It´s a city (pop. 3 million) of contrasts - intense but culturally rich – and best explored if possible with strong local guidance. Highlights start with the colonial core where the city was founded in 1567, with charming colonial architecture and landmarks like the cathedral (completed in 1674), Plaza Bolívar, and the 152-year-old neoclassical National Pantheon, housing the remains of various national heroes, most notably Caracas-born Simón Bolívar, who in the early 19th century led the fight to free a half-dozen countries from the Spanish Empire.
Worthwhile museums include the National Art Gallery, the Museum of Fine Art, the Bolivarian Museum, the Simón Bolivar Birth House, the Museum of Colonial Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Parque Central, which showcases works by not just Venezuelans but also Picasso, Monet, Kandinsky, Mondrian, Warhol, and Bacon. There´s a vibrant dining and nightlife scene as well, but extra care should be taken if going out at night due to high street crime.
It´s also worth taking a 15-minute teleférico (cable car) ride from Caracas up to Cerro Ávila, part of the forested 330-square-mile El Ávila National Park (official name Waraira Repano), with sweeping views over the city and a variety of hiking and ecotourism options as well as the historic Humboldt Hotel - and even a seasonal ice skating rink.
And always keep in mind that there exist serious urban security risks in Caracas, particularly after dark, which can nonetheless be managed with precautions and prudence.
Read more in my post Can Venezuelan Tourism Bounce Back? If It Does, Here Are 9 of Its Top Destinations to Visit.
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