Plaza Independencia

About Plaza Independencia

Plaza Independencia is Montevideo’s principal civic square that separates the Ciudad Vieja (Old City) from the Centro business district. The plaza contains the equestrian monument to national hero José Gervasio Artigas, with his remains interred in a mausoleum beneath the monument.

Facing the square is the landmark Palacio Salvo, a 1920s tower that defines the plaza’s skyline, and nearby is the Puerta de la Ciudadela, a surviving section of the colonial city gate. The square functions as a civic and ceremonial space with surrounding government buildings, offices and pedestrian routes.

Historically it has served as Montevideo’s symbolic heart and a focal point for public events and memorial ceremonies. The plaza sits at the head of the old city and is easily reached from nearby streets and public transport nodes.

Central memorials: The plaza marks the boundary between Ciudad Vieja and the central business district; the equestrian statue of José Artigas stands at its centre above a subterranean mausoleum.

What to See#

Mausoleum of Artigas: The Mausoleum and equestrian monument dedicated to national hero José Gervasio Artigas, located beneath and at the centre of the square.
Palacio Salvo: The Palacio Salvo, an iconic 1920s high-rise facing the square that was once one of South America’s tallest buildings.
Puerta de la Ciudadela and approach: The nearby Puerta de la Ciudadela and surrounding streets that mark the transition from the old city to the commercial centre.

Things to Do

Nearby Attractions to Plaza Independencia

Palacio Salvo

Iconic 1920s high-rise landmark in Montevideo

Building 133 m

Palacio Taranco

Early 20th-century palace housing decorative arts museum

Museum 211 m

Montevideo Cabildo

Colonial-era town hall now museum in Montevideo

Museum 281 m

Constitution Square, Montevideo

Historic central plaza in Montevideo with monuments

Square 345 m

Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and San Felipe and Santiago

Main Roman Catholic cathedral in Montevideo

Religious Site 401 m

Plaza de Cagancha

Central Montevideo square surrounded by historic buildings

Monument 758 m

Parque Rodó

Large Montevideo park with lake and cultural attractions

Park 3.2 km

National Museum of Visual Arts (Uruguay)

Montevideo museum housing Uruguay's national visual arts collection

Museum 3.3 km

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Plaza Independencia

Visit in spring or autumn for mild weather and manageable crowds; summer is lively but busiest.

Summer (busiest)

December-February · ~20-30°C

Warm weather and increased street life; the plaza is lively but can be busier with tourists and events.

Shoulder seasons (comfortable)

September-November, March-May · ~15-25°C

Pleasant temperatures and moderate visitor numbers - good for walking tours, cafes and monuments.

Winter (calmer)

June-August · ~8-15°C

Cooler, quieter months with fewer tourists and more peaceful plaza experience.

Weather & Climate near Plaza Independencia

Climate

Plaza Independencia's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 6°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (889 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 46 Good

Best Time to Visit

JanuaryFebruaryNovember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

34°

Warmest Month

3°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

Month	Comfort	Temp	Feels	Rain	Sky	Humidity	Wind	UV	Daylight
January	Excellent	18° - 28°	23°	81 mm	some cloud	72%	4.7 m/s	3.1 extreme	14.0h
February	Excellent	17° - 27°	22°	75 mm	some cloud	75%	4.5 m/s	2.6 extreme	13.2h
March	Excellent	16° - 25°	21°	80 mm	some cloud	77%	4.3 m/s	2.0 extreme	12.2h
April	Very Good	13° - 21°	17°	74 mm	partly cloudy	78%	4.3 m/s	1.2 high	11.1h
May	Very Good	10° - 18°	14°	73 mm	partly cloudy	82%	4.2 m/s	0.6 moderate	10.2h
June	Good	7° - 15°	11°	63 mm	partly cloudy	84%	4.4 m/s	0.4 low	9.7h
July	Good	6° - 14°	10°	68 mm	partly cloudy	85%	4.5 m/s	0.4 low	10.0h
August	Very Good	7° - 16°	11°	74 mm	partly cloudy	84%	4.6 m/s	0.7 moderate	10.7h
September	Very Good	8° - 17°	13°	75 mm	partly cloudy	82%	5.0 m/s	1.2 high	11.7h
October	Very Good	11° - 20°	16°	88 mm	partly cloudy	80%	5.0 m/s	1.9 very high	12.8h
November	Excellent	13° - 23°	18°	74 mm	some cloud	75%	4.9 m/s	2.5 extreme	13.8h
December	Excellent	16° - 26°	21°	64 mm	some cloud	72%	5.0 m/s	3.0 extreme	14.3h

Getting There & Around

How to Get to Plaza Independencia

Plaza Independencia sits in central Montevideo at the end of Avenida 18 de Julio; it’s in the city centre and easily reached on foot from surrounding downtown streets. From Tres Cruces bus terminal the plaza is a short bus ride or about a 15-25 minute walk; by car it is immediately accessible from main city roads (parking is limited in the centre).

Tips for Visiting Plaza Independencia

Visit early in the morning to access the Artigas Mausoleum beneath the square while crowds are smaller and to see the central plaza with softer light on Palacio Salvo.
Approach the plaza from the Ciudadela/Puerta de la Ciudadela side to feel the transition between the old city and the civic center, then follow Calle Sarandí behind the square for quieter cafés and galleries.
Don't skip the underground mausoleum and its changing of the guard - the monument to Artigas is at the heart of the square and many visitors only glance at the surface-level monuments.