Uruguay is emerging as one
of South America’s favorite destinations. Its capital Montevideo has a warm,
temperate climate, pleasant sea breezes and miles of boulevards.
From Montevideo’s Telecommunications Tower you can see the hill that gave the city its name.
Another tower, the Palacio Salvo looms high above the Plaza Independencia in the City Center. Under this square is the mausoleum for the country’s revolutionary hero José Artigas.
Nearby Plaza Matriz is the city’s oldest square and home to the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral, the focal point of Uruguay’s Old Town.
Soccer is big here and in 1930 Uruguay hosted and won the first-ever FIFA World Cup in the Estadio Centenario.
Another proud local tradition is “parrilla" and the best way to try it is to buy cuts of meat in the Mercado del Puerto, and have those cooked for you on the spot.
The 19-mile long promenade, La Rambla leads to the city’s favorite playground: De Los Pocitos Beach.
To the west along the river is the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Colonia del Sacramento, with its landmark lighthouse, sleepy Plaza de Armas, historic Portón de Campo and atmospheric Street of Sighs.
To the east of Montevideo, if you follow the coast, is Piriápolis. This beach resort offers great views from its hilltop San Antonio Temple.
The next highlight on this road trip is the lighthouse of La Paloma on the Cabo de Santa María peninsula.
On your way to the lighthouse of Punta del Este, don’t miss eccentric Casapueblo, a wonderful hotel and art gallery designed by local artist Carlos Páez Vilaró in Punta Ballena.
From Montevideo’s Telecommunications Tower you can see the hill that gave the city its name.
Another tower, the Palacio Salvo looms high above the Plaza Independencia in the City Center. Under this square is the mausoleum for the country’s revolutionary hero José Artigas.
Nearby Plaza Matriz is the city’s oldest square and home to the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral, the focal point of Uruguay’s Old Town.
Soccer is big here and in 1930 Uruguay hosted and won the first-ever FIFA World Cup in the Estadio Centenario.
Another proud local tradition is “parrilla" and the best way to try it is to buy cuts of meat in the Mercado del Puerto, and have those cooked for you on the spot.
The 19-mile long promenade, La Rambla leads to the city’s favorite playground: De Los Pocitos Beach.
To the west along the river is the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Colonia del Sacramento, with its landmark lighthouse, sleepy Plaza de Armas, historic Portón de Campo and atmospheric Street of Sighs.
To the east of Montevideo, if you follow the coast, is Piriápolis. This beach resort offers great views from its hilltop San Antonio Temple.
The next highlight on this road trip is the lighthouse of La Paloma on the Cabo de Santa María peninsula.
On your way to the lighthouse of Punta del Este, don’t miss eccentric Casapueblo, a wonderful hotel and art gallery designed by local artist Carlos Páez Vilaró in Punta Ballena.
Montevideo is a vibrant city of contrasts. It combines an
international port and economic centre for the whole of Uruguay with
a seaside resort consisting of sandy streets and pine forests.
In between these
contrasting east and western ends of the city is the financial heart of the
country and the well-to-do residential areas facing the coast.
The capital, which was
founded in 1726, contains much of its original colonial Spanish and Italian
architecture, mixed with more modern French and art Deco styles. The
city is home to a cafe society full of picturesque plazas perfectly placed
for hours of people watching, listening to tango music, eating pizza or asado
(BBQ) and wandering around the indoor and outdoor markets.
A stroll along the
metropolitan waterfront can be a pleasant experience, with the Rambla Naciones
Unidas walkway connecting the nine sandy beaches that line the seafront.
Uruguay may be small, but its big heart and relaxing vibe create a lifetime of memories.
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