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Montevideo Attractions

Old City

Ciudad Vieja is the old part of the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo. At the center one can see a large square called Plaza Independencia. The Old City district starts at this square and ends at the port of Montevideo and it is characterized by colonial buildings.

The old city was surrounde...

Ciudad Vieja is the old part of the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo. At the center one can see a large square called Plaza Independencia. The Old City district starts at this square and ends at the port of Montevideo and it is characterized by colonial buildings.

The old city was surrounded by city walls to defend the city from possible invasions. The walls stood there up until 1829 when they were turned down, and only the city gates were left standing.

A monument that marks the tomb of Jose Gervasio Artigas is located at the centre of Plaza. He is considered the father of Uruguayan independence. There are other important buildings in Old City which speak about the history of this beautiful city. Some of these are; Casa Rivera which used to be the home of Fructuoso River, first president of Uruguay; house of Giuseppe Garibaldi (Casa Garibaldi) who exiled in Uruguay.

The Old City is also home to the Cabildo, a building that was once used as the government house and today it houses a museum and a historical archive. Cabildo is located on Martiz Square (Plaza Martiz) which is also called Constitution Square that was the mayor square of Montevideo in colonial period. This square is also home to the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Montevideo) built in neoclassical style and consecrated in 1804.

Solis Theatre (Teatro Solís), Uruguay´s oldest theatre that was opened in 1856 is located on the central square, Plaza Independencia. Museum Torres Garcia (Museo Torres Garcia) is a museum of art that is also situated in Old City and attracts over 65,000 visitors a year.

Today, Montevideo Old City is not just the historical centre of the city, but also the district where the majority of nightclubs, and bars found home, as well as Seaprot Market (Mercado de Puerto) which could be considered as the gastronomic center of Montevideo.

Top Montevideo Tours

$55 Per Day

Villa Serrana

Villa Serrana   In the same rocky range of hills near Minas where Richard Geere built a series of Buddhist temples as a refuge for Tibetan monks in exile, lies a beautiful place that lingers in the minds of the Uruguayan people who regard it with a sense of deep fondness and longing to return. This place is Villa Serrana in the province of Lavalleja. Salto El Penitente is waterfall about a 50-meter drop of crystalline waters, and there is an excellent restaurant on the site. You can also slide across the gorge by taking a thrilling ride on a canopy cable.

We recommend to make reservation previously to check availability for visit to the temple and arrange other appointments for visit different places in the area. 

$20 Per Day

WALKING TOUR MONTEVIDEO

Walking tour: Tour duration 6 h. Enjoy an insight into Jewish immigration and life in Uruguay from the last century. From the pier we will walk all at the long of the Old City starting in the Port Market, then Sarandy pedestrian street until the Matriz square and Independence square. Then we will take the taxi until the old synagogue to visit the area where Jewish immigrants began to settle at the end of the 19 Th century. Then pass by Golda Meier Square and the Hebraic Maccabi Sports Center as well as the Ashkenazim synagogue. (Visit just with 15 days before sending ID and names. ) After by taxi we will go to modern neighborhood of the Punta Carretas, and Pocitos residential area where most of the Hebraic population are living today. Punta Carretas shopping mall and catholic church. We will walk all at the long of Pocitos beach to visit until the Armenian square from where we have beautiful Wu to Yacht club and Fish market. Return by taxi stop at the Holocaust Memorial, ending in the pier. Price 150 U$D  Transportation with taxi 8 - 10 U$ not included.