Blessed with great beaches, fascinating cities and excellent weather all year round, Uruguay is one of South America’s most enjoyable destinations. Lively festivals offer plenty of opportunities to rub shoulders with the locals, while the country’s low population density means that quiet beaches and wide-open spaces are in abundance.

Key Highlights

Montevideo, Uruguay’s eclectic capital, offers a range of historical delights. Visitors can explore Fortaleza del Cerro, a beautiful seaside citadel, or take a walk through the El Prado neighbourhood, home to lovely old villas and a sprawling park with an exquisite rose garden. The former port market (Mercado del Puerto) now houses a variety of restaurants specialising in traditional Uruguayan cuisine.

Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, Colonia is a picture-perfect coastal town. Its World Heritage–listed old quarter is truly splendid, with magnificent plazas, quaint colonial churches, crumbling convents and winding cobblestone lanes. The city also boasts a fantastic range of restaurants, bars and museums.

Celebrity-spotters will be right at home in Punta del Este. This glamorous resort town on Uruguay’s south coast has long been a playground for the rich and famous, with stars from all over the globe coming to enjoy the city’s stunning beaches, extravagant hotels and world-famous nightclubs.

In Depth

Tacuarembó is a laid-back river town and the best place to meet genuine gauchos – modern-day cowboys who herd cattle on the plains of Western Uruguay. A local museum pays tribute to the country’s gauchos and indigenous people.

Situated on a point jutting into the Atlantic, La Paloma is a haven for surfers. Free weekend beach concerts add to the relaxed vibe, while the nearby Laguna de Rocha wetlands are home to swans, storks, spoonbills and other waterfowl.