Visit Montevideo

The English Temple stands on the edge of the Rambla, somewhat separated from its surroundings. It might seem a little out of place, after all, it’s quite rare to see a Protestant church, especially an Anglican one, in the heart of Hispanic America. Its origins go back to 1840, during what’s now referred to as the Great War—a chaotic Read more

Let’s talk about the origin of the name Montevideo. There are two main theories about why the colonisers chose it. The first comes from the Portuguese: legend has it that as one of their sailors approached the coast, he exclaimed “Monte vide eu!”, which roughly means “I see a mountain!” in old Portuguese. The second theory leans Read more

You're now walking along one of Montevideo’s most beloved landmarks: the Rambla. Stretching 24 kilometers along the bay, it’s the longest waterfront promenade in the world, and the heartbeat of the city. Can you really say that you’ve been to Montevideo if you haven’t walked the Rambla? This is the locals’ favourite gathering spot. Read more

You’ve had plenty of time to admire it, so let me properly introduce you to the Río de la Plata. Depending on who you ask, or what book you’re reading, you’ll see it described as a river, an estuary, or even a gulf. It’s technically the mouth where two major South American rivers, the Uruguay and the Paraná, flow into the Atlantic Read more

The street you’re crossing now is called Cumparsita. Since the last one was Carlos Gardel Street, this feels like the perfect moment to talk about tango. For those who don’t know, Gardel is the most iconic tango singer in history, his voice is even listed as part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World, and La Cumparsita is the most famous Read more

Isla de Flores Street, which you're walking up now, might seem like just another quiet residential street lined with traditional Montevideo homes. But when Carnival season arrives, it transforms into something magical, the stage for las llamadas. Carnival is one of Uruguay’s most powerful and beloved traditions. Las llamadas, which Read more

A little further down this street, you’ll come across the Cannabis Museum, a reminder of just how different Uruguay is from many of its South American neighbours. Uruguay was the first country in the world to fully legalise cannabis, back in 2013. Just to clarify, it’s not actually legal in the Netherlands. There, it’s only allowed in Read more

This imposing building in front of you is the Intendencia de Montevideo, the city’s municipal headquarters. Feel free to head inside and make your way to the top. On the 22nd floor, nearly 80 meters high, you’ll find the Mirador Panorámico, a rooftop observation deck that’s free to access. From up there, you’ll enjoy a stunning 360-degree Read more

The fountain you see here, covered in padlocks, was brought from Mexico by the owners of the FACAL café as a way to boost the restaurant’s image. According to local legend, if you place a padlock on the fountain with the initials of two people, they’ll return to Montevideo together, and their love will last forever. Just beside it, sitting Read more

Welcome to Plaza de la Cagancha, a square full of history and local life. On one side, you’ll see the elegant circular theater, and in the middle of 18 de Julio Avenue, rises the column of peace. This column marks kilometer zero, the point from which all distances in Uruguay are measured. The square was created in 1829, four years after the Read more

You’ve probably noticed by now that you’re walking along the city’s main road, Avenida 18 de Julio. It stretches from Plaza Independencia all the way to the Obelisk of the Constituents, about three kilometers down the road, in the Tres Cruces neighbourhood near the main bus station. The avenue gets its name from the date Uruguay’s first Read more

The Palacio Salvo, located at the corner of the square and Avenida 18 de Julio, is the most iconic building in Montevideo. This eccentric Art Deco skyscraper blends Gothic, Renaissance, and Neoclassical influences in one bold and unmistakable silhouette. As original as it may seem, it actually has a twin: the Palacio Barolo, located on Read more

You’re now standing on Plaza Independencia, Independence Square, the gateway to Montevideo’s old town. This is the iconic square of Montevideo, bringing together many of the city's key landmarks. So let’s take a moment to explore what’s around you. In front of you is the old citadel gate, a reminder that Ciudad Vieja, the historic Read more

You’re now standing in front of the Teatro Solís, Uruguay’s main opera house and the oldest theater in South America. Built in 1856, just 17 years after the country gained its independence, the Solís wasn’t just meant to be a stage for performances, it was designed to be a symbol. When it was first inaugurated, several names were Read more

Welcome to Constitution Square, better known as Plaza Matriz, the oldest square in Montevideo. Back when the city was a Spanish fortified settlement called San Felipe y Santiago de Montevideo, this was its main square. It was actually the only public space at the time, and it didn’t even have defined boundaries. Its shape Read more

You've now arrived at Zabala Square, built in 1890. The idea of creating a square in the heart of the old town dates back to 1878, during the dictatorship of Colonel Lorenzo Latorre. He had the old Spanish fort torn down, and the space sat empty for years before finally being developed. In the center, they placed an equestrian statue Read more