Ciudad Vieja

Ciudad Vieja

About
This “Old City” by the harbor retains remnants of the past, like iron gates and colonial street lamps, and, with antique shops, museums and cafes, it’s a great place for browsing.
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The area
Neighbourhood: Ciudad Vieja
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  • SnowyShasta
    Portland, Oregon2,560 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pretty city and quite walkable
    We stayed in a hotel in the heart of the old city, which made for a wonderful opportunity to stroll the area at various times of day. There are multiple parks and pedestrian only areas, which made walking nice, although there did appear to be road access to most locations, so you did have to look for cars. This part of the city is very pretty, with a good number of old buildings and small churches, and we felt quite safe walking to and from the port, even with luggage (we departed via the ferry).
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 February 2024
  • Gina Alondra O
    Valdivia, Chile71 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It must be known
    Montevideo is a nice destination, quiet and safe, the people are very friendly and polite. It is an expensive country so I leave some advice. If you are going to eat, pay with a bank card, since they give you a discount equivalent to VAT. Another tip is that to and from the airport, you can go by bus (micro Chilena) which is much cheaper, since on average for two people it costs 200 Uruguayan pesos, about 5000 Chilean pesos and the taxi costs approximately 100 dollars.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 16 February 2024
  • Giuseppe Cincindella
    Rosyth, United Kingdom2,320 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Simply nice
    Nice and simple old city, the centre is lovely, nice architecture buildings, gates, small churches to visit. Quite busy, nice small shops. We had a lovely walk along the streets, enjoying people and the atmosphere
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 March 2024
  • 695erwinr
    Schwanenstadt, Austria40 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Small but nice!
    Very beautiful and lovely but small old town, you can see everything in one day. I was there on a Sunday, it was quiet and not too crowded. Not much traffic, a relief after Buenos Aires. In my opinion, you don't need to book a tour or anything like that, as the city map for tourists that you get at the port is enough to explore everything on your own. I usually took the ferry from Buenos Aires to Montevideo, which was quick and comfortable. Round trip about €250.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 14 April 2024
  • Daydream31032061623
    1 contribution
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    I would have liked to go earlier
    The old city has its charm, I guess in early hours it is more busy and more interesting. I went around 7 p.m. and all businesses had closed or were about to close due to insecurity... that drew attention to my girlfriend and me. Likewise we continued to travel and the truth that there was nothing to see, everything closed, there were practically no people, except people who apparently lived on the street or people who lived in some houses taken from the area. After 7 pm it is not a suitable place to go with the family or for sightseeing in general. If you're uncomfortable feeling watched, it's not a place for you after 7 p.m.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 July 2024
  • Robert O
    Rotterdam, The Netherlands6,549 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gloomy after dark, but good for a stroll during the day
    The history of the old city goes back to 1726 when Bruno de Zabala, a Spanish military officer started settling Spanish families near a fortification. Before his arrival there was a camp with Portugese military. There are few traces of the first 18th century buildings. It took significant time for the city to grow. Montevideo always seemed to be not more than the little brother of Buenos Aires, which emerged as the major Spanish hub in the region. Compared to Buenos Aires, there are few historic buildings (left). No doubt the Salvo tower from 1928 at Independence square is the most significant one. The pedestrian zone (between the port market and main square) is pleasant to walk through, but further down near the docks you see many dilapatated houses and homeless people in the streets. I stayed some time in the old city during my visit, but eventually chose to move to the modern and more comfortable part of town near Pocitos, where most well-to-do Uruguayans reside.
    Visited January 2025
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles6,751 reviews
Excellent
2,708
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2,754
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1,089
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146
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54

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MARCIA CRISTINA... F
Brasilia, DF9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
Wonderful and many options to discover incredible tourist attractions, including high quality food, cafes full of options. Breathe history everywhere. It's not cheap to enjoy all this! Expensive accommodation. There is a refund of VAT imposed on tourists and at the airport it is very easy tax free, I was surprised. The central market has many options for having a spectacular lunch and drinking Pátria beer. International debit cards worked without any problems, but I recommend having a little Uruguayan peso. Understanding the country’s history was a learning experience for my family.
Google
Written 9 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DuncanTCH
East Greenbush, NY1,496 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
Montevideo is an exceptionally easy place to wander around and there's no better place to do in than in the old city. Even is you make a wrong turn and think you're "lost", within two blocks you're back on track and can easily find your way back.

The old city is wonderful, with beautiful architecture, small parks and little side streets worth exploring. Yes, there is graffiti and yes there is garbage...but frankly, no more than any other large city center in North America. The area is perfectly safe (obviously, be aware of your surroundings and remember, this is a large city, so there are pick pockets), but again, we had no problems nor did anyone on our ship of 500+ people.

Definitely take a stroll through the area and enjoy the setting. It's great and really captures to spirit of the city and country.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AlpinerHut
Chantilly, VA1,202 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
Montevideo’s Cuidad Vieja (“Old City”) is compact and walkable, but we chose to see it via a cruise ship shore excursion.

The cruise ship port fronts on Cuidad Vieja. You can simply walk out of the port and into the old town. (Guides will approach you.)

Our tour bus weaved back and forth along the narrow streets, giving us a nice view of the shops, nightclubs and Colonial-era buildings.

We made two stops: Plaza Matriz (see my review, “Pleasant plaza”) and Plaza Independencia.

Plaza Matriz is noteworthy for fronting on Catedral de Montevideo (see my review, “Take a quick look around”) and Cabildo de Montevideo.

Plaza Independencia is just outside the eastern boundary of Cuidad Vieja. On the plaza’s western end, look for a tall gateway, all that remains of Montevideo’s city walls. The landmark 1856 Solis Theatre is a short distance away.
Written 29 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Penny W
2 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023
Sadly the city and surrounding area including parks, streets and the beach area are covered in litter. I was so disappointed I really couldn’t enjoy the city as all I could see was plastic bottles and cigarette packets and butts everywhere. What is wrong with people why can’t they take their litter home or use the bins. Sadly this is a reflection of todays mentality to just chuck your crap out of the car window or anywhere else. I travel a lot and it’s one thing that really upsets me, so Montevideo clean up please.
Written 23 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lesliebauman
Kirkland, WA1,017 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
We had a guide which I would recommend in order to get the full experience of old town. Starting from the old city wall at the plaza independence, walk all the way through back to the riverfront with many great stops along the way. A must in Montevideo.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hart J
Oakville, Canada23 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
Is it a deal town on the afternoon of New Year’s eve. There is a tradition of people leaving work early and Revelling in the streets. There are Cumbria parades with live music and people spray each other with water and cider. If you don’t want to get wet and sticky, best to stay home . We went back again the next day to take in the sights-it was mildly interesting but not that much to see.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12,810 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
The old city is very safe and quite walkable. In fact, one must walk it to truly see it. We did take a city tour, which was nice and took us to places too far to walk to. However, when I later walked from the cruise port to Independence Plaza and back, I really felt that I saw the city. The streets are narrow and many are pedestrian-only. Just do it!
Written 27 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GoGo2SlowGo
Denton, TX1,449 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Everyone tries to take a picture of this gate or doorway to the old city. Ciudad Vieja means old city and this is where many tours will drop you. Right around the corner from this gate is the Solis Theatre and behind the gate is the Plaza Matriz. You are also quite close to the Metropolitan Cathedra.
There is plenty to see in Old Town.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heidi
Church Hill50 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Montevideo is fast losing much of its historic architecture. Fortunately, there are many old buildings still standing in the old section of the city. Only the economic impetus of tourism will help to preserve Montevideo's architectural heritage, so you need to take time to visit what is currently left.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Guy S
20 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
If you have never been to Uruguay ,it should be on your bucket list.Beautiful city especially the old part of the city,Ciudad Vieja.
Excellent restaurants and their open fire cooked meats are to die for.Uruguay is one of the countries with excellent meats mostly free range.
The old part of the city still has the beautiful architecture of the days of it's formation .I am from Canada and found pricing very reasonable mostly between 80-90 % more economical for all services ,food lodging and travel.Very safe and quiet place to visit.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CIUDAD VIEJA (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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