3-Day Montevideo Itinerary: Ciudad Vieja, the Rambla, Centenario and Colonia

Three days in Montevideo allow you to experience the historic peninsula and port grills at a relaxed pace on Day 1, trace the city's football and coastal identity along the Rambla on Day 2, and spend Day 3 either tasting Tannat wines in rural Montevideo or visiting the 1680 Portuguese cobbles of Colonia del Sacramento. Keep our Montevideo food guide close at hand for meal stops.

Day 1: Plaza Independencia, Ciudad Vieja and Mercado del Puerto

Morning: Begin at Plaza Independencia to visit the underground Mausoleum of Jose Gervasio Artigas and admire the 1928 Palacio Salvo (where Gerardo Matos Rodriguez premiered La Cumparsita on the former site of Confiteria La Giralda in 1917). Pass beneath the 1741 Puerta de la Ciudadela and take a guided tour of the 1856 Teatro Solis.

Afternoon and Evening: Stroll down pedestrianised Calle Sarandi to the Museo Torres Garcia and Plaza Matriz, stepping inside the 1804 Metropolitan Cathedral and the 1812 Colonial Cabildo. Continue past Belle Epoque Palacio Taranco on Plaza Zabala to Mercado del Puerto for a wood-fired asado lunch and a glass of Medio y Medio, then visit the Museo del Carnaval across the street.

Day 2: Estadio Centenario, Parque Rodo, Punta Carretas and Pocitos

Morning: Ride a taxi or bus to Parque Batlle to tour Estadio Centenario and the Museo del Futbol, built for the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, and pause at Jose Belloni's 1934 bronze sculpture La Carreta.

Afternoon and Evening: Head south to Parque Rodo to view the paintings of Pedro Figari and Joaquin Torres-Garcia at the Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales (MNAV). Walk or rent a bike along the Rambla past the eccentric Castillo Pittamiglio and the 1876 Punta Brava Lighthouse in Punta Carretas, finishing at sunset at the white MONTEVIDEO sign overlooking Playa de los Pocitos.

Day 3: Prado, Fortaleza del Cerro and Tannat Bodegas or Colonia del Sacramento

Option A (Northern Montevideo & Tannat Wineries): Visit the 1912 Rosedal rose pergola in the Prado and the 1809 Spanish fortress atop the 134-metre Cerro de Montevideo, followed by a vineyard tour and Tannat tasting at a family bodega in Melilla or Canelones.

Option B (Colonia del Sacramento or Punta del Este Day Trip): Catch a morning coach from Terminal Tres Cruces west to UNESCO-listed Colonia del Sacramento or east to Punta del Este and Casapueblo.