Day trips · Montevideo · Uruguay
5 best day trips from Montevideo
Where to go when you want a day away from Montevideo, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marcelo Campi, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Montevideo is Colonia del Sacramento (About 2.5–3 hours by bus). The closest option is Canelones wine country, about 30 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 5
- Closest
- Canelones wine country (30 km)
- Most popular
- Colonia del Sacramento
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonia del Sacramento | 180 km | About 2.5–3 hours by bus | Frequent buses from Tres Cruces terminal | Couples, Culture, First-timers |
| Punta del Este | 130 km | About 2 hours by bus | Frequent buses from Tres Cruces terminal | Beach, Luxury, Couples |
| Casapueblo | 120 km | About 2 hours by road | Bus towards Punta del Este, then local bus or taxi; or car | Couples, Culture |
| Piriápolis | 100 km | About 1.5 hours by bus | Bus from Tres Cruces terminal | Families, Beach, Quiet stays |
| Canelones wine country | 30 km | About 30–45 minutes by car | Tour, taxi or car | Food lovers, Couples |
The day trips
180 km · About 2.5–3 hours by bus
1.Colonia del Sacramento
A UNESCO-listed Portuguese colonial town on the river, with cobbled lanes such as the Calle de los Suspiros, a lighthouse with a view over the old quarter, and riverside sunsets. It is a long day trip, so many visitors stay a night.
- Getting there
- Frequent buses from Tres Cruces terminal
- Best for
- Couples, Culture, First-timers
130 km · About 2 hours by bus
2.Punta del Este
Uruguay's best-known beach resort on a peninsula between the river and the Atlantic, with the 'La Mano' hand sculpture on Playa Brava, a yacht harbour with sea lions and long beaches. It is very busy from late December to February and quiet the rest of the year.
- Getting there
- Frequent buses from Tres Cruces terminal
- Best for
- Beach, Luxury, Couples
120 km · About 2 hours by road
3.Casapueblo
Artist Carlos Páez Vilaró's white, Mediterranean-style house and studio sprawls down the cliffs at Punta Ballena, with a museum of his work and a terrace famous for its sunset ceremony.
- Getting there
- Bus towards Punta del Este, then local bus or taxi; or car
- Best for
- Couples, Culture
100 km · About 1.5 hours by bus
4.Piriápolis
A traditional seaside town founded by Francisco Piria, with the grand 1930s Argentino Hotel, a long rambla and the Cerro San Antonio hill, reachable by chairlift, for views over the bay.
- Getting there
- Bus from Tres Cruces terminal
- Best for
- Families, Beach, Quiet stays
30 km · About 30–45 minutes by car
5.Canelones wine country
Most of Uruguay's wine comes from family estates in Canelones department, just north of Montevideo. Wineries offer tours, Tannat tastings and long lunches, and some combine the visit with olive oil or cheese tastings.
- Getting there
- Tour, taxi or car
- Best for
- Food lovers, Couples
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- Buy an STM card for cheaper fares, or pay the driver in cash; route-planning apps show bus times well.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Montevideo?
Colonia del Sacramento. A UNESCO-listed Portuguese colonial town on the river, with cobbled lanes such as the Calle de los Suspiros, a lighthouse with a view over the old quarter, and riverside sunsets.
+How long does it take to get from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento?
About 2.5–3 hours by bus — Frequent buses from Tres Cruces terminal, about 180 km.
+How long does it take to get from Montevideo to Punta del Este?
About 2 hours by bus — Frequent buses from Tres Cruces terminal, about 130 km.