Jardín, a concentrate of Colombia!

Located 130 kilometres from Medellín, Jardín, also known as “the most beautiful city in Antioquia”, is one of the 17 heritage cities of Colombia. The nature that surrounds it, its culture, its diversity and also its traditions make it one of the most charming and appreciated places for travellers who discover Colombia.

Among its most outstanding features are its colonial architecture, its famous colourful balconies adorned with flowers, its colours and its large main park, which invites social gatherings and offers a pleasant atmosphere to locals and foreigners alike.

In addition to the beauty of its urban area, Jardín has natural areas to discover with enchanting landscapes, waterfalls, lakes and footpaths, which attract those who love adventure, hiking and contact with nature. We offer you a selection of places and activities not to be missed during your visit.

El Libertador Square

In the centre of the town you will find the Plaza El Libertador, the most important square in Jardín. Amidst the brightly coloured colonial buildings is a fountain surrounded by eight small gardens, arranged in flower petals and hosting rose beds. This site, which was declared a National Monument in 1985, is the place where the locals like to meet, to chat over a drink or a coffee, sitting on the colourful chairs of one of the terraces that line the square, a traditional sombrero on their head to protect them from the sun: it’s a real postcard!

Gastronomy

In Jardín you can also discover authentic flavours. The cultivation of sugar cane allows us to taste a wide variety of arequipe, with guanábana or mango for example, but also sweets made from panela and rose petals, not forgetting the basil jam. In addition, you should not miss the tasting of trout raised in the area and served with the famous patacones!

And for coffee lovers, Jardín is located in Antioquia, on the border of the regions of Quindio, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda and Caldas, which constitute the cultural landscape of coffee in Colombia. If you are a coffee lover and want to know more about coffee, we recommend you visit the coffee haciendas where you can learn about coffee culture and taste some of the best vintages in the world…

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

The most imposing building in El Jardín is the church of the Immaculate Conception, which is a Minor Basilica. Its semi-gothic style is characteristic, as is its construction of hand-hewn stones that the faithful brought from a quarry, in remission of their sins. It was built between 1918 and 1942. From its bell tower there is a panoramic view of the municipality and the surrounding mountains.

Observation gardens

For those interested in observing the local flora and fauna, there are two sites where you can do so: Mi Jardín Encantado and el Jardín Natural de Rocas, both of which are private gardens run by friendly and knowledgeable owners. Visitors can see a wonderful array of flowers including many varieties of orchids, butterflies and many birds including Gallitos de Rocas, tanagers and hummingbirds.

The cable car

The small village of Jardín has a cable car that leads to the surrounding hills.

La Garrucha -the most famous- was built to transport people and supplies over the difficult terrain south of the town. Although it continues to serve this purpose, it is now used more as a tourist attraction. The journey through the banana trees, then high above the ground in what looks like a suspended wooden tool shed, may at first glance seem like an adventure from an Indiana Jones film, but it’s an experience you won’t regret!

The walks

There are many options around Jardin, from 3 to more than 7 hours of walking for the most motivated. There are many canyons and waterfalls to discover, including the famous Salto del Angel, the Cueva de los Guacharos and the famous Cueva del Esplendor! Ask about the many options for horseback riding in the region…