Things to Do in Uruguay: Our Top 10 Highlights

All Uruguay Attractions on One Map

On this map, we’ve marked the 10 most beautiful attractions in Uruguay.

In this article, we present our top 10 things to do in Uruguay sorted geographically — in the order we’d visit them on a road trip through the country.

We recommend setting aside a total of two weeks for a road trip. That way, you can discover all of Uruguay’s most beautiful highlights.

Our Top 10 Things to Do in Uruguay

Let’s dive in! Here are our favorite places to visit in Uruguay.

Montevideo

Montevideo is the capital city and usually the first stop on a road trip through Uruguay. You can easily explore it in one or two days.

These are the top highlights in Montevideo:

• Plaza Independencia: Main square with impressive buildings and palm trees.
• Ciudad Vieja: Montevideo’s historic district with charming streets.
• Mercado del Puerto: Market hall by the port offering great food in a lively atmosphere.
• Teatro Solís: Montevideo’s most famous theater, located on Plaza Independencia.
• Letras de Montevideo: The Montevideo sign with the beach and ocean in the background.
• Rambla: Waterfront promenade — a real highlight especially at sunset.

We’ve written a dedicated article about Montevideo where you can find more highlights and helpful tips.

Piriápolis

Piriápolis is a coastal town located about 100 kilometers east of Montevideo — you head from Montevideo in the direction of Brazil to get there.

You’ll find plenty of beautiful beaches and a harbor here. That said, it’s not our favorite swimming spot, since it’s still on the Río de la Plata and not on the open ocean. A general rule in Uruguay applies: the closer to Brazil, the nicer the water.

What Piriápolis does have going for it is a hike up Cerro San Antonio — or a ride up by chairlift. From the top, you get a fantastic panoramic view.

The chairlift is not for people with a fear of heights, and it probably doesn’t meet Western safety standards either — but it’s absolutely an experience.

Casapueblo

Casapueblo is a building that turns heads for its extraordinary architecture. It was designed by Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró — a massive complex of structures with a facade painted entirely in white.

It makes for a fantastic photo subject and is a must-see on any road trip through Uruguay. There’s also a museum at Casapueblo. Admission costs $15, and you can buy tickets on-site or on the website.

Casapueblo sits between Piriápolis and Punta del Este — less than a 30-minute drive from either. On a road trip, the sweet spot is to leave Piriápolis in the morning, spend the day exploring Casapueblo, and head to Punta del Este in the evening.

If you want a truly special place to stay, you can also spend the night at the Club Hotel Casapueblo. It’s located right inside the stunning building and is actually not that expensive.

Check out Club Hotel Casapueblo

Punta del Este

A bit further east of Casapueblo lies Punta del Este — sometimes called the Monaco of Uruguay. It’s the most popular resort destination in the country, and everything here is a little more polished and exclusive than elsewhere.

Some of Uruguay’s best beaches are right here, including Playa Brava and Playa Mansa.

Top things to do in Punta del Este include seeing the finger sculpture Los Dedos and taking a boat tour to Isla de Lobos. We’d plan two days here.

If you’d rather skip the rental car, you can reach Punta del Este from Montevideo by bus or on a guided day tour — which also includes a stop at Casapueblo.

Guided Tour from Montevideo to Punta del Este

La Paloma

La Paloma is a charming surf town about 100 kilometers east of Punta del Este. Small and laid-back, it really comes alive in summer — and it’s home to some of Uruguay’s most beautiful beaches.

The nicest stretches of sand are a bit south of the town center, like Playa La Serena and Playa Anaconda.

Other highlights include the lighthouse, the harbor, and surfing in the ocean. You can easily tick off the main sights in a single day — but if you’re in the mood for a proper beach vacation, La Paloma is perfect for a few extra days.

Cabo Polonio

Cabo Polonio is, for us, the single most beautiful place to visit in Uruguay. It’s simply magical. This remote village on the beach sits about a half-hour drive from La Paloma.

You can’t park in the village itself — you have to leave your car in a lot a few kilometers away. From there, you’re driven to Cabo Polonio in a kind of off-road transport vehicle. The round trip costs 350 UYU.

What makes Cabo Polonio so special is that there’s no electrical grid or running water pipes. All electricity comes from solar and wind energy or generators. Water for showering and cooking is purchased.

The village is just a handful of houses, a lighthouse, a small supermarket, a few bars, and some accommodations — and that’s about it. Beyond that, you’ll find wild nature, endlessly long sandy beaches, and sea lions lounging on the rocks. The perfect place to disconnect!

Punta del Diablo

An hour’s drive further east of Cabo Polonio, you’ll find the next dreamy beach destination: Punta del Diablo. From here, you’re already just 30 minutes from the Brazilian border.

Much like La Paloma, Punta del Diablo is all about surfing and lounging on the beach. The vibe in town is super relaxed, and the beaches here are also among the most beautiful in Uruguay.

Quebrada de los Cuervos

Quebrada de los Cuervos is a canyon and national park in the interior of Uruguay — about a three-hour drive from Punta del Diablo. We recommend making it a day trip from there.

Inside the park, you’ll find short hiking trails and overlooks of the canyon, plus a lagoon and a waterfall.

The mountains here aren’t particularly high, but if you enjoy rugged mountain scenery, this is definitely worth the detour.

Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento is on the opposite side of the country, in western Uruguay — close to the border with Argentina. From Montevideo, it’s about a two-hour drive.

Colonia is one of the oldest cities in Uruguay and, in our opinion, the most beautiful. You’ll find lovely colonial buildings, charming cobblestone streets, and a lighthouse. Since it’s quite compact, you won’t need more than a day to explore it.

Guided day trips to Colonia del Sacramento are available from Montevideo.

Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento from Montevideo

Uruguay's Wine Region

The regions of Colonia, Canelones, and San José are Uruguay’s main wine-growing areas, and there are plenty of wineries to explore.

Drive inland from Colonia del Sacramento and you’ll pass a variety of wine cellars where you can sample delicious wines and take winery tours. Some wineries also offer overnight stays — a seriously lovely way to end a road trip.

El Legado Wine Lodge: Beautiful grounds surrounded by vineyards. Great wine tastings and very personalized service, as there are only a few rooms.

Casa de Aitona Bodega Zubizarreta: Small winery in a stunning landscape with delicious wines. Rooms are tastefully decorated.

General Tips for Uruguay

Now you know the best things to do in Uruguay. Here are a few practical tips to make sure you’re perfectly prepared for your trip.

Renting a Car in Uruguay

We recommend exploring Uruguay by rental car — it’s faster and more flexible than taking the bus. You can compare rental car deals on Discovercars to find the best option for your trip.

Find the Best Rental Car on Discovercars

Day Trip from Buenos Aires to Uruguay

Many travelers combine Uruguay with a city trip to Buenos Aires. The Argentine capital is located on the other side of the Río de la Plata — directly across from Colonia del Sacramento. The two cities are less than two hours apart by ferry.

You have two options for crossing from Buenos Aires by ferry to Uruguay:

1. Take the ferry from Buenos Aires to Montevideo (approximately four hours)
2. Take the ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento (approximately 1.5 hours). From there, you can continue by bus to Montevideo (about two hours).

The ferry operators are Colonia Express and Buquebus. Both run multiple ferries daily. A round trip costs around 60 euros. You can buy tickets on their websites or at their ticket offices.

More Travel Tips for Uruguay

Still have questions about getting to and entering Uruguay, or wondering about the best time to visit?

Our dedicated travel tips article has everything you need to know before your trip.