{"id":2912,"date":"2016-09-23T18:28:32","date_gmt":"2016-09-23T18:28:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travelastronaut.com\/?p=2912"},"modified":"2025-03-23T11:25:56","modified_gmt":"2025-03-23T11:25:56","slug":"popayan-the-white-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelastronaut.com\/en\/popayan-the-white-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Popay\u00e1n – The White City"},"content":{"rendered":"

Popay\u00e1n \u2013 Colonial Beauty and Capital of Cauca<\/h1>\n

I would like to introduce a Colombian destination to you that probably not everyone knows what certainly\u00a0doesn\u2019t make it less interesting.
\nEven if you are maybe just travelling through and just stop there for a bit I am sure you will like this beautiful little city.<\/p>\n

One of the most beautiful colonial cities in Colombia is located in the southwest in Colombia halfway between Bogota and\u00a0 Quito (Ecuador)<\/strong>. The city in the Andes that was founded 1537 attracted many rich Spanish from the sugar region around Cali due to its mild climate.<\/p>\n

The city I am talking about is Popayan, which is also called “The White City”.<\/p>\n

\"popayan_centro\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many Backpackers that come from Quito and cross the border to Colombia make a quick stop here to relax a little before heading towards the Caribbean coast. But not only backpackers also hobby archaeologists tend to stop herein Popayan on their way to San Augustin one of the archaeological highlights in Colombia.<\/p>\n

Popayan is a very laidback, safe and low priced place and the perfect place to relax for 1-2 days. Here you can stroll through the incredibly beautiful Streets passing by impressing Colonial buildings. Museums, churches (San Jos\u00e9, Bel\u00e9n, Santo Domingo, San Agust\u00edn, and the cathedral Bas\u00edlica Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Asunci\u00f3n, that is often only called \u201eLa Catedral\u201c) as well as several bridges make the picture of this lovely city complete.<\/p>\n

The capital of Cauca was also home of several Colombian presidents, Poets, Painter and composers.<\/p>\n

The university Universidad del Cauca located in Popayan is one of the most prestigious and oldest educational institution in Colombia.<\/p>\n

\"viewpoint\"<\/a><\/p>\n

How to get there?<\/h2>\n

From Bogota<\/h3>\n

From Bogota<\/a><\/strong> you can go there directly with two different airlines. The two airlines go once per day to the “White cities” airport \u201eGuillermo Le\u00f3n Valencia\u201c. Offered are the flights by Avianca<\/a><\/strong> and EasyFly<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

From Medellin<\/h3>\n

If you are coming from Medellin<\/a><\/strong> you can both fly to Cali and take a bus from there to Popayan or you can take a bus directly from Medellin. The shortest route is with the company Flota Magdalena<\/a><\/strong>. The bus goes one time per day and the drive takes about 8 hours and a half. The Price is between 18 and 28 Euro.\u00a0 There are several other companies that go to Popayan like Bolivariano and Arauca, but the journey takes here between\u00a012.30 hours and 15.40 hours.<\/p>\n

Obviously you can also simply take a plane from Medellin to Bogota and catch the direct flight from the Colombian capital.<\/p>\n

\"san-augustin\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sights and Activities in Popayan?<\/h2>\n

Generally the historical city centre is the main attraction. Here you find beautiful buildings, Museums and Churches.<\/p>\n

Churches:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • San Francisco \u2013 The building in baroque style is the biggest in Popayan and dates back to the colonial time.<\/li>\n
  • La Ermita \u2013 was built 1546 and is the oldest church of the city.<\/li>\n
  • Santo Domingo \u2013 Famous for it impressive selection of artworks made from wood.<\/li>\n
  • The cathedral Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Asunci\u00f3n.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Further Attractions:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Caldas Park<\/li>\n
    • The Clock tower<\/li>\n
    • The Humilladero Bridge<\/li>\n
    • The building of Calibio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Museums:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
          \n
        • House-Museum Mosquera<\/li>\n
        • Archdiocesan Museum of religious art<\/li>\n
        • National Museum Guillermo Valencia<\/li>\n
        • Museum of natural history<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n