Well-Known Tourist Spots to See and Things to Do in Asunción

July 15, 2021 Mustafa Natalwala 3316 Views 0 Comments

Asuncion is the national capital city of Paraguay. The city is situated on the banks of the Asuncion River and the Bay of Asuncion. It is one of the oldest cities on the South American continent. It is known as the Mother of Cities for the Rio de la Plata Basin. The city is also home to CONMEBOL, the governing body for football in South America.

This city has much to offer all those who visit Asuncion in terms of history, outdoor activities, food, culture, sightseeing, and more. You get to explore layers of history as you explore this city deeper, from the pre-colonial indigenous period to the modern era. There are also several unique and fun things to do in Asuncion which make the trip memorable.

Despite the country not having a coastline, this city still has its own river beach. It is definitely among the top places to visit in Asuncion for leisure, entertainment, and outdoor activities. You can also take boat cruises in the bay or along the river.

As for Asuncion sightseeing, there are palaces, museums, art galleries, churches, and historical neighbourhoods to explore. You will see a blend of different styles of architecture from different time periods. Though the majority of the things to see in Asuncion hail from colonial and post-colonial periods, you also get to explore a few places where pre-colonial history and heritage of the people are still kept vibrant. You will see this blend of modern and indigenous as you explore the traditional markets of the city as well. Here modern electronics are sold alongside traditional handicraft items. Even in the streets, you will see Guarani people dressed in traditional attire alongside folks in modern clothing.

The city also has a vibrant nightlife and hobnobbing spots to enjoy after exploring Asuncion tourist attractions. You can also check out rooftop bars and cafes in the old neighborhoods of the city to enjoy the view of colorful buildings while you drink or dine.

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Table of Contents

The Best Tourist Places to Visit in Asuncion

1. Palace of the López / Presidential Palace (Palacio des los Lopez)

This is the most iconic landmark among places to visit in Asuncion. This presidential palace exhibits a beautiful neoclassical and Palladian architectural influence. You will need about an hour to tour this palace.

I suggest you should go for a Customized City Tour with a Local Guide.

2. Museo del Barro

This museum is divided into 3 sections: Pottery, Indigenous Art, and Modern Art. There are several interesting things to see in Asuncion exhibited in this museum, especially if you are interested in history and art. You will need 2 hours for this museum.

3. La Costanera

This beach faces the Bahia de Asuncion which is a part of the Paraguay River. The beautiful beach offers several options for leisure, outdoor activities, adventure, and several other things to do in Asuncion. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this beach.

4. Loma San Jeronimo

This neighborhood is a great place for leisurely strolls during Asuncion sightseeing. The area is very colorful and has a quaint charm of its own. It is also popular for street food and rooftop bars. You would need about an hour for Loma San Jeronimo.

5. Market 4 (Mercado Municipal 4)

This market is a great place to shop for souvenirs, traditional handicrafts, electronics, and more. It is also one of the best Asuncion attractions for street food as well. You will need about 20 to 30 minutes to explore and enjoy this market.

6. Independence House Museum (Casa de la Independencia)

This national monument is one of the most important historical Asuncion tourist attractions to visit. The museum outlines the independence of Paraguay from Spanish colonial rule. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.

7. Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption / Asunción Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción)

This majestic cathedral was built in 1845 and replaced a 16th-century chapel which stood at this very spot. This cathedral is an important cultural venue and holds several religious celebrations. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this church.

8. Estadio Defensores del Chaco

This is one of the best football stadiums in the country. The matches can get pretty rowdy, but it is an incredible experience to be a part of the game with the locals. If you just want to visit the stadium, you won’t need more than 30 minutes from Asuncion travel.

9. Cultural Center of the Republic – El Cabildo

This museum is dedicated to the indigenous cultural heritage of the country. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Asuncion as it gives a new perspective to rest of the trip. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.

10. National Pantheon of Heroes (Panteón Nacional de los Héroes)

This monument is dedicated to fallen heroes of the country. The changing of guards is an intriguing ceremony among things to see in Asuncion. You will need about 30 to 45 minutes for this monument.

11. National Museum of Fine Arts of Asuncion (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Asunción)

This museum exhibits several works of art created by different Paraguayan and foreign artists. The museum exhibits paintings, sculptures, art exhibitions, antique coins, artifacts, furniture, and more. You will need about 2 hours for this museum when you visit Asuncion.

12. South American Football Museum

This museum is dedicated to the football endeavors of South American clubs, players, and teams. The museum is among the important Asuncion attractions because the people of South America hold a great passion for the game. You will need an hour to explore this museum.

If you are looking for more Asuncion tourist attractions, check out the section below.

Things to do in Asuncion

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Asuncion

Palacio de Lopez
National Pantheon of Heroes
Museo del Barro
Independence House Museum
Museum of Sacred Art
Centro Cultural Manzana de la Rivera
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Asuncion
Cultural Center of the Republic
Cathedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion
Cerro Lambre
Andres Barbero Ethnographic Museum
Museu del Futbol Sudamericano
Holy Trinity Church
MUSA Museum of Chairs
Iglesia de la Encarnacion
Fundacion Texo
Fundacion Migliorisi
Museo Memoria de la Ciudad
Cathedral of St. Lawrence
Escalinata Jose de Antequera y Castro
Cemeterio de la Recoleta
Catholic Church of Recoleta
Mary Help of Christians Catholic Shrine
Museo Arqueologico y Ethnografico Guido
Museo de las Memorias
Estacion Central del Ferrocarril
Museo Monsenor Juan Sinforiano Bogarin
Iglesia las Mercedes
Museo del Baro

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Asuncion

Bahia de Asuncion
Puente Remanso

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Asuncion

Botanical Zoo and Garden
Plaza Uruguaya
Nu Guasu Park
Rakiura Resort
Salud Park
Casino de Asuncion
Parque Guasu Metropolitano
Carlos Antonio Lopez Park
Nu Guasa Park
Asuncion Zoo
Bernardino Caballero Public Park
Vivant Casino
Asuncion Beach Resort

Shopping in Asuncion

Plaza de los Heroes
Paseo la Galeria
Mercado Cuatro
Shopping del Sol
Mercado de Pulgas
Mariscal Lopez Mall
Paseo Carmelitas
Paseo via Allegra
Villa Morra

Beaches in Asuncion

Jose Asuncion Flores
Playa de los desaparecidos
Mulle Playa de Aregua
Playa de la Costanera

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Asuncion

Hiking
Bike Tour

Sightseeing in Asuncion

Plaza de la Democracia
Icono Tower
Plaza de los Heroes
Loma San Jeronimo
Plaza de los Desaparecidos
Plaza de Armas

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Asuncion

Talleyrand
Paulista Grill
El Dorado
Shngri-La
San Roque
Carmelitas Center
Taberna Espanola
O Gaucho
Tierra Colorada
Bellini
Literario Cafe
Pakuri
El Bolsi
Lo de Osvaldo
Ciervo Blanco

Where to Stay in Asunción?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Asunción. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Asunción.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Asunción

How to Reach Asuncion?

By Air

The fastest option for Asuncion travel is Silvio Pettirossi International Airport. The airport is situated in the municipality of Luque. You can get direct flights to visit Asuncion from Panama City, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Bogota, Lima, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Montevideo and more. You can either choose a public bus or cab to take you to the city from the airport. You will have to walk a little to get to the bus stop.

By Road

You can get a train to visit Asuncion from Aregua, also a city in Paraguay. The bus network is quite widespread though. You can get direct and connecting buses from Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Santa Cruz, Montevideo, and several other cities. If you are planning to go by road, you should head towards routes 1,2 or 3.

By Water

You can get a boat for Asuncion travel from Concepcion in Paraguay.

Image Reference

Palace of the López / Presidential Palace (Palacio des los Lopez) – Viktor Kisman / PixaBay
Museo del Barro –
La Costanera – Viktor Kisman / PixaBay
Loma San Jeronimo – Laura Cuttier / Flickr
Market 4 (Mercado Municipal 4) – Leandro Neumann Ciuffo / Flickr
Independence House Museum (Casa de la Independencia) – Ever Daniel Barreto Rojas / Flickr
Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption / Asunción Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) – FF MM / Wikimedia Commons
Estadio Defensores del Chaco – Hazaña17 / Wikimedia Commons
Cultural Center of the Republic – El Cabildo – Preyes / Wikimedia Commons
National Pantheon of Heroes (Panteón Nacional de los Héroes) – CivArmy / Wikimedia Commons
National Museum of Fine Arts of Asuncion (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Asunción) – Cmasi / Wikimedia Commons
South American Football Museum – aranha / PixaBay