Asunción
Paraguay · 43 m
Description
Asunción is the capital of Paraguay and one of the oldest cities in South America, founded in 1537 and called the “mother of cities” because expeditions to found Buenos Aires and others set out from here. It sits low on the Paraguay river with a compact colonial centre of pastel government buildings, the pink Palacio de los López on the waterfront and a cathedral that has stood since the eighteenth century. Guaraní is spoken alongside Spanish by almost everyone. The Panteón de los Héroes anchors the pedestrian centre, and terere is drunk everywhere. The centre is compact and walkable, and the heat decides the pace.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 5 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Palacio de los López on the waterfront
- Panteón Nacional de los Héroes
- Terere and the ñandutí lace market
- Casa de la Independencia
- Metropolitan Cathedral and Plaza de Armas
- Costanera riverside promenade
- Mercado Cuatro
- Museo del Barro
- Old railway station and its steam engine
- Loma San Jerónimo painted quarter
- Sopa paraguaya and chipa
- Botanical garden and zoo
Getting there
- Airports:
- ASU
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry