In this guide
Ñemby works well as a day trip from Asunción, about 15 km away along Route PY01 (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). The plan that works: morning on Cerro Ñemby, midday in the centre around Plaza Fulgencio Yegros and the afternoon in a nearby park. If you can pick your dates, go during Holy Week or the first half of August, when the town holds its festivities.
Morning: Cerro Ñemby
The city's main park covers about 70 hectares of trails, woodland, a lagoon and a camping area, open 7:00 to 20:00 (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- What to do: walk the roughly 7 km path or climb to the top for views over the town and PY01; lower down there are sports pitches, a playground and chess tables (Última Hora, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- The lagoon: it formed in the old quarry. Come for photos only; the water is stagnant with algae (Última Hora, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Entrances: from the Acceso Sur (PY01) near the San Antonio turn-off, or at two points on Avenida Manuel Ortiz Guerrero (Última Hora, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Tip: arrive before 10:00, especially from October to March. January is the city's hottest month (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)) and most of the walk is in full sun.
Midday: the centre on foot
- Plaza Fulgencio Yegros and San Lorenzo parish church: the main square, with a fountain and fish pond, faces the patron saint's church (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Start your walk here.
- Casa de la Cultura: the city's main museum, on Calle 9 de Agosto beside the square (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Ñemby also has the Museo Histórico Simeón Denis.
- Municipal market: the "mercadito" sells fruit, food, clothing and electronics (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). A quick, cheap lunch.
- Plaza Virgen de Schoenstatt: home to a regulation-size skate park (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), busy with young skaters in the afternoon.
Afternoon and evening add-ons
- Paseo Parque, Villa Elisa: in the neighbouring city, with paths, gardens, parking and free entry (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). A good green finish if you are driving.
- Football: Club Cristóbal Colón plays home games at Estadio Pablo Patricio Bogarín, the city's largest, holding about 2,500 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Dinner with kids: Dino Park Burgers is a two-storey dinosaur-themed restaurant (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)) that opens in the evening, according to its Instagram (opens in a new tab).
When to go
- Holy Week: the big date. In 2023 there was a Palm Sunday re-enactment by the lagoon from 15:00 to 19:00 and Good Friday Stations of the Cross along a "path of lights" from 19:00 to 21:00, with free entry (Última Hora, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). The quarry is lit with candles and accompanied by estacioneros, traditional Holy Week singers (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Arrive early: it gets crowded.
- 2 August, anniversary: the town celebrates the creation of its first administrative board in 1899. In 2022 there was a serenade outside the town hall, a school parade and a fair in the old quarry with about 80 exhibitors (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- 10 August, San Lorenzo feast: in 2024 there was a procession at 17:00, the main mass at 18:00 and, after the trade fair outside the parish church closed, a free folk music festival from 20:00 (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
Getting there and where to stay
- By bus: from Asunción, lines include the 15-2, 15-3, 38, 47, 85, 88, 233 and 18 Lince; line 2 links Ñemby with San Lorenzo and Luque (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- By car: take PY01, which also connects to San Lorenzo and Guarambaré (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). The public works ministry planned to start works between Cuatro Mojones and Pratt Gill in August 2026, with a grade-separated junction in the Ñemby area (Hoy, 2026 (opens in a new tab)); allow extra time.
- Where to stay: there is very little lodging in Ñemby itself; in October 2026 the TripAdvisor (opens in a new tab) map showed just two places, with the rest in San Lorenzo, Capiatá and Fernando de la Mora. Base yourself in Asunción and treat Ñemby as a day out.
FAQ
What can you do in Ñemby in one day?
Morning on Cerro Ñemby; midday at Plaza Fulgencio Yegros, the Casa de la Cultura and the market; afternoon at the Paseo Parque in Villa Elisa or the skate park.
How do you get to Ñemby from Asunción?
It is about 15 km along PY01. Buses include lines 15-2, 38, 47, 85 and 18 Lince.
When is Ñemby's patron saint festival?
On 10 August, San Lorenzo's day. In 2024 there was a procession at 17:00, mass at 18:00 and a free folk festival at 20:00.
What time does Cerro Ñemby open?
According to ABC Color (2025), from 7:00 to 20:00. In summer, go before 10:00 or late in the afternoon.
