Areguá

Historic center and antique-shop street

The cobbled heart of Areguá, with historic mansions, art galleries, antique shops and a unique bohemian air.

Areguá's historic center is the town's great draw and the reason it was declared Cultural Heritage. It's a cluster of cobbled streets climbing and descending the hill, flanked by stately mansions from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many of them former summer residences of Asunción families, with their verandas, iron railings and gardens. Walking it is like touring a town frozen in time. The main street that climbs from the lake toward the church, with its cobblestones and trees, is one of the most photographed corners of Paraguay. Along the center are art galleries, artists' workshops, antique shops and vintage stores that give Areguá its characteristic bohemian, cultural air. It's no accident that writers and artists have chosen the town as a refuge. Exploring the historic center is the heart of the visit: stepping into the galleries, browsing the antiques, admiring the facades, and letting yourself be carried along by the slow rhythm of the place. The contrast between architectural heritage, contemporary art and the everyday life of a Paraguayan town is what makes Areguá unique. Getting there: the historic center is the very heart of Areguá; you explore it on foot once in town. Best time: weekends, when galleries, antique shops and tea houses are open and there's more atmosphere; winter for the cool weather. Tips: wear comfortable shoes for the cobblestones and slopes, and leave time to stop in the galleries. Combine the walk with a break at a tea house.

ℹ️ Distance: Center of Areguá (on foot); about 30 km from Asunción · Best time: Weekends (galleries and tea houses open); winter for the weather · Admission: Free (walking the center) · Duration: Half a day

Lake Ypacaraí

The famous lake at the foot of Areguá, immortalized in song, with its beach and waterfront.

Lake Ypacaraí is one of the most famous and beloved bodies of water in Paraguay, immortalized in the celebrated guarania 'Recuerdos de Ypacaraí'. Areguá looks out over its northern shore, and from the historic center, heading down the cobbled streets, you reach the lakeshore, with its beach, its waterfront promenade and wide views over the water and the surrounding hills. The lake, with its calm waters, has been a summer and recreation spot for generations. On the Areguá shore there's a beach and promenade area where, depending on the season, you can walk, sit and watch the sunset, rent a boat (kayak or pedal boat, about US$ 3–6 per person for half an hour; check when you visit, July 2026) or enjoy the food stalls. Lake Ypacaraí has faced water-quality problems and algae blooms at various times, so it's worth checking the current state before thinking about swimming; even so, its scenic and symbolic value remains intact. The lake connects Areguá with San Bernardino, on the opposite shore, forming one of the country's great leisure destinations. The image of Areguá's streets descending toward the water is one of the most beautiful and romantic scenes in Paraguay. Getting there: head down on foot from Areguá's historic center to the promenade and beach, or by car. Best time: sunset for the light over the water; winter and spring for the weather. Tips: check the lake's water quality before swimming; bring repellent at dusk. It pairs perfectly with a visit to the historic center and to San Bernardino.

ℹ️ Distance: At the foot of Areguá's historic center (on foot or by car) · Best time: Sunset for the light; winter and spring for the weather · Admission: Free (shore access); boat rides about Gs. 20,000–40,000 (verified July 2026) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Candelaria Church (Our Lady of Candelaria)

The historic church crowning Areguá's center, with its stairway and view of the lake.

The Church of Our Lady of Candelaria is Areguá's main church and one of its most recognizable landmarks, set high in the historic center, dominating the town and with views toward Lake Ypacaraí. Its silhouette, at the end of the cobbled street that climbs up from the water, is one of the town's classic postcards. The Virgin of Candelaria is the patron saint of Areguá, and her feast day (in February) is one of the most important religious celebrations here. The church, of sober style, is the center of the community's religious life and a place of devotion. From its surroundings and its stairway you get a lovely view of the historic center descending toward the lake, making it a good spot for photos and for understanding the town's layout. The Candelaria patron-saint festival brings pilgrims and locals together around processions, music and traditional food, and is a good chance to experience Paraguayan popular religiosity. Outside those dates, the church is a quiet stop within the tour of the historic center. Getting there: it's high in Areguá's historic center; reach it on foot climbing from the center or the lake. Best time: during the day; in February for the Candelaria festival. Tips: enjoy the view toward the lake from around the church; dress respectfully when entering the church. It's the natural finale of the walk through the cobbled streets.

ℹ️ Distance: Top of Areguá's historic center (on foot) · Best time: Daytime; February for the patron-saint festival of Candelaria · Admission: Free (open access to the church) · Duration: 20 to 30 minutes

Pottery and craft stalls

Paraguay's great pottery center: pots, tableware and clay figures along the road and streets.

Areguá is one of the great centers of Paraguayan handmade pottery, a tradition passed down from generation to generation. Along the access road into town and at various points in the center, stalls and workshops line up displaying and selling pots, jars, tableware, cooking pots, decorative figures and clay objects of all sizes, many of them hand-painted with traditional motifs. Visiting the pottery stalls is a very visual experience and an excellent chance to buy authentic, quality souvenirs, handmade by local artisans. Prices are usually affordable: small pieces (pots, figures) from Gs. 15,000–30,000, and large tableware or big planters from Gs. 80,000 up (verified July 2026). In some workshops you can watch part of the making process. Areguá's pottery is famous throughout the country and a source of community pride. Beyond clay, Areguá also offers other crafts, regional products and, in season, the strawberry and homemade-sweets stalls. Combining a pottery purchase with a tour of the center's art galleries completes the 'artistic' experience that sets the town apart. Getting there: the stalls are along the access road and in the center; explore them by car on arrival or on foot in the center. Best time: any day, though weekends are busier. Tips: bring cash to buy from the artisans, haggle respectfully and, if you buy large pieces, plan how to transport them. A lovely way to support local craftwork.

ℹ️ Distance: Access road and center of Areguá (car or on foot) · Best time: Any day; weekends busier · Admission: Free (browsing); pieces from Gs. 15,000–30,000 (verified July 2026) · Duration: 1 hour

Art galleries and museums

Areguá's cultural hub: contemporary galleries, artists' workshops and museum spaces in historic mansions.

One of Areguá's great peculiarities is its cultural and artistic life, unusual in a small town. Along the historic center, contemporary art galleries, artists' workshops, foundations and cultural spaces have set up, many of them in restored old mansions. In recent decades, Areguá became a true refuge for artists, writers and collectors, who found in its quiet, heritage atmosphere the ideal place to create and exhibit. Visiting the galleries lets you discover contemporary Paraguayan art and get to know the work of local artists, on a circuit you walk through the center. Most galleries and independent spaces have free admission; some small museums or special exhibitions may charge a symbolic contribution (Gs. 10,000–20,000; check when you visit, July 2026). Some galleries are recognized nationally and organize exhibitions, events and activities, especially on weekends. This concentration of art, added to the antique shops and the pottery, makes Areguá an ideal cultural destination for those who enjoy art, design and antiques. It's a plan that combines heritage, contemporary creation and the pleasure of strolling unhurried. Getting there: the galleries are spread across the historic center; explore them on foot. Best time: weekends, when most are open and there are activities. Tips: check hours (many galleries open mainly on weekends), ask about current exhibitions and combine the visit with antique shops and tea houses. Ideal for art lovers.

ℹ️ Distance: Areguá's historic center (on foot) · Best time: Weekends (galleries open and events) · Admission: Free at most; special exhibitions Gs. 10,000–20,000 (verified July 2026) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Expo Frutilla

The traditional strawberry fair on Mariscal Estigarribia Avenue, with stalls, sweets and desserts, from July to September/October.

Expo Frutilla is Areguá's great annual celebration and the reason for its fame as the 'Strawberry Capital'. It's held on Mariscal Estigarribia and La Candelaria streets, right in the center, with additional points on La Candelaria and Fulgencio Yegros and in the Areguá-Estanzuela area, where dozens of local producers' stalls sell fresh strawberries, ice cream, cakes, alfajores, piononos and all kinds of desserts made with the seasonal fruit. In 2026 the fair started on July 7 and runs, as every year, until October, with around 80 producer families and hours from 7:00 to 22:00 every day of the week. Admission to the event is free; you only pay for what you buy. A kilo of strawberries runs about Gs. 60,000–70,000 (2026 season, check at the time), and the desserts and derived products have varying prices by stall. It's a hugely popular experience among Asunción residents, who arrive en masse on weekends, so it's worth going early to avoid crowds and find better variety. Beyond shopping, Expo Frutilla has a festive atmosphere, with music and a family vibe, and is a unique chance to combine the walk through the historic center with the liveliest season of the year in Areguá. Getting there: the stalls set up on Mariscal Estigarribia Avenue, in the center, and along the Patiño road, at the town entrance. Best time: July to September/October, exact dates vary each year. Tips: go early on weekends, bring cash and a cooler bag if you buy fresh strawberries to take home.

ℹ️ Distance: Mariscal Estigarribia and La Candelaria streets (center) and the Areguá-Estanzuela area · Best time: July to October (2026 season: started July 7, until October) · Admission: Free; strawberries Gs. 60,000–70,000 per kilo (verified July 2026) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours