Faro de Punta Carretas
3R7Q+WP5, Vehicular Peatonal, 11300 Montevideo, Departamento de Montevideo, Uruguay
Name and Location
The Faro de Punta Carretas (also referred to as "Faro de Punta Brava") is a small coastal lighthouse and viewing platform located at the tip of the Punta Carretas promontory in Montevideo, Uruguay. The address is 3R7Q+WP5, Vehicular Peatonal, 11300 Montevideo, Departamento de Montevideo, Uruguay.
2. Construction and History
The Faro de Punta Carretas was built in the late 19th century (exact year unknown), serving as a primary navigational aid to mark the rocky Punta Carretas headland for coastal shipping entering Montevideo Bay. At an undetermined date in the 20th century, the tower ceased regular lighthouse service and was later adapted as a public viewing platform.
3. Architecture and Materials
The Faro de Punta Carretas features a cylindrical masonry tower with a lantern (currently empty of optics). The construction materials are local stone and brick covered with white stucco. The height is not publicly documented, but the tower and viewing deck rise roughly 10-12 meters above the base cliffs.
4. Light and Navigation
The light apparatus was removed, and the site is now manually managed as a tourist attraction.
5. Accessibility and Visiting
- Opening hours are Monday-Sunday 10:00-13:00, 14:30-sunset.
- Entrance fee is 35 UYU per person (children under 6 free).
- Guided tours are available in Spanish on request (advance booking recommended).
- Access is via a short pedestrian pathway ("Vehicular Peatonal") leading directly from the Avenida Punta Carretas promenade.
6. Notable Views and Landscape
From the top of the tower platform, visitors enjoy panoramic views of the Río de la Plata estuary and the city skyline to the north. The sunsets over the water are one of Montevideo's most photographed vantage points. Visitors also have a view of the rocky shoreline and small adjacent green park.
7. (No information available)
(No information available)
8. Technical and Operational Details
The light apparatus was removed, and the site is now manually managed as a tourist attraction.
9. Further Information
For further information, refer to the Wikidata page Q7260513, Spanish Wikipedia article es:Faro de Punta Brava, Wikimedia Commons category Category:Faro de Punta Brava, and Montevideo Municipal Tourism Office's "Lighthouses and Coastal Watchpoints" brochure (available in PDF on the official website).
Details
| Name | Faro de Punta Carretas |
|---|---|
| City | Montevideo |
| Country | Uruguay |
| Coordinates | -34.9352363, -56.1605414 |
| Stories | stories or quotes from former lighthouse keepers |
| Architectural style | Functional late-Victorian lighthouse design |
| Construction material | "Local stone and brick covered with white stucco" |
| Tower height | 10 |
| Access description | A short pedestrian pathway (Vehicular Peatonal) leads directly from the Avenida Punta Carretas promenade. Nearby parking is limited; public buses (lines 21, D and others) serve the Punta Carretas area. |
| Accessible | true |
| View description | Panoramic views of the Río de la Plata estuary and the city skyline to the north. Sunsets over the water (one of Montevideo's most photographed vantage points). Rocky shoreline and small adjacent green park, often frequented by joggers and picnickers. |
| Guided tours | true |
| Facilities | toilets, café, gift shop |
| Entrance fee | 35 |
| Opening hours | Monday–Sunday 10:00–13:00, 14:30–sunset |
| Nearby attractions | ["Punta Carretas Shopping Mall (a former prison turned mall) – 700 m east. Parque Rodó and its rose garden – 1 km north. Rambla of Montevideo (coastal avenue) – continuous pedestrian and cycling path."] |
| Automated | false |