Things To Do in Caracas, Venezuela

Housing one of the finest collections of modern art in South America, this world-class museum has high quality works by Picasso, Matisse, Joan Miro and other modern masters.

Iglesia de San Francisco

This historically and artistically significant church, dating back to the late 1500s, was the site of a massive funeral for Simon Bolivar, and remains a beautiful example of colonial architecture.

Parque Los Caobos

A great place for relaxing, walking or jogging, this park, one of the city’s oldest, houses 100-year-old trees and a wonderful century-old fountain with bronze sculptures.

Catedral Metropolitana de Caracas

Over 300 pounds of gold leaf were used to gild the main altar at this late 17th-century cathedral, which also houses the private Bolivar family chapel.

Concejo Municipal

This building, located on the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1811, contains paintings by celebrated Venezuelan artist Emilio Boggio and an exhibit of mannequins depicting the country’s early culture and lifestyles.

Pantheons Nacional

The remains of celebrated Venezuelans, including Simon Bolivar, are housed inside this building, whose walls and ceilings display the most famous Venezuelan independence battle scenes.

Museo Sacro de Caracas

Housed in an 1844 building, this museum of religious art contains statues, costumes, furniture, religious objects and a common grave of 12 sealed tombs discovered during an excavation.

El Capitolio Nacional

Two neoclassical style buildings, the Legislative Palace and the Federal Palace, house Venezuela's National Congress, now called the National Assembly.

Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas

A masterpiece of the Modern Movement in architecture, created by the Venezuelan architect Carlos Raul Villanueva.

Parque del Este

This beautiful park with various flora and fauna, nine lakes, a cactus garden, aviary, planetarium and more, is a true oasis for anyone who wants to walk, jog, row a boat, picnic or visit its attractions.

One building houses two institutions: the National Art Gallery, with a large collection of Venezuelan art, and a museum, with art from around the world. The top floor terrace offers beautiful views of the city.

Parque Nacional El Avila

For hiking, head to this mountainous national park which is filled with trails, but be prepared for wide temperature changes and afternoon rain.

Paseo de Los Proceres

Popular with roller bladers, bikers, joggers and people watchers, this complex of monuments to Venezuela’s national heroes includes a lengthy avenue lined with lush trees, gardens and artwork integrated into the landscape.

Casa Natal and Museo Bolivar

His birthplace and an adjacent museum honor Simon Bolivar, “El Liberator”, who achieved independence from Spain for Venezuela and other South American countries.

Museo de los Ninos

Children learn by doing at this highly interactive museum, which covers such areas as biology, communication, space exploration, medicine and physics.

Parque Central

This huge urban park is populated by buildings rather than trees and grass, and includes museums, art galleries, a concert hall, stores, restaurants and cafes.

Jardin Botanico

Thousands of plants and trees are displayed at this expansive botanical garden, featuring 100 varieties of palm trees, 80 other tree species, an herbarium and a natural forest.

Plaza Bolivar

Four statues of women, one at each corner of this plaza named for Simon Bolivar, represent the four original republics of Gran Colombia: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Centro Comercial Ciudad Tamanaco

Known locally as “CCCT,” this fashionable mall offers good bargains on high quality shoes and clothes.

Museo de Ciencas Naturales

Early farming techniques of indigenous peoples, pre-Columbian exhibits and an array of stuffed mammals are the highlights of this natural science museum.