In this guide
The best things to do in Asunción are a morning walk through the historic centre (the Panteón, Calle Palma, Casa de la Independencia and the Palacio de López), a weekend visit to Loma San Jerónimo, and a separate outing to Mercado 4. With an extra afternoon, add the Museo del Barro and finish with sunset on the bay. Below is a plan by area, with hours and prices where a source publishes them.
The historic centre on foot (morning)
All of this fits in a few blocks between the Plaza de los Héroes and the bay:
- Panteón Nacional de los Héroes. On Calle Palma. The guard changes at 10:00, according to the New York Times 2024 guide (opens in a new tab); arrive a little early.
- Calle Palma. The centre's best-known street, lined with neoclassical mansions and art deco houses (NYT, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Some Saturdays it turns into a live-music street, as with Palma Joven in September 2026 (opens in a new tab).
- Casa de la Independencia. At 14 de Mayo and Presidente Franco, the independence museum. In September 2026 it was open 08:00 to 21:00 (opens in a new tab) for its permanent collection.
- Manzana de la Rivera. A block of old houses facing the Government Palace at Ayolas 129; Casa Viola holds the Museo Memoria de la Ciudad (opens in a new tab), free to enter according to Lonely Planet (opens in a new tab). Its terrace behind the palace has a café-restaurant space (opens in a new tab) for a shaded break.
- Palacio de López. The government house on the bay. The NYT piece (opens in a new tab) reports free guided tours; ask ahead which days.
Tip: start early. In summer the Health Ministry advises outdoor activity before 10:00 or after 17:00 (opens in a new tab); keep midday for museums.
Where to eat in the centre
- Lido Bar. The city's classic diner, open since 1953 (opens in a new tab), on the corner facing the Plaza de los Héroes and the Panteón (opens in a new tab).
- El Bolsi. At Estrella and Alberdi, running since 1960 (opens in a new tab) and the only Paraguayan entry on TasteAtlas's legendary restaurants list (opens in a new tab).
Loma San Jerónimo (weekend)
Asunción's first tourist neighbourhood sits on a hill by the port, between Remigio Cabral, Díaz de Pefaur and Avenida Stella Maris (opens in a new tab): painted stairways, colourful houses and river views. Saturdays and Sundays (opens in a new tab) are best, when guided tours run. The neighbourhood oratory turns 100 in 2026 and is on the Holy Week seven-churches route (opens in a new tab); its patron-saint festival (opens in a new tab) runs in late September. Go in daylight, in a group or with a guide, and walk back down towards the Costanera.
Mercado 4 (a separate outing)
The city's great popular market is in the Pettirossi neighbourhood at Rodríguez de Francia and Perú (opens in a new tab), spreading along Perú and Pettirossi into San Roque and Ciudad Nueva. Expect fruit, vegetables, clothes and Paraguayan and international food stalls. The area is also where Asunción's Korean restaurants started (opens in a new tab), so it is a good place for a different lunch. Go in the morning with small cash, your backpack in front, and do not try to combine it with the centre on the same day.
Museo del Barro (afternoon)
The Centro de Artes Visuales Museo del Barro, at Grabadores del Cabichuí 2716 (opens in a new tab) in Isla de Francia, combines three museums: mestizo folk art with over 4,000 pieces, Indigenous art and contemporary art. Its website lists Tuesday to Saturday 14:00 to 20:00, free on Friday and Saturday and G. 50,000 Tuesday to Thursday. Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes it as free, so check the day's price on its site. It is far from the centre; take a car or ride-hailing app.
Sunset on the bay
To finish, walk down to the Costanera José Asunción Flores, which runs along the bay past the Cabildo, Congress and Cathedral. On Sundays and holidays the bay-side lane is closed to cars (opens in a new tab) and open to walkers.
A ready-made weekend
- Saturday: historic centre in the morning, lunch at the Lido, Museo del Barro in the afternoon (free that day).
- Sunday: Loma San Jerónimo with a guided tour in the morning, car-free Costanera in the afternoon.
- Another day: Mercado 4 early, then Korean lunch nearby.
FAQ
What can you do in Asunción in one day?
Walk the historic centre in the morning (Panteón, Calle Palma, Casa de la Independencia, Manzana de la Rivera and Palacio de López), have lunch downtown and end with sunset on the bay Costanera.
When is the changing of the guard at the Panteón de los Héroes?
At 10:00, according to the New York Times 2024 guide.
When should I visit Loma San Jerónimo?
On Saturdays and Sundays, when guided tours run. Go in daylight, in a group or with a guide.
How much is the Museo del Barro?
Its website lists free entry on Friday and Saturday and G. 50,000 Tuesday to Thursday, open 14:00 to 20:00.
