Caracas Travel Guide
Caracas is Venezuela's vibrant capital and a city of dramatic contrasts, where jungle-clad mountains meet a restless sea of concrete, and colonial roots pulse beneath a modern skyline. Set between the Caribbean coast and the towering green wall of Ávila Mountain, this immense metropolis of nearly five million people thrums with energy, creativity and complexity.
Founded in 1567 by Spanish conquistador Diego de Losada, Caracas grew rapidly during the 20th-century oil boom, evolving into a sprawling urban landscape of high-rise towers, tangled motorways and buzzing street life. It's chaotic, unpredictable and utterly alive.
Beneath the surface noise lies a rich cultural core, as the destination is home to gourmet restaurants, bustling markets, cutting-edge galleries and performance spaces such as the striking Bellas Artes complex. Visitors can explore the neo-Gothic Santa Capilla church, the colonial-era birthplace of Simón Bolívar, and the acclaimed Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring works by Matisse, Picasso, Chagall and Venezuelan masters.
When the pace becomes overwhelming, visitors can hike the shaded trails of Ávila or take a day trip to the whimsical, alpine-style village of La Colonia Tovar.
Caracas can be intense, even intimidating, but for those with an adventurous spirit, it offers a raw and unforgettable window into Venezuela's soul. Gritty and exhilarating, this is a city that rewards those willing to dive deep.