Free things to do · Montevideo · Uruguay
7 free things to do in Montevideo
Montevideo without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: GameOfLight, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Montevideo without paying an entry fee: The Rambla, Plaza Independencia and Artigas Mausoleum, Ciudad Vieja and Peatonal Sarandí and Feria de Tristán Narvaja are all free. Uruguay is one of South America's more expensive countries; set lunches (menú ejecutivo) on weekdays are the best-value meals.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 10
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–September
Free sights and experiences
Waterfront · Pocitos
1.The Rambla
Walk or cycle the stretch from Punta Carretas lighthouse to Pocitos at sunset, when the whole city seems to be out.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
- Active
Landmark · Centro
2.Plaza Independencia and Artigas Mausoleum
Go down into the mausoleum, which is free, and then walk through the Puerta de la Ciudadela onto Peatonal Sarandí.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Neighbourhood · Ciudad Vieja
3.Ciudad Vieja and Peatonal Sarandí
Walk it on a weekday morning, then end at the Mercado del Puerto for lunch.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Shopping
Market · Cordón
4.Feria de Tristán Narvaja
Go before noon, carry cash in small notes and keep your bag in front of you in the crowds.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Food
- Photo spot
Gallery · Parque Rodó
5.Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales
Pair the museum with a walk to Playa Ramírez on the Rambla, a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
Park · Parque Rodó
6.Parque Rodó
Come on a Sunday afternoon, when the park fills with families and the fair stalls are out.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Garden · Prado
7.Prado: Rosedal and Jardín Botánico
Visit in November, when the roses are at their peak, and add the Museo Blanes garden.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Couples
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Pocitos | The Rambla | 2–3 hours |
| Centro | Plaza Independencia and Artigas Mausoleum | 45 minutes |
| Ciudad Vieja | Ciudad Vieja and Peatonal Sarandí | 2–3 hours |
| Cordón | Feria de Tristán Narvaja | 2 hours |
| Parque Rodó | Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales and Parque Rodó | 1–1.5 hours + 1–2 hours |
| Prado | Prado: Rosedal and Jardín Botánico | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Architecture · Centro
Palacio Salvo
Book a guided tour to reach the upper floors; the ground-floor tango museum is also inside.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Views
- History
- Iconic
Architecture · Ciudad Vieja
Teatro Solís
Check the programme for a concert by the Montevideo Philharmonic, often the best way to see the hall.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Couples
Gallery · Ciudad Vieja
Museo Torres García
Buy a print of the upside-down map in the shop; it is one of the city's most recognisable images.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Ciudad Vieja
Museo del Carnaval
Some visits include a short candombe drumming demonstration or workshop; ask at the desk.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Art
Museum · Ciudad Vieja
Museo Andes 1972
Allow time to read the survivors' accounts; the museum is small but detailed.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Architecture · Aguada
Palacio Legislativo
Take a bus up Avenida del Libertador from Plaza Independencia, which ends right at the palace steps.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Historic site · Parque Batlle
Estadio Centenario and Museo del Fútbol
Combine it with a walk in the surrounding Parque Batlle, one of the city's largest parks.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · Punta Carretas
Punta Carretas lighthouse
Visit late afternoon and stay on the rocks for sunset over the river.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Historic site · Cerro
Fortaleza del Cerro
Go by taxi rather than walking through the surrounding district, and pick a clear day for the view.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Off the beaten path
Architecture · Pocitos
Castillo Pittamiglio
Join a guided visit to learn about the symbolism; it is easy to combine with a walk along Playa Pocitos.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- History
More ways to save
- Uruguay is one of South America's more expensive countries; set lunches (menú ejecutivo) on weekdays are the best-value meals.
- Many museums, including the Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales, the Artigas Mausoleum and the Rambla itself, cost nothing.
- Ask whether hotels and restaurants offer the VAT reduction for payments with foreign-issued cards, which has been applied in some seasons.
- Visit outside late December to February for lower prices, especially if adding Punta del Este.
- Buy wine and picnic supplies at supermarkets for a sunset on the Rambla.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Montevideo expensive to visit?
Montevideo is expensive for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Montevideo?
The Rambla: Walk or cycle the stretch from Punta Carretas lighthouse to Pocitos at sunset, when the whole city seems to be out.