In this guide
Going out in Itauguá, about 30 km from Asunción on Route PY02, means one of two areas: the town centre around the Virgen del Rosario church, with the lit-up Paseo de los Ilustres and bars and pizzerias a few blocks away, or the highway itself, where garden bars, café-bars and dance spots have opened. The biggest nights of the year are the ñandutí lace celebrations in October and November, with street parties and free entry.
Where to go out in the town centre
- Paseo de los Ilustres. On General Bernardino Caballero street, between Defensores del Chaco and Teniente Esteban Martínez, one block from the church: murals of notable locals and a string of lights that stays on at night (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Since 2022 it has the "Cielo de Ñandutíes", a canopy of lace woven by local artisans hung over the street (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Tip: come after 7 pm to see it lit.
- Virgen del Rosario church and Paseo José Asunción Flores. The church square and, opposite, the promenade with steps and a central fountain are the town's meeting point (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Festival fairs and folk nights are set up here.
- Bars, pizzerias and restaurants in the centre. They are spread over several blocks around the church (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Try lambreado, the local speciality. Note that the Municipal Market, where it was easiest to find, burned down in May 2026 and its vendors moved to the street (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
What is on Route PY02?
The highway has added options the centre does not have:
- Garden bar for groups or families: on the highway at the entrance to the Mbocajaty Sur neighbourhood, with pizza, burgers, beer and room for kids to play (InfoNegocios, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
- Dancing: some venues run cumbia, vallenato and karaoke nights and stay open until 5 am on Fridays and Saturdays (InfoNegocios, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Paseo Guaraní (km 30.5). The town's open-air shopping centre, built to bring food, shopping and cinema together (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)). A chain burger restaurant with drive-through opened there in December 2023 (InfoNegocios (opens in a new tab)), and SENATUR lists an air-conditioned, family-friendly ice-cream and pastry shop with parking (SENATUR (opens in a new tab)). Good for a simple dinner or dessert when it rains or the heat is heavy.
Before heading to a highway bar, check its social media for the night's music and whether to book. To find them, search "bar" or "pizzería" along the PY02 on your phone map.
When are the best nights of the year?
- National Ñandutí Day, second Sunday of October (Law 6105); in 2026 it falls on Sunday 11 October. In 2025 there was a craft fair and food court from 10 am on Saturday in the church square, a folk night at 8 pm and a float parade on Sunday along Teniente Esteban Martínez (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). That year the parade was moved to the following Sunday because of a storm forecast (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)), so check the municipality's social media if the weather looks bad.
- Festival Nacional del Ñandutí. A dance night and a main night with national artists, a lace fair and food stalls. The 46th edition in 2025 had its main night on a Saturday in November at Club Olimpia, km 32 of the PY02, from 8:30 pm with free entry (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). The date changes every year.
- Town anniversary, 27 June. Celebrations run from June to August (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); in 2022 there was a San Juan party with traditional food on a pedestrianised Paseo de los Ilustres and a free serenade (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
What to do before sunset
- Sunset at the municipal beach. Itauguá has shoreline on Lake Ypacaraí, with a municipal beach and pier in the Estanzuela area (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). It is a place to watch the horizon and take photos, not to swim.
- Strawberries in Estanzuela. Stalls along the Areguá–Patiño road sell strawberry desserts with cream, strawberry empanadas and ice cream (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). In 2026 the growers opened their own site with a sales hall and a playground that opens with the harvest (Hoy, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
A Saturday plan in Itauguá
- 5 pm: strawberries in Estanzuela.
- Sunset: the municipal beach and pier on the lake.
- 8 pm: a walk around the church square and the lit Paseo de los Ilustres.
- Dinner: pizza or lambreado in the centre.
- Later: a highway bar if you want to keep going.
Getting there and back
From Asunción it is about 30 km on the PY02, which runs right through the town (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Eastbound buses on the highway pass the centre; get off near the church. For the lake and Estanzuela a car is easier. If you are drinking, agree on a driver beforehand or ride back by taxi or app, and on festival nights leave early because the highway gets busy.
FAQ
Where can you go out at night in Itauguá?
In the centre, around the Virgen del Rosario church and the lit-up Paseo de los Ilustres, with bars and pizzerias a few blocks away, and along Route PY02, where there are garden bars, café-bars and dance venues.
Is there anywhere to dance in Itauguá?
Yes. On the PY02 some venues hold cumbia, vallenato and karaoke nights and stay open until 5 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Check their social media for each night's music.
When is Ñandutí Day in Itauguá?
On the second Sunday of October under Law 6105; in 2026 that is Sunday 11 October. There is usually a fair and folk night on Saturday and a float parade on Sunday.
Is the Festival Nacional del Ñandutí free?
In 2025 the main night was at Club Olimpia, km 32 of the PY02, from 8:30 pm with free entry. The date changes every year.
