Serving as the capital of Quindío, Armenia is a lively city that forms part of Colombia’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed “coffee triangle”. It was founded in 1889 by the jaguar-hunting Jesús María Ocampo and lies along the historic Liberator Pathway used by Simon Bolivar during the independence campaign against Spain.
Things to do in Armenia
Overlooking Plaza de Bolivar is the triangular-shaped Catedral La Inmaculada Concepción, which was completed in 1970 and boasts beautiful stained glass windows. Dating from the 1930s is the Santuario del Sagrado Corazón De Jesús, one of Armenia’s oldest churches and a lively house of worship today. It’s a short stroll from leafy Parque El Bosque, which provides a welcome respite from the bustle of the city centre.
North-east of the city is Parque de la Vida, a scenic recreational space that centres around a duck-filled pond. You can stretch your legs along the walking trails, enjoy a spin on the roller-skating arena or take advantage of the outdoor gym. Coincide your visit with one of the seasonal illumination displays to experience the park after dark.
If you’re interested in the cultural heritage of the region, pay a visit to the Museo del Oro Quimbaya, which was designed by the Colombian architect Rogelio Salmona. It offers a fascinating insight into the societies that inhabited Colombia prior to European arrival. The museum is particularly renowned for its collection of ancient gold artefacts, as well as exhibiting stone sculptures and carvings from the Quimbaya civilisation.
Getting around Armenia
El Edén International Airport is around 30 minutes’ drive from Armenia and has flights to destinations across the Americas. By road, Bogota is just under seven hours away. Buses connect to Armenia from towns and cities throughout Colombia and travel within the city itself.