World Guide

Montevideo

Capital of Uruguay

Montevideo
Photo: Marcelo Campi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Montevideo is the capital city of Uruguay, housing a population of approximately 1.3 million people as of 2023. Visitors travel here to see historic sites such as the Legislative Palace of Uruguay, the Solís Theatre, and the Palacio Salvo.

What to see

The city features several notable architectural landmarks centered around Plaza Independencia, which includes the Palacio Salvo and the Executive Tower. Cultural and civic sites include the Solís Theatre and the Legislative Palace of Uruguay. Other structures of interest are the Telecommunications Tower and the historic Fortaleza del Cerro. Visitors also frequent the Residencia de Suárez and the Carrasco neighborhood. Additional sites worth exploring in the city include the Andes Museum 1972, the Artigas Mausoleum, the Mercado del Puerto, the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral, the Obelisk of Montevideo, and the World Trade Center Montevideo.

When to go

Montevideo experiences its warmest weather from December through March, with daily highs around 23 °C to 24 °C. These months are suitable for outdoor activities, though rainfall occurs on 8 to 10 days per month. The winter season, from June through August, is cooler, with daily highs dropping to between 13 °C and 14 °C and lows around 9 °C to 10 °C.

Getting there

The nearest airport is Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport, located 17 km away in Ciudad de la Costa.

Top sights in Montevideo

  1. Palacio SalvoPalacio Salvo
  2. Carrasco, MontevideoCarrasco, Montevideo
  3. Residencia de SuárezResidencia de Suárez
  4. Legislative Palace of UruguayLegislative Palace of Uruguay
  5. Telecommunications TowerTelecommunications Tower
  6. Plaza IndependenciaPlaza Independencia
  7. Solís TheatreSolís Theatre
  8. Fortaleza del CerroFortaleza del Cerro
  9. Executive Tower, MontevideoExecutive Tower, Montevideo

Weather by month

The warmest month is January, with an average high of 25 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C252423201714131415182023
Average low, °C20201916131091011131618
Rainfall, mm858910910191877978801039375
Rainy days10810967988978

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Montevideo (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

  • Andes Museum 1972
  • Artigas Mausoleum
  • Mercado del Puerto
  • Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral
  • Obelisk of Montevideo
  • World Trade Center Montevideo