ATTRACTIONS

Caracas Attractions

National Gallery of Art and Caracas Museum of Fine Art

Situated in an area popularly known as the Plaza de los Museos, the National Gallery of Art and Caracas Museum of Fine Art are two fascinating cultural institutions that showcase a rich collection of Venezuelan, Latin American and international art. With a permanent collection spanning four centuries of Venezuelan art, the National Gallery has over 4000 indigenous artworks including aboriginal art from the pre-Hispanic period, the portrait painters of the colonial period and the initiators of the abstractionism art movement from the 1960s. A museum of international art, with an emphasis on Latin American art, the Caracas Museum of Fine Art houses fine artworks from the likes of Diego Rivera, Armando Reveron and Joaquín Torres García. With some of the most colourful, expressionist and unconventional artworks in the world, a trip to the National Gallery and Caracas Museum of Fine Art is a visual indulgence. Not to be missed are their respective gift shops, which boast a stunning collection of indigenous crafts, jewellery and high-end artworks at an affordable price.

Address: Plaza de los Museos, Parque Los Caobos; Telephone: 578 1818; Opening time: National Gallery: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and 10am to 5pm on weekends. Caracas Museum of Fine Arts: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm ; Admission: Free

Caracas Attractions

Caracas Aerial Tramway

Ascending 1,000 metres, leaving the hustle and bustle of Caracas behind, the Avila Cable Car leisurely takes visitors up the lush green slopes of Avila Mountain, affording spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and the sprawling cityscape. The 15-minute ride takes visitors to the summit of Mount Avila at 6889 feet (2100 metres), blessed with evergreen rainforest vegetation and mostly undeveloped natural beauty, as it's protected by El Avila National Park. A great hub of entertainment, the Avila Magica Park, at the access point of the Cable Car, is ideal for kids and families as it boasts an ice rink, live shows, restaurants and walkways. Lookout for Humboldt Hotel at the summit, don't forget a sweater or light jacket as the weather is usually cooler and keep to the paths as Avila Mountain is a fragile conservation area.

Address: Avila Magica; Telephone: 901 5555; Opening time: Daily 10am to 8pm; Admission: Bs. 20,000

Caracas Attractions

Plaza Bolivar

Leafy Plaza Bolívar is the historical and social centre of Caracas and the site of several of the city's interesting monuments. Said to be where conqueror Diego de Losada founded the city in 1567, atmospheric Plaza Bolivar continues to be the heart of this populated Venezuelan capital. Don't miss the monument of revolutionary El Libertador Simon Bolivar, the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral, its original façade dating from the end of the 17th century, the Palacio Municipal and its attractive central courtyard (Jardin de Caracas) and the Museo Sacro de Caracas with its displays of local history and collection of religious art.

Address: Calle 10-11, Casco Central; Telephone: 507 8815; Transport: Nearest train station is Capitolio