Things to do in Uruguay

The 18 best things to do in Uruguay

Ticket and tour links search Tiqets in a new tab. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

1. 1Colonia del Sacramento

   Wander the cobbled Barrio Histórico of Colonia

   The Portuguese founded Colonia del Sacramento in 1680 under Manuel Lobo, and the town changed hands between Portugal and Spain several times before 1825. That mix still shows in the Historic Quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, where Portuguese colonial and Spanish-style houses stand along irregular cobbled streets. The most photographed lane is the Calle de los Suspiros, paved with wedge-shaped stones, with original 18th-century Portuguese houses, colonial street lamps and glimpses of the Río de la Plata. It sits on a small peninsula an hour from Buenos Aires by boat and about 2 hours from Montevideo by road, and the UNESCO commission suggests staying at least one night.

   Tip: Stay for sunset, which people watch from the lighthouse or the old pier, and wear flat shoes because the cobbles are uneven and partly hard going for wheelchairs.

   Free to visit
   Sources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); UNESCO National Commission of Uruguay (official)
2. 2Montevideo

   Eat a parrilla lunch at Mercado del Puerto

   Mercado del Puerto opened on 10 October 1868 in Ciudad Vieja, facing the port. Its iron structure was ordered from workshops in Liverpool, England, and its glass roof and wrought-iron arches made it one of South America's first large metal buildings. It has been a National Historic Monument since 1976. Today more than a dozen restaurants and grills cook beef and sausages over wood embers, and the market is the classic place for an asado. Bar Roldós, open since 1888, is credited with inventing the medio y medio, a blend of sparkling and dry white wine. The Museo del Carnaval stands right next door.

   Tip: Sundays are the liveliest day; the market's own advice is to come between 11:30 AM and 3 PM for the best atmosphere and live music.

   Pay as you go
   Sources: Mercado del Puerto (market website); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
3. 3Montevideo

   Stroll Plaza Independencia and the Old City

   Plaza Independencia is Montevideo's most iconic square, and it marks the line between the walled colonial Old City and the open New City. At its center, a monument to national hero José Gervasio Artigas stands above his mausoleum. Around it are Palacio Salvo, Palacio Estévez and Teatro Solís. At one end the Citadel Gate survives from the original fort, and across the street the pedestrian Sarandí leads past the Torres García Museum to the Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza Constitución (also called Plaza Matriz) and the old Cabildo. It is a short walk of a few blocks that works well as a first morning.

   Tip: Start at the plaza and walk down Sarandí toward the cathedral, then continue to Plaza Constitución and the Cabildo.

   Free to visit
   Sources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
4. 4Punta del Este

   Watch the sunset at Casapueblo in Punta Ballena

   Casapueblo is a sculpted hillside complex at Punta Ballena built by Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró as his summer home and workshop. It now holds a museum, an art gallery, a cafe and a hotel, and it faces west over the water, which is why it is known for sunsets. Páez Vilaró celebrated the sun in a poem and several paintings, and the Maldonado tourism page describes a traditional Ceremony of the Sun at dusk. It lies about 13 km from the center of Punta del Este and is one of the best-known symbols of the resort.

   Tip: Arrive well before sunset to see the museum and gallery first, then settle in for the sunset.

   UYU[fee]; open dailyKnow the fee?
   Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Club Hotel Casapueblo (official)
5. 5Montevideo

   Tour Estadio Centenario and the Museo del Fútbol

   Estadio Centenario hosted the final of the first World Cup in 1930, and FIFA named it a Monument of World Football on 18 July 1983, the only building with that title. Architect Juan Antonio Scasso designed it, and it was built in about six months for the tournament. Uruguay won its first match there, 1-0 against Peru, on opening day. The Museo del Fútbol sits under the Olympic stand and opened in 1975. It fills about 3,000 square meters over two floors with memorabilia and records of the national team's titles, and a panoramic lift rises inside the Torre de los Homenajes. Uruguay lists two World Cups and 15 Copa América titles.

   Tip: The museum entrance is on Avenida Ricaldoni beside Gate 13, and you can reserve tickets on the museum's own pages.

   UYU[fee]; check hoursKnow the fee?
   Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Estadio Centenario (official); Estadio Centenario, Museo del Fútbol (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
6. 6Montevideo

   Tour Palacio Salvo and the tango museum

   Palacio Salvo, on Plaza Independencia, was designed by Mario Palanti and opened in 1928. The Salvo family, Italian immigrants in the textile business, planned it as the city's first luxury hotel. At 105 m it was the tallest building in South America until 1935, and it became a National Historic Monument in 1996. The tango La Cumparsita was first played here, and the Museo del Tango now occupies the former Confitería La Giralda, with working gramophones, period records and the piano from the old Sorocabana cafe. The guided tour takes about 45 minutes and covers the facade, rooftop, a viewpoint, the museum and other floors.

   Tip: Reserve the guided tour in advance online, since one visit covers the rooftop viewpoint and the tango museum.

   Guided tour; book on RedTickets
   Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
7. 7Montevideo

   Take a guided tour of Teatro Solís

   Teatro Solís opened on 25 August 1856 with Verdi's opera Ernani, and it is the city's oldest theater. Work began in 1842 and stopped when the Siege of Montevideo began in 1843, and building materials from Europe, including Siberian wood for the structure, Italian marble columns and slate for the roof, were kept safe through the war. It is named for the navigator Juan Díaz de Solís, who reached the Río de la Plata. Guided visits uncover the stories and corners of the building and the many artists who have performed there. The theater stands on Plaza Independencia, at Reconquista and Bartolomé Mitre, and is home to the national drama company and the Montevideo Philharmonic.

   Tip: Visits run at set afternoon times that change, and some rooms close for rehearsals, so check the theater's schedule before you go.

   Guided tours; check times
   Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Teatro Solís (official); Teatro Solís (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
8. 8Montevideo

   Walk or cycle the Rambla and Pocitos beach

   Montevideo's Rambla runs along about 30 km of coast from Capurro to Carrasco, a riverside balcony that locals use for long walks with a mate in hand. It passes the skating rink in Parque Rodó, the skate park in Buceo and outdoor gyms, with old and modern buildings behind. East of the port lie the city beaches of Ramírez, Pocitos, Buceo, Malvín and Carrasco, known for fine white sand and calm water. Authorized beaches have lifeguards and first aid posts. You can see it on foot, by bicycle or from a car.

   Tip: Pick one stretch, such as Pocitos, instead of trying all of the Rambla, and bring a bottle of water.

   Free to visit
   Search tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
9. 9Montevideo

   Learn carnival history at the Museo del Carnaval

   The Museo del Carnaval opened in November 2006 in Ciudad Vieja, beside the port, in former port structures. Its rooms follow Uruguayan carnival from the African roots of candombe to the old neighborhood tablados, with prize costumes, models and documents, and an inner courtyard has its own tablado stage for rehearsals and shows. The museum is run as a trust by the culture and tourism ministries and the city government. It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM, and it makes an easy pairing with Mercado del Puerto next door.

   Tip: A guided visit is included with the ticket on Fridays at 11:30 AM, and group visits with a candombe or murga workshop can be arranged ahead.

   Pay at the door
   Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Museo del Carnaval (official); Museo del Carnaval (museodelcarnaval.org); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
10. 10Montevideo

    Step inside the Palacio Legislativo

    The Palacio Legislativo opened on 25 August 1925 to mark the centenary of the Declaration of Independence, and it houses Uruguay's parliament. On a guided visit you see its neoclassical architecture, the Salón de los Pasos Perdidos and the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, along with national artworks that tell the country's story. It stands on Avenida de las Leyes, and the Mercado Agrícola de Montevideo, a restored 1913 market hall with food stalls and crafts, is in the same area. Guided tours have been offered in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

    Tip: Visits are guided and run on set weekday times, so confirm the current schedule with the parliament's protocol office before you go.

    Foreign tourists, cash only: UYU 140 (about $3) · Guided tour; cash onlyFee changed?

    Last verified Nov 7, 2026

    Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
11. 11Punta del Este

    Take a boat to Isla Gorriti from Punta del Este

    Isla Gorriti lies in the Río de la Plata just off the Punta del Este peninsula, and boats cross from the Punta del Este port. The island has a large pine forest that gives shade, the popular Playa Honda for swimming and Puerto Jardín, where sailboats and yachts arrive. Its history is long: Juan Díaz de Solís, Magellan and Darwin are among its notable visitors, and it served as a cholera hospital in 1885. It is a National Historic Monument and is described as a nature reserve, so it suits a relaxed beach day more than sightseeing.

    Tip: Confirm the last boat back before you settle onto the beach, and bring water and sun protection.

    Boat from the port
    Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
12. 12Colonia del Sacramento

    Climb the Colonia lighthouse above the ruins

    The Colonia lighthouse, built in the 19th century (its tower dates from 1857), still guides ships on the Río de la Plata. It stands on the ruins of the Convent of San Francisco Xavier, one of the oldest structures in the region, which dates from the 1690s and was largely destroyed by fire in 1704. A few brick walls and large stones remain beside the tower. From the top you get a panorama of the Historic Quarter. The climb is open to the public with limits, and hours are set by the navy's lighting service.

    Tip: Children under 12 are not admitted to the climb, so check opening days with the local tourism office first.

    UYU[fee]; check hoursKnow the fee?
    Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); UNESCO National Commission of Uruguay (official)
13. 13Colonia del Sacramento

    Visit the restored Plaza de Toros at Real de San Carlos

    The Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos opened on 9 January 1910, the project of Argentine businessman Nicolás Mihanovich, who wanted a resort with a bullring for 8,000 spectators, a pelota court, a power plant and a casino. Bullfighting was banned by decree in 1912 and the complex was abandoned after only 32 bullfights. Reopened on 9 December 2021, it is now a cultural center with a bullfighting museum, art gallery, restaurant, cafe and a space for local wineries, and local guides lead tours of the ring and stands. About 40 percent was restored and the rest was kept as a stabilized ruin.

    Tip: It sits beyond the old town along the shoreline promenade, a ride many people make by bicycle, and it is open Wednesday to Sunday.

    Pay as you go
    Sources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
14. 14Punta del Este

    Climb the José Ignacio lighthouse for a 360 degree view

    The José Ignacio lighthouse was first lit in 1877 and stands alone on the point beside the former fishing village that is now one of the east coast's relaxed luxury enclaves. A climb of 122 steps leads to a 360 degree view of the coast. It is one of seven lighthouses along the Uruguayan coast that let visitors climb to the lookout, and in whale season it is among the spots where southern right whales can be seen from shore. Nearby are the circular bridge over Laguna Garzón and the slow-food restaurants of Pueblo Garzón.

    Tip: The climb is run by the navy's lighting service and often has an age limit, so verify hours before the drive.

    Check hours
    Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
15. 15Punta del Este

    Walk among the exotic trees of Arboretum Lussich

    Arboretum Lussich covers 192 hectares at Punta Ballena and holds about 400 exotic and 80 native species, including oaks, araucarias, pines and firs. Antonio Lussich bought Punta Ballena in 1896 and became a pioneer of forestation, planting trees from several continents, and the result is described as one of the most important forest reserves of its kind. A museum inside shows French tiles from the 19th century used in River Plate architecture. It is a good pick for a quiet walk, and the tourism board lists it for spotting birds.

    Tip: Opening hours differ between winter and summer, so check the current schedule, and wear walking shoes.

    Check hours
    Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
16. 16Montevideo

    See Montevideo from the Mirador Panorámico

    The Mirador Panorámico is the city government's viewing platform on the 22nd floor of the Montevideo City Hall building, almost 80 m up. It gives one of the most complete views of the capital. The renovated viewpoint has a cafeteria, souvenir sales, a visitor service, loan binoculars, free Wi-Fi and a touch screen with tourist information. The entrance is at 1372 Soriano Street, between Santiago de Chile and Ejido. It is a quick stop that helps you get your bearings on a first day.

    Tip: Individual visitors do not need to book ahead; only school groups register in advance.

    Free to visit
    Search tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
17. 17Punta del Este

    Browse the Museo Ralli in Punta del Este

    The Museo Ralli in the Beverly Hills neighborhood of Punta del Este shows contemporary Latin American and international art in spacious rooms with interior courtyards, where bronze and marble sculptures rest. Its collections range from Salvador Dalí to Patricio Zamora and Alicia Carletti, curated by Virginia Prunell. It is one of four art stops that the tourism board groups together in Maldonado, with Casapueblo, the Atchugarry museum and the Arboretum Lussich. It makes a calm indoor option when the weather is poor.

    Tip: The schedule differs a lot between winter and summer, so confirm the days before you go.

    Check hours
    Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official)
18. 18Atlántida

    Admire Eladio Dieste's brick church in Atlántida

    The Parroquia Cristo Obrero y Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, built between March 1958 and July 1960 in Estación Atlántida, is the work of Uruguayan engineer Eladio Dieste. UNESCO inscribed it on the World Heritage List on 27 July 2021 for its reinforced-brick technique. Inside, undulating brick walls and vaults seem to float, light falls through a cylindrical skylight into an underground baptistery, and a bell tower is capped with a sunken conical dome. It lies at Route 11, km 164, less than 50 km from Montevideo.

    Tip: The church is usually open on weekdays, and the one-hour guided visits are best arranged by email in advance.

    Search tickets and tours on TiqetsSources: Uruguay Natural, Ministry of Tourism (official); UNESCO National Commission of Uruguay (official)

Questions travelers ask