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Just a few hours from Bogotá, Villa de Leyva is one of the most charming colonial towns in Colombia, known for its white houses, massive cobblestone plaza, and relaxed atmosphere. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a day trip from Bogotá, this guide covers the best things to do, see, and experience in Villa de Leyva.
Villa de Leyva is a magical pueblo in Colombia – just a 3-hour drive from Bogotá and a popular weekend getaway for “rolos”. This city is like stepping back in time with preserved Spanish-colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, amazing weather, and lots of cute cafés.
The town feels like an old Italian village, with whitewashed walls set against dramatic green mountains. From my Airbnb balcony overlooking a quiet side street, I could hear live music from the main square and smell fresh bread baking in the café below. The cobblestone streets add charm, and the stress of Bogotá feels a world away. With slightly warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine, short sleeves are comfortable during the day and a light jacket works perfectly at night.
I spent 4-nights in Villa de Leyva and this was perfect for me. However, I am not a “normal” person since I work online so as long as I have a nice café with a good internet connection, I’m fine. But this is not a town where you’re going to find tons going on (especially on a weekday) so for someone that’s just trying to sightsee, I recommend two nights.
Here is my guide on how to properly visit Villa de Leyva, Colombia.
Things to know before you go
Getting there: If you have a car, Villa de Leyva is an easy 3-hour drive from Bogotá. But a car is not needed as busses leave frequently from the Salitre or Terminal Satelite del Norte. I recommend leaving from the Terminal Norte as it’s a little closer to Villa de Leyva so you’ll have less time having to be on the bus.
- Take a taxi, Uber or the Transmilenio (officially called the “Terminal” stop, download Moovit for reliable instructions on getting via Transmilenio) to Terminal Satelite del Norte (on Calle 192). Exit right towards the mountain to get to the bus terminal from the Transmilenio station.
- Once at the bus terminal station you’ll see several bus company windows. We ending up going on Valle de Tenza as they had a bus leaving next (view schedule here). Libertadores and Omega also have busses leaving from the North Terminal to Villa de Leyva. The cost is 50K Pesos.
- The bus ride from the North Terminal to Villa de Leyva only took 2.5 hours, but our total travel time from start to finish was 4.5 hours (going from my apartment to the Transmilenio, to the terminal, waiting for the bus, arriving to Villa de Leyva) so these are things to take into account with planning on when to leave.
- The bus terminal isn’t far from the main square so you probably don’t need to take a taxi to your hotel if you’re staying in town, but taxis are available to take you out of town or to your hotel if you have a lot of luggage.
It’s a weekend destination: I arrived to Villa de Leyva on a Wednesday and you can expect any weekday to be very quiet with a lot of places closed. This is a hotspot for people from Bogotá on the weekend so expect a major change in the overall liveliness going from a Friday to a Saturday.
When to go: Villa de Leyva has a lot of festivals throughout the year like a jazz festival, kite festival, film festival, tomato fight festival, and plenty more. View a complete schedule of festivals here.
Drinking water: I drank the water in the main town of Villa de Leyva without any issues. If you’re staying out of time be sure to check with your hotel or apartment host.
Weather: Expect it to be 23C during the day and 12C at night with the rainiest months being April, May, October, and November.
Where to stay
Casa de Las Materas: Casa de Las Materas is a three-bedroom apartment located on a quiet cobblestone street, walkable to the main plaza of Villa de Leyva. It’s just steps from bakeries, coffee shops, and restaurants. Historic charm is combined with modern amenities for a comfortable stay. Beds are outfitted with luxury white linens and one of the few options with a king bed. BOOK YOUR STAY HERE.
What to do
Visit the Marques de Villa de Leyva Vineyard (Ain Karim): Since Colombia isn’t known for wine production, it was surprising to find one of the country’s few vineyards near Villa de Leyva. The dry microclimate here makes grape growing possible, and the vineyard itself is beautiful. I recommend skipping the vineyard tour and simply purchasing a bottle to enjoy at one of the many tables.
Go inside the Terracota House: I saw pictures of the Terracota House online and read about it in blogs but nothing gives it justice as to seeing it in person. The mystical house is built entirely out of terracotta clay and has a full kitchen, living room with elevated ceilings, a staircase leading up to a master suite, and lots of outdoor patio space. The design is something between Gaudí and the Flintstones with whimsical curves that keep you looking around in awe. To get here, its just a 20-minute walk from Villa de Leyva or you could include it as a stop if you rent bikes or ATVs. There is a 10K Peso entrance fee and it is worth it.
Visit the Pozos Azules: The Pozos Azules can potentially be a tourist trap but we received a great insider tip from our bike guide on how to do it right. There are a few Pozos Azules to choose from and you want to visit the ones at Ecoparque Pozo Rojo, which is a small orchid and cactus sanctuary with two pozos azules (blue lagoons) and a pozo rojo (red lagoon) on the property. We were the only people there at the time so we really got to enjoy the scenery rather than being at the crowded pozo azules that we saw in the distance earlier.
Rent bikes from Ciclotrip: Renting bikes for the day is the perfect way to pack in all the scenery and activities that Villa de Leyva has to offer. We rented bikes from Ciclotrip and found them to be professional with properly maintained bikes, they explained the various routes with provided maps, and they even have digital Google map trails they can send to your phone to make it even easier.
Or rent an ATV: For a little more speed and adrenaline you can rent an ATV (cuatrimoto) by the hour or go on a guided tour. Villa de Leyva Extrema is one of the most reputable companies.
Enjoy bites & wine at an olive farm: The Olivanto olive farm offers a beautiful setting to enjoy brunch, a charcuterie board, and a bottle of wine surrounded by picturesque olive groves. Visitors can also purchase olive trees to take home as a unique souvenir.
Termales Portada de La Villa (Hot Springs): Enjoy a day bathing in these beautiful natural hot springs that are a 15-minute drive from Villa de Leyva. They only allow 15 people at a time for a maximum of two hours. Reservations must be made in advance and can be made by sending them a WhatsApp message to +573148461276 or send a message to their Instagram @termaleslaportadadelavilla.
La Periquera Waterfalls: If you want to enjoy some hiking and waterfalls head to La Periquera. This is about a 40-minute bus ride from Villa de Leyva and there is a fee of 20K Pesos to enter. You can also book a bike tour here with Ciclotrip if you want to arrive by bike.
Shop produce at the Saturday Farmer’s Market: The farmer’s market only happens on Saturdays in Villa de Leyva and it’s perfect for bringing some fresh fruits & veggies back to Bogotá. There are also a few food stalls serving traditional Colombian soup & other foods if you want to make a breakfast or lunch out of the experience. The market does not take place in the main plaza but if you look up Plaza de Mercado in Google Maps it will take you to the right spot.
Shop local arts and crafts: Villa de Leyva is a mecca of shops selling unique handmade items and clothing. Many of the shop owners can be found weaving ponchos and sweaters using a tradition loom. In the shopping section below I have details on some of my favorite shops but you can also walk around and stumble into plenty of options.
Take a day trip to Raquira: This is a small town that’s around 40 minutes from Villa de Leyva that’s known for making colorful ceramic pottery and other artisanal crafts. You can take one of the public buses here from the main station in Villa de Leyva or hire a taxi driver for the day to easily get around. While in Raquira be sure to take a ceramics class at La Fabrica de Raquira Arthome. We also loved spending time at Pueblito de Barro where we slid down a rainbow slide down a mountain. Next to here is the best lunch spot, El Alto Cocina de Entorno.
Museo El Fosil: See up close some of the most preserved dinosaur fossils in Villa de Leyva. The highlight is the Kronosaur fossil (only three in the world) fossilized on the ground. There is an entrance fee of 10K Pesos.
Where to eat
Trattoria Tornacasa: A modern restaurant serving fresh pasta and stuffed ravioli dishes utilizing local ingredients from the region.
La Maria Mar y Tierra: Stylish restaurant near the market square known for creative “mar y tierra” dishes that combine seafood, meats, and fresh local ingredients in a relaxed yet refined setting
Estación 20.03: The best spot to go for a menu of the day for lunch. Includes a drink, soup, and main plate of food with vegetarian options.
Kioscos de Los Caciques: A spot that specializes in typical Colombian food with an affordable menu of the day.
Auténticas: Best spot for freshly fried empanadas.
Panaderia Empanadas Horneadas: Best spot for freshly baked empanadas.
La Feria: Features traditional dishes from the region served as tapas in a beautiful open-air setting.
Happy Monkey: A unique twist on typical Colombian cuisine utilizing patacones (fried plantains) with delicious toppings.
Mercado Municipal: A restaurant with a beautiful courtyard specializing in ingredients sourced from the region. Be sure to order the BBQ meat, as they use a traditional technique where the meat is cooked in a wood-burning BBQ that is 1 meter underground.
Casa San Pedro: A well-known Italian restaurant in town famous for its “pasta a la rueda”.
Coffee & Cafés
El Pescador Pastelería: The outside of this bakery is easy to pass up but through the doors and down a small hallway lead to the most adorable bakery in Villa de Leyva. They have amazing pastries (be sure sure to order the almond croissant) and fresh-baked bread. It’s also one of the few bakeries with vegan and gluten-free options.
Café Los Gallos: Perfect spot for breakfast or lunch serving arepas, sandwiches, and more.
Sybarita: If you want a true artisanal coffee experience then Sybarita delivers. They have a large variety of Colombian coffee from different regions and the baristas come to your table to prepare the coffee while giving an explanation.
La Milhoja Bakery: Hands-down the best milhoja dessert I’ve had. It’s super flakey and topped with arequipe (caramel). Expect a line out the door if you’re visiting on the weekend.
La Galleta: If you want an amazing coffee and dessert, head to La Galleta. While here be sure to order the tres leches with Bailey’s or their famous milhoja dessert.
Pastelería Francesa: A genuine French bakery in the heart of Villa de Leyva. Be sure to order an almond croissant or pan de chocolate while you’re here!
Where to drink
Cervecería HISCA: The best craft beer brewery in Villa de Leyva. You can taste all beers offered on tap and you can even watch the beer being produced on-site.
Los Vinos: A cute wine boutique located on the second of a building just off the plaza. They have great prices ob glasses of wine which can be accompanied with a cheese tablet.
BBC: You can count on a BBC being on just about every corner in Bogotá and you can even find them in Villa de Leyva. Overall a great spot to enjoy craft beer on tap.
Where to shop
La Tienda Feroz: Super unique souvenirs, home decor, lamps, and more made by local artisans in Villa de Leyva.
La Moraleja: A store featuring clothing from independent designers from Colombia.
Alma Bazar: Unique pottery, painted, and woven items from the region.
La Marchanta: Specializes in gourmet food products, spices, natural beauty products, and artwork from the region.
Alieth Tejido Artesanal: One of the many shops where you can buy ponchos, scarfs, sweaters, and more that are handmade in-store.
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