2 Days in Villa de Leyva: 

Villa de Leyva is one of Colombia’s most beautiful colonial towns and one of the most popular weekend escapes from Bogotá. While many visitors arrive on a day trip, I believe spending at least two days here allows you to experience the town at a much more enjoyable pace.

My wife and I recently spent two nights in Villa de Leyva during a trip through Boyacá, and the experience reminded me why slowing down can often be the best way to travel.

From wandering around the enormous Plaza Mayor to exploring nearby towns and enjoying excellent coffee shops, here’s how I would recommend spending two days in Villa de Leyva.

Day 1: Arrive and Explore the Historic Center

One of the great things about Villa de Leyva is that you don’t need a detailed plan immediately after arriving.

The town itself is the attraction.

We arrived in the afternoon and checked into our hotel, which was located just a short walk from the Plaza Mayor.

Within minutes we were out exploring.

Visit the Plaza Mayor

Every first-time visitor should begin here.

The Plaza Mayor is one of the largest cobblestone plazas in South America and serves as the heart of Villa de Leyva.

Spend time walking around the square, taking photos, and simply appreciating the surrounding colonial architecture.

You’ll likely find musicians, families, tourists, and locals all sharing the space.

It’s the perfect introduction to the town.

Check Out the Colonial Streets

One of my favorite activities in Villa de Leyva was simply wandering.

The whitewashed buildings, flower-filled balconies, and cobblestone streets create endless opportunities for photography.

You don’t need a destination.

Just walk.

Some of the best discoveries happen when you turn down a random side street.

Dinner at Chuska

For our first dinner in town, we chose Chuska.

I ordered ribs while my wife selected carne.

The food was good, but what I remember most was the atmosphere afterward.

The evening air was cool, people were out walking, and the town felt relaxed and welcoming.

Enjoy the Evening Atmosphere

Don’t rush back to your hotel.

Villa de Leyva becomes especially charming after sunset.

The plaza lights up, cafés remain active, and residents gather outside to enjoy the evening.

It’s one of the reasons I recommend staying overnight instead of making a quick day trip.

Day 2: Explore Beyond the Plaza

The second day is the perfect opportunity to see more of what the region offers.

Morning: Casa Terracota

Known as the largest piece of pottery in the world, Casa Terracota is one of Villa de Leyva’s most unique attractions.

The clay structure looks like something from a fantasy movie or the Flintstones cartoon and offers fantastic photo opportunities.

Even if you’re not normally interested in architecture, it’s worth seeing.

Midday: Explore Nearby Boyacá Towns

One of the highlights of our trip was taking a local tour through the surrounding area.

This included visits to several nearby communities that gave us a better understanding of Boyacá beyond Villa de Leyva itself.

Ráquira

Ráquira was probably the most memorable stop.

Known as Colombia’s artisan capital, the town is filled with colorful buildings, pottery shops, handicrafts, and local artwork.

Every street seems designed for photography.

If you enjoy browsing local crafts or taking colorful photos, Ráquira is well worth visiting.

Enjoy the Countryside

The drive itself is part of the experience.

Boyacá’s rolling hills, farms, and mountain scenery provide a very different view of Colombia than most international visitors expect.

The landscape feels peaceful and authentic.

Afternoon Coffee Break at Café Jardín

After returning from our tour, we cleaned up and headed to Café Jardín.

This became one of my favorite discoveries during the trip.

The outdoor seating area provided a perfect place to relax while enjoying coffee and dessert.

While my cake didn’t quite match the expectations set by the display photo, the overall atmosphere more than made up for it.

Sometimes travel is about finding places where you’re happy doing absolutely nothing.

This was one of those places.

One of My Favorite Moments in Villa de Leyva

While sitting outside Café Jardín, I found myself paying attention to what was happening around us.

Local residents walked their dogs.

Young adults played soccer in the street with the dogs.

Families gathered together and enjoyed the evening.

What struck me was how relaxed everyone seemed.

Villa de Leyva didn’t feel like a tourist attraction.

It felt like a real community that happened to welcome visitors.

Those simple observations ended up becoming some of my favorite memories from the trip.

Day 3: Breakfast and Departure

Before leaving Villa de Leyva, make time for one final morning.

Return to Café Jardín for Breakfast

The breakfast photos we had seen the day before convinced us to come back.

Thankfully, they lived up to expectations.

The food was excellent, the service was friendly, and the setting was every bit as enjoyable as we remembered.

It was the perfect way to start our final day.

Visit the Chocolate Museum

Located near the Plaza Mayor, the Chocolate Museum is a fun stop before heading out of town.

We had some extra time before our bus departure and decided to explore.

The interior was beautifully decorated and surprisingly photogenic.

Even if you’re only there for a short visit, it’s worth stepping inside.

Walk Through Town One Last Time

One thing I always try to do before leaving a destination is take one final walk.

No schedule.

No checklist.

Just enjoying the place one last time.

Villa de Leyva is perfect for this.

Head Back to Bogotá

After grabbing a couple of sandwiches for the ride, we walked to the bus terminal and began the journey back to Bogotá.

The trip was easy, comfortable, and gave us plenty of time to reflect on a destination that had exceeded our expectations.

Is Two Days Enough for Villa de Leyva?

For most travelers, yes.

Two days gives you enough time to:

• Explore the Plaza Mayor
• Walk the colonial streets
• Visit nearby attractions
• Experience local cafés
• Enjoy the evening atmosphere
• Take a day trip to Ráquira

If you have additional time, you could easily spend another day or two exploring more of Boyacá.

However, a two-day itinerary provides an excellent introduction to the region.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a destination that combines history, culture, scenery, and a slower pace of life, Villa de Leyva is hard to beat.

Two days allows you to experience both the town itself and the surrounding region without feeling rushed.

For me, the best part wasn’t necessarily a specific attraction.

It was sitting outside with a coffee, watching daily life unfold in one of Colombia’s most charming towns.

That’s what makes Villa de Leyva special.

Check out more:

• Villa de Leyva Travel Guide
• Is Villa de Leyva Worth Visiting?
• Bogotá to Villa de Leyva by Bus
• Bogotá Travel Guide
• Colombia Travel Guide