Montevideo travel guide

Perched on a peninsula jutting out into the River Plate, Montevideo's mix of old- and new-world charms has been captivating visitors for centuries.

The city’s Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) is a throwback to the past, with narrow cobblestoned streets, historic buildings and atmospheric plazas. Across the mouth of the River Plate, pavement cafés are plentiful, particularly around the pedestrianised avenue Peatonal Sarandí.

Moving east, Montevideo’s city centre boasts wide, tree-lined avenues, soaring skyscrapers and the bulk of the city's accommodations, while the long seafront promenade known as La Rambla is dotted with clean beaches either side of the upmarket neighbourhood of Carrasco.

Montevideo is a curious mixture of old-fashioned formality and laid-back South American style. Uruguayans may seem reserved at first, particularly if you're coming from Argentina where people are much more openly effusive. This thin veneer soon wears away, however, revealing a warmth and curiosity that makes the locals the highlight of many people's visit.