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Villa de Leyva, a few hours from the fine capital of Bogotá, is a must for all visitors going to this dramatic country and is sure to leave an impression on you.

The whole town was declared a national monument in 1954 and has remained perfectly preserved with no modern architecture and beautifully whitewashed buildings, as well as lovely plazas to sit in and enjoy the sunshine or you could go horse riding to the close by indigenous Muisca ruins or visit the waterfalls.

The town was founded in 1572 by Hernán Suárez de Villalobos and is just 177 km from Bogotá, but could not be further removed from the modern streets of the capital.

Highlights

The main square is unforgettable, and at 120 m by 120 m, it is reputedly the largest of its kind in the country. The cobbled expanse is interrupted by only one small fountain in the middle which was the water source for the village some four centuries ago.

The little settlement boasts four churches all dating back to the 16th and early 17th centuries. The Iglesia Parroquial on the main square houses a most marvelous baroque ecclesiastical retable, additionally, it is located in a high altitude valley at 2,144 m altitude where fossils from the Mesozoic and the Cretaceous abound.

Accommodation

Villa de Leyva is a unique place in a stunning setting and Audley has found some great places to stay for your time there where you can enjoy the amazing Colombian hospitality.