Timeline
06:54
Arrive at the base of The obelisk of Montevideo. The three statues representing law, liberty, and force are visible in the pre-dawn light. Find a spot on the corner of Av. 18 de Julio and Bv. Artigas that faces the approach from the east, as the sun rises directly behind the structure.
07:24
Watch the sunrise. On the dates between 05 May and 14 May, or from 30 Jul to 07 Aug, the sun rises directly behind the obelisk. The moment lasts only a few minutes as the light breaks.
07:44
Walk 2 minutes to Nueva Rossell for breakfast. This bakery is open from 06:00, so it is ready immediately after the sunrise. Grab a coffee and a local pastry to warm up.
08:09
Return to the area around The obelisk of Montevideo to enjoy the golden light. The morning atmosphere is calm and the light is ideal for viewing the monument's details.
Local tip
The alignment only works on specific dates. If you are visiting outside May 5-14 or July 30-Aug 7, the sun will not align perfectly behind the obelisk, but the sunrise is still beautiful. Check the route if you need to return to the obelisk from Nueva Rossell.
Check before you go
- Nueva Rossell opens at 06:00 daily.
- The sunrise alignment is specific to May 5-14 and July 30-Aug 7.
Worth knowing
- Sun position is calculated. We have not confirmed the view is unobstructed.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Montevideo (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).