Discover the peaceful city of Montevideo

Montevideo is a charming city, distinguished by its quality of life and its entertainment options for those who visit it. Here are some suggestions:

Old City [Ciudad vieja]

It is the historic center of the city where you can find buildings of historical and architectural interest, especially art deco and art nouveau style constructions.

In the area, the main square (Plaza Independencia) and the Puerta de la Ciudadela [Portal of the citadel] stand out. This portal marking the entrance to the walled city but surprisingly, it was not always in the same place. The story is long. Seeking to erase all vestiges of colonial presence towards the end of the 18th century, all vestiges of the original fortification disappeared. But the remains of the portal were carefully dismantled and its stones moved and deposited in a barracks on the outskirts of the city (Morales barracks) with the purpose of their future restoration in some public building. And again in 1959 it was moved to its original place.

Museum of Decorative Arts

Also in the Old City, the Taranco Palace is located. The building was finish in 1908, designed by the architect Charles Louis Girault, who also designed the Petit Palais in Paris.

The façade is in the French neoclassical style, with Corinthian columns, pediments and ornamental details. It was originally the residence of the Taranco family and later became the headquarters of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Currently, it houses the Museum of Decorative Arts.

Now functioning as a museum of decorative arts, the building displays an impressive collection of decorative art, furniture, porcelain, glassware and artistic objects from different periods and styles, with exquisitely decorated rooms and rooms, which preserve the original furniture and art pieces. of the time.

Solis Theater

It is one of the most important and emblematic theaters in Montevideo and Uruguay in general.

There are several reasons why the Teatro Solís may be interesting. It was opened in 1856, which means it has a rich history of more than 150 years. It is a testimony of the cultural and artistic heritage of Uruguay.

Its neoclassical style architecture has been restored and renovated on several occasions. The decoration and design of the theater are impressive and make the visit a unique experience. In addition, the theater offers a wide variety of shows and cultural events, including plays, operas, concerts and ballets, hosting important art and culture festivals in Uruguay.

If you visit Montevideo, you can take a guided tour of the theater.

Port Market

In the heart of the Old City, in front of the port promenade we find the Mercado del Puerto, which is one of the most popular places to visit and where you can find a wide variety of restaurants that offer typical Uruguayan food, such as asado.

Montevideo Rambla

It is a boardwalk that runs along a large part of the coast of Montevideo, from the Carrasco neighborhood to the Old City. It is an ideal place to walk, play sports, enjoy the beach or simply relax.

Rodo Park

It is a residential neighborhood around the park of the same name and there you can find the National Museum of Visual Arts. What we recommend is a walk along Ramírez Beach, which is full of bars and grills with views of the Río de la Plata. Rock concerts and performances are organized in the Summer Theater during the summer season.

The park has an artificial lake, children’s games, a craft fair and a wide variety of green spaces to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Juan Manuel Blanes Municipal Museum of Fine Arts

It is one of the main art museums in Uruguay. It is located in the Parque Rodó neighborhood and is named after Juan Manuel Blanes, one of the Uruguayan painters.

The museum is located in a beautiful neoclassical-style mansion dating from the 19th century and houses an important collection of Uruguayan and Latin American art, including paintings, sculptures and engravings.

The museum features a significant selection of works by Juan Manuel Blanes himself, including his most famous painting “The Proclamation of Independence” and other portraits and historical scenes.

Centennial Stadium

Built to host the World Cup in 1930, its name is due to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first Constitution of Uruguay. Stadium is famous for having hosted 10 World Cup matches, including the final between Uruguay and Argentina which Uruguay won 4 to 2.

If you like to know more about stories about its construction and great classics made in the stadium, we recommend visiting its Museum. In 1983 the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) declared the Centenario Stadium a Historical Monument of World Football.

Reus neighborhood

It is the name by which Villa Muñoz is also known and it is very close to the city center. A considerable part of the European Jewish immigration of the first quarter of the 20th century made their homes there. With the settlement, retail and wholesale stores emerged that became a sign of pride and identity of the neighborhood, which is why a large part of the population refers to the area as the Jewish neighborhood.

The area has a significant history within the city, since Dr. Emilio Reus built a picturesque set of houses and buildings that still exists today.

Prado neighborhood

It is one of the most elegant and picturesque neighborhoods in Montevideo. It is located northwest of the city center and is worth visiting and enjoying its streets, parks, squares and cultural attractions.

Botanical Garden

The Montevideo Botanical Garden is located in the heart of the Prado neighborhood and is a charming place to take a walk among a wide variety of plants and flowers. The Rose Garden, with its collection of roses, is especially beautiful during the flowering season.

Prado Rose Garden

Also known as the Juana de Ibarbourou Rose Garden, it is located adjacent to the Botanical Garden. It is the work of the French landscape designer Carlos Racine and the architects Eugenio Baroffio and Juan Scasso. It was started from twelve thousand rose bushes brought from France in 1912. Currently it has more than three hundred varieties of ancient and modern roses.

Quinta and Castle Soneira

This French-style mansion is an architectural gem from the 19th century. Currently, it is a museum that houses the art collection of the Soneira Foundation, which includes paintings, sculptures and decorative objects.

Vaz Ferreira’s Quinta

This former residence belonged to Carlos Vaz Ferreira, a prominent Uruguayan philosopher and writer. Today, it is a museum that offers a glimpse into the life and work of this influential intellectual.