Piriapolis was Uruguay's original vacation center. A bit more laid back than Punta del Este, Piriapolis boasts a wealth of white sandy beaches surrounded by beautiful, rolling green hills. You can view native animals, including penguins, vultures, ostriches, owls and several varieties of stags, at a beautiful nature reserve. The shopping is great and the cuisine diverse. (Try the mussels in garlic, you'll rave!) The museum is also a great stop.
The beaches provide excellent swimming, sunbathing, and body surfing, while the port offers sailing and fishing. And of course the nightlife provides dancing to dawn, or games of chance at the casino
The city is centered around the Rambla de los Argentinos, a waterfront promenade. With a tourism-centered economy, Piriápolis has opulent hotels, large casinos, an active nightlife scene, and public parks. The Templo de San Antonio, situated atop one of the hills surrounding the city, can be reached by chair lift and offers a panoramic view of the coast. For more adventurous travelers, Uruguay's third-highest point, the Cerro Pan de Azucar, can be found 10 km outside of town. The peak presents a challenging climb as well as a nature reserve. Boat tours and saltwater fishing are available at the Piriápolis port.
The Castle of Piria, near Piriápolis, is open to the public. The poet Julio Herrera y Reissig resided at the Castle for a period.
