Salvo Palace (Palacio Salvo)

The Basics

Salvo Palace was once one of the tallest buildings in South America. Standing at 312 feet (95 meters), its remains a city symbol thanks to its distinctive design. To see the building’s exterior, visit independently or take a sightseeing tours of Montevideo, such as a walking tour of Old Town (Ciudad Vieja). For access to the 10th floor rooftop and 25th floor of the building, join a guided tour leaving from the lobby.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Salvo Palace is popular with those interested in architecture.

• You have to climb two sets of stairs and a short ladder to reach the viewing deck.

• Tours are run in Spanish or English.

How to Get There

Salvo Palace is in the heart of Montevideo, at the intersection of Plaza Independencia and 18 de Julio Avenue. It’s a short walk of many centrally located Montevideo hotels and attractions including Teatro Solis. The ferry terminal is about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) away for about a 20-minute walk.

When to Get There

Guided tours to the viewing deck and rooftop typically run in late morning and early afternoon in summer. For sparkling views, prebook the nighttime tour, which also takes you to additional corners of the building and relates stories about its history.

Tango Museum

Salvo Palace was built on the site where Gerardo Matos Rodríguez wroteLa Cumparsita, probably the most recognizable tango in the world, in 1917. You can learn about the history of tango and watch a show inside the building.