Montevideo, situated on the east bank of the Rio de la Plata, is the pleasant capital city of Uruguay. It is a modern and vibrant city with a lot of interesting places to visit, and some good beaches nearby. In the Ciudad Vieja,the old colonial city, located one side of Bahia de Montevideo, is full of beautiful colonial buildings, Spanish style squares and a number of impressive churches. The Casa Rivera and the Museo de Artes Decorativas should not be missed. At the heart of the district is the Plaza Independencia, with its palm-lined streets, and the somber Mausoleo Jose Artigas crowned by a 30-ton statue of the country's hero. Nearby Plaza Independencia you'll find the Palacio Salvo and the Puerta de la Ciudadela. Museumgoers will enjoy the collections of the Museo de la Historia del Arte and the Museo del Carnaval, which documents Montevideo's 100-year embrace of Carnaval. The Torre Antel offers splendid views of the city from the top. And make sure you take an evening to walk along and admire the sunset from the Rambla along the coast.Montevideo is not only the main city of Uruguay; it is its brain and soul. A friendly place, where you still can walk with no hurry, and everybody has time to have a coffee and a chat with a friend. Small buildings, several beaches, wooded parks and a pretty Old Town seduce the visitors.