Things to do in  Cali

Located on the northern bank of the Cali River, the aptly named Cat Park (Parque del Gato de Tejada) came into being in 1996, when local painter and sculptor Hernando Tejada Sáenz donated his bronze El Gato Rio (The River Cat) sculpture to the city of Cali. The park where the sculpture resides has since welcomed more than a dozen feline friends, so-named “the cat’s girlfriends” (las novias del gato).

With its fragrant rose gardens and water features, Hacienda el Paraíso (Paradise House) lives up to its name. Originally built in 1816 as a base for supervision of the region’s sugarcane plantations, the hacienda became famous in the 19th century when it was used as the setting forMaría, a novel by iconic Colombian writer Jorge Isaacs.

Reigning supreme over Cali from its hilltop perch, the Sebastian de Belalcázar Statue is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Erected in honor of the Spanish conquistador who founded the city in 1536, the statue depicts Belalcázar leaning on his sword and pointing towards the ocean as he admires Cali spread out below.

Serving as the epicenter of Cali’s historic district, the bustling Caycedo Square (Plaza de Caicedo) is a charming mix of classic and contemporary architecture. While also a fitting showcase of modern Cali, the square’s stately architecture lends the square an air of grandeur, with the snow-white facades of the National Palace (Palacio Nacional) and the Metropolitan Cathedral looming over the south and east corners.

A short walk from bustling Caycedo Square (Plaza de Caicedo), San Antonio is hailed as the historic heart of Cali. Crowned by the hilltop San Antonio Church, this lively neighborhood is not only one of Cali’s oldest districts, it’s also its most bohemian. Come here to explore a jumble of cozy cafés, gourmet restaurants, art galleries, designer boutiques, market stalls, and dance clubs blasting salsa until the early hours.

With its white adobe façade, red-brick tower, and an entryway fronted by a set of crumbling stone steps, Cali’s humble San Antonio Church (Iglesia de San Antonio) stands in stark contrast to the fanciful Metropolitan Cathedral just a few blocks east. Perched on a small hill in the lively historic district of San Antonio, the church affords beautiful views of the city.

Abutting the Plaza de Caicedo, the Metropolitan Cathedral is arguably Cali’s most important church, as it is the official seat of the city’s Roman Catholic Archdiocese. Construction of the cathedral began in 1772, although it was not completed until 1841, 69 years later, for political reasons. It was designated as a national monument in 1982.

The former regional capital of Popayán is best known for an abundance of whitewashed buildings, earning it the nicknameCiudad Blanca (White City). Popayán is among Colombia’s best preserved colonial cities, and is home to one of the country’s oldest, most prestigious universities, which counts 16 Colombian presidents among its alumni.

Founded under the order of Sebastián de Belalcázar in 1555, Guadalajara de Buga is one of Colombia’s oldest cities. Guadalajara de Buga—or Buga, as it’s more informally known—attracts more than three million pilgrims a year seeking its salmon-pink Basilica of the Lord of Miracles (Basílica Menor Señor de Los Milagros) and its crucifix, which legend says grew from a small statue to its current life-size version without human intervention.

Located near Santiago de Cali, the Phoenix Air Museum (Museo Aereo Fenix) is the only civil aviation and railroad museum in Colombia. In addition to more than 25 full-sized aircraft, several locomotives, engines, and vintage cars, the museum also houses a large collection of scale models, including aircrafts, airports, and railways.

One of Cali’s most impressive buildings, the National Palace (Palacio Nacional) demands attention from its perch at the head of Caicedo Plaza (Plaza de Cayzedo). Built in 1928, the 4-story palace’s neoclassical design was the work of Belgian architect Joseph Martens, and features an ornate, chalk-white façade capped with a slate-gray roof and dome.

Established in the 16th century, La Merced Church Museum (Iglesia de la Merced) boasts the title of Cali's oldest church. While the exterior is whitewashed and quaint, the interior features a wooden nave, stucco decoration, and a fabulously gilded Baroque altar, which serves as an impressive centerpiece.