The 10 most beautiful villages in Colombia

Colombia is full of heavenly landscapes and history. Visiting the 10 most beautiful villages in Colombia is a great way to discover the country where the strong colonial past has left its footprints!

Colombia owes its name to Simón Bolívar who, by liberating New Granada, decided to pay tribute to the browser Christophe Colomb . Architecture, plantations, cultures and traditions are now wonderfully preserved in several parts of the country.

So it’s no surprise that we’re taking you to visit the 10 most beautiful villages in Colombia that have kept their splendour and colours from the past!

1. Monguí, Boyacá

Founded in 1601, Monguí is a typical village where time seems to have stopped. Overlooking the reliefs of Boyacá , you will let yourself be carried away by the charm of this village with its paved alleys, its colonial houses, its large central square and its Basilica Notre Dame.

Its inhabitants, all dressed in punhos, will reserve one of the most beautiful receptions. They will not hesitate to share the unique manufacture of hand sewn balls. Monguí is also the starting point for hikes in the Páramo de Ocetá , where you will be impressed in the face of an ecosystem as sublime as rare!

2. Guatapé, Antioquia

Located 72 kilometres away Medellin , Guatapé has everything to please you. True colorful village, the lower parts of the houses are decorated with zócalos a tradition that dates back to more than a century. These sculpted frescoes once represented the trades or passions of its inhabitants, and continue today according to the unlimited imagination of its creators.

Inundated and shaped by the electric dam, the Guatapé Valley has become one of the wonders of Colombia. Do not hesitate to take the height by climbing the 649 steps of La Piedra del Peñol to reach one of the most incredible miradors in the world.

3. Salento, Quindío

Gateway on the Cocora valley and its extraordinary giant wax palms, Salento deserves to be addressed. The most ancient municipality of the department, it is therefore called "Father of Quindio".

Salento is a colorful village by its architecture. In the Calle real , its white colonial houses with facades and balconies painted with vivid and unexpected colors give it a unique and warm speciality. Symbol for the coffee area, the Jeep Wyllis collection parked near the central park ensures the transport of passengers and precious coffee on steep roads.

4. Jardín, Antioquia

If you want to visit the most beautiful villages in Colombia, Jardín is one of the unmissable. The central square is surrounded by cafes and restaurants where wooden tables and chairs color this place for tasting a 100% organic coffee. Its magnificent church “the immaculate Conception” of semi-Gothic style is worth the visit alone. Built between 1918 and 1942, the faithful brought the stones carved by hand in remission of their sins.

Located between the mountains, Jardín delights small and large. A few hours of hikes will allow you to discover coffee and banana plantations. You will also enchant yourself in the face of the many cascades, craftsmanships of Panela and other trout farms. 2 sites not to be missed when visiting Garden:

• The Cerro Cristo Rey, from which point of view on the city is incredible
• The rustic cableway of the Garucha, who will give you the greatest smile

5. La Playa de Belén, Norte Santander

From 1862 , Playa de Belèn remained in time. This small authentic village gives you a real haven of peace. Composed of only 3 streets, he was able to keep his old architecture. Even the signs of the merchants remained in wood. The two golden domes Temple of St Joseph of Bethlehem contrast with its totally white façade. But the Playa de Belén is not only limited to its colonial centre and will offer you one of the most surprising landscapes in the country.

Indeed, only a few hundred meters from the village, the natural park Los Angeles will reveal its treasure of more than 4 million years. In this desert landscape, you will discover gigantic columns formed by erosion. Some can reach up to 30 meters high. Through its paths, you will be amazed by its high walls, labyrinths or all artistic forms created by wind and water.

6. Mompox, Bolivar

Founded in 1537 , Mompox is considered one of the oldest villages in Colombia. He played an essential role in the Spanish expansion and was also the city of replie when Cartagena was attacked or taken. Located along the Magdalena River, Mompox sits on Margarita Island. Its access can be difficult but not impossible. Des lancha With a motor drive you there, which gives all the charm to this sleeping village.

The white colonial houses adorn the streets and walk through them will offer you a unique experience. Filed by Unesco in the Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Mompox is also considered the cradle of Colombian goldsmithery. Reputed globally, the work of goldsmiths can be visited in the various workshops.

7. Barichara, Santander

Quietness and silence reign Barichara . So much so that we would imagine shooting Hollywood movies in these places. Founded in 1705 , the village is adorned with white and ochre houses predominant on the paved alleys. These contrast with the natural background of Andalusian style. This village is located in height and the panoramic view is impressive.

Restaurants, artisans and souvenir shops will welcome you with open arms. To enjoy your day, borrow the Camino Real . This was built by the natives of the region, then restored by the German Geo von Lengerke. This portion of trail 6 kilometres , which is done without effort and downhill, will lead you to Guané. When you arrive in this small village, enjoy the place to rest and test el Sabajón a local drink transmitted from generation to generation. Barichara is an obligatory passage if you are looking to visit the most beautiful villages in Colombia!

8. Villa de Leyva, Boyacá

Declared national monument in 1954 , Villa de Leyva is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Colombia. It is characterized by its buildings in lime walls, facades and colonial verrandas. His majestic Plaza mayor (the largest in the country) will not leave you indifferent as its surface is of 14 000 m2 .

Despite its evolution, the city remains very traditional and offers various opportunities for visits: museums, hikes and festivals. Just a few kilometers from Villa de Leyva, are the Pozos Azules . These are certainly artificial, but the place can only fascinate you. Indeed, the contrast of the turquoise blue of the lakes with the surrounding desert allows the capture of beautiful photos.

9. Aguadas, caldas

Founded in 1808 , Aguadas is known in particular as the city of mists because of its constant fog. This picturesque village is not only known for its architecture, its landscapes and its culture of coffee but also for keeping its folklore and traditions.

Indeed, the famous hat Aguadas is the symbol of the municipality. It is handmade with Toquilla or Iraca palm fibre, cultivated and transformed in the region. The National Museum of the Hat and some workshops are open to tourists for the visit. They will allow you to learn a little more about this ancestral technique.

10. Santa Fé de Antioquia

Until Medellin takes power in 1826 , Santa Fé de Antioquia was the capital of the region. Founded in 1541 , the "mother city" — as the name of its inhabitants — has since remained untouched. It is a historical and architectural wonder.

Each corner of the village is a piece of heritage that transports us to an ancient age. In Santa Fé de Antioquia, it is good to walk in the paved streets or in Plaza Mayor. From there, admire its white colonial houses in style calicanto , doors and windows made of carved wood. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception also deserves a look. His designer Domingo de Petrés was also the architect of the Cathedral de Bogota the first of Colombia.

Don't get back on the road without walking on the road bridge of the West ♪ Cauca River . Indeed this gem of the nineteenth century is one of the first bridges suspended in the world and is classified as a national monument!

You now know all the secrets to visit the most beautiful villages in Colombia!