Cauca

Popayán is the capital of the Cauca department in southwestern Colombia and one of the country's best-preserved colonial cities. Known as "La Ciudad Blanca" for its whitewashed historic centre, it was founded in 1537 by Sebastián de Belalcázar and remains an important cultural and university city.

The historic centre clusters around Parque Caldas and landmarks such as the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, the Torre del Reloj clock tower and the Church of San Francisco. El Morro del Tulcán, a pre-Hispanic pyramid, overlooks the city and recalls the region's indigenous past, while the city's Holy Week processions are inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

The University of Cauca, founded in 1827, gives the city a strong student presence. Neighbourhoods around the Centro Histórico offer historic streets, cafés and everyday local life, while Puracé National Natural Park and the Coconuco hot springs lie within reach for day trips.

Popayán is also Colombia's first UNESCO City of Gastronomy, with distinctive dishes such as empanadas de pipián, tamales de pipián and carantanta. Its government, education and agricultural sectors support business travel, while the mild climate and compact centre make it easy to explore on foot.