18 Best Sights in Caracas, Venezuela

Known around town as the "GAN,"the interesting National Art Gallery, across the circular Plaza Morelos from the Museum of Natural Science, displays more than 4,000 works of art from Venezuela's proud past. It shares a building with the Museo de Bellas Artes, which exhibits a random selection of art from all around the globe. The top floor is a terrace offering views over Parque Los Caobos and much of Caracas.

Filled with richly gilded altars, this church dating from 1593 was the site of Simón Bolívar's proclamation as "El Libertador" (the Liberator) and of his massive funeral 12 years after his 1830 death. It remains the loveliest example of colonial architecture in Caracas.

Arabica is hands-down the best coffee in the city—it also may be the priciest. Choose from the delectable desserts, order a coffee, and sit outside to watch the world go by. The success of this location has led to the opening of three other coffee shops in Beverly Hills, Stanford and Palo Alto, California.

Venezuela's Congress is housed in the neoclassical National Capitol, a pair of buildings constructed on the site of the 17th-century convent of the Sisters of the Conception. President Guzmán Blanco, who ordered the disbanding of all convents, razed the original building in 1874. On the site he built the Federal and Legislative palaces. The paintings in the oval Salón Elíptico by Venezuelan artist Martin Tovar y Tovar are quite impressive, especially those on the ceiling. The bronze urn in the room contains the 1811 Declaration of Independence. (In deference to decorum, you must tuck in your shirt when you enter this room.)

The birthplace of Simón Bolívar is a pilgrimage site for Venezuelans, who honor him as "El Libertador." The house has very little to offer about the great man himself, but is a lovely example of a spacious and airy old colonial house in the midst of downtown's hustle and bustle. Monumental wall paintings by Tito Salas in the front room that retell the stories of Bolívar's heroic battles are well worth a look.

With its original facade unaltered since it was built at the end of the 17th century, the Metropolitan Cathedral towers over Plaza Bolívar. The main altar is a magnificent Baroque creation gilded with more than 300 pounds of gold leaf. Don't miss the Bolívar family chapel on the right-hand side.

World-class ballet, opera, and classical concerts are regularly presented at this modern cultural center named for Venezuela's most famous classical pianist. Hanging from the theater roof is the kinetic sculpture Yellow Pendants, by Venezuelan artist Jesús Soto. Adjacent to the complex are a bookstore and the Teatro Ateneo de Caracas, home of a popular movie theater screening art films.

This graceful colonial building, set around a manicured courtyard, is considered the cradle of Venezuelan statehood. On July 5, 1811, the National Congress met here and approved the Declaration of Independence. Today the building houses the Museo Criollo, which exhibits a permanent collection of works by noted Venezuelan painter Emilio Boggio (1857–1920) and scale-model miniatures by Raúl Santana that depict every imaginable aspect of Venezuela's early culture.

Las Nieves is true old-school Caracas—the same baristas seem to have been pulling delicious, crema-topped espressos here for years. All of the high-quality pastries and goodies are made here: it's a true family affair. Parking can be a pain outside, but be patient, because it's worth the wait.

Le St. Tropez sits right across the street from a massive church in the Castellana neighborhood. The sweet owner serves up yummy couscous dishes on Thursdays, but the real draw here are the simple, fresh sandwiches, desserts, and pastries—not to mention the divine coffee.

This contemporary art museum displays paintings by Picasso, Miró, and Bacon. There are also 3-D works by renowned Venezuelan artist Jesús Soto. Housed on the edge of the Parque Central complex, this is one of the best collections of modern art in South America.

The Museum of Natural Science includes archaeological, botanical, and zoological displays (stuffed animals against rather dismal backdrops). The Pre-Columbian displays, however, are particularly interesting, as are the overviews of early American life, such as demonstrations of the farming methods of indigenous peoples.

The Museum of Religious Art of Caracas, a former sacristy and ecclesiastical prison built in 1844 adjoining the cathedral, now houses ornate religious statues and lavish costumes from the colonial era. Especially noteworthy in the first salon is the ornate silver canopy made to cover the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary. Downstairs you'll find an intriguing, albeit rather macabre, common grave where remains of the religious are interred in sealed niches.

The art deco–style Government Palace, built in 1935, now houses political offices and a ground-floor gallery with rotating exhibits of international and Venezuelan art.

Five blocks north of Plaza Bolívar, the striking National Pantheon's exquisite marble interior holds the remains of 138 Venezuelan political and historical figures, including Simón Bolívar. The walls and ceilings are graced with murals depicting some of the most famous battles for independence. English-speaking guides are available for hire at the entrance.

One of the city's oldest parks, Parque Los Caobos has towering mahogany trees planted to celebrate Venezuela's independence. The lovely old fountain, ringed by bronze sculptures, is a taste of the Caracas of a century ago.Tourists are often targeted here so keep a careful watch on your belongings and avoid the park after dusk.

Ask most Caraqueños what defines their city the most, and you'll often hear "El Ávila!" The mountains of Parque Nacional El Ávila rise some 3,300 feet over the northern edge of Caracas, then slope down its other side directly into the Caribbean. The national park is a favorite destination for weekend hikers, as its southern side is crisscrossed with trails. Novices prefer the daylong hike that leads to Pico Ávila, while more experienced hikers take the two-day trek to Pico Naiguatá. The park is easily accessible from the Altamira neighborhood in eastern Caracas. If you don't feel like hiking, you can ride up in a cable car.

San José de Galipán, a settlement on the coastal side of Mount Ávila, makes a nice destination if you've been hiking all morning. Horses are available there for further exploring. The town's cool climate makes it perfect for growing flowers to sell in Caracas.

St. Honoré is near the fabulous store Casa Curuba and just across the street from rival café Arabica. This is less hip than Arabica, but just as well loved and scrumptious. Grab a cachito de jamón (a ham-stuffed croissant) and enjoy the friendly hubbub on the outdoor patio. These same owners opened up a bakery called Tisserie in New York City, at the northwest corner of Union Square.