2 days in Montevideo

Day by day

1. Day 1: The Rambla and Castillo Pittamiglio

   The Rambla, Castillo Pittamiglio, Plaza Independencia and Artigas Mausoleum and Palacio Salvo, then Teatro Solís in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The Rambla

      Locals walk, run, cycle, fish and sip mate along it at all hours, and the 'Montevideo' letters sign at Pocitos is a favourite photo stop.

   2. Late morning

      Castillo Pittamiglio

      It is now a cultural centre with guided visits.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chivito

      Traditional bars and confiterías across the Centro, Pocitos and Cordón.

   4. Afternoon

      Plaza Independencia and Artigas Mausoleum

      The Puerta de la Ciudadela, the last fragment of the colonial walls, leads into the old town, and the Palacio Salvo and the Executive Tower frame the square.

   5. Late afternoon

      Palacio Salvo

      Designed by Mario Palanti, it is a sister of his Palacio Barolo in Buenos Aires. Guided tours climb towards the tower for views over the square and the port.

   6. Evening

      Teatro Solís

      Check the programme for a concert by the Montevideo Philharmonic, often the best way to see the hall.

2. Day 2: Mercado del Puerto and Ciudad Vieja and Peatonal Sarandí

   Mercado del Puerto, Ciudad Vieja and Peatonal Sarandí, Museo Torres García and Museo del Carnaval, then Ciudad Vieja in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mercado del Puerto

      Sit at the counter, order a medio y medio and watch the grill masters at work.

   2. Late morning

      Ciudad Vieja and Peatonal Sarandí

      Side streets hold art deco banks, bookshops, galleries and the Plaza Zabala, and craft stalls line the street on fine days.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Asado

      The parrillas of the Mercado del Puerto and neighbourhood parrillas across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Museo Torres García

      Dedicated to Joaquín Torres García, the Uruguayan painter whose 'constructive universalism' combined grids and symbols, this museum on Peatonal Sarandí shows his paintings, wooden toys and drawings, including his famous inverted map of South America.

   5. Late afternoon

      Museo del Carnaval

      It is the best way to understand the festival if you visit outside January and February.

   6. Evening

      Ciudad Vieja

      Bars on Bacacay and around Plaza Matriz, and tango and candombe nights in old cafés.

Before you go

If it rains

• Swap in Museo Andes 1972 (Ciudad Vieja): Allow time to read the survivors' accounts; the museum is small but detailed.
• Swap in Palacio Legislativo (Aguada): Take a bus up Avenida del Libertador from Plaza Independencia, which ends right at the palace steps.
• Swap in Estadio Centenario and Museo del Fútbol (Parque Batlle): Combine it with a walk in the surrounding Parque Batlle, one of the city's largest parks.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 11–13 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.8 hours in June to 14.5 hours in December, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Bus. An extensive bus network links the Centro with every barrio; lines along the Rambla and Avenida 18 de Julio are the most useful for visitors.

More or fewer days

• One day in Montevideo
• 3 days in Montevideo

Questions travellers ask