Caracas Old Town

The old centre of Caracas is the original colonial grid around Plaza Bolívar, surviving in patches among later building: the cathedral of 1665 on one side of the square, the Casa Natal where Simón Bolívar was born in 1783, the Capitolio with its gilded elliptical hall, and the Panteón Nacional a few blocks north where he is buried. Earthquakes in 1641 and 1812 destroyed much of the earlier city, so most of what stands is later.

What you actually see

• Plaza Bolivar - the colonial square at the centre of the original grid.
• The Casa Natal - the house where Simón Bolívar was born in 1783.
• The Capitolio - the legislative palace with its gilded elliptical hall.
• The Panteon Nacional - the church holding Bolívar's tomb.

When to go

December to April is driest. Weekday mornings are when the museums and public buildings are open. Many close on Mondays and at weekends.

Honest expectations

Museum and public building opening is irregular and often shorter than posted. Much of the colonial city was lost to earthquakes and later development. The centre is congested and walking between sites is best done early.

Nearby

El Avila rises to the north, and El Hatillo is southeast.