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 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
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
