3 Days in Montevideo: First-Timer Plan
Three days covers Montevideo’s city core comfortably and leaves room for one day trip, which is exactly how this plan uses the extra time.
Day 1
Explore Ciudad Vieja and Plaza Independencia: Plaza Matriz, the Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the Palacio Salvo, the tallest building in South America when it opened in 1927. Lunch at Mercado del Puerto costs around $15-25 for a full grilled meal. In the evening, walk the Rambla toward sunset, then have dinner in Ciudad Vieja for $15-30 per person. Tip for the day: pay with a foreign card to trigger Uruguay’s tourist VAT break, cutting restaurant tax from 22% to 9%.
Day 2
Visit Estadio Centenario and the Museo del Futbol, home to the ball from the first-ever World Cup final in 1930. From there, browse Mercado Agricola (MAM) for lunch, $10-20 per person, then spend the afternoon at Pocitos beach. Have a parrilla dinner for $20-35 with wine. Tip for the day: there’s no metro here, so rely on Uber or Cabify, both of which operate reliably across the city.
Day 3
Take the bus to Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage old town about 2 to 2.5 hours away, round trip bus fare runs roughly $30-40. Spend the day walking its cobblestone streets and riverside walls, with lunch in town for $10-20. Return to Montevideo in the evening. Tip for the day: buy your bus ticket at Tres Cruces terminal in advance during summer, since seats can sell out.
Practical Notes
Be honest with your pacing: Montevideo on its own is a 2-3 day city, and this plan uses the third day exactly as it’s meant to be used, as a day trip rather than more city sightseeing. If you have a fourth day, Punta del Este or Canelones wine country are the next best additions.
Read more: 4 days in Montevideo for a longer plan with more day trips.