Weekend visitor tips in Asunción: Costanera and free museums

A weekend in Asunción is easy to plan if you split the days: Saturday is for museums, because several are free and some close on Sunday, and Sunday is for the Costanera, when the bay-side lane is handed over to people on foot. Also, until 18 October 2026 the city is hosting the World Skate Games, with events on the Costanera Norte and in Parque Litoral.

Saturday: free museums (and one that is free only that day)

Start downtown in the morning and keep the afternoon for the Museo del Barro:

• Centro Cultural El Cabildo (Avda. República between Chile and Alberdi). Saturdays and Sundays 10:00–17:00, free entry to its galleries (Wikivoyage⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠; Última Hora⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).
• Casa de la Independencia (14 de Mayo and Presidente Franco). Free entry; on Saturdays it opens 8:00–13:00 (Wikivoyage⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠; ABC Color, 2026⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). It closes earliest, so go there first.
• Museo Memoria de la Ciudad, in Casa Viola inside the Manzana de la Rivera, opposite the Government Palace. Entry is free (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠; Lonely Planet⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠); hours vary, so ask at the Manzana's entrance.
• Museo del Barro (Grabadores del Cabichuí 2716 between Cañada and Emeterio Miranda). Fridays and Saturdays 14:00–20:00 with free entry; Tuesday to Thursday it costs G. 50,000 (Museo del Barro⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). It is in the Isla de Francia neighbourhood, far from downtown (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠), so take a ride-hailing car after lunch.

Museum · Saturday · Sunday · Entry

El Cabildo · 10:00–17:00 · 10:00–17:00 · Free

Casa de la Independencia · 8:00–13:00 · Not listed · Free

Museo del Barro · 14:00–20:00 · Closed · Free Fri and Sat

Sunday: the Costanera without cars

On Sundays and public holidays, the bay-side lane is closed to vehicles and used for walking (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). That is when the Costanera fills with families drinking tereré, free children's shows and bike, skate and pedal-car rentals (Última Hora⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).

• When to go: in summer the Health Ministry advises outdoor activity before 10:00 or after 17:00 (MSPBS⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). In the afternoon, stay for sunset over the river.
• Boat ride on the bay: boats leave daily from 8:00 from the Costanera beach, opposite the Turista Róga visitor centre; the short loop cost G. 15,000 in 2024 (La Nación, 2024⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).
• El Cabildo is also open on Sunday 10:00–17:00: your indoor plan for midday.

World Skate Games: what changes until 18 October

From 2 to 18 October 2026 Asunción is hosting the World Skate Games ASU26, with more than 8,000 athletes. Venues include the Costanera Norte, Parque Litoral, the National Sports Secretariat and Cerro Lambaré (Municipalidad de Asunción⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).

• If you head to the Costanera on those days, some sections may be reserved for competition: walk or use a ride-hailing car, and do not count on parking nearby.
• Check the city's traffic notices before you go.

Where to stop for a meal on the same route

Casa Clari, in the Manzana de la Rivera (Ayolas 129), has a terrace behind the Palacio de López and opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 (Última Hora⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠; La Nación, 2023⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). It works as a break between El Cabildo and the Costanera on either day.

Getting around at the weekend

• Bus: Gs. 3,400 with air conditioning and Gs. 2,300 without (2026), paid with a JAHA or Más card (Wikivoyage⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).
• Ride-hailing: Uber operates in Asunción (Uber⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠) and is the easiest way to reach the Museo del Barro or get back at night.