Last updated on .
Pereira may not be famous for tourist attractions, but its city center has a few highlights that are worth exploring.
Plaza de Bolívar
Plaza de Bolívar is the main square in Pereira and the best place to start exploring the city center. It’s a lively open space surrounded by office buildings, banks, hotels, shops, and cafés, and it always feels like the heart of the city.
The city was founded at Plaza de Bolívar and grew outward from it. In its early days, the homes of Pereira’s most influential families surrounded the square, making it the center of both political and social life.
Naked Bolívar
At one end of the square stands one of Pereira’s most striking landmarks: a monument to Simón Bolívar (1783–1830) known as Naked Bolívar (Bolívar Desnudo). It depicts the liberator riding a horse in all his glory.
The statue was erected in 1963 and was created by Colombian sculptor Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt (1919–1995) with engineer Guillermo González Zuleta (1916–1995). Today, it’s one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Poverty
On the opposite end of the square stands the Cathedral of Our Lady of Poverty (Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Pobreza), the city’s main church and one of its most important landmarks.
The cathedral was built between 1875 and 1890, making it one of the oldest buildings in the Pereira city center. Inside, the most impressive feature is the ceiling, with its exposed wooden beams.
Pereira City Hall
On the northeast corner of Plaza de Bolívar stands Pereira City Hall, a large government complex that anchors this side of the square. The ground floor is occupied by a bank, making the building part civic center and part everyday business hub. The current complex dates to around 1935, when the Pereira’s original municipal house had already become too small for the city’s rapid growth.
Braulio Londoño Building
On the southeast corner of the square stands the Braulio Londoño Building (Edificio Braulio Londoño). Constructed between 1948 and 1953 as the local offices of the Colombian Life Insurance Company, it’s historically significant because Pereira was founded on this very site.
Parque El Lago
Parque El Lago is a small park a few blocks west of Plaza de Bolívar. With a fountain and pond at its center, it’s usually packed with street vendors and is one of the liveliest public spaces in the area. It’s a great place for people watching, but you should take care late at night.
The park has gone through several name changes over the years. It was originally called Plaza de la Concordia, then Plazuela de Colón, before becoming Parque de los Novios in 1960. Later, it was renamed Parque El Lago Uribe Uribe in honor of General Rafael Uribe Uribe (1859–1914).
El Claret Church
On the north side of Parque El Lago stands El Claret Church (Iglesia El Claret), one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks. With its brick façade and prominent central tower, it stands out clearly from the surrounding buildings. Construction began in 1947, making it a mid-20th-century addition to the Pereira city center and a reminder of the rapid growth during that period.
Parque de la Libertad
Parque de la Libertad (Freedom Park) is located a few blocks east of Plaza de Bolívar. Once considered off-limits, it’s been cleaned up a lot, and safety is much better today. That said, there’s no real reason to go out of your way to visit.
Our Lady of La Valvanera
Our Lady of La Valvanera is the most prominent building at Parque de la Libertad. Built in 1935, it features Art Deco elements that make it stand out among adjacent buildings.
Plaza Victoria
Plaza Victoria is another square in the city center of Pereira, located just a couple of blocks south of Plaza de Bolívar. It’s anchored by the Victoria Mall and the Lucy Tejada Cultural Center, and the south end is usually lined with booths selling crafts and souvenirs.
From the upper floors of either building, you can enjoy nice views of the city. Plaza Victoria also makes a convenient starting point for exploring farther out — from here, you can catch a chiva to La Florida and the Otún Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary.
Lucy Tejada Cultural Center
The Lucy Tejada Cultural Center (Centro Cultural Lucy Tejada) is named for Lucy Tejada (1920–2011), a local artist who gained international recognition starting in the 1950s. The center houses the city’s library as well as the Lucy Tejada Museum.
Lucy Tejada Museum
The Lucy Tejada Museum (Museo Lucy Tejada) opened in 2019 to commemorate the life and work of the artist. Admission is free (as of July 2024), and it’s open daily except Sundays.
The museum displays 163 works donated by Tejada’s family after her death. The pieces are presented in the original series and order envisioned by the artist, offering visitors a sense of her creative vision. All information in the museum is in Spanish.
Departmental Revenue Building
On the northwest corner of Plaza Victoria stands the Departmental Revenue Building (Edificio de Rentas Departamentales), one of the city’s most attractive historic structures. Completed in 1927, it’s a standout example of early 20th-century architecture in Pereira and adds a touch of elegance to the square.
Parque Olaya Herrera
Parque Olaya Herrera, a green space that’s popular with locals, is a five blocks south of Plaza de Bolívar. Founded in 1930, it’s the largest park in the city and was named after Colombian President Enrique Olaya Herrera (1880–1937) following his visit in 1932.
The park features an obelisk at its center along with several smaller monuments. Bronze sculptures, including Niña con Ánfora (Girl with Amphora) and Diana de Gabies, were brought from France by Lino Mazuera. On the west end, there’s a basketball court.
Risaralda Government Building
At the east end of the park stands the Risaralda Government Building (Gobernación de Risaralda). This brutalist structure, designed by Colombian architect Laureano Forero, was completed in the 1970s after the creation of the Risaralda Department in 1967.
Pereira Railway Station
The old Pereira railway station sits at the southeast corner of Parque Olaya Herrera. Built in 1921, it was part of the Caldas Railway (Ferrocarril de Caldas), which operated from 1911 to 1959. Today, the building is used as a branch of SENA, an educational service. Next to the station, a caboose has been converted into a restaurant and café.
Other Points of Interest in the Pereira City Center
There are a few attractions outside the parks and plazas in the area.
Casa Ochoa
Casa Ochoa, built in the 1920s, is a historic building located about halfway between Parque El Lago and Plaza de Bolívar, right along one of the main routes through the city center.
Diario del Otún Building
Two blocks west of Plaza Victoria stands the Diario del Otún Building (Edificio Diario del Otún), the tallest building in Pereira at 23 stories. It houses the offices of El Diario, a local news outlet founded in 1982, and is a striking modern contrast to the historic architecture in the area.
In Search of the Light
Right in front of the Diario del Otún Building is the sculpture In Search of the Light (En Busca de la Luz). Created in 1995 by Colombian artist Jaime Mejía Jaramillo, the piece stands 8 meters tall.
Palacio Nacional de Pereira
Across the street stands the Palacio Nacional de Pereira. The Ministry of Public Works began planning the building in 1944, and construction officially started in 1947. Built in several stages over multiple years, the palace was an important addition to the city’s civic landscape. It suffered severe damage during the 1999 earthquake, forcing it to be vacated and undergo extensive repairs.
Abandoned Carmelite Monastery
A few blocks west along Avenida 30 de Agosto, you’ll come across the abandoned Carmelite Monastery (Monasterio Carmelitas). It was founded on June 18, 1943, by a group of Carmelite nuns from the Monastery of San José in Medellín.
The monastery opened in 1946 and remained in operation until February 1993, when the nuns moved to a new complex on the road to Armenia. Since then, it has fallen into disrepair, suffering earthquake damage on February 8, 1995, and January 25, 1999, and has been vandalized over the years.
Pereira Art Museum
Art lovers will enjoy the Pereira Art Museum (Museo de Arte de Pereira). I was surprised by it myself — I’m not usually drawn to modern art, but the temporary exhibits on display were attention-grabbing, and for once, I actually understood the message behind the work. Admission for foreigners is COP$10,000 per person (as of July 2025), and the museum is closed on Mondays. It’s located south of the city center, near the bus terminal.
Avenida Circunvalar
Avenida Circunvalar is Pereira’s main entertainment district. Several of the city’s top hotels and restaurants are located along this street, and there are also a few points of interest worth checking out. I’ll go from west to east, so you can follow along as you explore.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel / Church of San José
At the west end of Circunvalar, across from the Movich Hotel, stands one of the most beautiful churches in Pereira: the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen). This Neo-Gothic church could easily fit in France. It was built in the early 1950s, and the first mass was celebrated on March 19, 1954. It’s also known locally as the Church of San José (Iglesia de San José).
If the church is open, it’s worth stepping inside to admire the stained glass windows. During the holiday season, the exterior is often beautifully lit. Fun personal note: Marisol and I were married here in December 2016.
La Calle del Encuentro
Just around the corner to the north, between Circunvalar and Plaza Victoria, is La Calle del Encuentro. This colorful, pedestrianized street comes alive in the evenings, lined with outdoor bars and cafés. Both the street and the buildings are decorated with murals, making it a lively and photogenic spot.
Monument to the Founders
A little further down the street is the Monument to the Founders (Monumento a los Fundadores). Created by Colombian sculptor Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt (1919–1995) in 1965, it commemorates the city’s founders. Every August 30, on the anniversary of Pereira’s foundation, a flowered wreath is placed at the monument.
Casa de Alfonso Jaramillo
On the same block is the Casa de Alfonso Jaramillo, also home to Hotel Boutique Don Alfonso. This mansion, built in 1948, belonged to Dionisia Bernal and Alfonso Jaramillo Gutiérrez. Jaramillo was a pioneer of public utilities in Pereira and advocated for the construction of a market building. He’s also credited with bringing the first automobile to the city in 1914.
Parque La Julia
Further along is Parque La Julia, built in 2019. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, this park used to be a separate road off Circunvalar but is now fully pedestrianized. The park features a small playground and picnic tables in the center.
Parque Arboleda
A couple of blocks later is Parque Arboleda, Pereira’s best shopping mall. The mall includes several high-end stores, a large food court, and a handful of good restaurants.
Parque La Rebeca
Near the end of Circunvalar is Parque La Rebeca, a small park with a central fountain and playground.
Parque El Vigilante
Finally, a block north of Parque La Rebeca is Parque El Vigilante. Another small park, it’s surrounded by bars and some of Pereira’s top restaurants. In one corner, you’ll find a statue of a sleeping watchman.
Álamos
Álamos is an upscale, mostly residential neighborhood south of Pereira’s city center. The main attraction is the UTP Botanical Garden, but there are also a few decent restaurants if you’re in the area.
Cerro Canceles
Head up to the top of Cerro Canceles, on the east end of Pereira, for spectacular panoramic views of the city center. It’s just a few minutes east of Circunvalar. The hill opened to the public on December 6, 2020.
On the way up, you’ll find booths selling coffee, snacks, and local crafts. The hill was once home to ancient human settlements, so there are also archaeological exhibits displaying some of the findings.
At the top, there’s a small area with benches where you can take in the best views of Pereira. Cultural activities and events — like movie nights — are often organized there, weather permitting.
From the viewpoint, you can see the city spread out below: to the west lies Pereira’s city center, to the north is Dosquebradas, and to the east and south are natural surroundings.
