The Best Markets In Montevideo, Uruguay

Mercado del Puerto is, as the name indicates, a market located at the harbor of Montevideo. It was built between 1865 and 1868, and its steel construction creates a very special ambiance. Originally, it was a market offering fruits, vegetables and meat. But today, it is a market with a lot of restaurants and a few shops. All of these restaurants specialize in grilled meats and offer the traditional parilla,accompanied with wine, if so wished.

There are a lot of possibilities to find some handicrafts in Montevideo. On the streets you will find some gauchos and artists selling their art, as well as in special shops. But there is also the Mercado de los Artesanos, a cooperative of several artists. This market consists of three separate buildings, spread across the city, where artists have a fixed place and the chance to display sell their art. A couple of these are located very near or in the city’s larger, more famous markets. It is truly worth seeing, and perfect to by a souvenir or a gift.

Rodó Park, with its little castle and lake, set very close to the sea, is the perfect place for a Sunday market.It also specializes in clothes, but offers some artisan crafts too. Besides this weekly market, there are sometimes special market-type events, and one of them is the Feria Ideas Más. It offers everything from soaps, glass and ceramics, to wood and paper. But also, music fans might find there their new favorite band or musician, while eating some delicious handmade food and drinks.