As the capital of Uruguay, the city of Montevideo plays an important role culturally, politically and economically. The administrative body of Uruguay is located here in the Palacio Legislativo. And the easy connection to Buenos Aires and Porto Alegre, as well as the well-equipped port, have put them on the map economically. Nowadays, tourism also generates quite a bit of income. Residents from neighboring countries Argentina, Chile and Brazil are therefore happy to visit the city. With about one and a half million inhabitants, the city can compete with cities such as Milan and Montreal. It was recently even voted the most livable Latin American city. According to existingcountries, most of Montevideo’s historic buildings are located in the old center ‘Ciudad Vieja’. Especially on and around the large square ‘Plaza Independencia’ many architectural styles from the past can be admired. In a city like Montevideo you can go in any direction. Each neighborhood seems to have its own character. In Carrasco it is mainly chic houses that adorn the streets and in the district of Capurro the green city park ‘Parque Capurro’ and the harbor are central. The city of Montevideo has a pleasant center, nice shops, a beautiful sandy beach, fascinating and cultural museums and also an extensive range of good restaurants. As far as we are concerned, an extremely suitable destination for a beautiful city trip.
Top 10 sights of Montevideo
#1. Plaza Independencia
The lively square ‘Plaza Independencia’ is located in the old part of the city ‘Ciudad Vieja’. This Independence Square is the main square of the city of Montevideo. Here you will find beautiful buildings in which the theater, the office of the president and the Artigas Mausoleum are located. In the middle of the square is also a monument to this José Gervasio Artigas, a great fighter for the independence of Uruguay. From the Plaza Independencia you can also reach the popular main street 18 de Julio avenue.
#2. Mercado del Puerto
The most enjoyable gastronomic market in Montevideo is Mercado del Puerto. It is comparable to the Mercado San Miguel in Spanish Madrid or the Markthal in Rotterdam. Mercado del Puerto was built around 1866. It was immediately the intention to realize a market hall there. Nowadays you will find more food and beverage outlets than there are still authentic market stalls with merchandise. More than once there is also live music and various artists show their skills. Mercado del Puerto is located at Piedras 237 in Montevideo.
#3. Pocitos Beach
Montevideo Beach is a short ten-minute walk from the center of town. Especially during the weekends, Pocitos Beach is ‘the place to be’. The beautiful sandy beach of Montevideo is located in the Pocitos district on the Rambla boulevard, where there is a lot of strolling, especially at weekends and evenings. The youth regularly kick a ball or there are other sporting activities to be found. In the immediate vicinity of the beach Playa Pocitos, there are several nice restaurants and shops.
#4. Avenida 18 de Julio
From the main square of the city of Montevideo, Plaza Independencia, you can walk straight onto the main street ‘Avenida 18 de Julio’. The street, named after the day the Constitution of Uruguay was written, is particularly beautiful to walk through. In any case, there is plenty to discover. Think of varied architecture, beautiful shops, fountains and interesting museums. Striking are the buildings built in Art Deco style, such as Edificio Lapido. Palacio Salvo and the town hall ‘Palacio Municipal’ are also worth a visit. At the latter you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city of Montevideo from the twenty-second floor.
#5. Juan Manuel Blanes Museum
In the Prado district on the Avenida Millan of Montevideo, you will find the beautiful museum ‘Museo de Bellas Artes Juan Manuel Blanes’. The art museum is dedicated to the Uruguayan artist Juan Manuel Blanes, who is known for his realistic historical paintings and portraits. The Juan Manuel Blanes Museum is housed in a historic villa built in 1930. It once belonged to Dr. Juan Bautista Raffo. Although the villa looks a bit Italian, the garden is mainly due to the French style.
#6. Palacio Salvo
On the beautiful square Plaza Independencia, you will find the beautiful building ‘Palacio Salvo’. The palace is on the corner where Avenue 18 de Julio begins. It can rightly be called a palace, as the appearance is not inferior to it. The eclectic design comes from Italian architect Mario Palanti. Originally it was designed as a hotel. However, these plans did not get off the ground. Palacio Salvo is now used as a residential and office building. Some shops can be found on the ground floor.
#7. National Museum of Visual Arts
In addition to the beautiful works of Juan Manuel Blanes, the National Museum of Visual Arts (MNAV) also houses works of art by painters such as Carlos Federuci Sáez, Pedro Figari and Rafael Barradas. The museum also offers historical tours where you can expect more information about the artists and their works. Some beautiful works of art have been discovered in the garden, each with their own story. The National Museum of Visual Arts is located on the corner of Julio Herrera y Reissig and Avenida Tomás Giribaldi.
#8. Palacio Taranco
Right on the Plaza Zabala in Montevideo, you can admire a palace from the twentieth century. Palacio Taranco was built around 1908 on the spot where the city’s first theater once stood. The brothers Felix Jose and Hermenegildo Ortiz de Taranco bought the old theater ruins to build their own villa. For this job they approached the French architects Charles Louis Girault and Jules Léon Chifflot. Today, the Palacio Taranco is a museum of decorative arts. You can now admire the historic building and the extremely tasteful collection of decorative art objects and the stylish interior with your own eyes.
#9. Solis Theater
As early as the first half of the nineteenth century, the construction of the Solis Theater was commissioned. The Italian architect Carlo Zucchi is given the credit and came up with the neoclassical design as we can still see it today. In order to meet the financial and economic needs of the city, it was slightly modified at the time by the architect Francisco Javier de Garmendia. Naturally, the best place was selected for the realization. The Solis Theater was built on the important Plaza Independencia. During the reconstructions at the end of the twentieth century, none other than the famous French designer Philippe Starck was approached.
#10. Catedral Metropolitana
The current monumental Cathedral Metropolitana was built in the eighteenth century. The inauguration took place in 1804. Throughout the centuries, many ceremonies have taken place in the Catedral Metropolitana. The prayer house is popular for weddings and funerals. Prominent figures such as Antionio Maria Barnieri, the first cardinal of Uruguay and former president Joaquín Suárez are even buried here. When there are no services, the cathedral is open to visitors free of charge.
