Park
Plaza de los Comuneros
The main square is the heart of the historic center. Surrounding it are colonial buildings like the Casa de Gobierno and the Casa Obispal, featuring wooden balconies and white facades.
Colombia
Zipaquirá
City
Zipaquirá, about 49 kilometers north of Bogotá, is famous for its underground Salt Cathedral. The trip from the capital can be easily combined with a stroll through its colonial center.
by Felix Gillen
Zipaquirá, about 49 kilometers north of Bogotá, is famous for its underground Salt Cathedral. The trip from the capital can be easily combined with a stroll through its colonial center. Founded in 1600, the city has over 160,000 inhabitants; white facades and wooden balconies earned it the nickname 'ciudad blanca' (white city).
Sights in Zipaquirá
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Church
Salt Cathedral
The Cathedral was hewn from the rock in a salt mine and inaugurated in December 1995; it replaced an older cathedral from 1954, which was closed in 1992 due to safety concerns. At the entrance, 14 small chapels with crosses lead into the Way of the Cross. Check current times and prices at catedraldesal.gov.co.
Museum
Archaeological Museum Zipaquirá
The museum in Parque Villaveces, at the entrance to the Salt Cathedral, displays over 1,000 archaeological pieces from fourteen pre-Hispanic cultures, including Muisca, Tairona, and Quimbaya.
Diocesan Cathedral of Zipaquirá
The cathedral on Plaza de los Comuneros was designed by the Capuchin monk Fray Domingo Petrés.
Restaurants in Zipaquirá
Branch of the traditional Bogotá restaurant on Zipaquirá's Plaza Central. On the menu: ajiaco santafereño, tamal, changua and caldo de costilla.
Food & Drink in Zipaquirá
Zipaquirá is situated in the savanna north of Bogotá and dines like the rest of the Cundinamarca highlands. On the table come bean soup, tamales and the classic breakfast with hot chocolate.
Black bean soup
Bean soup, which local travel reports name as the traditional dish of the place. Many eateries around the main square cook with local ingredients.
Tamal
Filled corn dough, cooked in a banana leaf, a staple of Zipaquirá's cuisine. In Cundinamarca, hot chocolate is enjoyed with it.
Changua
Breakfast soup made from milk, water, egg, and coriander, served with bread. It's a classic start to the day in Cundinamarca and Boyacá.
Chocolate con queso y almojábana
Hot chocolate with cheese pieces, with Almojábana of cornmeal and cheese. This is the typical breakfast around Bogotá.
Salt and History
Even before the arrival of the Spanish, Zipaquirá was an important trading center for salt. The first Salt Cathedral opened in 1954 and closed in 1992. The current cathedral was inaugurated in December 1995.Gabriel García Márquez finished his schooling in Zipaquirá. His former college is now a cultural center.
Arrival and On the Road
Train: The Tren de la Sabana operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, departing from Gran Estación in Bogotá, via Usaquén, to Zipaquirá. The ticket is valid for a round trip; entrance to the Salt Cathedral is not included. Tickets can be purchased in advance via TuBoleta or at the sales counter at La Sabana Station.On Site: You can explore the center around Plaza de los Comuneros on foot.
Accommodations in Zipaquirá
Find perfect stay in Zipaquirá
Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
Search Hotels
Agoda* (Affiliate link)
Search Hotels
Airbnb
Vacation Rentals
* Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.
Plan your trip to Zipaquirá
Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.
- 1
- 2
Plan your trip
The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.
- 3
Use it on the road
Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.
