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Uruguay

Montevideo

Rambla sunsets, old streets and a relaxed pace

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Best time to visit: April–June and September–October
Airports: MVD

Montevideo at a glance

Montevideo is an easygoing capital organised around the Río de la Plata. Walk Ciudad Vieja, follow the Rambla and leave time for neighbourhood cafés and markets.

Quick information

Recommended stay3–4 days

Best time to visitApril–June and September–October

AirportsMVD

Budget travelBudgets depend mainly on accommodation and season, so treat this as a rough guide rather than a quote.

These months are usually more comfortable than high summer, though conditions may still be rainy or hot.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

City bus (CUTCSA)

A longer bus ride to the city centre; the time depends on the line and traffic

Standard bus fare (STM card)Transport

Must-see sights

Ciudad Vieja

Plaza Matriz

Mercado del Puerto

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Walk through Ciudad Vieja from Puerta de la Ciudadela to Plaza Independencia, admiring the Palacio Salvo tower.
Lunch: Head to Mercado del Puerto for grilled meats and chorizos at one of the traditional parrilla stalls.
Afternoon: Stroll along the Rambla beside Río de la Plata, past Parque Rodó and the Pocitos beach promenade.
Evening: Dine on Sarandí Street in Ciudad Vieja and listen for candombe drumming in Barrio Sur.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Ciudad Vieja
A compact historic core from Puerta de la Ciudadela to Plaza Independencia. Pair with Mercado del Puerto; Pocitos still needs its own half-day.
Best for
The old city, Mercado del Puerto and Sarandí Street
Pocitos
Useful for Pocitos Beach and the Rambla walk toward Punta Gorda. Ciudad Vieja remains a separate outing.
Best for
The beach, the Rambla and a calmer stay
Punta Carretas
A practical base near the Rambla. Useful for a chivito lunch; Mercado Agrícola is a separate morning.
Best for
A neighbourhood chivito lunch and the Rambla
Palermo
Useful for an evening on Scoseria Street. Walk the old city by day rather than treating this as the whole stay.
Best for
Evening wine bars and modern Uruguayan cooking

Approximate budget

Mid-range
Varies by season
per day, per person
Costs vary mainly with accommodation and dining choices.

Airports

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

MVD
Carrasco International Airport
25 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

MVD

City bus (CUTCSA)MVDThe airport is about 23 km from the centre. Bus companies such as CUTCSA serve it, but they are not run by the airport. Check current lines and stops in the Cómo Ir app; the STM card lets you combine lines.
A longer bus ride to the city centre; the time depends on the line and traffic
Standard bus fare (STM card)
Details
The airport is about 23 km from the centre. Bus companies such as CUTCSA serve it, but they are not run by the airport. Check current lines and stops in the Cómo Ir app; the STM card lets you combine lines.
Official airport taxiMVDThere is an official taxi counter in the arrivals hall, open around the clock. Montevideo taxis are yellow and white, and fares are higher at night, on Sundays and on holidays.
A road journey to Ciudad Vieja or Centro; the time depends on traffic
Metered fare (higher at night, on Sundays and holidays)
Details
There is an official taxi counter in the arrivals hall, open around the clock. Montevideo taxis are yellow and white, and fares are higher at night, on Sundays and on holidays.
Pre-booked remísMVDRemís services operate around the clock and are pre-booked private cars. The airport also lists accessible remís with space for a wheelchair.
A road journey to the city centre; the time depends on traffic
Fare quoted when booking
Details
Remís services operate around the clock and are pre-booked private cars. The airport also lists accessible remís with space for a wheelchair.
Uber or CabifyMVDThe city's visitor guide lists Uber and Cabify as options. Check the app for the pick-up point at the airport.
A road journey to the city centre; the time depends on traffic
Fare shown in the app
Details
The city's visitor guide lists Uber and Cabify as options. Check the app for the pick-up point at the airport.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

Metro, bus and tramUse official transport information and validate tickets where required. Ciudad Vieja is walkable; the Rambla to Pocitos is a longer, unhurried outing.
Times vary by route and traffic
Local fare
Details
Use official transport information and validate tickets where required. Ciudad Vieja is walkable; the Rambla to Pocitos is a longer, unhurried outing.

Places to visit near Montevideo

Travel times are approximate and depend on traffic and timetables.

Culture
Colonia del Sacramento
Distance
Approximately 180 km
Travel time
Approximately 2.5–3 h
Best transport
bus
Allow extra time for traffic and weather when travelling to Colonia del Sacramento.
Colonia del Sacramento is a half- or full-day outing from Montevideo, best reached by bus.
Culture and history, approximately 180 km away
Half or full day
- History and culture
- Reached by bus
Beach
Punta del Este
Distance
Approximately 130 km
Travel time
Approximately 2–2.5 h
Best transport
coach
Allow extra time for traffic and weather when travelling to Punta del Este.
Punta del Este is a half- or full-day outing from Montevideo, best reached by coach.
Beach time, approximately 130 km away
Half or full day
- Beach time
- Reached by coach
Beach
Piriápolis
Distance
Approximately 100 km
Travel time
Approximately 1.5–2 h
Best transport
coach
Allow extra time for traffic and weather when travelling to Piriápolis.
Piriápolis is a half- or full-day outing from Montevideo, best reached by coach.
Beach time, approximately 100 km away
Half or full day
- Beach time
- Reached by coach
Nature
Canelones wine country
Distance
Approximately 40 km
Travel time
Approximately 1 h
Best transport
organised tour or car
Allow extra time for traffic and weather when travelling to Canelones wine country.
Canelones wine country is a half- or full-day outing from Montevideo, best reached by organised tour or car.
Nature and scenery, approximately 40 km away
Half or full day
- Natural scenery
- Reached by organised tour or car
Beach
Atlántida
Distance
Approximately 45 km
Travel time
Approximately 1 h
Best transport
coach
Allow extra time for traffic and weather when travelling to Atlántida.
Atlántida is a half- or full-day outing from Montevideo, best reached by coach.
Beach time, approximately 45 km away
Half or full day
- Beach time
- Reached by coach

More ideas

Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is another excursion from Montevideo, reached by bus.
Distance
Approximately 180 km
Travel time
Approximately 2.5–3 h
Best transport
bus
Punta del Este
Punta del Este is another excursion from Montevideo, reached by coach.
Distance
Approximately 130 km
Travel time
Approximately 2–2.5 h
Best transport
coach
Piriápolis
Piriápolis is another excursion from Montevideo, reached by coach.
Distance
Approximately 100 km
Travel time
Approximately 1.5–2 h
Best transport
coach

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Montevideo at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Ciudad Vieja

Pocitos

Punta Carretas

Palermo

Approximate budget