Santa Fe de Antioquia Old Colonial Town Tour

Wander through the cobblestone streets of what was once the district of Antioquia’s capital and admire the antiquity of this colonial settlement that seems frozen in time. Once you discover the origin of the independence movements of Antioquia and sample the rich, colorful fruit of the region, you’ll feel more immersed than ever in Colombia.

Just outside the western limits of Medellín lie numerous villages of Antioquia, preserved in time. These colonial settlements are physical reminders of Colombia’s rich backstory, and each has its own tale to spin. Robledo, known for its centralized park that once made it the best residential area of the city, is the first stop. San Cristobal hosts an impressive feline statue in its library park, a gift from the acclaimed Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

We’ll pass through the longest tunnel in South America, the Western Tunnel or the Fernando Gómez Martínez Tunnel, which sits right at 4.6 km. The picturesque San Sebastian de Palmitas awaits us with fresh mountain air, from which point we will continue to enjoy the fruits of the paisa labor, including its engineering feats (like the Western Bridge) and other architectural gems (like a variety of churches and the romantic Mariscal Robledo). It’s not just construction that sets Antioquia apart — it is also home to masters of filigree and incredible fruit cultivation. We’ll visit a jewelry workshop where you’ll have a unique opportunity to witness this magical art form come to life, and sampling exotic, tropical fruits will be the mango icing on the cake!

The real treasure, though, is walking through the streets of these precious locales and absorbing the history that thrives there, which your guide will interpret. Once you arrive back in Medellín, you’ll feel as though you stepped through a time portal back into the present day.