Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
The best things to do in Piriápolis Urugua,y are simple, easy to access, and never far from the water. You can ride a chairlift to a hilltop chapel, visit a castle built by the town’s founder, or spend the afternoon walking the coast. Local parks, old lookout points, and quiet streets offer something to do without needing a fixed plan. The town is compact and relaxed, which makes it easy to explore on foot. You’ll find just enough to fill each day without having to rush through any of it.
Top 10 Things To Do In Piriápolis Uruguay
From short hikes to quiet beaches and hilltop views, these things to do in Piriapolis Uruguay are the most worthwhile activities to try while staying.
1. Ride The Chairlift To Cerro San Antonio
Photo: Margaret Riseley / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
One of the most iconic things to do in Piriápolis Uruguay, is taking the chairlift up to Cerro San Antonio. The ride lasts only a few minutes, but the views stretch far beyond the shoreline, giving you a clear look at the bay, the rooftops, and the curve of the Rambla below. The chairlift usually runs during the warmer months and is maintained regularly. It’s open-air but steady, suitable for most people unless there are strong winds, when service might be paused. Once you reach the top, you’ll find a small white chapel built in honour of Saint Anthony, a local snack kiosk, and several raised viewing areas with clear sightlines.
Location: Base of Cerro San Antonio
Average Cost: $3 / ₹250
Nearby Attractions: Templo San Antonio, Playa de los Ingleses
2. Explore The Castillo De Piria And Its Grounds
Photo: Gabriel Artus / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most worthwhile things to see in Piriápolis Uruguay, is stepping inside the Castillo de Piria. This large estate was built in the early 20th century by Francisco Piria, the man behind the town’s development. It served as his retreat and still holds its original shape and structure. The exterior is solid and symmetrical, marked by small turrets, stone columns, and decorative iron gates. Its design combines formal European style with a slightly fortress-like appearance, making it stand out from anything else in the area. Inside, you can walk through preserved rooms furnished with items from the late 19th and early 20th century.
Location: Ruta 37, entrance to Piriápolis
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Nearby Attractions: Cerro Pan de Azúcar, Museo Ferroviario
3. Relax At The Argentino Hotel Spa & Try Your Luck At The Casino
Photo: D.flecchia / Wikimedia Commons
One option for what to do in Piriapolis Uruguay is to visit the historic Argentino Hotel, open since 1930 and once the largest in South America. You can book spa sessions with thermal water treatments, massages, and a heated indoor pool, even if you’re not a guest. The casino operates daily with slot machines, roulette, and table games, especially active at night. Walking through the hotel’s common areas reveals wooden staircases, iron chandeliers, and marble floors. It’s a blend of old-world design and leisure, making it a unique stop whether you want to relax, gamble, or simply admire the architecture.
Location: Rambla de los Argentinos
Average Cost: $25 / ₹2,100 (spa)
Nearby Attractions: Plaza Artigas, beach promenade
4. Walk Or Cycle Along Rambla De Los Argentinos
Photo: Charles Parker / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Walking or cycling along the Rambla de los Argentinos is one of the most straightforward things to do in Piriápolis. This seafront road runs the length of the main beach, starting near the fishing port and continuing until the edge of the eastern hill. The path stays level and accessible throughout, with a clear view of the ocean the entire way. It’s wide enough for cyclists, joggers, and walkers to share without crowding, and the sea stays within view the entire way. You’ll pass palm trees, benches, vintage lampposts, and several small statues, including tributes to the town’s founder, Francisco Piria.
Location: Piriápolis beachfront
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Central beach, artisan stalls, Argentino Hotel
5. Visit The Museo Ferroviario And See Historic Locomotives
Photo: Mevrob / Wikimedia Commons
For anyone interested in local history, one of the most underrated things to do in Piriápolis, is stopping by the Museo Ferroviario. The museum is set inside the original railway station that once connected Piriápolis with the inland towns and Montevideo during the early 20th century. Though train service no longer runs, the building and its tracks remain intact, now housing preserved locomotives, carriages, and equipment used during the railway’s active years. Inside, you’ll find tools, uniforms, and photographs from the period when rail was essential to the town’s growth. The train yard holds a restored steam engine that once brought early tourists to the resort.
Location: Old Piriápolis railway station
Nearby Attractions: Plaza Artigas, central shops
6. Hike Up Cerro Del Toro And Drink From The Bull Fountain
Photo: NataliaHG / Wikimedia Commons
Climbing Cerro del Toro is one of the more active things to do in Piriápolis, and gives you a view that most visitors miss. The hill rises behind the residential area and can be reached by a paved trail that starts from Avenida de Mayo. The path takes about 20 to 30 minutes on foot, with several stops along the way to catch your breath or take photos. Near the base, you’ll pass the Fuente del Toro, a bronze bull sculpture standing above a natural spring. The water flows directly from the hillside, and locals often stop to drink from it before continuing the climb.
Location: Avenida de Mayo
Nearby Attractions: Fuente de Venus, vineyards
7. Take Photos At Fuente De Venus And Relax In The Park
Photo: Roxyuru / Wikimedia Commons
Photographing the Fuente de Venus is one of the more laid-back things to do in Piriápolis, Uruguay, especially if you’re near the base of Cerro del Toro. The statue stands inside a small public park and was commissioned by Francisco Piria as part of his plan to shape the town with symbolic landmarks. The sculpture is a classical-style figure of Venus, placed within a stone fountain surrounded by trimmed hedges and a few benches. It’s not a large space, but it’s quiet and usually uncrowded, which makes it an easy spot to stop and take a break.
Location: At the foot of Cerro del Toro
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Cerro del Toro, cafés
8. Swim And Sunbathe At Piriápolis Beach
Photo: Rowan Heuvel / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Spending a few hours on the sand is one of the most classic things to do in Piriápolis, Uruguay, and the main beach sits right in the heart of town. The shoreline is wide, the waves are gentle, and the water stays shallow for a good distance, which makes it suitable for swimming. Locals often bring umbrellas and set up for the day, especially in summer when the waterfront stays busy from mid-morning through sunset. You’ll find small food carts selling drinks, churros, and sandwiches along the edge of the beach, especially near the busiest sections. The sand is fine, not rocky, and usually clean.
Location: Playa San Francisco and the central beach
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Rambla, beachfront restaurants
9. Enjoy Sunset Snacks At Paseo De La Pasiva And The Port
Photo: Ezarate / Wikimedia Commons
The food stalls are located near the fishing port at the end of the Rambla. They serve grilled beef sandwiches, fried fish, empanadas, and bottled drinks. Plastic tables and fixed benches are placed facing the promenade, close to each kiosk. People usually begin arriving after 5 PM, once the temperature drops. The stalls do not have fixed closing hours and stay open based on the number of customers passing through. Boats are often tied at the dock a short distance away, and the view includes the edge of the bay and surrounding hills.
Location: End of Rambla, near the harbour
Average Cost: $4 / ₹330 (Snacks)
Nearby Attractions: Fishing pier, Playa de los Ingleses
10. Climb To The Summit Of Cerro Pan De Azúcar
Photo: Andrés Franchi Ugart / Wikimedia Commons
Climbing Cerro Pan de Azúcar takes you to one of the highest natural points along the country’s southern coast. The trail starts from the base of the hill, near the nature reserve entrance. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes to reach the summit, depending on pace. The route is marked and involves a steady incline, with short rocky sections near the top. The large concrete cross at the summit stands 35 metres tall and is hollow inside. You can enter it by the staircase when it is open. The view includes Piriápolis, nearby rural towns, and the Atlantic horizon.
Location: Nature Reserve, 10 km from the town centre
Nearby Attractions: Animal Reserve, panoramic viewpoints
Piriápolis gives you variety without the rush. From coastal walks to hillside trails and old landmarks, the best things to do in Piriápolis Uruguay are easy to reach and enjoy at your own pace. Most don’t need a car or guide, making it ideal for relaxed exploration. If you’re after a slow coastal trip with minimal planning, this small town fits perfectly. Start your visit today with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Kate Trysh / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
