Pocitos Beach (Playa Pocitos) is one of Montevideo’s most-loved beaches, offering a blend of recreation, relaxation and sightseeing. It curves gently around a picturesque bay that borders the Rio de la Plata. At Pocitos Beach, participate in watersports, swim, soak up the sunshine or visit a naval museum. Favoured by a young crowd and the well-heeled residents of the Pocitos barrio (neighbourhood), the beach has a chic and lively atmosphere.
The water at Pocitos Beach is clear with small waves and perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Lifeguards patrol the beach, thus presenting safe swimming opportunities for all ages. Find space on the beach to set down a towel, deckchair and sun umbrella. Sit on the fine sand and watch as waves ripple gently against the shore.
Year-round, groups of friends meet to play sports, such as beach soccer and volleyball. During the summer, watch teams compete in games of padbol, a fusion of soccer, squash, tennis and volleyball.
Enjoy a stroll along Rambla de Pocitos, an esplanade that skirts the beach and is popular with joggers, in-line skaters and walkers. It forms part of a series of interconnecting waterfront promenades that run around Montevideo’s coastline.
Go to the Naval Museum of Montevideo at the north end of the beach. See displays of cannons, canoes of indigenous people, ship models and photographs, among other exhibits highlighting Uruguay’s maritime history. Learn about the Graf Spee, a ship that sank during the 1939 Battle of the River Plate. The museum is open from Friday to Wednesday and has an admission fee.
It’s easy to get to Pocitos Beach from Montevideo’s city centre via public buses and taxis. Combine your visit with a walk around the fashionable Pocitos barrio. Discover boutiques, handicraft stores, fashion outlets and shopping malls. Dine at seafood restaurants and traditional parrillas (steakhouses) or sample the nightlife at cocktail lounges, clubs and pubs.
