Alright, so I finally got around to Montevideo. Landed, got settled, and then, well, you just gotta dive in, right? First thing I did was head straight for the Ciudad Vieja, the Old Town. I just started walking, no real plan. You see the Puerta de la Ciudadela, that old city gate, and it kinda sets the tone. Lots of old buildings, some a bit crumbly, others nicely kept. Plaza Independencia is right there too, massive square, statue of Artigas in the middle. I spent a good few hours just ambling through those streets, soaking it all in. It’s got that proper old-world feel, you know?
First big stop: The Port Market
Then, lunch. Everyone told me, “You gotta go to the Mercado del Puerto.” And man, they weren’t kidding. It’s this huge old market building, absolutely packed with parrillas – those Uruguayan barbecue spots. The smell of grilled meat just hits you as soon as you get close. I found a spot, ordered up a massive steak, some chorizo. It’s an experience, watching them cook it all on these giant open grills. Definitely not for vegetarians, this place. But for a meat lover? Heaven.
After stuffing my face, I figured I needed a good walk. So, I headed for the Rambla. This is their coastal avenue, goes on for miles. People were out jogging, cycling, just chilling with their mate (that tea they drink all the time). I walked a good stretch of it, just watching the water, the city on one side, the Rio de la Plata on the other. It’s pretty wide, this river, looks more like the sea. It was a good way to digest all that meat, that’s for sure.
Exploring a bit more
Over the next couple of days, I just kept exploring.
- I stumbled upon the Feria de Tristán Narvaja on a Sunday. What a scene! It’s this massive street market, sells everything – antiques, books, clothes, pets, fruit, you name it. Super crowded, super lively. I didn’t buy much, just a few small trinkets, but it was great for people-watching.
- Saw the Palacio Salvo. Can’t miss it, this really distinctive, kinda weird-looking tall building near Plaza Independencia. Didn’t go in, but it’s quite a landmark from the outside.
- Took a bus out to Pocitos one afternoon. It’s one of the beach neighborhoods. The beach itself is nice, wide, sandy. Lots of apartment buildings along the front. Seemed like a popular spot for locals to hang out.
I also remember just wandering into random cafes, trying some local pastries. And the chivito, gotta mention the chivito. It’s this massive steak sandwich with everything on it – ham, cheese, egg, lettuce, tomato, mayo. Tried one, and yeah, it’s a meal in itself. Pretty tasty, though.
Overall, Montevideo, it’s a pretty chill place. Not super flashy, but it’s got character. The people seemed friendly enough. I liked the pace of it. It wasn’t rushed. Just a solid, interesting city to spend some time in. Glad I went, got some good memories from it.
