Palacio Salvo
Ornate towers.
Fulviusbsas — Public domain · Mx. Granger — CC0 · Maximasu — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Entropy1963 — Public domain
Montevideo's most important square, dividing the old town from the modern centre, with a huge bronze equestrian statue of national hero José Artigas at its heart, ringed by palms and buildings from different eras. Around it stand the capital's best-known landmarks: the soaring Palacio Salvo with its ornate towers, the old presidential seat Palacio Estévez, the modern presidential tower, the Teatro Solís a few steps away, and the stone Puerta de la Ciudadela leading into the old town. The broad paved square hosts national ceremonies and festivals and is crossed by residents all day, and from it the pedestrian Calle Sarandí runs into the heart of the old town with its cafés and shops. The best time for photos is morning or just before sunset, when the Palacio Salvo glows. Montevideo is fairly calm, but watch your belongings in the old town at night and in crowded spots.
Ornate towers.
On horseback.
Into the old town.
Between the Ciudad Vieja and central Montevideo
Puerta de la CiudadelaA massive stone gateway, the last surviving piece of the Spanish citadel that gu1 minute walk4.5
Palacio SalvoMontevideo's emblem, a huge ornate tower about a hundred metres tall on Plaza In2 minutes walk4.4
Teatro SolísUruguay's leading theatre and one of South America's oldest, opened in 1856, wit2 minutes walk4.7
Ciudad Vieja (Old Town)Montevideo's oldest district, on a small peninsula between the bay and the wide 8 minutes walk
Palacio Taranco (Museum of Decorative Arts)An elegant French-style palace in the old town, built between 1908 and 1910 for 10 minutes walk4.8The Palacio Salvo, Palacio Estévez and the presidential tower, the Puerta de la Ciudadela to the old town, and the Teatro Solís nearby.