Te Mercado del puerto yummy!! This is a Large 19th-century market filled with bustling restobars specializing in meats. this place is optional if travelers are interested in a clasical Uruguayan Parrillada (barbeque).
Walking (optional) Zabala Square, named after the founder of Montevideo, features gardens designed by French landscape architect Édouard André. The gardens are enclosed by iron fences and gates. The Square is surrounded by Ring Durango Street, named for the district of town where Zabala was born. On the south side of the square is the Taranco Palace, home to the Museum of Decorative Arts.
We can explore this part on foot. The Plaza de la Constitución, also known as Plaza Matriz (Cathedral), is located in Montevideo, Uruguay, at the heart of the historic Old City neighborhood. Originally, it served as the Plaza Mayor of the Fortress City of San Felipe and Santiago de Montevideo, and was the only open public space designed specifically for that purpose.
Plaza Independencia is the most important square in Montevideo, Uruguay. Located in the city center, it occupies the space once held by the Citadel of Montevideo. At its center stands the monument and mausoleum of General José Gervasio Artigas. Surrounding the square are several historic buildings, including the iconic Palacio Salvo, a stunning example of eclectic architecture and one of the tallest buildings in South America when it was completed back in 1928. The square’s architecture and landmarks capture the rich cultural heritage of Montevideo.
The Rambla de Montevideo is a long avenue twenty-four kilometers long that borders the coast of the Río de la Plata in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.
The Legislative Palace is the headquarters of the Legislative Branch of Uruguay. The General Assembly operates there, which is made up of two chambers that meet separately or jointly depending on the circumstances: the House of Representatives and the Chamber of Senators. An impresive presence in the city. You can´t miss it the ticket to enter the Legislative Palace is $3.
After passing by the Batlle Park we will visit the Estadio Centenario is a must see in Montevideo. Uruguay was the first world champion and the Centenial Stadium was the host for the filals. Also travelers can request any other neighborhood.
Prado is a quiet and exclusive residential district known for the extensive park of the same name, where visitors stroll among native and exotic plants in the botanical garden and roses planted around stone arches in El Rosedal. There are more gardens at the Blanes museum, a 19th-century chalet that is now a museum of Uruguayan art. Las Carmelitas is a much photographed church, built in the 1920s Plus the Japanese garden.
Different places (like Carrasto, the cream of Montevideo9 and other features according to your interests can be added such as Winery, Vineyard tours, Estancia’s tours. and profetional photografy to save this great experience.
The General Artigas Fortress or Fortress of the Cerro de Montevideo is an ancient fortification of Uruguay built on orders from Governor Francisco Javier de Elío in 1808. It is considered one of the main symbols of the country and the capital.
Favio is the best! We booked him for a city tour in Montevideo and had a wonderful time. He is passionate, knowledgeable, and just so fun to be around. We had such a nice time, we decided to book a wine tour with him two days later (which was incredible!) If you are looking to do any sort of tour in Uruguay, Favio should be your first choice for all of them!
We had a great time with Favio! Learned a lot about the city and the country in our short visit. Thank you so much!
Favio is an incredible person to show you the history, the architecture, the art and the different neighborhood and culture of Montevideo as a city and Uruguay as a country. He is extremely knowledge, flexible to adapt the tour to your interest and willing to give you plenty of advice on restaurants and additional places that you may want to visit on your own. I would definitely recommend this your and Favio as a must do it you visit Montevideo.
Had an incredible tour with Favio, who brought Montevideo to life in the most engaging way. He guided us through the city’s beautiful neighborhoods and along the scenic waterfront promenade, sharing fascinating history and pointing out all the key landmarks—including the local markets, congress, and the mausoleum of national hero José Artigas. He also introduced us to the traditional herbal drink, mate, and explained its cultural significance. Favio is incredibly knowledgeable, speaks excellent English, and made the entire experience both enjoyable and enriching. To top it off, he took us to a fantastic local spot for a chivito sandwich—absolutely delicious! Thank you, Favio!
Marita was an excellent guide. She was very knowledgable about the area. Would highly recommend this tour.
This was a brilliant guided tour with Paola and driver Alviro. Message on the morning about where to meet, several stops where we got out and walked around with useful information about the area. She coped well with my husband’s wish for shopping and could help with questions to the stall holders. We got to see annual ceremony changing guard. Views from top of City Hall were incredible. Got to see so many ch of old and new part. Ate at indoor market and tried local food which we would not have done by ourselves Highly recommend this tour
We had a perfect day in Montevideo with a local. This tour is a highlight of our trip and honestly one of the best we have ever had! Fabio is very knowledgeable about history and sights but more impressive is his ability to share the warmth of the people. He even went up to perfect strangers sitting on a bench who were drinking mate and asked them to share what the beverage means to them. We will be back soon!
A perfect day in Montevideo! We can not express our gratitude enough to Fabio for showing us his city. He is extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of the city. Also we were able to get a true sense of the culture and kindness of the people. He even introduced us to locals and we were able to discuss the ritual of mate with them. It is one of those days we will remember for ever!
Sergio and Ramon showed us their Montevideo! From the view of the city from the top (city hall) to the many ‘neighborhoods’ that make up the city. We were thoroughly entertained, experienced a fabulous lunch at Tannat and enjoyed our stroll back to the port. Thanks guys!
Private tour guide gave a customized trip around the city showcasing all the history and particular insights from having actually lived there his whole life. He detoured around crowded tourist spaces and focused on the real, lived experience of not only the cultural history but his own place of interest and our special requests to visit and spend more or less time in each place as meeting with our personal interests.
Fabio provided a very complete insightful tour of the entire city. Though out the day our relaxed conversations were full of knowledge and love for his city and country. Language was not a problem. Highly recommend spending the day with such a pleasant, enjoyable guide.
A wonderful way to experience Montevideo at your own pace, with your own guide, in the most convenient way. Paola is an excellent companion and “translator” of Montevidean/Uruguayan culture and history. Her English is excellent, and our driver Alvaro could not be more friendly and accommodating. They immediately put you at ease and you get to see so much of Montevideo, from the expected tour stops to “off the beaten track” areas, all as little/or as much as you want. We highly recommend this family business tour company.
My husband uses a collapsible mobility school that fits in most cars. Our guide, Favio, was very helpful in loading and unloading it, and then helping my husband into the car.. delightful time seeing the sites of Montevideo with a very caring individual.
Can’t say enough about Paola and Favio. They are a team! Communication before the tour was great. Paola was our guide and talk about informative and educated! She and her driver moved us through Montevideo smoothly and efficiently. All her stories were on point, relative and she spoke excellent English! She adjusted our timing so we would have enough time to treat her to lunch. If you’re on a cruise ship and only in port for the day I highly recommend them. You will walk away not wanting to say goodbye.
Horacio was a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. It was a real pleasure to spend the morning with him. He knew a lot about the country and the people of Montevideo.
Favio was very knowledgeable about all things Uruguay. His English was very good and articulate. He showed us all around Montevideo and we hit all the highlights. He answered all of our questions regarding Uruguayan lifestyles, economics, history, culture, etc. We shared a terrific authentic Uruguay BBQ lunch with so much food we sent the leftovers from with him! I highly recommend you book a tour with Favio!
Fabio was excellent. We had a wonderful tour of Montevideo. We had been here before but did not get such a comprehensive tour. Fabio had great fun facts about the city. highly recommend.
When Favio Tours promises Montevideo “Have it your way” they mean it! While cruising toward Montevideo in early January 2026, I sent a message to Favio indicating that, while having been to Montevideo before, we had never seen much of the city. I also told him that because we were big fans of Uruguayan wine, we’d also like to have a winery visit as part of our Montevideo itinerary. As if that were not enough of a challenge, I also expressed to him that we’d prefer not to do too much walking while in the City. Favio responded quickly and very positively. With a map showing where we were to meet him and our wonderful guide, Dahian (Diane, to us)…we were off to see the City. She and our driver took us to view many of the beautiful squares, public buildings and other highlights in Montevideo as well as the old City and a beautiful drive along the River Plate - giving us opportunities to get out and walk whenever we wanted. Following this overview of the City, we set off for the Bouza Winery, a beautiful upscale winery about 30 minutes outside Montevideo, where we toured the winery and enjoyed a tasting amidst the Winery’s beautiful collection of vintage automobiles and trucks from the 1930’s. We thank Favio and Dahian for an unforgettable introduction to Montevideo and Uruguayan wine country!
Favio was the most excellent tour guide. He has vast knowledge and a passion for Uruguay and that really made our tour more enjoyable. Include the mate experience if you can. Favio is great at explaining and teaching you about this unique tradition. And very tasty!! Thank you, Favio for the wonderful time!
Favio was an awesome guide. He provided great information about the buildings, the city, and the history of Montevideo. We saw all the Top 10 site seeing things to see. Favio added a few extra treats for our family.
An amazing tour with a very knowledgeable guide in Paola! She picked us up on time, and we were underway! We drove and walked around the old city of Montevideo and learned lots of history from Paola. My Spanish is nonexistent, however Paola had immaculate English. We went to three main squares in Montevideo. Stopped at a large market and got some great food. 🤤 We saw lots of the natural beauty of the city proper. My son and I really enjoyed the tour and the fact that we were treated more as friends than as a transaction. I would highly recommend doing this tour. I don’t think that you’ll have any issues with this company.
Best way to visit Montevideo when you have limited time. From clear communication to very clean car, we enjoyed every minute spent with Diane, the tour guide, and Veronica, the driver. Beautiful architecture in the city and pleasant people who give you a sense of being welcomed. We felt very safe and got the chance to listen to some live music by the old gate of Montevideo.
Montevideo is a beautiful area with distinct areas, laidback vibe, and stiff breezes. We were there on a Sunday so stores were closed, masses in session, and traffic extremely light. Favio was very friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. Highly recommend exploring Montevideo on this “intimate” tour!
Favio was friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. He even played futbol with our boys on the beach. Wonderful tour and guide.
A perfect day! Alvaro drove us around the city, kindly offering his wisdom and thoughts about every area we visited. Paola guided us with her sweet demeanor, extensive knowledge about her country, and tailored the day to our family’s needs. She taught us about the history, culture, changes, food and politics from long ago and today. She even sent us recommendations for the rest of our trip. Alvaro and Paola felt more like family friends than tour guides. We especially enjoyed choosing our tour time and pick up/drop off locations. Thank you for a special tour of Montevideo!
Favio is an exceptional tour guide. He customized our city tour to our needs (for example taking us to a wine tasting restaurant). His general knowledge about Uruguay was outstanding. And he’s really funny! Thanks Favio for a great afternoon.
It was great to see the city . I enjoyed seeing all the sites. I would def recommend this to anyone visiting Montevideo.
Favio is a superb tour guide. He took his time driving through out the city which gave him the opportunity to fully explain the layout of Montevideo and its history. The walking portions of the tour were well planned out and his knowledge of the city’s history and architecture are superb. His English is solid which made the tour very enjoyable. This tour gave us a great foundation to plan the rest of our visit.
This was one of the best tours I had in a long time. Fabio was super kind and full of knowledge about the history, the stories, places, and sites. He tailored the tour so relaxed and comfortable. I felt like I was out with a good old friend.
We absolutely loved hanging out with Favio and going on a tour. He was very knowledgeable, the tour was just the perfect amount of time and we had a wonderful, authentic lunch.
My tour guide was very informative about Montevideo. A true local who answered all my questions and more. He took me into the heart of Montevideo and showed me all the landmarks. He didnt feel like a tour guide, but rather a long-time friend with his upbeat and great personality. I definitely recommend him to anyone!
Favio is the best guide. Very knowledgeable, patient and flexible. We would highly recommend him to any of our friends and family when they visit Montevideo!
Favio pick me up by my hotel and we spent a long day together exploring Montevideo. The tour was the perfect mix of seeing sites and learning about their history, combined with getting a chance to know Favio and through him understand more about life in Montevideo and Uruguay more generally, we stopped along the way and had an exceptional sandwich, the Chivito Arocena - delicious! We walked around the old town before driving further afield to see many other neighborhoods that comprise greater Montevideo. Highly recommend this tour - thanks Favio!
Favio is a wonderful tour guide & personalises the entire experience. You genuinely feel like you are travelling with a friend. Great overview on the history of the city & key places. Must do if in Montevideo for a short visit.
Favio is an interesting and enjoyable person to show you around Montevideo. He speaks flawless American English (he lived in US as a child) and knows a lot that he shares with you about his city’s history, culture, architecture and food. He’s so personable and friendly, you’ll feel like you’re meeting up with a laid-back friend. He also went pit of his way to expand the tour to show me anything additional that sparked my interest. Perfect day with a perfect guide!
Great walking tour of the old town with lots of notes about the history of the city. We saw beautiful parks, a Catholic church and many important historical buildings. After this, we drove along the beach area to see some of the neighborhoods outside of the city center. To finish the tour, we stopped at a wine bar in the old town for a wine tasting that included 5-6 different wines from the tannat grape and cheeses to go along with the wine. Favio was an exceptional guide with great knowledge of the city and Uruguay and was able to speak English very well. Highly recommend you reach out to Favio for a fun day.
What a great day! Gonzalo was our guide and happily shared the sites of Montevideo with us as well as the many neighborhoods and cultural info. Highly recommend!
We had such a great time with Paola and Santi. They were very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Montevideo and spoke excellent English. They work hard to personalize the tour.
Favio was excellent! He was incredibly knowledgeable with a great personality and passion for his city!
Favio was so lovely. He communicated with us before arrival to create a bespoke tour, secured a larger vehicle so we would be more comfortable with tall teenage boys and was ready with fun facts and engaging banter to keep our very tired teens engaged. We got a wonderful overview of the history and context of the old and new city. We loved that we were also able to walk from site to site. Highly recommend Favio!
Favio communicated with us as soon as we made the booking to learn what we hoped to experience and tailored our time accordingly. He even went so far as to get a larger vehicle to accommodate our group of 5! He was knowledgeable, very proud of his country’s beauty and super hospitable. It felt like we hung out with a friend for a few hours. I highly recommend booking with Favio.
This tour provides a great overview of the city of Montevideo. Our guide, Favio, was very knowledgeable, professional, and enthusiastic in sharing his love of history. He took time to answer all of our questions and did not rush us at any of the tour sites.
Favio is a great guy, spoke excellent English, had real passion and knowledge of his city, was focused on what we wanted to see and flexible to accommodate our whims. We learned so much about Montevideo and came away with fond memories of it and Uruguay more generally. It was an unusually v hot day and Favio had us do the walking in the early part, with aircon car at its peak temperatures. Highly recommended
Favio contacted us before the tour to inform us that his vehicle was in an accident. I'm sure with some tour operators it would have ended there but not with Favio. He went above and beyond by scheduling us with another tour operator, and was with us on WhatsApp until our tour was underway. If he treated us, a canceled booking, with such respect, imagine what he could do for your vacation experience!
Had a very good tour of the city! Our tour guide Flavio was very good taking us around & showing us the sites.
Before I begin, I want to start this review the same way I start many of my reviews, by talking about the benefits of a private tour over a large coach tour. A private tour gives you flexibility, and your guide can tailor the tour to what you want. You also get a chance to make a personal, although brief, connection with someone who knows and loves his city. And you will never be stuck waiting for late arrivals. As I often say, the only thing worse than riding around on a bus with 40 other people is sitting around on a bus with 38 other people, waiting for the last two to show up. That will never happen on a private tour. Our tour of Montevideo with Favio from Favio Tours is a shining example of my point. He is a very friendly and very knowledgeable guide. He speaks English very well, and he is also fluent in Portuguese and (of course) Spanish; and he is currently learning German. He told us all about the history of Uruguay and of Montevideo in particular, from colonial times to the modern day. He also told us about their culture and traditions, including customs surrounding "mate" their traditional drink (tip: mate is meant to be shared, and bringing your own mate cup and/or straw can be considered rude). He also introduced us to some delicious Uruguayan barbeque. He was able to answer any questions we had. We even chatted on a personal level, talking about our families and personal beliefs. Later in the day, his wife Paola joined us for lunch. She is also a guide, but her tour ended earlier than ours. These things are exactly to my point about the benefits of private tours. We arrived in Montevideo by cruise ship, and Favio met us at the entrance to entrance to the port. We started with a walk through the Port Market (Mercado del Puerto) and through the Old Town to Plaza Zabala. It was a hot day in Montevideo, but Favio kept it all at a leisurely pace. While my wife and I waited a few minutes at Zabala, Favio went back to fetch his car. Next he took us to Plaza Constitución and the Metropolitan Cathedral, and then to Plaza Independencia and the Artigas Mausoleum. After photo stops at the Legislative Palace, Estadio Centenario, and the Montevideo sign at Pocitos Beach, it was time for lunch. Lunch was a local barbeque place called Tres Fuegos, and it was here that Paola joined us (which was truly a bonus and made the visit even better.) Our last stop was to Montevideo Hill, located across the harbor from the port, and which is not a usual stop for most tours. After a perfect day, Favio and Paola dropped us off back at the port with time to make our dinner reservation abord the ship. I rarely post a bad review, even if I get a less-than-average guide. I believe that there is already enough negativity in the world, and if you have nothing good to say, then it is better to say nothing at all. But Favio and Paola are truly exceptional hosts, and they are the type of people who make you feel as if you are traveling with a friend rather than a hired guide. It was a truly special day, and one of the highlights of our entire voyage. Muchas gracias, mis amigos!
Overall excellent - took us to wonderful places, driver was safe. But would have liked more historical and cultural context. Also no snacks or lunch for 6 hours. Was on New Year's day when most things were closed and many on strike so not clear operator was at fault. Should carry step box to make boarding easier.
Anabella is a very personable tour guide with an amazing memory for her city's history. She shared with me the facts of the numerous beautiful buildings, the architects and artists who contributed to Montevideo. Unfortunately, being New Year's day, most were closed. We attempted to have lunch, to try the Uruguay beef, in a crowded marketplace but since very few places were open and our cruise ship in, it was too busy and frenetic for me The tour was very fast-paced, covering many sections of the city in a limited amount of time, and personally I would have preferred a little more time to absorb the ambiance of the city in its parks and beach overlooks, though that's just my preference. Anabella and her gentleman driver took good care of me as we toured. If you're looking for historical information, and an appreciation for the artists and architects that made the city what it is, then you'll enjoy this tour.
Favio was nice and knowledgeable. He took a lot of pleasure in showing us his beautiful city. We visited many interesting places.
Amazing experience with a wonderful tour guide. Very knowledgeable of cities history. Highly recommend this experience.
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