Full Day Private Tour of Montevideo

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Plaza Matriz

   Here we will begin our tour. From 1726 it was the Plaza Mayor of the Fortress City of San Felipe and Santiago de Montevideo. Since its creation, this square constituted the civic and social center of the city, first with the construction of the Iglesia Matriz and later with that of the Cabildo (seat of the colonial government), to which were later added large shops, buildings of a social nature and hotels. Here we will walk the pedestrian circuit that will take us to our next destination.

   45 minutes here

2. Plaza Independencia

   After the demolition of the fortifications of the colonial city, and the independence affirmed, the walled city gave way to an open city. The Plaza constitutes the link that unites the Old City with the New City. It also marks the beginning of the country's main avenue, 18 de Julio. Around it are some of the most outstanding buildings in the city, such as the Solís Theater, the Salvo Palace, the Puerta de la Citadel, the Estévez Palace and the Executive Tower of the national government. The monument to the hero José Gervasio Artigas rises above the center of the square. Below it descend some stairs that lead to the mausoleum where his remains rest.

   45 minutes here

3. Plaza Zabala

   Its origin dates from the demolition of the colonial Casa del Gobernador at the end of the 19th century, seeking to generate green spaces as urban lungs. It has its own urban characteristics such as being a block turned with respect to the classic checkerboard of the colonial city, it is also the only Montevidean square that preserves its gate -in the French and English style-, although it is no longer the original one, and it is the only square that the traffic around you is in a clockwise direction. Its implementation was based on a "Belle Epoque" spirit, which aspired to resemble Montevideo to Paris, in 1889, the project was commissioned to the French landscaper André. The design, picturesque in nature, consists of an undulating walkway bordering large grass beds with flower beds and various species of trees. The Gothic-style equipment, with lanterns, a drinking fountain and the octagonal gate with small gates, contributes to its special character.

   15 minutes here

4. Mercado del Puerto

   Old warehouse that was inaugurated in 1868 for this purpose, and is now a National Historic Monument. Within it there is a wide variety of restaurants whose specialty is the "parrilla" or "Uruguayan barbecue". In the pedestrian streets that surround it, there are artisans and artists offering their products. In front of it is the Customs building that is approximately 100 years old.

   30 minutes here

5. Here we will begin our walk along the Montevidean coast. Next to the port, this breakwater is the continuation of the pedestrian walkway that bears the same name. A place with a privileged view of the Old City and the port and a meeting point for fishing enthusiasts. If we are lucky we will be able to see a ship or cruise ship entering the port from very close, we will stop for a few minutes to contemplate the view. Throughout this tour of the coast that begins here, several stops are proposed but remember that this Tour is private and personalized, therefore you can omit and/or add stops to your liking.

   5 minutes here

6. Templo Ingles de Montevideo

   Here we will stop at Plaza España Opposite the Rambla Sur, in this square is one of the few remnants of the old wall that surrounded the fortified city. In front of the square is the Cubo del Sur, an emblematic place that preserves the wall that surrounded colonial Montevideo. This place for military purposes and for the defense of the Spanish colony, located on the southern courts of the city, is also a place of memory for the cultural expressions of enslaved Africans, since it is there where the so-called dances, tangos and candombes were performed. meetings and gatherings that were accompanied by singing, dancing and percussion, acts of resistance against the slave regime. Here is also the English Temple, which was built at the request of the US, Swedish and British consuls in 1844, and then rebuilt in 1934.

   15 minutes here

7. We will stop for a few minutes in the Plaza that surrounds the Skating Rink to enjoy the view of the end of the city's so-called South Rambla. In front of us will be the Mercosur Building, which was formerly the well-known Parque Hotel, which since its early days was an important center of Montevidean social life, with memorable parties in its halls with the performance of famous international and River Plate orchestras. From here we have a great panoramic view of Playa Ramírez, Parque Rodó, Las Canteras and Paseo de los Pescadores, which will be our next stop.

   5 minutes here

8. On the other side of the above is this little world apart from the city that contemplates a group of piers and fishing clubs. The view of the Rambla Sur from this point is very attractive and an excellent place to take photos and learn more about life in these hidden corners. Here are also the so-called Canteras del Parque Rodó and the Teatro de Verano, which is the main stage of the Uruguayan Carnival.

   5 minutes here

9. Faro de Punta Carretas

   Originally called Punta Brava Lighthouse, it is located at the southernmost point of Montevideo and Uruguay. Since 1948 every ten seconds inserts a red flash to differentiate itself from other lighthouses and buoys. It has a height of twenty-one meters and a luminous range of fifteen miles, it is still a reference for fishing boats that go to the English Bank, the Diving Port or the entrance of the Santa Lucía River. From its coast a panoramic view can be appreciated.

   5 minutes here

10. The Montevideo coast has several beaches and rocky points between them. In some of them we have the possibility of stopping for a few minutes to breathe the sea air and take some photos and learn about the history and the different characteristics of each neighborhood. The Pointe de Trouville is one of those places. It officially separates the Punta Carretas neighborhood from Pocitos and is a neighborhood meeting point with a skating rink, gym equipment and other attractions. In front of it is the Pittamiglio Castle (with its alchemical, Christian, Templar, Rosicrucian and Masonic symbolism), Gomesoro Square, and it is the beginning of 21 de Setiembre Avenue. It offers beautiful views over Pocitos Beach and the boulevard.

    5 minutes here

11. Parque Rodo

    Extensive park that is located in front of Playa Ramírez and is one of the largest green spaces in the city, with an area of 43 hectares. It has a large lake where you can take a pedal boat ride. Also in the neighborhood you can find an area of quarries, the Summer Theater, the Museum of Visual Arts, buildings of architectural interest, an important number of monuments and an open-air photo gallery. The castle was inaugurated in 1903 together with other attractions of the then called Urban Park. It is said to be a replica of a French medieval castle, but we have not found data to really confirm this.

    45 minutes here

12. Parque de Villa Biarritz

    Located between the neighborhoods of Punta Carretas and Pocitos, this park, declared a National Historic Monument, is a lung of the city that has a spirit and life of its own. The first settlers in the area were from Basque France, and that is where its name comes from. At the beginning of the 20th century, this area was one of the most outstanding spas of the Montevidean aristocracy with summer houses. Today it is one of the most beautiful urban corners to know and experience its daily pulse. Twice a week, the already traditional Villa Biarritz Fair takes place here, where you can find everything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and handmade decorative items.

    15 minutes here

13. Plaza Tomas Gomensoro

    Interesting plaza on 2 levels next to the coast in the area known as Trouville, between the Punta Carretas and Pocitos neighborhoods. This neighborhood was delineated in 1897 and from that moment the space for this square underwent different modifications until 1920 when the current one was finished rethinking. Interesting neighborhood corner to spend a few minutes.

    15 minutes here

14. Pocitos

    The "Punta de Kibon" and the "Cartel de Montevideo". This is the classic tourist stop on a city tour. It was always one of the places chosen for one of the best-known photographic shots of the city, and since the poster was inaugurated on January 2, 2014, this became even more notorious. It was completely renovated, both in style and quality, in May 2018, being chosen by individual and collective initiatives, where groups of high schools and different institutions met. Before continuing we will make a brief stop at the "Puertito del Buceo" for other panoramic views and stories of the area.

    15 minutes here

15. Playa del buceo

    We will stop for a few minutes at the tip next to the Buceo Beach, where the Oceanographic Museum is located, built in 1925 with a Morico style, which was built when Diving was not an urban area but a spa visited by the population that was concentrated in the Old City and its immediate surroundings.

    10 minutes here

16. After going through the beaches of Buceo and the 3 that make up Malvin (making some stops to take photos if you like), we arrived at Playa de los Ingleses and Punta Gorda where the Plaza de la Armada or Plaza Virgilio is located. More like a park than a square, it has unique landscape qualities.

    15 minutes here

17. Stone construction that was carried out between 1780 and 1790, in this place that in those times was the furthest from the city within the natural limits of Montevideo.

    10 minutes here

18. Originally conceived as Barrio Jardín, it is now the most important residential neighborhood in Montevideo, where most of the ambassadors' residences are located. Facing the beach is the Hotel Casino Carrasco, built in 1921, a clear example of the beginning of the above.

    10 minutes here

19. World Trade Center Montevideo

    Like all the WTCs in the world, this is a building complex with a business destination. It is made up of 5 towers surrounding a square. All this together with the Montevideo Shopping, which was the first in the country.

    15 minutes here

20. Estadio Centenario

    In the heart of Parque Batlle is this stadium that was inaugurated on July 18, 1930 on the occasion of the first Soccer World Cup in history, whose champion was the Uruguayan team. It has capacity for more than 60,000 spectators, being the stadium with the largest capacity in Uruguay and one of the 15 largest in America. In 1983 it was declared by FIFA "Historical Monument of World Soccer". In addition to seeing the stadium from the outside, we will take a walk through the park where the Athletics Track and the Monumento de la Carreta are located.

    15 minutes here

21. Obelisco a los Constituyentes

    Limiting the Batlle Park with the Center of Montevideo and the other end of Av. 18 de Julio (where we started our Tour) is the Obelisk of Montevideo. It is the work of the sculptor José Luis Zorrilla de San Martín; It is 40 meters high and is made of bronze and granite. It was inaugurated in 1938 in homage to the patriots of the General Constituent and Legislative Assembly of the State that sanctioned the first Constitution of Uruguay in 1830.

    5 minutes here

22. Avenida 18 de Julio

    Along this avenue, which is the main one in the city, you can see: University of the Republic National Library square of 33 IMM Cagancha or Freedom Square Entrevero Square

    Pass by without stopping

23. Mirador Panoramico de Montevideo

    Headquarters of the government of Montevideo, the building began to be built in 1935 and was fitted out in 1944. Subsequently, it underwent several extensions and modifications, culminating in the 70s where it obtained its current appearance. At the base is the Museum of Art History and at the top the Municipal Viewpoint. Admission is free and (depending on how we come from time) if you wish to visit it you will be able to appreciate a great panoramic view of the city and various points of the tours today.

    45 minutes here

24. Palacio Legislativo

    The Legislative Palace is the seat of the Legislative Branch of Uruguay. The General Assembly works there, which is made up of two chambers that meet separately or jointly depending on the circumstances: the House of Representatives and the Chamber of Senators. The building was built between 1908 and 1925 in the city of Montevideo, it was inaugurated on August 25, 1925 in commemoration of the centenary of the Declaration of Independence.

    15 minutes here

25. Mercado Agricola Montevideo - MAM

    It is the last of the large markets built in iron in Montevideo, which also has the Mercado de la Abundancia, located in the center of the city, and the Mercado del Puerto located in the Old City. The original building also has false towers on its four corners that also culminate in a needle.

    15 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

pt, en, es

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 4 travelers per booking

Operated by

VerdeAzul

Know before you go

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• The vehicle to be used is licensed for 7 people, including the driver, and there are security elements for everyone. The ideal number of adults in the group should be 4 of medium build so that they can travel in total comfort. It is also possible to incorporate 2 children or adolescents if they are not large. The clarification is because the 3rd row seat is smaller than the rest.

Photos