Montevideo, the capital and most sought-after destination in Uruguay, is situated on the banks of the Rio de la Plata. Founded by the Spanish, the city is known for its beaches, historic architecture, and vibrant art scene. Check out our list of the 9 best tours in Montevideo to make the most of your trip.
The best tours in Montevideo, Uruguay
1. Visit at least one Uruguayan winery
Uruguay stands out as an excellent wine producer. Near Montevideo, there are several notable wineries, making this one of the most popular tours for wine lovers exploring the city.
When visiting the destination, you can choose to visit a winery of your choice (or many), such as Bodega Bouza, Bodega Pizzorno, Familia Dardanelli, and other amazing wineries in the region that offer guided tours with tastings.
To explore the wineries, you have two options: hire organized tours or plan your own visit (by contacting the winery directly). If you decide on the latter, you will need to rent a car in Montevideo.
- Duration: starting at 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Price: starting from USD 49
- Age range: 18 years and older
- Languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish
2. Take a city tour in Montevideo
The best way to get to know a city is, undoubtedly, by taking a city tour with a local guide. On the City Tour in Montevideo, you will tour the city, visiting the most iconic places such as the port, markets, and historic neighborhoods, making it an incredible tour to enjoy the destination even more.
- Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Price: starting from USD 21,50
- Age range: all ages
- Languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish
EXTRA TIP: A great way to explore Montevideo for free is with the Free Tour, which offers free walking tours with a local guide. You can learn about the destination’s history with the Free Walking Tour of Montevideo or explore the Prado neighborhood with the Prado Free Walking Tour, also one of the best tours in Montevideo.
3. Explore Montevideo on an amazing bike tour
Looking for a different way to explore the destination? The bike tour is a fun and interesting way to get to know Montevideo. On this tour, you visit the main tourist attractions and iconic places in Montevideo by bicycle. Additionally, the entire tour is accompanied by a local guide, and at the end, you have an extra 2 hours to explore more of the city by bike at no additional cost.
- Duration: 3 hours
- Price: starting from USD 45
- Age range: 12 years and older
- Languages: English and Spanish
4. Take a photography tour of Montevideo
Want to come back with beautiful photos from your trip? Then how about taking advantage of a photography tour in Montevideo and visiting the most beautiful places in the city, accompanied by a professional photographer who will take stunning photos. If you love photos, this tour in Montevideo is a must for your itinerary.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Price: starting from USD 31
- Age range: all ages
- Languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish
5. Explore the charming Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is a very charming historic city located about 2 hours by car from Montevideo. The destination has a rich history, charming streets, unique architecture, museums, good restaurants, and amazing hotels.
Visiting the city is almost a must when traveling to Uruguay. Additionally, it is possible to explore the attractions on a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, making it a perfect and feasible tour for those who do not have many days of travel. If you have the time, we recommend staying at least one night to enjoy even more attractions (see the best things to do in Colonia del Sacramento) and the calmer pace of the destination.
- Duration: 10 hours
- Price: starting from USD 65
- Age range: all ages
- Languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish
See also: The best restaurants in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.
6. Take a Day Trip to Punta del Este
Punta del Este is a bustling and luxurious city located about 2 hours by car from Montevideo. The destination is known for its lively beaches, luxurious amenities, and La Mano (The Hand), the famous hand sculpture. It is worth noting that the resort town is very busy during the summer, but in the winter, Punta del Este is much quieter.
For those who want to enjoy a bit of the city’s luxury and festive atmosphere, don’t miss the chance to take a day trip and spend a whole day exploring the destiny (check out what to do in Punta del Este). To enjoy the destination more, it’s a good idea to split your travel days between Montevideo and Punta del Este (check the best hotels in Punta del Este).
- Duration: 10 hours
- Price: starting from USD 45
- Age range: all ages
- Languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish
See also: Where to stay in Punta del Este? The best areas and hotels.
7. Attend a dance performance
The dinner show at El Milongón is a great option for a night out in Montevideo. After all, there’s nothing better than a delicious dinner accompanied by fine wine and some dance and music performances.
At this dinner, you will enjoy a three-course menu with drinks. Additionally, you will watch performances by dancers, singers, and musicians who will perform tango and milonga (typical Uruguayan dances). If you prefer not to dine, you can purchase a ticket just for the show.
- Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Price: starting from USD 40
- Age range: all ages
8. Visit the Andes 1972 Museum
On your trip to Montevideo, you can also include a visit to the Andes 1972 Museum in your itinerary. The museum, dedicated to the story of the survivors and victims of one of the most significant air tragedies, is housed in a former 19th-century mansion and features the personal belongings of the passengers.
- Price: starting from USD 7,70
- Age range: all ages
9. Enjoy a wine-paired lunch experience
If you’re looking for an amazing culinary experience in Montevideo, a wine-paired lunch is a must on your trip. This tour includes visiting a family winery and tasting several wine labels. At the end, a three-course lunch with Uruguayan specialties accompanied by wines is served.
- Duration: 5 hours
- Price: starting from USD 209
- Language: English, Portuguese, and Spanish
Extra tips and where to book your tour in Montevideo
In addition to the tours in Montevideo mentioned above, you can explore many attractions on your own, such as museums, the Historic Center, plazas, and markets.
However, by booking a tour, you have the advantage of learning about the local history and benefiting from the included transfer services on some tours. Thus, the tours in Montevideo can provide you with extra convenience during your trip and offer unique and diverse experiences.
To make booking your tour easier, we recommend using the Civitatis, Get Your Guide, and Viator websites. These are the platforms we always use to book our tours. In addition to offering a wide range of options, you can book your tour from the comfort of your home and pay with a credit card.
Did you like our list of the best tours in Montevideo? Check out our tips on the best hotels in Montevideo and the best way to get from Buenos Aires to Montevideo.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO URUGUAY
Book your hotel in Uruguay in advance
To ensure the best stay in Uruguay, we recommend using Booking or Hotels.com, reservation sites we trust for all our trips. With a wide selection of hotels and the best available rates, you will find the perfect option for your stay, ensuring an incredible and economical travel experience. Our favorite hotels in Uruguay are:
- The Grand Hotel – Punta del Este
- Charco Hotel – Colonia del Sacramento
- Leading Hotels of the World – Montevideo
For greater convenience, rent a car in Uruguay
Uruguay is a wonderful country to explore by car, offering stunning landscapes and charming cities. If your plan is to explore more than one city and maximize your comfort and freedom, renting a car is the ideal choice. The companies we recommend for car rentals are Discover Cars and Rental Cars.
Book your tours and experiences
Planning your tours in advance can save you a lot of time during your trip. Imagine being able to book all your activities directly from the comfort of your home and even pay with your credit card. The companies we use and recommend for booking tours and buying tickets are Viator, Civitatis, and Get Your Guide.
