Best Things to Do in Popayán, Colombia: The White City

Last Updated: October 2026

Tucked away in southwestern Colombia, Popayán is a charming colonial city known for its beautiful whitewashed buildings, historic churches and relaxed atmosphere. Nicknamed La Ciudad Blanca (the White City), it’s one of Colombia’s lesser-known destinations and a lovely place to spend a couple of days.

But our introduction to Popayán, and Colombia in general, wasn’t quite what we’d hoped for!

After crossing the border from Ecuador, we stopped overnight in Pasto before continuing north to Popayán. Unfortunately, the following morning, a thief on a motorbike snatched our camera bag, containing our camera, zoom lens and GoPro, right from around Simon’s neck!

Not exactly the welcome to Colombia we’d imagined. Thankfully, what happened next restored some of our faith in the country, and despite this rocky start, Popayán turned out to be a lovely introduction to Colombia.

In this guide, we’ll share the best things to do in Popayán, along with our experiences and practical tips for planning your visit.

We visited Popayán in 2019. This article reflects our personal experiences at the time, while the practical travel information has been updated for 2026. As security conditions in Colombia can change, always check the latest advice before travelling.

Four hours in a Colombian police station 

After our six-hour bus ride from Pasto to Popayan, we made sure the first thing we did was report our robbery to the police. We arrived at the Tourist Information Office and a tourist police officer greeted us.

When I tried to explain in Spanish what had happened to us, he realised it was difficult for me and straight away switched to English. It was such a relief that he spoke English! He quickly offered to accompany us to the police station after his shift ended, to fill in the police report. 

At 5.30 pm we met him at the tourist office and he walked with us to the police station. Once there, we waited over an hour for the clerk to free up and then over an hour to fill in a police report which was in both languages.

Throughout that time, this lovely officer who by now was supposed to be back home with his family, stayed on to help us! He even made sure we made it back to our hotel safely that night. It was a long day for us but it would have been a long day for him too. The fact that he was so friendly and helpful and extremely apologetic made us feel so much better about Colombia. The people are very nice here (not the thieves obviously :)).

Enjoying Popayan … finally 

Day two and three in Popayan were, however, a lot more enjoyable. Those days involved no bus rides, no robberies, no police stations. Popayan is a relatively small town in the south of Colombia. It’s also called la Ciudad Blanca or the White City because of the many white colonial buildings in its “Centro” area.

If you are travelling by bus from Ecuador and making your way to Cali or further north, Popayan is a great place to stop for a few nights. Although the town’s main attractions can all be seen in a single day, it’s worth staying a couple of nights to soak up the atmosphere and to recover from those long bus rides and perhaps a stressful border crossing.

What to do in Popayan? 

Take a Free Walking Tour

Popayán is a beautiful city, and one of the best ways to explore it is on a free walking tour. This was the first thing we did during our visit, and it was a great way to learn about the city’s fascinating history, admire its colonial architecture and discover its main attractions.

We highly recommend starting your visit with a walking tour to get your bearings and make the most of your time in Popayán. Check with the local Tourist Information Office for current departure times and availability.

Hang out in Parque Caldas

Sit down on one of the benches in Parque Caldas and watch the world go by. This park is popular with locals and tourists and there are many street vendors selling drinks, food and nick-nacks. There are also a lot of pigeons there that people seem to feed, which is probably not a good thing! All the buildings around the park are white and it’s a beautiful place to admire them from.

Check out Popayan’s many churches 

Popayan is a very religious town and there are many churches around town to check out. The best ones are Iglesia de San Francisco and Cathedral Basilica Our Lady of the Assumption.

Get lost in the white streets of Popayan

Go for a walk and enjoy the whiteness of it all. Popayan is very photogenic and I was glad that I never put my phone in with my camera. Otherwise, I would have nothing to take photos with! The streets of Popayan are lovely and it’s nice to just walk around and explore them.

Sip Colombian coffee 

Being in Colombia, you have to drink coffee and even though great coffee is not everywhere (they export most of the good stuff), it’s still easy enough to find a decent cup. I loved the coffee at Caracol Cafe.

Go up the Cerro de Morro

For the best view of the city, take a short walk on the outskirts of the old town to El Morro. A short 5-minute stroll up the hill rewards you with a panoramic view over the city.

Try Some Local Delicacies

Did you know that Popayán was the first city to be designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2005?

The city is famous for its traditional cuisine, so make sure you sample some local specialities during your visit.

We recommend stopping at Mora Castilla, where you can try delicious empanaditas, pipián tamales and traditional drinks such as champús and the refreshing salpicón de mora.

It’s a great way to discover the unique flavours of this charming Colombian city!

Best Time to Visit Popayán

Popayán enjoys a mild climate year-round thanks to its elevation of around 1,760 metres above sea level. Daytime temperatures generally hover around 20–25°C, making it pleasant for sightseeing.

December to February and July to August are generally among the drier months, while April to May and October to November tend to be wetter.

One of the most fascinating times to visit is during Semana Santa (Holy Week), when Popayán hosts its famous religious processions, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. However, this is also one of the busiest times of the year, so book accommodation well in advance.

For fewer crowds and comfortable sightseeing conditions, we’d recommend visiting outside major festivals.

How Many Days Do You Need in Popayán?

One to two days is enough to explore Popayán’s beautiful historic centre, admire its colonial architecture, visit the main attractions and sample the local cuisine.

If you have more time, consider staying an extra day to explore the surrounding countryside, visit the traditional market in Silvia or relax in the hot springs at Coconuco.

Popayán also makes a great stopover for travellers heading between Ecuador and northern Colombia, and it’s well worth including in your itinerary.

Day Trips from Popayán

If you have some extra time in Popayán, there are several interesting places to explore in the surrounding Cauca region.

• Silvia: Around 1–1.5 hours from Popayán, this small mountain town is famous for its Tuesday market, where local Misak Indigenous communities sell fresh produce, handicrafts and traditional goods. Visit respectfully and always ask permission before photographing people.
• Coconuco Hot Springs: Located approximately an hour from Popayán, these natural thermal pools are surrounded by beautiful Andean scenery and are a lovely place to relax.
• Puracé National Park: This spectacular high-altitude national park is known for its volcanic landscapes, páramo ecosystems and Andean condors. Access to certain areas, including the volcano, can be restricted, so check current park conditions and whether a local guide is required before visiting.

Where to Stay in Popayán

The best place to stay in Popayán is the historic centre, where you’ll be within walking distance of the city’s beautiful colonial buildings, churches, restaurants and main attractions.

Here are three accommodation options to suit different budgets:

Budget – Les Balcons Hostel

A great choice for budget-conscious travellers, Les Balcons Hostel is located in the heart of Popayán’s historic centre. Set in a charming colonial building, it offers affordable dormitory beds and private rooms, a shared kitchen and free Wi-Fi.

Mid-Range – Hotel La Plazuela

Located just steps from Parque Caldas, Hotel La Plazuela is a lovely colonial-style hotel with comfortable rooms, traditional courtyards and an excellent central location. It’s ideal for travellers who want a little more comfort while staying close to everything.

Luxury – Hotel Dann Monasterio

For something special, Hotel Dann Monasterio is set in a beautifully restored former monastery in the historic centre. With elegant colonial architecture, peaceful courtyards, a swimming pool and an on-site restaurant, it’s one of Popayán’s most distinctive hotels.

Our tip: Book well in advance if you’re visiting during Semana Santa (Holy Week), when Popayán’s famous religious processions attract large crowds and accommodation fills up quickly.

Alternatively, if none of those suit, try using the search box below:

Is Popayán Safe to Visit?

Popayán is a beautiful city, but it’s important to take precautions when visiting. The surrounding Cauca region has experienced ongoing security problems involving armed groups, and conditions can change quickly.

While Popayán remains a tourist destination, we recommend staying in the historic centre, avoiding isolated areas after dark, keeping valuables out of sight and using reputable transport providers.

We experienced theft firsthand when our camera bag was snatched in Pasto. However, we also met incredibly kind people, and Colombia went on to become one of our favourite countries in South America!

Our advice: Check current security conditions before visiting, particularly if you plan to travel overland or explore areas outside Popayán.

Where to Go Next in Colombia

Continuing your journey through Colombia? Our next stop after Popayán was Cali, Colombia’s salsa capital, famous for its lively atmosphere and vibrant culture.

Heading into Colombia’s coffee region? Don’t miss our guide to Salento, a colourful little town surrounded by lush coffee plantations and the spectacular landscapes of the Cocora Valley.

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