The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Barichara, Colombia
Barichara is often described as the prettiest town in Colombia, and not without good reason: it’s a truly lovely little town with stunning architecture, beautiful natural surroundings, and excellent boutique hotels and restaurants. We’ve rounded up the top 10 things to see and do in Barichara.
1. Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción
The main church in Barichara is a gorgeous building made of the sandstone that dominates the architecture of the town—it’s particularly lovely at sunset when the stone turns a rich orange. The steps leading up to the church are a great place to sit and watch the world go by or enjoy the beauty of the town.
Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción, Barichara, Santander Department, Colombia
Walk the Camino Real to Guane
The old road from Barichara to the equally charming village of Guane passes through some of the region’s most beautiful scenery and the two-hour hike is one of the best activities you can do on a visit to Barichara. It can become a warm hike by the middle of the day, so make sure to set off early in the morning to enjoy the countryside in comfort.
Wander the beautiful streets
Barichara’s streets are central to the town’s appeal and there’s really no better way to appreciate the city than by spending a few hours wandering through it aimlessly. With plenty of pretty cafés, boutique craft shops, and photogenic street scenes, your trip to Barichara wouldn’t be complete without taking the time to explore its streets.
2. Capilla de Santa Bárbara
The Santa Bárbara Church might not be as impressive as Barichara’s cathedral, but it’s known as the prettiest church in a town full of pretty churches. Perched on a hill at the top of the town and offering a gorgeous view over the rooftops of Barichara, it’s a simple little chapel but incredibly photogenic and worth visiting.
Capilla de Santa Bárbara, Barichara, Santander Department, Colombia
3. Take in the view at El Mirador
Barichara sits on a ridge overlooking the Suarez River canyon and has some of the best views in the whole of Colombia’s Santander department. At the city’s western edge, there’s a viewpoint called El Mirador from which the views are particularly special when the sun goes down behind the distant Andes mountains and casts an orange glow on the sandstone walls of the town.
4. Capilla San Antonio
Another of Barichara’s beautiful churches, the San Antonio Chapel is a very simple church but is still worth visiting. Its facade is a lovely combination of sandstone bricks and whitewashed spire, while the interior is simply decorated with wooden beams and a small altar. It’s the most peaceful of Barichara’s churches, which you’ll only realize when you spend some time inside.
Capilla San Antonio, a 4-96, Carrera 4 #4-2, Barichara, Santander, Colombia
5. Take a ceramics class
If you’re looking to explore your artistic side on your visit to Barichara, then taking a ceramics class at the Taller de Cerámica Terracota is the perfect activity for you. With group workshops and personalized classes available, anyone can take part in and leave these classes with a sense of achievement and a brand new piece of pottery for their home.
Taller de Cerámica Terracota, Barichara, Santander Department, Colombia, +57 317 4748399
6. Sample some local delicacies
Restaurant
Santander is famous in Colombia for its cuisine and Barichara is an excellent place to sample some of the more unusual local delicacies. El Balcon restaurant is the best place for hearty local dishes such as goat or carne oreada (a kind of dried beef that’s a bit like jerky), while the Color de Hormiga restaurant is famous for its filet mignon in ant sauce topped with fried ants. (It’s more delicious than it sounds.)
Restaurante El Balcon de Mi Pueblo, a 6-94, Calle 7 #62, Barichara, Santander, Colombia
Carne Oreada in Barichara | © Chris Bell/Culture Trip
7. Treat yourself at Terra Barichara Spa
Terra Barichara is a beautiful, Tuscan-style hotel on the edge of town with stunning views over Barichara and is especially famous for its wonderful spa. You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to book a spa treatment and you can enjoy a massage, a soak in the thermal pools, or any of the spa’s many relaxing treatments. If you’re looking to treat yourself in Barichara, this is the place.
Spa Terra Barichara, Km 16 Vía San Gil, Barichara, Santander, Colombia, +57 311 4526168
8. Casa Natal de Aquileo Parra
Aquileo Parra, Colombia’s president between 1876 and 1878, was born in Barichara and is perhaps the small town’s most famous son. The house in which he was born has been converted into a modest museum and though it might have limited appeal to those who aren’t interested Colombian history, it’s a lovely building that’s worth visiting to experience a small but important part of Barichara’s history.
Casa Natal de Aquileo Parra, Carrera 1 #66, Barichara, Santander, Colombia, +57 7 7267052
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