Uruguay attractions

Pocitos is an affluent neighborhood along the banks of the Río de la Plata in Montevideo. Renowned for its long golden sand beach and beach promenade lined with upscale restaurants and shops, the leafy enclave also boasts historic mansions of great architectural interest, including a handful that have been declared National Heritage Sites.

Completed in 1928, Salvo Palace (Palacio Salvo) is a historical landmark building featuring an eclectic architectural style—predominantly Italian Gothic, with classic and neo-romantic influences. Originally planned as a hotel, it is now an office and apartment building.

The Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral de Montevideo sits in the historic Old City, and serves as the seat of the city's Roman Catholic archdiocese. This National Historic Landmark is the mother church for all of South America and is replete with details like intricately tiled floors and elegant chandeliers.

Located across the Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires, Montevideo Cruise Port (Puerto de Montevideo) is Uruguay’s largest cruise port. A popular stop for large cruise liners touring South America, the port also welcomes regular ferries from neighboring Argentina.

Those looking to learn more about Colonia del Sacramento’s Portuguese heritage will find plenty of interest at the Portuguese Museum (Espacio Portugues), a small museum devoted to the town’s rich colonial history. Housed in a striking, early 18th-century colonial building, the museum sits at the heart of Colonia’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center.

El Prado is an affluent residential neighborhood in the north of Montevideo with tree-lined streets filled with historic homes including Residencia de Suarez (the presidential residence), and the peaceful Parque El Prado, the city’s main green space where a creek runs through grassy fields and a botanical garden grows over 1,000 plant species.

In 1724, when the Spanish founded Montevideo, they fortified the settlement with granite walls thick enough to house canons. More than 100 years later, the walls came down except for one towering slab, the Gateway of the Citadel, which stands at Independence Square (Plaza Independencia) the border between the Old CIty and the New City.

Few sports get Uruguayans as fired up as fútbol (football or soccer), and Montevideo has a special claim to fame—the very first FIFA World Cup final took place at the city’s Centenario Stadium back in 1930. Today, the legendary stadium is home to the Football Museum (Museo del Fútbol), which celebrates the history of the game.

With its fair share of celebrity residents and jet-setting vacationers, the upmarket beach town of La Barra has fast become a popular alternative to nearby Punta del Este. Sandy beaches, modern architecture, and a buzzing nightlife scene have transformed this former fishing town into one of Uruguay’s hottest destinations.

Ride the panoramic elevator to the 22nd floor at La Vista in Punta del Este for some of the best views over the city. The top of the building is home to Uruguay’s only revolving restaurant, where you can take in the sights before exploring the complex’s art gallery, games zone, or bowling alley.

In 1972, a charter plane departed Montevideo en route to Santiago de Chile and crashed in the Andes Mountains. The story of this tragic event is the subject of the Andes Museum 1972 (Museo Andes 1972. The exhibitions here honor the Uruguayans who perished in this disaster and tell the harrowing tale of the 16 travelers that survived.

Located on The Rambla in Montevideo, it’s difficult to miss Pittamiglio Castle (Castillo Pittamiglio). The building’s red-brick towers, with giant protruding ships and fortress-like architecture, stand out among the modern skyscrapers. Designed by Humberto Pittamiglio and built in 1911, the castle is a tribute to the science of alchemy and its interior is full of obscure symbols with deep meanings.

From swashbuckling pirates to mighty marine creatures; the Museum of the Sea (Museo del Mar) offers a diverse look at Punta del Este’s seafaring heritage. One of the largest museums of its kind in the world, it’s vast and varied collection includes more than 5,000 items and plenty of surprises.

One of Punta del Este’s most important cultural sites is the Pablo Atchugarry Foundation (Fundación Pablo Atchugarry), a nonprofit started in 2007 by the Uruguayan sculptor of the same name. A museum and sculpture park, the multifaceted space also hosts art classes and live performances.

Composing part of the border between Argentina and Uruguay, this 180-mile (290-km) long estuary is formed by the confluence of the Uruguay and Paraná Rivers. After multiple explorations by various Spanish navigators, the waterway came to be known as the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver) for the promise of riches thought to lie upstream.

Directly south of Montevideo’s center, the neighborhood (or, “barrio”) of Barrio Sur is closely connected to its large Afro-Uruguayan community, who settled here after slavery was abolished. It is the home of the “Candombe,” the Uruguayan music and dance style that comes from African slaves and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage of humanity.

The slender white tower that rises over Colonia del Sacramento’s southwest shore is one of the city’s most important historical monuments. Dating back to the mid-19th century, the landmark lighthouse replaced a 17th-century colonial church tower, taking over the role of guiding ships through the notoriously treacherous waters of the Rio de la Plata.

Proud of its nickname “Monaco of South America”; Punta del Este is Uruguay’s most glamorous beach resort and the Punta del Este Yacht Club is the destination of choice for South American jet-setters. Overlooking the glitzy marina and cruise port, the Yacht Club’s restaurant also makes a popular spot for a dinner date.

Designed for traveling tots, Parque El Jaguel is a huge playground in Punta del Este, Uruguay’s premier vacation destination. Large swaths of forest and grass are scattered with slides, wooden climbing structures, swings, rope ladders, and a real helicopter and fire engine for young ones to explore.

Just off the coast of Punta del Este, at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, Lobos Island (Isla de Lobos) is home to one of the largest colonies of southern sea lions in the world—an estimated 200,000 inhabit its rocky shores. A protected nature reserve, the island can only be visited by guided tour.

Hugging Montevideo’s southeast coast, Carrasco is one of Montevideo's most exclusive residential suburbs. A long, sandy beach fronted by an elegant promenade form the neighborhood’s lively core, while tree-lined streets feature an eclectic mix of early 20th-century mansions, antiques shops, and bookstores. Enjoy a day at the beachside General Lavalleja Park and picnic alongside Carrasco Creek.

If you’re looking to inject some fun into your Punta del Este beach vacation, the Splash Aqua Park at Mansa Beach has you covered. This floating aquapark is a summer staple, featuring more than a dozen inflatable obstacles to challenge and entertain both kids and adults.

Popular with both locals and tourists, Artigas Square (Plaza Artigas) is a bustling hub at the heart of the Punta del Este peninsula. Located along the main boulevard of Gorlero Avenue, the square hosts a lively arts and handicrafts fair, where local artisans and painters showcase their work.

The once unassuming fishing village of José Ignacio, nestled near Punta del Este, has transformed into a fashionable destination, capturing the attention of affluent jet-setters. The St. Tropez of Latin America offers a serene, refined atmosphere, while retaining its small-town charm with yoga studios, cocktail bars, and surf beaches.

Dive into Latin America’s ancient history at the award-winning Pre-Columbian and Indigenous Art Museum (MAPI). Small but comprehensive, with more than 700 artworks and artifacts in its permanent collection; it’s one of Montevideo’s most important archaeological museums.

The local government presides from Montevideo City Hall (Palacio Municipal, a tremendous government building in the heart of the city. The main draw here is the 22nd-floor viewing deck, known as the Mirador Panoramico de Montevideo. You can peer across the city all the way to the ocean. And you can't beat the price of admission: it's free.

The eclectic artworks of Montevideo-born artist Joaquim Torres-Garcia—Uruguay’s most prolific and influential modern artist—take center stage at the Torres García Museum (Museo Torres García). One of Montevideo’s most visited art museums, its vast collection features Garcia’s work, alongside temporary exhibitions from local contemporary artists.

Simple but striking, with its sky-blue and white façade; the Our Lady of the Candelaria Church is one of Punta del Este’s prettiest landmarks. Dating back to the mid-20th century, the church is dedicated to the patron saint of Punta del Este and is the town’s principal catholic church.