In this guide
In Itauguá, about 30 km from Asunción on Route PY02, entertainment means the historic centre at night, the ñandutí lace festivals, sunset on Lake Ypacaraí and strawberries in Estanzuela. It's a town for relaxed, family-friendly outings rather than clubbing, so build your plan around the date you're visiting.
Evenings in the centre: Paseo de los Ilustres and the plaza
- Paseo de los Ilustres. On Calle General Bernardino Caballero, between Defensores del Chaco and Teniente Esteban Martínez, one block from the church: murals with portraits and short biographies of more than ten notable locals (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). A string of lights stays on at night, and since 2022 there's a "Cielo de Ñandutíes", a canopy of lace woven by local artisans (Última Hora, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Tip: go after 19:00 to see it lit up.
- Virgen del Rosario church and Paseo José Asunción Flores. The church and its jasmine-scented plaza, with the stepped promenade and central fountain opposite (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). It's the town's meeting point and where many celebrations happen.
- Bars, pizzerias and restaurants downtown. They're spread over several blocks of the centre (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Try lambreado, a local dish that was mostly found near the municipal market; note that the market burned down in May 2026 and vendors moved onto the street (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
Ñandutí festivals: when to go
- National Ñandutí Day. Under Law 6105 it falls on the second Sunday of October. In 2025 there was a craft fair and food court from 10:00 on Saturday at the church plaza, a folk music night at 20:00, and on Sunday at 10:00 a float parade along Calle Teniente Esteban Martínez (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Tip: the parade is in the morning; arrive early to park.
- Festival Nacional del Ñandutí. A dance contest and a main night with Paraguayan artists, a ñandutí fair and food stalls. The 2025 edition, the 46th, held its main night on a Saturday in November at Club Olimpia, km 32 of the PY02, from 20:30 with free entry (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). The date moves each year, so check it before you go.
- Town anniversary, 27 June. Celebrations stretch from June to August (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). In 2022 there was a San Juan party with traditional food on the pedestrianised Paseo de los Ilustres and a free serenade (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
By day: museum, lace and the monument
- Museo San Rafael. Next to the church, with historical objects, religious vestments, a carved wooden Saint Michael and more than 300 ñandutí pattern samplers. Open Monday to Friday only, 14:00–17:00 (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Buying ñandutí. Shops line the PY02 and the streets around the town hall (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)); the national tourism office recommends the Centro Cultural Tejedora del Ñandutí (SENATUR (opens in a new tab)). Bring cash for small stalls.
- Monumento al Ñandutí. An 18-metre metal sculpture by Hermann Guggiari with its own small plaza, at the entrance to the urban area (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Outdoors: lake, hill and strawberries
- Municipal beach and pier. Itauguá has about 4 km of shore on Lake Ypacaraí; the municipal beach is in the Estanzuela area (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It's one of the most visited spots for resting and taking photos of the horizon (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Think sunset, not swimming.
- Cerro Patiño and the old station. In the Patiño area you'll find the hilltop viewpoint and the former railway station (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab); SENATUR (opens in a new tab)). Tip: closed shoes and water, and skip midday in summer.
- Strawberries in Estanzuela. Along the Areguá–Patiño road, growers sell strawberry desserts with whipped cream, strawberry empanadas and artisan ice cream all year (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). The Expo Frutilla takes place every August at the growers' venue beside the Areguá–Ypacaraí road (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and in 2026 the growers opened a new site with a sales hall and a playground (Hoy (opens in a new tab)).
With kids or on a rainy day: Paseo Guaraní
At km 30.5 of the PY02 is Paseo Guaraní, a shopping strip where a drive-thru McDonald's opened in December 2023 (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)) and where SENATUR lists an air-conditioned ice-cream parlour and café suited to families, with parking (SENATUR (opens in a new tab)). Good for an afternoon snack or a simple dinner when it rains or the heat is too much.
Getting there and around
From Asunción it's about 30 km on Route PY02, which runs right through the municipality (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Buses heading east on the route pass through the centre; get off near the church. For the lake or Patiño a car is easier, and on festival nights arrange your ride home before you go.
A Saturday plan: strawberries in Estanzuela in the afternoon, sunset at the municipal beach, then the lit-up Paseo de los Ilustres and a pizza downtown.
FAQ
What is there to do in Itauguá at night?
Walk the Paseo de los Ilustres, which is lit up at night, and eat at the bars, pizzerias and restaurants downtown. In October and November there are folk nights and the main night of the Festival Nacional del Ñandutí.
When is Ñandutí Day in Itauguá?
The second Sunday of October, under Law 6105. In 2025 there was a fair and folk night on Saturday and a float parade on Sunday morning.
Is the Ñandutí Festival free?
In 2025 the main night was at Club Olimpia, km 32 of the PY02, from 20:30 with free entry. The date changes every year.
What can kids do in Itauguá?
Strawberries and a playground in Estanzuela, the municipal beach on Lake Ypacaraí, and a snack at Paseo Guaraní, km 30.5 of the PY02.
