Things to see walking around, Montevideo

Peatonal Sarandi is the principle walking street of the city. There are lots of cafes, boutique shops, hotels, etc. along this inviting street.

The street connects many of the old districts highlights like the Plaza Independencia, the Plaza de Constitucion and it misses Plaza Zabala only by about 20m.

One thing that many may literally pass over and not even take notice of are the celebrity stars paved in the road, honoring many of the local Uruguyan influential people. It may be equated to sorts like the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For example, the picture below is for Uruguayan journalist and poet, Mario Benedetti. He was arguably one of the most important 20th-century Spanish speaking writers.

The City was once protected by walls and a large fortress. Here at the western edge of Plaza Independecia is the one remant of the colonial citadel – razed in 1833. You can also get a feeling for the old walls down near the west end of the peninsula, by the breakwater where old cannon faced out onto the waters of the Rio de la Plata in search of those would-be invaders. Now inhabited by fishermen in search of tonight's meal.

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Where to eat and drink in Montevideo. One of the best places I visited in Montevideo to eat and drink was the Parrillada or Parrilla „La Charrette“, Address: Ayacucho 3199, Montevideo, Uruguay, lacharrette@hotmail.com, +5982 486 40 83, Parrillada-Restaurant with big terrase, open every single day from 19:00 to 2.00 AM. A wonderful little romantic place for dinner in which exquisite meat and great oldies music combine in order to make a fabulous meel. Color changing wall lights help you to calm down and relax before eating. Parrillada La Charrette has a Slow Food philosophy. It‘s the first Slow Food and a special sort of Self-Service Parrillada in Uruguay. You will share a new sensory experience. Considered by locals as one of the best Parrillada of Montevideo and one of the unknown toursist gems. The Rural-Gaucho style decoration makes the place very warm and cosy. It‘s located in a very safe and chic neighbourhood called Parque Battle (in front of a famous tree called „El Ombú de Parque Batlle“, close to the very famous Football Stadium „Estadio Centenario“. The Batlle Park is one of the largest, plenty of trees and plants parks in Montevideo . His owner „Alejandro“ is very friendly and makes you feel at home. He speaks perfekt german, swiss german, french, english, italian, portuguese, and of course spanish. Certainly one of the best little Parrillada-Restaurant from Montevideo. Doubtless the only and the first Parrillada-Restaurant in whole Uruguay serving all dishes "à la minute". In addition to this the prices are not high at all so you can eat without thinking on how much will it cost. After eating you can walk (1 km) to the next exclusive neighborhood „Pocitos“ and walk along the shore of „Pocitos Beach“, Playa Pocitos. Enjoy it: Montevideo, Uruguay, Restaurant, Parrillada, Meat, Carne Seleccionada, Chorizo, Morcilla Dulce, Morcilla Salada, Entrecôte, Pulpa, Matambrito, Pollo, Costilla de Cerdo, Asado de Tira, Ensaldas, Postres, etc. Don‘t miss it. Prof. Dr. Med. A. Sommer

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The anchor and "Range finder" of the german battleship "Admiral von Spee" can be seen in the cruise-port, just a few steps from the place, where all the cruiseships are docking.
The german battleship "Admiral Graf Spee" was one of the most famous battleships in WW II : In 1939 she sank 9 merchant-ships of the Allied states but was finally damaged herself by 3 british warships following her in the "Battle of the river Plate". She could escape to be repaired in the neutral port of Montevideo. According to international laws she was secure there only for 72 hours and had to leave the port again within that time. The captain of the "Admiral Spee" decided to give up and sink the ship rather than risking the lifes of his crew and soldiers.
The range finder of Admiral Graf Spee was raised in 2004 in a distance of 8 km from the city of Montevideo.

Sorry, in your "things to do" section of for Montevideo, you are showing a photograph of a Museum at Punta Ballena, which is at least an hour or more bus ride FROM Montevideo. It is the photoraphy by Janaina. I would HATE for someone to go to MVD and try to have that experience there, cause it just can't happen. Of course, you COULD take a bus tour to Punta del Este and see the museum on the way.

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Take a walking tour of the "Ciudad Vieja", or the old colonial city, starting from the Plaza Independencia to see:
1. The huge statue of Uruguay’s greatest hero, José Gervasio Artigas,it marks the spot of his mausoleum. The changing of the guard at noon is a popular sight.
2. From there, visit the Palacio Estevez which until 1095 served as the Palacio de Gobierno. The 26 story building next to is the Palacio Salvo, once the tallest building in South America. See the Teatro Solis, inaugurated in 1856 and the site of much of Montevideo’s artistic events.
3. Connecting the Ciudad Vieja to the rest of Montevideo from the plaza, is La Puerta de la Ciudadela, the colonial military defense.
4. Walk down Calle Sarandi to the Plaza Constitucion where the Iglesia Matriz, the earliest public building in the city. Many of it’s earliest residents were baptized there, including José Gervasio Artigas who was born on June 19. 1764.
5. Take time to explore the Museo Romantico and Casa Lavalleja, both part of the Museo Historico Nacional.
6. Continue to the Casa Garibaldi, where the Italian hero once lived.

Reminiscent of the Malecon in Habana - at least the pictures I have seen, la Rambla can be a highlight of any visit to Montevideo. The avenue stretches for miles along the sea and bordered by tall apartment buildings, parks, promenades and beaches. You can see a large part of the City at play here on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The seashore is a feature that really makes Montevideo something special. It is easy to see myself sitting in that fold out chair with a cold tanque in hand.

La escollera (sea wall) is a typical fishermen's place, but even if you do not fish (that is my case) it is a great place to enjoy the sights (or to fight off the wind!!!!)

La escollerra es un lugar habitual para los pescadores, pero incluso si no pescas (como en mi caso) es un buen lugar para disfrutar de una buena vista (¡o para luchar contra el viento!)

Pocitos (little wells) is not only a beach; it is one of the most typical places of my hometown. Its name comes from the past, when laundrywomen were used to dig out little wells in the sand to get fresh water. At the beginings of the 20th century, Pocitos became a fashion beach, and nowadays is a fashion neighbourhood. There you can find modern buildings, fancy restaurants, cinemas, shopping-malls and anything you want, close to a beautiful seaside.

Pocitos no es solamente una playa; es uno de los lugares más característicos de mi ciudad. Su nombre viene del pasado, cuando las lavanderas excavaban pocitos en la arena para obtener agua dulce. A comienzos del siglo XX, Pocitos se volvió un balneario de moda, y actualmente es un barrio de moda. Allí pueden encontrar edificios modernos, restaurantes de lujo, cines, centros comerciales y lo que quieran, junto a una hermosa costa.

Although the beaches in Montevideo aren't great they are ok to spend a summer day. They are pretty clean and ideal to forget about hot summer days.
I recommend the Pocitos, Punta Gorda and Buceo beaches.