Visit Montevideo: what are the best to do and see in the capital of Uruguay?
The capital of the Uruguay tends to be eclipsed by its Argentine neighbour Buenos Aires . But if you are looking for something a little different, go to this dense and friendly city just on the edge of the Plata River: it has a strange and wonderful range of sites and things to do. This is a place where traditional and modern are connected. For example, Montevideo has a prosperous economy, but people take the time to live as before (for now). The city has new shopping malls, but it also has small family shops. Each child in the country receives one laptop free, but the time spent with the family is still cherished more than anything.
1. Contemplating the Palacio Salvo
Look at the eccentric design of the former Palacio Salvo Hotel on Plaza Independencia. Today transformed into apartments, it is almost a shame that this baroque building (the Montevideo icon), is not yet a hotel. It would have been a remarkable place to stay in the Uruguayan capital. 
Flickr – cHagHi
2. Montevideo style seen by French
See you at Palacio Taranco and Museo de Artes Decorativas (plaza 25 of Mayo 376, free entrance), which is the old house of a rich family from the early 20th century, where you can browse large rooms decorated with French and Spanish art and furniture (the Palacio was designed by French Charles Louis Girault). And, unlike many houses, you can also look behind the doors of the servants, where you will find a huge kitchen stove.
3. Go shopping... in a prison.
Go shopping or see a movie in an old prison in the shopping mall Punta Carretas . When the prison was still in operation, there was a famous escape in 1971 where members of a gang very “ Robin Hood” pierced a tunnel to go out into the living room of a house on the other side of the street. The prison was transformed in 1994 into a pleasant shopping centre with two cinemas.
4. See the works of a key character of Constructivism
Consider yourself the murals and particular sculptures of the Lithuanian Jewish immigrant José Gurvich in the very enduring Museo Gurvich (Plaza de la Constitución, free entry on Tuesday, www.museogurvich.org ). Gurvich was a student of Torres García, the largest artist of Uruguay (and also has a museum dedicated to Sarandi 683, www.torresgarcia.org.uy).
Flickr – Iliazd
5. Make a few braces in Pocitos
Swimming in the sea and lie down on sand dunes on the beach in the area Pocitos . It is difficult to remember that you are still in the capital with clean sand and calm water. There is surprisingly no big world either.
6. Honour diversity and life
Discover the first monument in South America dedicated to sexual diversity, erected in 2005 on Policia Vieja Street, in the old town. It reads: “Honouring diversity is honoring life. Montevideo is for the respect of all sexual identities and orientations. Year 2005". Uruguay is decidedly a very open country since it officially legalized the production and marketing of marijuana in 2013.
7. Devour one chivito
Try to finish a huge chivito in one of Montevideo’s bar cafés. You're either going to treat yourself, or you're gonna eat it because the sandwich is too big.
Flickr – mattrubens
8. The amazing Comercial del Este
Fix with wonder La Comercial del Este , in the presidential palace hall on Plaza Independencia. This is an incredible reconstruction of the last stage taken by horses who traveled between Montevideo and Maldonado in 1910. The horses seem, by far, to be made of metal, but by looking closer, we see that they are actually made entirely of shells, animal bones, feathers and twigs all from the natural environment that the diligence would have crossed between the two cities. The way artists managed to convey to the expressions of each horse using only these materials is a source of inspiration.
9. Declare your love with a padlock
Add your padlock to the Fuente de los candados an extraordinary demonstration of imperishable love on the grids that surround this modest fountain on the Avenida 18 de Julio at the end of Calle Yi. The plaque says: "The legend of this young fountain tells us that if a padlock with the initials of two lovers is placed on it, they will come back together to the fountain and their love will forever be sealed. »
Flickr – Jota Galeano
10. Walk along the Ramblas
Spread along the endless Ramblas , the seafront promenade that extends over 21 km along the beaches. Stop! Playa Ramirez to sting a head, or come back a little in the city to Parque Rodó to enjoy the fair.
11. Immerse yourself under the General Artigas
Dive under the gigantic statue of the General Artigas in the middle of Plaza Independencia to see the mausoleum of a personality who has done everything possible to obtain the independence of Uruguay. Its place of rest in this underground space is constantly monitored by two uniform and armed guards.
How to get to Montevideo?
Flights to Uruguay and Montevideo are operated regularly from France and Europe. Find cheap flights to Montevideo on our partner's website Skyscanner .
Find a hotel in Montevideo
To find a cheap hotel in Montevideo, search this Compare hotels .
It was therefore some ideas of “non-conventional” visits to Montevideo. What did you prefer in the Uruguayan capital?
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