Armenia, Quindío: Things to Do, Top Sights & Day Trips
Armenia is the capital of the Quindío department, in the region known as the Coffee Region.
Armenia is an ideal base for excursions and for discovering the world of coffee.
Tourism has grown a lot in Armenia recently, and each month it welcomes thousands of travelers from across Colombia and abroad.
The city lies 311 km from Bogotá. Many bus companies connect it to the rest of Colombia, and it also has El Edén Airport with domestic flights.
Armenia travel information
In recent years Armenia has seen significant urban development. It has all the services a traveler needs, and its streets are well worth exploring. The city has become a destination for domestic and international visitors.
Plaza de Bolívar
The city's civic heart, surrounded by Armenia's most characteristic buildings. The square is busy at all hours of the day.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Built in 1966, with notable stained-glass windows and a Byzantine-inspired mural inside. Address: Cr 12 20-30. Phone: +57 6 7447367.
Archaeological Museum
The museum has more than 4,000 objects on display across several halls. Address: Calle 8 between Cr 9 and Cr 10, La Tebaida, Quindío.
Quimbaya Gold Museum
This museum is dedicated to the Quimbaya culture, displaying important items found at archaeological sites in the area. The building won the National Architecture Prize. Address: Cra. 16 21-14 (Bank of the Republic building). Phone: +57 6 7413300.
Founders' Park (Parque Fundadores)
One of the most popular spots in Armenia, honoring the city's founders and first residents. A series of monuments represent various figures from Armenia's history.
Parque de la Vida
This public park covers more than 8 hectares, donated by coffee growers on the city's centenary. Heavily wooded, it has a lake, a waterfall, trails, a skating rink and more. Address: Avenida Bolívar and Calle 6 Norte.
Top sights around Armenia
Places to visit from the city of Armenia:
Calarcá
Calarcá is a classic Antioquian-style town with old houses and parks, declared a historic heritage site. This tourist town is 7 km from Armenia.
Circasia
Another pretty town, with low houses and narrow streets. Beside it is the Free Cemetery, famous for its stories. Circasia is 13 km from Armenia.
Filandia
Filandia is another classic coffee-country town, with very well-preserved architecture and lovely views of the mountains and valleys. 25 km from Armenia.
Salento and the Cocora Valley
Salento and the Cocora Valley: the town of Salento is one of the most visited by travelers who come to Armenia. Salento preserves its house architecture beautifully and has a square ringed by shops and taverns. It is the gateway to the Cocora Valley.
The Cocora Valley is a region of great natural beauty where the famous wax palms grow. The valley lies in the upper Quindío River area and is part of Los Nevados National Park, 26 km from Armenia.
- See more: Salento
The National Coffee Park
Created by the National Federation of Coffee Growers, it is the most important coffee-themed park in the world, welcoming thousands of visitors each month to its attractions and shows.
Some of the attractions are: the Bamboo Garden, Traditional Coffee Plot, Peasant House, Indigenous Cemetery, Train Station, Coffee Varieties Garden, Interactive Coffee Museum, Quindian Village, Muleteer's Bridge, Coffee Trail and Lookout Tower.
How to get there: travel to the town of Montenegro (17 km from Armenia) and from there it's 5 km more to the National Coffee Park.
Map of Armenia
Frequently asked questions about Armenia
It is the capital of Quindío, in the heart of the Coffee Region, about 311 km from Bogotá. It is one of the gateways to the Coffee Cultural Landscape.
Through El Edén Airport (domestic flights) or by road from the main cities. Frequent buses leave its terminal for Salento, Filandia and the Cocora Valley.
Visit the Quimbaya Gold Museum (award-winning architecture), Plaza de Bolívar and Founders' Park, and use the city as a base for the National Coffee Park, Panaca and the Cocora Valley.
The National Coffee Park and Panaca (an agricultural theme park), both in Quindío, great for families.
There are hotels in the city and, very popular, coffee farms converted into lodging in the surrounding area, for the full coffee experience.
A mild climate year-round; it can be visited any season, avoiding the rainiest days for the parks and hikes.