Things to do in Asunción this weekend: day plans, nights out and a slow Sunday

Daytime: things to do in downtown Asunción

The historic center is easy to explore on foot. A good place to start is the National Pantheon of the Heroes, at Palma and Chile, which holds the remains of Carlos Antonio López and Francisco Solano López, among others. On Saturday mornings there's a changing of the guard out front. A few blocks away is the Casa de la Independencia (14 de Mayo and Presidente Franco), the old house where Paraguay's independence leaders met to plan the events of May 14 and 15, 1811. Closer to the bay stands the Palacio de López, seat of the executive branch, with the Manzana de la Rivera right across the street: nine restored historic houses that now make up a city-run cultural center.

On Saturdays, Calle Palma switches gears for the Feria Palmear. The blocks between Independencia Nacional and 14 de Mayo go pedestrian-only and fill up with crafts (ñandutí lace, leather, wood), Paraguayan and international food, live music and kids' activities. It's organized by the Office of the First Lady together with the national government, the City of Asunción and other partners, and admission is free. Editions often have a theme: the one on Saturday, September 19, 2026 is “Palma Joven,” for Youth Month. Check official channels before you go.

For more background, the city runs a program of tours, most of them free, such as AsuJeguata, through the old town, and “Secretos del Palacio,” a guided visit inside the Government Palace. Dates and sign-ups are posted on the city's digital channels. If you like markets, Mercado Municipal No. 4, in the Pettirossi neighborhood outside the historic core, is the country's main retail market. Give yourself time, because it's enormous.

What to do on the Costanera and in Loma San Jerónimo

The Costanera runs along the bay on the Paraguay River and is one of the nicest places in the city to walk, run, bike or just sit and watch the river. Late afternoon is usually best, when the heat eases and the sun sets over the water.

To the south, Avenida Costanera Sur, opened in July 2024, runs 8.1 km (about 5 miles) from Avenida Colón to Cerro Lambaré, with wide sidewalks and a bike lane. Despite the name, the hill is inside Asunción, in the Jukyty neighborhood. It's a protected area under city ownership, with the Monument to Victorious Peace on top and wide views of the bay and the river. Go in daylight.

Loma San Jerónimo, named Asunción's first tourist neighborhood in 2013, is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods and sits a few minutes from downtown. You explore it through narrow passageways that connect the whole hill, past brightly painted houses, murals and the Oratorio San Jerónimo, the chapel that gave the neighborhood its name. The afternoon light is great for photos, and the neighborhood's official website offers Jero, a free digital guide put together by residents.

Things to do in Asunción at night

For dinner or drinks, the go-to areas are Villa Morra and Carmelitas, with plenty of restaurants and bars within a few blocks. Paseo Carmelitas, on Avenida España, groups more than a dozen restaurants and bars in one complex and is a classic place to start the night. Keep in mind that nightlife here starts late, especially if you plan to end up at a club.

If you'd rather go cultural, check the lineup at the Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane, which opened as a theater in 1855 and is considered the oldest working theater in the country. Besides its regular shows, in 2026 it's offering DRAMATOUR, free theatrical guided tours. The Centro Cultural del Puerto, on the bay, hosts music series such as “El Puerto Suena,” and the Teatro de las Américas at the Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano also puts on concerts. And on Saturdays, Palmear keeps the live music going into the evening.

Getting around at night is easiest with ride-hailing apps or taxis, and it's smart to stick to busy areas. A nice way to kick off the evening is catching the sunset on the Costanera first.

Things to do in Asunción on a Sunday

The Jardín Botánico y Zoológico de Asunción (Avenida Primer Presidente and Artigas) is a classic Sunday outing, with a rose garden, a lagoon, a playground, a camping area, a zoo and a natural history museum. Walk-in entry to the botanical garden is free; the zoo charges separately. According to its official site, the historic Carlos Antonio López house on the grounds is closed indefinitely.

Another outdoor option is Parque Guasu Metropolitano, popular for biking, running and sports. Since August 2025 the Ministry of Public Works has been carrying out upgrades (access paths, paving, landscaping and lighting, among others), so check ahead in case some areas are closed. Traveling with kids? Our guide to things to do in Asunción with kids has more ideas.

If you have the whole day, Areguá is less than 30 km (under 20 miles) away and makes a perfect Sunday trip: the hilltop Candelaria church, ceramics workshops, Cerro Kõi and its sandstone columns, the Centro Cultural del Lago and a wooden pier on Lake Ypacaraí for sunset. Between winter and spring Areguá also hosts the Expo Frutilla strawberry fair, free to enter; the 2026 edition runs through September 30, so check the dates before you go in other years.

What to do in Asunción when it rains

Museums are the obvious fix. The Centro de Artes Visuales/Museo del Barro (Grabadores del Cabichuí 2716) brings folk art, Indigenous art and contemporary art together in one place. Downtown, El Cabildo, the former home of Congress and now the Centro Cultural de la República, has rooms on history, film, sacred art and music, including one devoted to guitarist and composer Agustín Pío Barrios “Mangoré.” You can add the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Eligio Ayala 1345) and the museum in the old Central Railway Station on Plaza Uruguaya, with vintage telegraphs, original blueprints and a room that recreates period train cars.

Cultural centers help too. The Centro Cultural de España Juan de Salazar (Herrera 834) reopened its renovated spaces in April 2026 for its 50th anniversary, and its activities are free. Independent venues like Arlequín Teatro and Teatro Latino often have weekend shows.

And if you'd rather stay completely dry, big malls like Shopping del Sol, Paseo La Galería and Shopping Mariscal combine shops, food courts and, in some cases, movie theaters. Planning a party as well? See our guide on where to celebrate a birthday in Asunción.

Free things to do in Asunción

Many of the best plans cost nothing: walking the Costanera or climbing Cerro Lambaré, wandering the passageways of Loma San Jerónimo, watching the changing of the guard at the Pantheon or browsing the Feria Palmear, which is free to enter.

Most of the city's tours, like AsuJeguata, are free, and so is walk-in entry to the botanical garden. Several cultural spaces, such as the Casa de la Independencia, El Cabildo and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, don't charge admission, and neither does much of the programming promoted by the National Secretariat of Culture. Policies can change, so confirm on official channels before you go.

What's on in Asunción today: where to find this week's events

Since the lineup changes every week, official sources are your best bet. The city's culture and tourism site (cultura.asuncion.gov.py) posts the week's cultural calendar, with sections for the Teatro Municipal and the Manzana de la Rivera. The National Secretariat of Culture posts its activities at cultura.gov.py and runs Agendarte (agendarte.cultura.gov.py), where organizers list their cultural events.

Senatur, the national tourism office, lists events on visitparaguay.travel, and the government news agency IP (ip.gov.py) usually publishes a roundup of free cultural activities ahead of each weekend. Local newspapers such as Última Hora and La Nación also run weekend guides covering theater, music and fairs.

Coming soon: virtual reality in Ycuá Satí

If you're into something different, we're building VR.one in Ycuá Satí, 7 minutes from Shopping del Sol: a free-roam virtual reality arena where you'll be able to move freely with your group inside the game. It'll work for a different date night or an esports night with friends. It opens soon, so if you want to be the first to know, subscribe to the news.

Quick answers

What can I do in Asunción today?

Check the city's cultural calendar at cultura.asuncion.gov.py, the Secretariat of Culture's Agendarte platform and the events listed on visitparaguay.travel. If it's Saturday, the Feria Palmear turns Calle Palma into a pedestrian street with crafts, food and live music.

What are the best things to do in Asunción at night?

The areas with the most bars and restaurants are Villa Morra and Carmelitas, including Paseo Carmelitas on Avenida España. For a cultural night out, check what's on at the Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane or at cultural centers like the Centro Cultural del Puerto.

What is there to do in Asunción on a Sunday?

A relaxed Sunday could include the Botanical Garden, a sunset walk on the Costanera or a climb up Cerro Lambaré. With a full day, Areguá, less than 30 km away, adds ceramics, Cerro Kõi and Lake Ypacaraí.

What to do on the Costanera in Asunción?

You can walk, run or bike along the bay and stay for sunset over the Paraguay River. Following Avenida Costanera Sur takes you to Cerro Lambaré, a protected area with a monument and panoramic views.