 1856 hence has the beautiful ancient architecture which you will enjoy to look at. If you intend to visit this beautiful place, you should make sure you arrive on time for the guided tour. 

Once you get there, you should get a ticket (which is more symbolic than a charge) and find a tour guide. There are English-speaking tour guides who help to make your walk around the theater more interesting. The performances are also amazing especially the acoustics. 

Mercado Del Puerto

This is a steel-constructed building, which was originally a market for vegetables,fruit, and meat, is a must visit for all tourists. The place is filled with restaurants, which provide great meals especially the amazing Uruguayan beef. It is the perfect of combination of good food, good people, and a good place.

Vegetarians will also enjoy the place despite the dominance of meat in the restaurants since there is an also vegetarian meal served on the menu. You will like it best if you visit Mercado Del Puerto on the weekends.

If you are looking to have a delicious meal and still get lost in the activity of the market, Mercado Del Puerto is the place to be. It is also important to know that it closes at 6PM.

Plaza Independencia

This place should be one of the first places to visit once you step into Uruguay. This place offers you the perfect historical experience. To enjoy the visit here, you should either read a little about the history of Uruguay or get a tour guide.

There is a statue of Jose Artigas - the independence father of Uruguay and underneath it is the mausoleum of Artigas. The changing of the guard 12PM is interesting to watch so do not miss it for anything. To add to the new things you will learn from the place, this is a good spot for photos and there are very good tourist shops around.

Palacio Legislativo

The construction of this building started in 1900 and was later inaugurated in 1925 and so many years later, it is a monument and the place where the Uruguayan parliament meets. 

It is one of the most beautiful parliaments. Not only are you allowed to walk about in the grounds, but you are also allowed to take pictures. 

You will, however, not be allowed to get into inside since the house meetings are often in session. Like most places in Montevideo, you will need to have a guide in order to enjoy yourself to the maximum.

Museo Municipal de BellasArtes Juan Manuel Blanes

This place was opened in 1930 and was named after Juan Manuel Blanes, an artist. The building has ancient architecture and has artwork from Juan and a few more artists. The place is the perfect example of the good things that come in small packages.

This is the ideal place to visit if you love art. You will be impressed by the art done by Juan. The place has free tours and a very good atmosphere. You should make a point to visit the well-laid out Japanese garden, it will leave you awed. While visiting this place, make sure you know the address to the place since it is not well known and you wouldn’t want to get lost, would you? 

Catedral Matriz

This is the main Roman Catholic Church in Montevideo. It is also known as Iglesia Matriz. It may look like any other cathedral but in this place, there have been two major historical events; the blessing of the Uruguayan flag and the inauguration of the first constitution. 

It would later be proclaimed a National Landmark in 1975. The building is beautifully decorated, however; you should visit it because of the cultural experience in it as displayed by the parishioners, religious or not, you will enjoy it. 

La Carreta

This monument is considered the best work of sculptor Jose Belloni. It shows the classic means of transport in Uruguay. You might stop by Parque Jose Batlle y Ordonez to relax and enjoy the view but this monument will strike you most. You should also take pictures of this breathtaking monument. 

Palacio Taranco

This museum, which is free, has a perfect display of ancient artifacts and has rooms that show the condition of a private residence that belonged to a rich European when Montevideo was rich. It is worth the visit.

Beaches

There is a collection of pristine beaches in Montevideo, both private and public. You should try lazing on white beaches like Malvin Beach, Buceo Beach, Ramirez Beach and Pocitos Beach.