39 Must-Visit Attractions in Uruguay

This geo-park is highly recommended, especially for anyone who enjoys alternative experiences related to geology, palaeontology and archaeology. You can enter ancient caves filled with cave paintings, and geological formations that are 2,500 million years old. It is one of the only two geo-parks on the continent. Recommended by Milena Fajardo.

Visit one of the many countryside houses that offer tourist accommodation. Not only will you be able to hike and explore the gorgeous countryside landscape, but also take part in horseback riding. These countryside houses offer guided horse riding tours for all skill levels, and exploring Uruguay this way is an unmatchable experience. You will also enjoy delicious homemade food. Recommended by Milena Fajardo.

The deserted sands and laid-back villages of Rocha are an oasis on the eastern border of the country. From hidden lagoons to rocky outcrops peppered with protected birds, the department’s wilds remain untamed. Escape civilisation in electric-free Cabo Polonio, make friends with fur seals in La Pedrera, or trek across the sand dunes in La Paloma. Recommended by Georgia Mizen.

The closest thing to a mountain in Uruguay is Cerro Arequita in Minas, about two hours northeast of Montevideo. Pack a pair of walking boots and set out on a hike through the hill’s mythical Ombú forest, or head underground to spot millions of bats in the Cretaceous-age Gruta Colón, or Columbus Cave. Recommended by Georgia Mizen.

The pretty colonial town of Carmelo is worth a visit in itself, but the real draw is the boutique wineries that encircle it. This region, known to grape aficionados as the Uruguayan Tuscany, is home to five family-run vineyards: Familia Irurtia, Almacen de la Capilla, Campo Tinto, El Legado and Narbona. Email ahead to coordinate personalised tours and tastings with the winemakers themselves. Recommended by Georgia Mizen.

For half of the year, between June and November, Atlantic southern right whales breed off the coast of Uruguay. Punta Colorada and Negra, near the quaint seaside town of Piriápolis, have some of the best lookout spots up and down the coast. Start out early when the waves are calm and look out for circling gulls to have the best chance of spotting whales frolicking in the waters. Recommended by Georgia Mizen.

The capital city of Uruguay, Montevideo, has a lot of beaches. The city is surrounded by the Rambla, which could be seen as border between city and sea, and is about 22 km long. Therefore, it is very easy to reach the city’s beaches by walking, riding a bicycle or by public transport. Some of the prettiest beaches are Playa de los Pocitos, which is located very close to the center, and is a busy place for sports fans. Another one is Playa Ramírez, which is close to the Parque Rodó, and is ideal for families and suitable for wheelchairs, and Playa Malvín, with some of the calmest and clearest waters in Uruguay. Recommended by Ricarda Reininger.

While Uruguay might not have the white sands and towering palms of neighbouring Brazil, it does share the same sunshine. If you’re after an all-over tan, head to the country’s famous nudist beach, Playa Chihuahua. Here you can bare it all alongside bronzed sun-worshippers from nearby Punta del Este. Recommended by Georgia Mizen.

The longest stretch of beach in Uruguay: Costa de Oro is a coastal section of Uruguay which is about 45 kilometers long and extends along several resorts and beaches. In the past it was an useless area, which was reclaimed by planting different trees and offering attractive activities for visitors. Mostly, Costa de Oro is visited by local tourists, but beaches like Costa Azul and La Floresta are popular places by foreign tourist too. All of them are highly recommendable, but the most beautiful ones are Neptunia, with its white and wide sandbanks and Jaureguiberry, which leads into a creek. Recommended by Ricarda Reininger.

Located within the impressive Santa Teresa National Park, here you will find beaches, forests, lagoons, and even a Medieval fortress. Also growing in popularity, Playa de la Moza is one of the most beautiful beaches in the park, with a few dusty paths leading through the area that some might not even classify as a town. Many visitors pitch their tents and occupy a patch of grass at one of the campsites, there is a very small market to buy snacks, and a couple of bars and restaurants open at random times, usually only during high season. Recommended by Will Lees.

The woods creep onto the beaches of La Paloma in a hypnotising blend of green and blue. Nature lovers will be in heaven here, perched on the edge of Cape Santa Maria. Wake up early and hike to the nearby Laguna de Rocha to spot over 200 types of birds, including Uruguay’s salmon-pink flamingos. If rain threatens, duck into this rustic town’s lighthouse or the quirky Casino Cabo Santa Maria. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, grab a board and make a beeline for the windswept beaches for surfing and swimming. Don’t leave without catching the breathtaking sunset from La Balconada – La Paloma’s picture-perfect waterfront. Recommended by Georgia Mizen.

It might have just one strip of short road running through it, but La Pedrera is an enchanting place. The main road ends in a long, sloping staircase that goes right into the ocean, offering many picturesque views for you to enjoy. To this day, only a few restaurants, a very small supermarket, a café and a hostel make up the centre of La Pedrera. Recommended by Will Lees.

The ultimate flea market, Tristán Narvaja extends for blocks and blocks of streets in Montevideo city centre, displaying all kinds of goods. You can find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to homemade food, toiletries, DVDs, antiques, old newspapers and magazines, artisan jewelry, vintage clothing, and even animals. It takes place every Sunday morning, is always very busy, and takes hours to go through. There are so many stalls offering such varied merchandise that you’ll probably want to visit more than once. Recommended by Milena Fajardo.

La Paloma is a great seaside city, and you will find lots of things to do there as well as seeing some beautiful beaches. During the night, this big market opens, where you will find various trinkets and handcrafted objects. There are a lot of artistic creations, such as landscape paintings and drawings, sand art, and ceramics. You will also find some really cool musical instruments originating from all over Latin America, small wooden toys for kids, and gorgeous wooden board games. Recommended by Milena Fajardo.

This indoor market displays the best-quality artisanal creations in the city. The artisans’ guild organizes what can be displayed: usually, artisans apply to display their work here, and members of the guild assess the quality and originality of the work. You can also find many shops in the area, as well as other artisans selling their work on the street. Among the multiple materials used, you will predominantly find batik designs, cane, ceramics, leather, metal, mate, wood, soap, bone, resin, glass, candle, and cloth. Recommended by Milena Fajardo.

The historic quarter in Colonia del Sacramento is a unique place, named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its well-maintained colonial urban landscape. In the artisan market, you will find unique souvenirs handcrafted by locals, completely different to the ones found in the typical tourist shops on the main street. It is more modest than markets in other cities, but is still enjoyable to browse through. Recommended by Milena Fajardo.

The fish market in Punta del Diablo is a quaint and lovely place with wooden stalls where the local fishers sell their goods. Some even sell their catch straight from their own boats. You can buy cooked meals in town during the summer, such as fish empanadas, mussels, fried algae balls, and calamari; all the fish and shellfish that are used will come from this market. If you’re cooking for yourself, don’t miss the chance to find fresh fish and shellfish caught on the day to cook on the grill. Ask for flounder, bay scallops, shrimp, and octopus. Recommended by Milena Fajardo.

Cabo Polonio is a unique place in the far east of Uruguay, with Atlantic Ocean beaches. It is only accessible by travelling on big trucks designated by the government, to prevent the deterioration of its big sand dunes, or by walking or horseback riding from a nearby town called Valizas. Once you’re there, you can’t miss the artisans’ market; it’s one of the most beautiful markets in the whole country, featuring unique handcrafted clothing, jewelry, and unique objects such as wind chimes made from shells. You will also see live shows and find some amazing homemade food here. Recommended by Milena Fajardo.