Montevideo Department

City · 🇺🇾 Uruguay

Population 1,302,954

Area 529 km²

Time zone America/Montevideo

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Featured Lists

Mverocai / CC BY-SA 3.0

Montevideo Must-Sees

Montevideo’s urban layout centers on the historic Ciudad Vieja, anchored by the 19th-century Plaza Independencia and the Gateway of the Citadel. Architectural highlights include the neoclassical Solís Theatre, the towering Salvo Palace, and the monumental Legislative Palace. The city’s Atlantic identity is shaped by the extensive Rambla and the Punta Brava Lighthouse. Cultural life thrives within the Mercado del Puerto’s food stalls and along the pedestrian Sarandí street, while Rodó Park and the Metropolitan Cathedral offer spaces for recreation and reflection.

13 places

Rimbaldine / CC BY-SA 4.0

Best Beaches

Montevideo’s coastline along the Río de la Plata offers a diverse range of sandy shores connected by the iconic Rambla promenade. From the upscale, bustling atmosphere of Pocitos Beach to the windsurfing and kitesurfing hubs of Malvín and Buceo, these city beaches provide accessible recreation. Further west, Playa Zabala offers shaded areas and calm waters, while Playa La Colorada features shallow, white sands. These beaches characterize the city's coastal lifestyle, serving as primary spots for swimming and water sports within the capital's urban limits.

6 places

CaaamiSilvera07 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Montevideo's Cultural Gems

Montevideo’s museums span colonial history, modern art, and poignant social narratives. Highlights include the National Museum of Visual Arts in Parque Rodó and the Ciudad Vieja’s specialized collections like the Torres García Museum and the Museum of Pre-Columbian and Indigenous Art (MAPI). Visitors can explore the 1972 Andes flight disaster at the Andes Museum, the city's vibrant Carnival history, and the opulent Palacio Taranco, which houses the Museum of Decorative Arts.

14 places

Entropy1963 / Public domain

Montevideo's Green Spaces and Squares

Montevideo's urban landscape is defined by a diverse collection of public spaces, ranging from the historic Plaza Independencia at the edge of the Old City to the expansive Parque Batlle, home to the Centenario Stadium and the national Obelisk. The Prado neighborhood hosts specialized botanical collections, including a traditional Japanese garden and a rose garden featuring hundreds of varieties. Along the coast and within residential areas, parks like Rodó and Rivera provide large lakes and wooded recreational zones, while colonial squares like Plaza Matriz showcase 18th-century architecture.

10 places

Jimmy Baikovicius / CC BY-SA 2.0

Montevideo Sports Havens

Montevideo's deep-rooted football heritage is showcased through these iconic venues. This list features Estadio Centenario, a FIFA Historical Monument built for the inaugural 1930 World Cup. It includes modern arenas like Peñarol’s Estadio Campeón del Siglo and historic neighborhood grounds like Estadio Belvedere. You'll also find specialized facilities like Estadio Charrúa, which serves both rugby and football, and professional training complexes like Los Céspedes, providing a comprehensive look at the city's professional sports infrastructure.

11 places

FelipePitta / Public domain

Montevideo's Sacred Sites

Montevideo's religious landscape is defined by diverse architectural styles and historical significance. This collection includes the colonial-era Metropolitan Cathedral in Ciudad Vieja, the neo-Gothic Las Carmelitas in Prado, and the Byzantine-style National Shrine of the Sacred Heart atop Cerrito de la Victoria. These sites reflect the city's Catholic foundations, Armenian heritage, and modern denominations, offering a perspective on Uruguayan history through stone, stained glass, and communal worship spaces.

20 places