Teatro Solis

The Teatro Solís is the oldest and most important theatre in Montevideo, and the neoclassical building at the corner of Reconquista and Bartolomé Mitre, just off Plaza Independencia, is one of the city's finest. It opened in 1856 and celebrates its 170th anniversary in 2026 with a special season of more than 370 performances, from opera and ballet to the Philharmonic and national theatre company. The theatre offers general guided visits that explain its history, the artists who have performed here and the architecture, from the colonnaded facade to the horseshoe-shaped main hall with its tiers of boxes and painted ceiling. Official information lists tours in Spanish, English and Portuguese, running on most days of the week, with a free tour on Wednesdays. Visits can also reach areas not open to the public on other days, so a guided tour is the surest way to see the interior if you cannot attend a show. The box office sells performance tickets daily, and for many visitors an evening at the opera or a concert is the highlight of a stay.

The building tells the story of the country. Construction began in the 1840s during the long Guerra Grande, and the theatre opened in 1856, named in honour of Juan Díaz de Solís, the Spanish navigator associated with the discovery of the Río de la Plata. It was renovated extensively in the early 2000s, restoring the main hall and updating the stage machinery while keeping the nineteenth-century character. Inside, the foyers and the main auditorium are the sights, and the guides usually share anecdotes about premieres, carnival balls and the tradition of the Uruguayan national theatre company, the Comedia Nacional.

To plan a visit, check the official tour schedule before you go. The published timetable lists tours on weekdays at mid-morning, midday and late afternoon, and on weekend afternoons, though times can change with rehearsals and events, so confirm on the theatre's site. Tours are priced in pesos, with lower rates for residents and a discount for foreigners who show proof of the tourist tax, and they are free on Wednesdays, which makes that day popular. Arrive early on Wednesdays. Tours are given in Spanish, English or Portuguese; ask which language applies to your slot.

The best use of a visit is to combine it with a performance. The 2026 season includes opera, classical concerts and national theatre, and seats range from modest to premium. Dress smartly but not formally; Montevideo audiences tend to be casual. Once a show begins, entry to the halls is not allowed, so arrive with time to spare. The theatre sits on the edge of Ciudad Vieja, a short walk from Plaza Independencia, which makes it an easy stop between the Salvo Palace and the old-town cafés.