What to do in Montevideo?

Hello everyone again!!

Here is a list of six places that I consider a 'must' to visit and explore in the city, along with a brief historical introduction to each one.

Port Market - Mercado del Puerto

It is located in the Ciudad Vieja neighborhood of Montevideo and is today one of the city's main attractions.

It originally started as a 19th-century port market, built with metal foundry structures specially made and brought from Liverpool. The construction took three years to complete and was inaugurated on October 10, 1868. Its purpose was to serve as a market providing fruits, vegetables, and meats for the ships arriving at Montevideo Bay, as well as for the wealthy families in the area, where mansions once stood.

Over the years, it gradually transformed into what it is today: an iconic gastronomic and cultural hotspot in Montevideo, where both Uruguayans and tourists gather.

Today, numerous restaurants have been established, with the main highlight being the grill, featuring Uruguayan barbecue (asado) and the famous drink medio y medio.

This well-known drink from the Mercado del Puerto is a blend of sparkling sweet white wine and dry white wine. It was invented at Roldós bar, which opened in 1888 and is located inside the market itself.

Saturdays coincide with the Ciudad Vieja Cultural Walk, where the streets come alive with music, singers, artisans, and painters, filling the pedestrian streets Pérez Castellanos, Sarandí, and La Proa Square with energy. Here, you will often find a craft fair offering handicrafts, souvenirs, and antiques. Also nearby is the Mercado de los Artesanos, where visitors can find authentic Uruguayan crafts made by local artisans.

Tristan Narvaja Fair - Feria

It is a traditional Sunday street market for fruits, vegetables, and antiques, held every Sunday since 1909 in the Cordón neighborhood, near downtown Montevideo. It is located on Tristán Narvaja street and stretches from 18 de Julio street to La Paz street, gradually expanding into its perpendicular and parallel streets.

Over the years, the market has evolved, and today it can be described as a mix between a farmers' market and a flea market. In addition to fruits and vegetables, you can find furniture, antiques, pets, various animals, plants, used books, clothing, handicrafts, appliances, spare parts, and collectible items.

It is a picturesque place to find rare objects, street food, used books, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Hours: Sundays from 09:00 to 16:00.

The Rambla

It is a pedestrian walkway and one of the main attractions of the city's waterfront, passing by its main beaches. It offers a unique experience to blend in with Uruguayans, who choose it to enjoy the outdoors, exercise, ride bicycles or roller skates, drink mate, gather with friends, or simply take a walk while admiring the beautiful views where the Río de la Plata meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Rodo Park - Parque Rodo

It is a residential neighborhood very close to downtown Montevideo, starting at the Rambla and located across from Ramírez Beach.

Rodó Park combines a vintage-style amusement park, a lake with pedal boats, and a large green space that Montevideo residents especially enjoy on weekends. Among the diverse gastronomy of the area, the famous churros stand out.

In the neighborhood, you will also find the National Museum of Visual Arts, which showcases 20th-century national paintings and a sculpture garden.

Additionally, there is the Teatro de Verano (Summer Theater), an open-air venue where various shows, music performances, theater plays, and carnival events take place.

Old City - Ciudad Vieja

It is a neighborhood of Montevideo and one of the main attractions for visitors, as it is the city's historic center. Originally a residential area, it now serves primarily as the country's financial hub, home to numerous businesses, banks, and government offices. There are also hostels, hotels, and vacation rental apartments. Its nightlife features numerous restaurants, clubs, pubs, and bars.

Its streets are lined with historic buildings and several interesting sites to visit. Starting at Plaza Independencia, you will find the emblematic Puerta de la Ciudadela, which still stands today. This leads to the pedestrian street Sarandí, which takes you to the heart of Ciudad Vieja, where you will find various shops, street artisans, and restaurants.

Several colonial-era buildings can be found, such as the Cabildo de Montevideo (1812), the Teatro Solís (1856), and the Iglesia Matriz. Additionally, there are several museums, including the Torre García Museum, Gurvich Museum, Figari Museum, the Museum of Pre-Columbian and Indigenous Art, and the Museum of Decorative Arts.

To the north is the breakwater marking the entrance to the region's main port, the Port of Montevideo. Nearby is the Mercado del Puerto, from where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets over the Cerro de Montevideo.

To the south lies the beginning of Montevideo’s famous Rambla.

Solis Theatre

With its neoclassical architecture, this impressive theater is located in the historic center of the city, in the neighborhood where Ciudad Vieja begins, just a few meters from the Puerta de la Ciudadela.

Inaugurated in 1856, it is the oldest theater in South America and one of Uruguay’s main performance venues, with a capacity for 1,500 spectators.

Its program includes symphonic, lyrical, and dramatic performances, prose theater, and productions by the Comedia Nacional.

Guided tours are available, featuring actors who perform interactive scenes throughout the visit, making it a unique and entertaining experience.

I hope you liked it!

Greetings travelers!!

Katherine