In this guide
Villeta sits on the Paraguay River south of Asunción, and what there is to do fits into half a day: the Virgen del Rosario church and the plaza in the centre, the Paseo Costero riverfront, and the monuments to the 1868 battles of Avay and Itá Ybaté. If you fish, the river is the other reason to come. Here is what to see, where it is and how to plan it.
What to see in central Villeta
- Virgen del Rosario parish church. The town's main and oldest church; it was damaged in 1868 and served as a field hospital (opens in a new tab) during the war. Inside, look for the murals by Adán Kunos (opens in a new tab), which Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab) also highlights. Go in outside mass times.
- Plaza Central and Paseo de los Naranjos. The plaza faces the church, and the Paseo de los Naranjos is a pedestrian street in the centre (opens in a new tab). The name fits: Villeta was an orange-export port until the 1930s.
- Casa de Cirilo Solalinde. Across from the plaza (opens in a new tab), this house was a Liberal base during the 1904 revolution. You see it from outside on the same walk.
- Museo Histórico Cultural de Villeta. The town's main museum and cultural centre (opens in a new tab). No opening hours are published, so ask at the Municipalidad before you go.
- Mercado Municipal. Pick up food or fruit before heading down to the river.
Do the centre on foot: the old town is small, with 19th-century architecture (opens in a new tab).
What to do on the Paraguay River
- Paseo Costero. Villeta's riverfront, with a beach, a pier and river views (opens in a new tab). It opened on 31 May 2025 and was later hit by river flooding, so after heavy rain ask the Municipalidad what state it is in. Wikivoyage also lists a free municipal beach in the Inmaculada neighbourhood (opens in a new tab).
- Fishing and canoeing. La Nación suggests a canoe trip on the Paraguay River and an afternoon of fishing (opens in a new tab) as the way to visit. In Ypeka'e, in the south of the district, there are fishing clubs with hundreds of members (opens in a new tab), a sign of how rooted fishing is here.
- Arroyo Surubi'y and Río Paray. Out in the countryside, these are spots for fishing and birdwatching (opens in a new tab). Bring insect repellent.
The district has about 70 km of riverbank (opens in a new tab), but much of it is ports and industry, so public access to the water centres on the Paseo Costero.
War of the Triple Alliance sites
In December 1868 the Pikysyry campaign was fought on Villeta's land. The Avay and Itá Ybaté monuments (opens in a new tab) mark where the battles took place:
- Battle of Avay monument. Near the municipal cemetery (opens in a new tab), remembering the battle of 11 December 1868.
- Battle of Itá Ybaté monument. It marks Francisco Solano López's camp at Lomas Valentinas, south of Villeta (opens in a new tab), where fighting ran from 21 to 27 December 1868. Potrero Mármol and Kurusú Pa'i are nearby.
- Angostura and the Pikysyry stream. Site of the Angostura battery (opens in a new tab), which surrendered on 30 December 1868.
You need a car for these: they are outside the centre.
One more outing: Cerro Itacurubí
In rural Villeta, Cerro Itacurubí has views over the Lago Ypoá wetlands (opens in a new tab). It suits anyone who has seen the centre and wants open country; go in dry weather.
When to go: Villeta's festivals
The big festivals are on 5 March, the founding anniversary, and 7 October (opens in a new tab), the feast of the patron saint, the Virgen del Rosario. In March 2024 the town marked 310 years (opens in a new tab). Outside those dates, the best time for the river is early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is gentler.
How to get to Villeta
- By car: Villeta is about 36 km south of Asunción (opens in a new tab), via the Acceso Sur and its signed branch road. Route PY19 continues from there towards Alberdi and Pilar.
- By bus: lines 18, 47, 232 and 233 (opens in a new tab) serve the town. In 2022 residents complained about low frequency, especially at night, so don't leave the trip back too late.
FAQ
What is there to do in Villeta?
Walk the centre (Virgen del Rosario church, plaza, Paseo de los Naranjos, museum), head to the Paseo Costero, fish on the Paraguay River and visit the Avay and Itá Ybaté battle monuments.
Does Villeta have a beach?
The Paseo Costero, opened in May 2025, has a beach and a pier, though river flooding later damaged it. Check with the Municipalidad before you go.
Which buses go to Villeta?
Lines 18, 47, 232 and 233. In 2022 residents complained about low frequency, especially at night.
When are Villeta's festivals?
The main ones are on 5 March, the founding anniversary, and 7 October, the feast of the Virgen del Rosario.
