About
Maldonado is a historic colonial city and the capital of Maldonado department in Uruguay, South America. It is a place where the traditional architecture of an older settlement sits alongside the everyday life of a working administrative centre.
The city was founded in 1757, and that age shows in its streets and buildings. Visitors interested in traditional architecture will find the old town a good place to walk slowly and look at how the earlier settlement was laid out and built. The cultural sites in the city add further reasons to stop and look around.
What a visit offers
- A walk through the historic centre and its traditional buildings
- Cultural sites that reflect the city's long history
- A look at Maldonado as a functioning regional capital, rather than only a place of the past
Because Maldonado serves as the administrative centre of its department, the city has a practical, lived-in character. It suits a visitor who wants to understand a Uruguayan city beyond a single sight, and who is happy to spend an unhurried half day or more exploring on foot.
Planning your trip
Maldonado is well placed for travellers who want to combine a historic city with time in the wider department. Check opening times for individual cultural sites before you set out, as these can vary, and allow time to wander the older streets at your own pace.
