Best things to do in Uruguay

Uruguay's Absolute Essentials

Uruguay’s highlights span the historic streets of Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its fusion of Portuguese and Spanish colonial architecture, to the architectural landmarks of Montevideo like the 19th-century Solís Theatre and the monumental Legislative Palace. In Punta del Este, the coastal landscape is defined by the iconic Hand sculpture and Carlos Páez Vilaró’s Casapueblo. The capital is anchored by the bustling Port Market and the Rambla, an extensive waterfront promenade spanning the city's coastline.

Mverocai / CC BY-SA 3.0

Port Market

This busy market boasts a lot of restaurants full of local produce though sold at slightly higher prices.

Isabeltorrado / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Hand

La Mano is a sculpture in Punta del Este by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal.

Fjturban / CC BY-SA 3.0

Solis Theatre

Solís Theatre is Uruguay's most important and renowned theater. It opened in 1856.

Entropy1963 / Public domain

Independence Square

Plaza Independencia is the most important city square in Montevideo, Uruguay, laid out in the 19th century in the area occupied by the…

FelipePitta / Public domain

Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral

The Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic church of Montevideo, and seat of its archdiocese.

//www.flickr.com/photos/soschilds/ / CC BY 2.0

Peatonal Sarandí

Peatonal Sarandí is an 0.5 miles pedestrian street in Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Felipe Restrepo Acosta / CC BY-SA 4.0

Salvo Palace

Palacio Salvo is a building at the intersection of 18 de Julio Avenue and Plaza Independencia in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Fernando da Rosa (Fedaro) / CC BY-SA 3.0

Pittamiglio Castle

An institution which aim is to spread culture and create a place for meetings. It is seated in a beautiful red-brick building.

Rosina Peixoto / CC BY-SA 3.0

Gateway of the Citadel

Puerta de la Ciudadela is one of the few remaining parts of the wall that surrounded the oldest part of the city of Montevideo, the citadel…

D.flecchia / CC BY-SA 3.0

Punta del Este Lighthouse

By far this tallest building in the area is an attractive enticement for tourists. Unfortunately it is not open to public.

Talkingheads / CC BY-SA 3.0

Casa Pueblo

Casapueblo is a building constructed by the Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró.

Liam Quinn / CC BY-SA 2.0

Historic Quarter

Colonia del Sacramento is a city in southwestern Uruguay, by the Río de la Plata, facing Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento

A UNESCO World Heritage site founded by the Portuguese in 1680. The district features a fusion of Portuguese and Spanish colonial architectural styles, characterized by narrow cobblestone streets, the ruins of the 17th-century Convent of San Francisco, and well-preserved colonial houses.