Mention Colombia to anyone and more likely than not, they will think of the TV show Narcos, Pablo Escobar, cocaine, drug trafficking, or armed conflict. Well, here’s some news for you: those preconceptions are far-removed from the Colombia of today.

Everyone we met who had been to Colombia prior to our visit raved about the country; however, we went in with no expectations and open minds, ready to form our own opinions. It turned out that those people had not raved enough about how amazing Colombia actually is. From the stunning landscapes to the charming towns to the friendly faces to the mouth-watering food – our almost three-month excursion through the country was nothing short of magical.

As you may have guessed, Colombia stole our hearts and quickly became our favourite country on this journey so far. It is not often that you will find a place that is clean, has excellent infrastructure, the happiest people (which is saying a lot because Latin Americans tend to be optimistic in general), and not overrun with tourists so, if you have ever considered visiting Colombia, DO IT. You will not regret it.

We cannot fit everything we loved about Colombia into one blog post, but we can tell you that its towns and cities were some of the most gorgeous we have ever come across, some of which took us by surprise as we didn’t know anything about them before visiting the country.

Here’s our top 10 favourite towns and cities of Colombia and why we love them…

 

1. Guatapé

Hello, life in technicolour! Guatapé is a town so colourful that everywhere else looks desaturated. Most people pass through the town when they go to climb El Peñón de Guatapé (or La Piedra de El Peñol) nearby, but the town itself is worth a visit. It is a feast for the eyes with all its colourful buildings decorated with even more colourful bas-reliefs depicting life in the town and the surrounding area. Because it is not a town that is exceptionally heavy with tourist traffic, there are not many activities geared towards visitors. However, it has no shortage of cute and cozy little cafes, restaurants, and stores to keep you busy. Also, did I mention that the town is GORGEOUS?

 

2. Bogotá

The sprawling capital of Colombia often overlooked by visitors who skip directly to the colonial beach city of Cartagena or the infamous Medellín. While those places are great, Bogotá is unparalleled in terms of what it has to offer within its charming and diverse neighbourhoods for anything from cuisine to culture to art to sport. To name just a few, the historic La Candelaria neighbourhood is home to an abundance of museums and street art, while the Usaquén area is a foodie’s paradise, and the Zona Rosa area is a haven for fashionistas. There’s something for everyone in Bogotá.

 

3. Barichara

Describing it as the “prettiest town in Colombia” as it often is may be stretching it, simply because Colombia has no shortage of gorgeous towns, but Barichara is inarguably a lovely one. Beautiful colonial architecture, stunning natural surroundings, and numerous stores and restaurants are just a few things that make it a great place to spend a day. The town is a hilly and cobblestoned one, but the cobblestones are flat so riders would enjoy riding through the town. In the indigenous Guane language, Barichara means “a place of rest” and, true to its name, the town has a laid-back and relaxed vibe.

 

4. Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva is one of the few towns in Colombia that has retained its original infrastructure and has undergone very little development in the last four centuries thanks to its remoteness from major trade routes. It is another town of pristine white colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, though the cobblestones here are much less fun to ride on than Barichara’s. The town’s main plaza, the Plaza Mayor, is believed to be the largest cobbled square in all of Latin America. It is a popular place for locals and visitors to hang out and it is surrounded by numerous stores and restaurants.

 

5. Medellín

Medellín is Colombia’s second-largest city and was once one of the most dangerous cities on the planet. The city has undergone a massive transformation since its dark days and is a place that many visitors enjoy in safety today. Surrounded by mountains, a temperate climate, great nightlife, a variety of museums, and an abundance of art are just a few things that make Medellín a great place to visit. Be sure to try the bandeja paisa while in town and the graffiti tour of Comuna 13 is not to be missed.

 

6. Jardín

Jardín is a town that is not mentioned as often as it deserves when talking about Colombian towns. It is an Andean town known for its colourful colonial buildings, milk candies, and (as its name implies) a plethora of flowers. Jardín’s central plaza is one of the prettiest you can imagine with gardens all around and a stunning neo-Gothic basilica. It is not uncommon to spot a few foreigners among the town’s population; however, it is not a touristy place, making it a great option for those who don’t want to venture too far off the beaten path, but hate flocks of tourists. Grabbing a cup of coffee and relaxing in the main plaza is a great way to spend an afternoon in Jardín.

 

7. Cartagena

Cartagena is the port city that seldom fails to top the list of every foreigner visiting Colombia. The beautiful streets of the old city are lined with colourful colonial buildings and seems to get prettier with every corner you turn. Its proximity to the coast and the equator means perfectly scorching temperatures throughout the year for beach lovers. One of the drawbacks of this city, however, is that it is one of the most tourist-heavy cities in the region and it is impossible to walk through its streets without being bombarded at every corner with some of the pushiest vendors you can imagine.

 

8. Popayán

This town was a complete surprise for us because we did not come across any mention of Popayán before stopping there for a night. Aptly known as the “White City,” Popayán’s streets are lined with pristine white colonial buildings and its historic center is reputed to be one of the best preserved in Latin America that dates back to more than four centuries ago. The town is home to a number of parks, churches, and museums, as well as one of Colombia’s oldest and most distinguished universities.

 

9. Salento

One of the most popular tourist attractions of Colombia is the town of Salento, largely due to its location in the country’s coffee region and its proximity to the Cocora valley. Salento is another colourful colonial town that, despite its heavy tourist traffic, remains laid-back and free of the pushy vendors found in Cartagena. For a small town, Salento has a number of activities geared towards tourists that include touring a coffee plantation, visiting an artisan community, horseback riding, or simply enjoying a nice cup of coffee and a treat in one of the many cafes around town.

 

10. Zipaquirá

Most people pass through Zipaquirá when they visit the Salt Cathedral and while that is an impressive architectural feat not to be missed, the town itself is quite charming. Zipaquirá is another colonial town with brick-paved streets, a nice central plaza, pedestrian shopping streets, restaurants, and museums among its offerings.