Where to Stay in Montevideo – A Guide to the Capital of Uruguay
Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay and is located in the south of the country, bordering to the north and east with Canelones and to the south with the Río de la Plata that separates it from Argentina.
Carrasco International Airport is the main air terminal in Uruguay and is located in the Department of Canelones, 18 kilometers from Montevideo, with national and international flights.
Although Montevideo is the largest city in Uruguay, it is very pedestrian-friendly and its attractions are close to one another. However, it is also possible to move around the city through its public transport network, consisting of buses and taxis.
The best area to stay in Montevideo is Pocitos, a neighborhood on the coast, known for its great food, hotels of all kinds and good transport connections (See accommodation in Pocitos).
Here’s a guide with the best areas to stay in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The Best Areas to Stay in Montevideo, Uruguay
1. Our Favorite Area: Pocitos
Pocitos is one of the most famous neighborhoods in the city, both for its beauty and for being the safest area to stay in Montevideo.
This area is connected to the City Center through Brazil avenue and the Spain boulevard.
Pocitos is located along the banks of the Río de la Plata and is known for its beach, Playa Pocitos, and the Rambla (boulevard).
Several apartment buildings with spectacular views are located around the promenade of this area, while the beach with small waves make it an ideal place to stay in Montevideo if you’re traveling with children.
High-end restaurants, fashion stores and spaces for beach volleyball complete the set of attractions that make Pocitos the best area to stay in Montevideo.
In Pocitos, you can spend nights full of music and dancing, thanks to the wide range of bars and “boliches” (clubs) found in the area.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Montevideo, Uruguay:
- Beach area
- Best area for nightlife
- Great restaurants
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Ermitage Hotel
The Ermitage enjoys a privileged location facing the beach of Los Pocitos and occupies an elegant renovated building from 1945. It has a spacious terrace with a seating area and overlooks the Gomensoro Square.
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Budget
Rambler Pocitos Hostel
This hostel has darts and bicycle and car rental service. The Rambler Hostel is 37 km from Atlántida, while Canelones is 44 km away.
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Luxury
Palm Beach Plaza Hotel
This modern hotel is elegantly decorated and is located just 1 street from the boulevard along the river, in the Pocitos area. The rooms offer free WiFi.
2. Punta Carretas
Punta Carretas or Punta Brava is close to the City Center and the airport, bordering the Pocitos neighborhood, as well as the Rodó park.
Its quiet streets and avenues are perfect for a romantic walk or to taste local and international food in its restaurants.
Some attractions of Punta Carretas are the Uruguay Golf Club, the Punta Carretas Shopping Center, the house-museum of the poet Juan Zorrilla de San Martín, as well as the Villa Biarritz Park.
The Punta Carretas Lighthouse is another attraction in this area, from where you can get great views of the coast.
Punta Carretas or Punta Brava is one of the best areas to stay in Montevideo because of its many hotels at varied costs and attractions.
Staying in Punta Carretas is ideal for all kinds of visitors since the area is known for its mix of business atmosphere, shopping, and nightlife.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Montevideo:
- Relatively central
- Best area for shopping
- Good museums and culture
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Hotel Gema Luxury Suites
Located in Montevideo, 300 meters from Pocitos Beach, this property offers comfortable and elegant suites with free Wi-Fi.
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Budget
Earth & Veg House
Independence Square is 5 km from the property, while the Montevideo Port Market is 6 km away. The nearest airport is Carrasco International Airport.
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Luxury
Esplendor by Wyndham Montevideo Punta Carretas
Offering free WiFi, an outdoor pool and spa facilities, Esplendor by Wyndham Montevideo Punta Carretas offers accommodation in Montevideo, right in front of the seafront.
3. Buceo
Buceo has one of the most beautiful and extensive beaches in Montevideo and is one of the most historic neighborhoods in the city.
Buceo borders neighborhoods like Pocitos and offers beautiful views of the Río de la Plata.
This residential neighborhood is located in the southeast of the city and has a very picturesque architecture, as well as many shopping areas.
This area has the Puerto del Buceo, a small bay on the coast that is ideal for water sports.
Buceo is mostly a quiet and family-friendly area, but it also has many leisure options around Luis Alberto de Herrera Avenue and the Montevideo Shopping Center.
Here, you will find a good number of bars, restaurants, and clubs that make Buceo one of the best areas to stay in Montevideo for nightlife.
This neighborhood is surrounded by the most important avenues of the city, so it has excellent public transport connections.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Montevideo, Uruguay:
- Good nightlife
- Great public transport connections
- Family-friendly area
4. Ciudad Vieja (Old Town)
Ciudad Vieja or Old Town is the epicenter of the cultural movement of Montevideo, a popular area where past and present are mixed
This area stands out for its historical buildings, bookstores and its busy city life.
Ciudad Vieja houses popular public spaces such as Madriz Square and Zabala Square, museums, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the traditional Solises Theater.
Ciudad Vieja retains the colonial architecture of Montevideo that invites you to wander through its historical facades.
Here’s the Avenida 18 de Julio, the main avenue of the city, full of cinemas, theaters, and shops.
You will also find many restaurants, bars, and clubs that make this area lively during the day and at night.
Also, the Old Town marks the entrance of the Bay of Montevideo and the Port of Montevideo, an important cargo area of Mercosur.
A very emblematic and must-see place in this area is Zabala Square, with a monument of the founder of Montevideo.
Ciudad Vieja retains in its architecture clear examples of Parisian influence, as it was inspired by European “garden cities”.
Ciudad Vieja welcomes many people every night who want to enjoy the bohemian offer of the capital, with bars and pubs dedicated to the alternative audience.
Ciudad Vieja stands out among the best areas to stay in Montevideo because of its hotels of different ranges and within walking distance of everything most representative of the city.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Montevideo, Uruguay:
- Old Town
- Heart of the city
- Bohemian vibe
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Puerto Mercado Hotel
The Puerto Mercado Hotel has modern and elegant décor, and offers comfortable rooms 100 meters from the Mercado del Puerto cultural center.
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Budget
Hotel Palacio
Hotel Palacio is located in the center of Montevideo, just 200 meters from the Solís Theater, and offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and cable TV. The port market is located 1 km away, in the old town.
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Luxury
AXSUR Design Hotel
This design hotel, located 100 meters from the commercial, financial and historical center of Montevideo, offers self-catering accommodation with panoramic sea views and free Wi-Fi.
5. Barrio Sur
Barrio Sur or “south neighborhood” is another of the oldest areas of Montevideo.
As its name in Spanish implies, it is south of the city of Montevideo, where it stands out for its houses painted in different colors.
Barrio Sur is considered the soul of the city, and an important cultural center in Montevideo.
An icon in the Barrio Sur is Carlos Gardel Square, which pays tribute to the tango singer with a bronze statue.
Barrio Sur is one of the best areas to stay in Montevideo, especially if you travel on a tight budget because it has affordable hotels.
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