Visiting Punta del Este, Uruguay: Top Sights on Foot

Punta del Este is a seaside city on a narrow peninsula at Uruguay’s southernmost point, where the Río de la Plata meets the Atlantic Ocean. Its beaches, artistic landmarks, historic places of worship and international resort atmosphere make it one of Uruguay’s most distinctive destinations. Neywo offers a free audio guide for Punta del Este with seven narrated places, available in 11 languages.

What to See in Punta del Este

The Hand on Brava Beach

One of the most recognizable things to do in Punta del Este is to visit The Hand, the striking sculpture rising from the sand at Parada 1 on Brava Beach. Five human fingers emerge from the beach, creating an image that has become a symbol of the city and one of Uruguay’s best-known landmarks.

The sculpture was completed in February 1982. Its location on the beach makes it an especially memorable example of how Punta del Este combines public art with its coastal setting.

Ralli Museum

The Ralli Museum is one of Punta del Este’s most important cultural stops. Its collection brings together contemporary art from Latin America and Europe, offering a different perspective on the city beyond its beaches and resort life.

Founded in 1988, Museo Ralli Punta del Este was the first Ralli museum to open. It is also regarded as one of the world’s most important museums of Latin American contemporary art. Take time to explore its European and Latin American works.

Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria

Opposite the square by Punta del Este Lighthouse, the light blue façade of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria makes this Catholic church easy to recognize. It remains an important place of worship throughout the year and is one of the peninsula’s notable landmarks.

The parish was established on February 1, 1948, although the first temple on the site was built in 1911. The present building dates from the middle of the twentieth century. Inside, the church is dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria, whose image came from Spain.

Templo Rafael

Templo Rafael, also known as the Rafael Temple, is located on Capitán Miranda Street, or Calle 7. It is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, and the oldest synagogue in Punta del Este.

The building adds another layer to the city’s religious and cultural identity. It is worth noticing while exploring the peninsula, particularly for visitors interested in the different communities that have shaped Punta del Este.

Ajax and the Battle of the River Plate

Ajax refers to a 1934 Leander-class light cruiser that served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War. The ship became known for a series of naval actions, especially the Battle of the River Plate, where it took part in the action against the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee.

Its wartime service also included the battles of Crete and Malta, escort duties connected with the siege of Tobruk, and support for the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944. Ajax fired on the German battery at Longues-sur-Mer, later helped escort convoys bound for Malta and supported the liberation of Greece from German occupation.

Plaza del Ingenio

Plaza del Ingenio is a public square where visitors can pause while exploring Punta del Este. It offers a simple opportunity to take in the surroundings and experience the city away from its major seaside landmarks.

Punta del Este’s peninsula and wider landmarks

The city itself occupies a narrow peninsula that conventionally separates the Río de la Plata from the Atlantic Ocean. This geography gives Punta del Este its contrasting coastal character and helped establish it as one of Latin America’s most exclusive beach resorts.

The city has also hosted major international events. The Whitbread Around the World yacht races were held there from 1985 to 1994. Punta del Este hosted the 1967 American Summit, attended by United States President Lyndon Johnson, and the opening of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations in 1986, a process that later led to the creation of the World Trade Organization.

Across the wider area, well-known landmarks include the giant sculpture La Mano, the Santorini-styled complex Casapueblo, the Puente Garzón bridge designed by Rafael Viñoly and the Museum of the Sea. Punta del Este has also hosted Formula E races, including the 2014, 2015 and 2018 e-Prix events, as well as the Gran Premio Punta del Este.

Explore Punta del Este with Neywo

A Punta del Este self-guided walking tour is a simple way to discover the city while keeping your own rhythm. Neywo’s free audio guide covers seven narrated places. The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages.

Download Neywo and explore Punta del Este independently, from its beaches and public art to its museums, churches, synagogue and historic stories. You can also continue discovering Uruguay, including Montevideo and Colonia del Sacramento.