Villa de Leyva: Tourism, Top Sights & Things to Do in Boyacá
Villa de Leyva is the main tourist destination in the Boyacá department and one of the most picturesque towns in Colombia.
Villa de Leyva has been declared a national heritage site of Colombia for its history, customs, scenery and the architectural value of its buildings.
The town was founded in 1572 and sits on a mountain ridge of the Eastern Andes at 2,140 m. Its climate brings pleasant, sunny days and cool nights.
Villa de Leyva welcomes thousands of travelers each year, especially weekend visitors, making it one of the most visited destinations in Colombia.
How to get to Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva is connected to Tunja and Bogotá by highways that are usually in very good condition.
From Bogotá there are two options: 1) via the highway to Tunja, turning off at the Puente de Boyacá — the shortest route, about 2 hours 30 minutes; 2) via the Chiquinquirá road, which is longer but usually has less traffic.
The distances from Villa de Leyva are: Bogotá 180 km, Tunja 40 km.
Several transport companies (buses, minibuses and taxis) serve Villa de Leyva from Bogotá, Tunja and nearby cities.
Bus companies
Bogotá - Villa de Leyva route
Flota Valle de Tenza
Phone: +57 (1) 428 10 08
Website: flotavalledetenza.com
Trans Alianza
Phone: +57 317 6594962
Website: transalianza.com
Expreso Gaviota
Phone: +57 (1) 2632226
Website: expresogaviota.com.co
Transportes Reina
Phone: 317 661 2780
WhatsApp: +57 316 7431233
Website: transreina.com
Omega
Phone: (+57 1) 4168640 / (+57 1) 7561670
Mobile: (+57) 310 769 3171
Website: omega.com.co
Tunja - Villa de Leyva route
Cootax Tunja
Phone: +57 312 3676755
Facebook: Cootaxtunja
Travel information
Villa de Leyva is a gem worth discovering. The town seems frozen in time, with beautifully preserved architecture and the customs and traditions of its people.
It has a wide range of accommodation, with more than a hundred hotels and guesthouses, plus homes for rent (Airbnb).
The dining scene is also very varied. Many restaurants and hotels have a special charm, and some are run by foreigners who have settled here.
Top sights in Villa de Leyva
Main Square
The Main Square (Plaza Mayor) is the starting point for a walk through the town's streets. This historic square has witnessed many historic events; its cobblestones cover part of the 14,000 square meters that make it the largest square in Colombia. Around it stand buildings of great architectural value. The square has been used to film movies and TV commercials, and it hosts various festivals and celebrations each year.
The Cabildo
The Cabildo faces the Main Square and is one of the best-preserved buildings, a faithful testament to Villa de Leyva's rich history. It is open to the public and works as a museum.
Los Portales
Another building facing the Main Square, notable for its columned gallery. The upper floor houses the town hall, while cafes and shops operate within the gallery. The building was built by Don Juan de Castellanos, a local resident and poet.
Nariño House
The Antonio Nariño House Museum, where Antonio Nariño died on December 13, 1823, now houses a historical museum dedicated to this key figure of Colombian independence.
Address: Carrera 9 No 10-25. Phone: +57 8 7320342.
Facebook: Cmanredes
Instagram: casamuseo_antonionarino
Antonio Ricaurte House Museum
This is the birthplace of Antonio Ricaurte, now a museum dedicated to this important figure in Colombian history. Address: Calle 15 No 8-17. Phone: (1) 4397800 Ext: 2066.
House of the United Provinces
This house hosted the first congress of the United Provinces of New Granada in 1812, which elected Camilo Torres as President. The building belongs to the Villa de Leyva tourism office.
Vargas Tejada House
The home of writer Luis Vargas Tejada.
Royal Liquor Factory
This building housed an old liquor factory in colonial times, with a Spanish coat of arms on its portico. It is a few meters from the Main Square. Address: Calle 13 at Carrera 8.
House of General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla
A house that belonged to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla.
Churches and temples
Villa de Leyva has various churches and religious buildings of great historic, cultural and architectural value.
- San Agustín Church and Convent
- San Francisco Church and Convent
- Convent of the Discalced Carmelites
- Our Lady of Carmen Church
Places to visit from Villa de Leyva
El Infiernito archaeological site
El Infiernito was an astronomical center of the Muisca culture, where you can see various archaeological objects used in their activities. It is 6 km from Villa de Leyva. Address: 4 km from Villa de Leyva, Santa Sofía road. Phone: 3102356079.
Iguaque Lagoon
This lagoon sits at 3,800 meters, surrounded by strikingly beautiful scenery.
El Fósil Paleontology Museum
6 km from Villa de Leyva, this museum displays a 20-meter-long fossil of a dinosaur that lived in Colombia more than 120 million years ago.
Villa de Leyva Desert
On the outskirts of Villa de Leyva lies this arid area where people practice sports such as off-road cycling and motorcycling.
Ráquira
Ráquira is a small town 30 km from Villa de Leyva on the Chiquinquirá road. With a main square and pretty architecture, it is famous for producing textiles and handmade ceramics.
La Candelaria Monastery
Founded in 1604, it was the first monastery on the American continent and now works as a museum. It is 5 km from Ráquira.
Museums in Villa de Leyva
- Maestro Acuña House Museum. Address: Carrera 10 No 12-83. Phone: (578) 7320422 / 3144341379 / 3108843821
- Prehistoric Museum. Address: Calle 13 and Carrera 10. Phone: 314 4341379 / 3108843821
- Paleontological Museum. Address: Km 1, Arcabuco road. Phone: (8) 73200466
- Antonio Nariño House Museum. Address: Carrera 9 No 10-21
- Antonio Ricaurte House Museum. Address: Calle 15 No 8-19
- El Carmen Museum of Religious Art. Address: Calle 14 No 10-73. Phone: 3118495541
- Santo Ecce Homo Convent. Address: Santa Sofía road
- El Fósil Museum. Address: Santa Sofía road. Phone: 310 5700243
Other sights
- Ostrich Farm. Monquirá area
Frequently asked questions about Villa de Leyva
In the Boyacá department, in the Eastern Andes, at 2,140 m above sea level. It is about 180 km from Bogotá and 40 km from Tunja.
From Bogotá (about 2 h 30 min) via the Tunja highway, turning off at the Puente de Boyacá, or via the Chiquinquirá road (longer but with less traffic). There are buses and minibuses from Bogotá, Tunja and nearby cities.
Walk its Plaza Mayor (one of the largest in Colombia) and cobbled streets, visit museums, the El Fósil dinosaur fossil and the El Infiernito site, and take trips to the desert, the Blue Wells, Iguaque Lagoon and the town of Ráquira.
For being one of the best-preserved colonial towns in Colombia, declared a National Monument. Founded in 1572, it seems frozen in time thanks to its architecture and its huge cobbled square.
Because of its altitude, it has pleasant, sunny days and cool nights. Bring a light jacket for the evening.
It can be visited all year. It is very popular for weekend trips and during festivals such as the Kite Festival (August) and the Festival of Lights (December); book ahead on those dates.