In this guide
Itauguá, about 30 km from Asunción on Route PY02 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), can be visited four ways: the ñandutí lace trail, the historic centre, a strawberries-and-lake trip to Estanzuela and Patiño, or one of its festivals. Pick by day of the week: the museum only opens on weekday afternoons, the strawberry growers' hall opens at weekends, and National Ñandutí Day falls on the second Sunday of October.
Which option suits your day?
- Weekday, 14:00 to 17:00: the ñandutí trail, museum included.
- Saturday or Sunday morning: strawberries in Estanzuela plus the lake or the hill.
- Any afternoon into the evening: the historic centre, ending at the lit-up Paseo de los Ilustres.
- Second weekend of October or festival night: Itauguá in party mode (see the calendar section).
Option 1: the ñandutí trail
This is what Itauguá is famous for, and it fits into one afternoon. Ñandutí is the fine, spider-web-like needle lace that gives the town its identity.
- Museo San Rafael. Behind the church, with more than 300 ñandutí samplers, colonial pieces and a carved wooden Saint Michael. Open Monday to Friday, 14:00 to 17:00 (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Start here so you recognise the patterns in the shops.
- Centro Cultural Tejedora del Ñandutí. Recommended by SENATUR, Paraguay's tourism ministry, for buying crafts (SENATUR (opens in a new tab)); it is home to the weavers who made the "Cielo de ñandutíes" canopy (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Workshops and shops. SENATUR mentions local workshops (SENATUR (opens in a new tab)), and the lace shops cluster on the Mcal. Estigarribia highway and around the town hall (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Ask who made a piece and how long it took; it explains the price.
Carry cash in guaraníes for small stalls.
Option 2: the historic centre
Everything is a few blocks apart: park once and walk.
- Iglesia Virgen del Rosario. A neoclassical church consecrated in 1908 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), the heart of town.
- Colonial houses and Iglesia San Francisco de Asís. Both are on SENATUR's list of the town's sights (SENATUR (opens in a new tab)). Ask at the town hall for walking directions from the plaza.
- Paseo de los Ilustres. On Calle General Bernardino Caballero, between Defensores del Chaco and Teniente Esteban Martínez, with murals of notable locals (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)) and a light walk at night (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Leave it for last, when the lights come on.
- Monumento al Ñandutí. An 18-metre metal sculpture by Hermann Guggiari at the edge of the urban area (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)): a quick photo stop on the way in or out.
Option 3: strawberries, hill and lake
- Estanzuela strawberry growers' hall. On the Areguá–Patiño road at km 33, with parking and toilets; open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 8:00 to 19:00 (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). It has a children's playground (Hoy, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Peak harvest is July and August (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)), though strawberry desserts, empanadas and ice cream are sold on that road all year (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Patiño. The old railway station and the Cerro Patiño lookout (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab); SENATUR (opens in a new tab)). Wear closed shoes and bring water.
- Municipal beach and pier. Itauguá has about 4 km of shoreline on Lake Ypacaraí, with the municipal beach in Estanzuela (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Go for the sunset, not for a swim.
Estanzuela borders Areguá (SENATUR (opens in a new tab)), so this option pairs easily with an afternoon in Areguá along the same road.
Option 4: Itauguá in festival mode
- National Ñandutí Day, second Sunday of October. In 2025 there was a craft fair and food court from Saturday in the church square, a folk music night and a float parade on Sunday along Calle Teniente Esteban Martínez (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). That year the parade was postponed a week because of a storm forecast (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)), so check the town hall's social media if the sky looks bad.
- Festival Nacional del Ñandutí. A main night with performers, lace fair and food court; in 2025 it was a Saturday at Club Olimpia, km 32 of the PY02, from 20:30 with free entry (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). The date changes from year to year.
- Town anniversary, 27 June. In 2022 there was a San Juan party on the pedestrianised Paseo de los Ilustres and a free serenade (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
Getting there and what to know
- From Asunción: take the PY02 (Mcal. Estigarribia), which runs through the municipality (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Eastbound buses on the highway pass the centre; for Estanzuela, Patiño and the lake a car is easier.
- December: traffic on the PY02 is diverted around Itauguá for the Caacupé pilgrimage (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Avoid the road those days or leave very early.
- Food: the municipal market burned down in May 2026 and vendors moved to the street while it is rebuilt (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Don't plan around it.
FAQ
What are the tourism options in Itauguá?
Four: the ñandutí lace trail (museum, cultural centre and shops), the historic centre, a strawberries-and-lake trip to Estanzuela and Patiño, and its festivals, such as National Ñandutí Day.
When is the Museo San Rafael in Itauguá open?
Monday to Friday, 14:00 to 17:00, according to ABC Color. At weekends, choose the strawberries-and-lake option instead.
When is National Ñandutí Day?
The second Sunday of October. In 2025 a fair ran from Saturday and the float parade was on Sunday, though that year it was postponed a week because of a storm.
Is one day enough for Itauguá?
Yes. It is about 30 km from Asunción: half a day covers one option, and a full day lets you combine the centre with Estanzuela or Areguá.
