Administracion Nacional de Aduanas

Admire the architecture of Montevideo’s imposing customs house and then explore the streets of the picturesque Old Town that surround it. 

Visit the port of Montevideo to admire the architecture of the city’s customs house, the Administracion Nacional de Aduanas (National Customs Administration). Established in 1931, this is the third customs house building to stand at the port. Previous editions were either demolished or destroyed by fire. Uruguayan architect Jorge Herrán won the right to design the building in a competition that included 18 other contestants.

Stand back and marvel at the dominant 59-feet (18-meter) tall structure. The central clock tower is visible from almost everywhere in Montevideo’s Ciudad Vieja (Old Town). Check out the building’s tunnel, which also serves as an employee car park.

For visitors arriving by ferry from Buenos Aires, the building is often the first image of Montevideo. Have your camera ready for good photography opportunities, with the Ciudad Vieja in the background.

Situated overlooking the port of Montevideo, the Administracion Nacional de Aduanas is about a 30-minute walk from downtown Montevideo. Public buses stop nearby, as does a hop-on hop-off tourist bus. There are few parking spaces in the area.

After visiting the building, be sure to wander around the streets of Montevideo’s Ciudad Vieja. Find cobblestoned streets lined with emblematic buildings plus handicraft markets and museums. Visit museums such as the Museo del Carnaval (Carnival Museum) and Museo de Artes Decorativas (Museum of Decorative Arts). Don’t miss the chance to eat at one of the traditional steakhouses located in the Mercado del Puerto.