Charming Towns in Colombia
Barichara
Barichara is a Spanish colonial town with cobblestoned streets, red tiled roofs and all the charm imaginable. It’s no wonder that many Spanish-language films and Telenovelas have been filmed here. This charming and romantic town was declared a national monument in 1978 in order to preserve it’s increasingly unique authenticity.
Jardin
This Andean town in northwest Colombia is a photographer’s dream. Imagine brightly painted buildings and homes with a friendly atmosphere, plus the green rolling hills serve as a lovely backdrop. This secret spot is relatively unknown amongst international travelers, though is a favorite of Colombian vacationers. Hiking, birdwatching, horseback riding and enjoying the quaint atmosphere are just a few of the wonderful things you can do here. The chance to rub shoulders with real Colombian cowboys makes this place feel like something out of a story book. Being within range of Medellín makes this charming town one for the bucket-list as you can arrive in this little nook of Colombian realness in 3-4 hours.
Credit. Plantacion Lodge
Salento
With access to the incredible Cocora Valley, this charming Andean town combines small town quaintness with nature-driven adventure. The world-famous trail can be enjoyed via horseback ride or by hoofing it yourself on a 5-hour hike to observe the green landscapes and the world’s tallest wax palms. Other highlights include coffee farm exploration, competing in the the game of tejo, stunning waterfalls and and plethora of dining options.
Mompox
Mompox’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has left this stunning town mostly intact from the colonial times, when its location on the Magdelena river made it an important part of the merchant trade route from the Caribbean to the center of the country. All of that wealth gave the small town of Mompox the confidence to be the first Colombian municipality to declare independence from the Spanish. Things took a turn for the worse for a couple centuries, but since being classified at a UNESCO Site in 1995, tourism has slowly begun to trickle back to the untouched colonial gem. For all the Gabriel Garcia Marquez fans out there, the Nobel Prize winning writer spent a significant amount of time here in his youth, and the fictional town of Macondo in his landmark novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude” is believed to have been modeled after Mompox.
Villa de Leyva
Yet another virtually untouched colonial town of Colombia can be found northeast of Bogotá. What sets Villa de Leyva apart is the impressive Plaza Mayor. At 14,000 square meters, it is the largest square in all of Colombia, and arguably the largest entirely cobblestoned square in South America. Villa de Leyva is home to a few other equally unique attractions, such as an annual Kite Festival, the world’s largest piece of pottery (which is actually a fully functional and livable house made completely from terracotta clay), and also is the proud home of several wineries! Wine production is very uncommon in tropical countries like Colombia, but the cool, dry climate similar to California or the South of France does indeed make for ideal conditions.
Guatape
Known as Colombia’s most colorful town, Guatapé has earned itself a spot on any traveler’s list of must-see colonial hot spots. What sets Guatapé apart from the others on the list is its stunning lake and staggering rock formation. You may be surprised to learn that the lake was actually manmade and that the original town was relocated to escape the intended flooding, but it all just adds to the mystery and intrigue of this picturesque place. For those up for the challenge, a climb to the top of El Peñol will reward you with sweeping views of surrounds.
