A visit to Cali is, without a doubt, a complete experience thanks to the great diversity of activities to do and places to visit. In just one day you can visit the best attractions of the city and take  a wonderful memory of the diversity of Colombia with you.  
 In Cali you find many attractions and experiences of all kinds, cultural, gastronomic, history and religious / Photo: Daytours4u
  In this article you will find the 10 attractions in Cali that you must include in your itinerary so that you can take an unforgettable memory of one of the most beautiful cities in the country.

1- San Antonio neighborhood

The San Antonio neighborhood is one of the most traditional in the city, which stands out mainly for its colonial architecture. Although still largely residential, for several years it is possible to find a wide range of restaurants for all tastes and budgets.  
When walking through the streets of the neighborhood it is interesting to see how residences and commercial businesses still strive to preserve colonial structures and facades / Photo: Las2orillas
 

The most visited in San Antonio is the Loma de la Cruz, a space where you can find handicrafts and is ideal for spending the afternoon. At night, it is usual to listen to the storytellers, who entertain visitors with stories and myths of the city and the neighborhood.

Travel Tip: You can arrive at Loma de la Cruz between 5:30 and 6:30 pm to enjoy the sunset along with a panoramic view of Cali.  

2-Bulevar the Rio

Since its inauguration in 2013, the Bulevar the Rio is a meeting place for the locals and tourists. It is in the center of the city and it is very easy to reach by any means of transport. It has in its vicinity different places of historical interest, monuments, sculptures and parks.  
The river boulevard is an ideal place to walk and enjoy the contrast of city architecture and nature / Photo: Archivo El País - Colombia
  The most prominent is the park of the poets, built to keep a tribute to the poetry of the region. It was inaugurated in 1995 and its protagonists are 5 sculptures by the poets Jorge Isaacs, Carlos Villafañe, Ricardo Nieto, Octavio Gamboa and Octavio Llanos. For the dates of December, the boulevard is filled with Christmas lights and decorations, inviting passers-by to enjoy artistic shows and cultural events for the whole family.  

3- La Ermita Church

One of the main attractions of Cali is the famous La Ermita church, opened in 1948 to replace a chapel destroyed by an earthquake. Located on the west side of the boulevard and on the banks of the Cali River, it welcomes its visitors with an imposing neo-Gothic style and marble altars. It has a musical clock, its stained glass windows are from Amsterdam (Holland) and it conserves images of more than three centuries.  
La Ermita church is an architectural symbol that represents the caleños and is a characteristic postcard of the city / Photo: Occidente.co
  Nearby you also find the Jorge Isaacs Theater, declared a National Monument in 1984; and the El Puente building, a Spanish Renaissance style building, considered of cultural interest in 1969, as well as Architectural Urban Heritage in 1993.  

4- Gato del Rio

This beautiful sculpture is part of one of the works of Colombian artist Hernando Tejada, a gift from his part to the city in 1996. Since then, he adorns the riverside of the Cali River on 4th Avenue and 1st West Street. Ten years after its inauguration and with the intention of recovering the monument and the area, the project Las novias del gato was launched. Each of them has a unique style, embodied by various Colombian artists and due to their great acceptance, they decided to leave to be part of the urban art of the city.  
Each artist must give her a personality and a story to tell her cat. This information is reflected in a poster next to the sculpture / Photo: Daytours4u

5- La Tertulia Museum

It is the first museum of modern art in Colombia and one of the most important in the region. If you are a lover of the seventh art, the La Tertulia museum is a must see. The cinematheque of this museum is one of the most recognized and daily projects selected pieces of independent cinema. It also has permanent exhibitions and gives rise to artistic and cultural exhibitions from different parts of the world.  

6- Cristo Rey (Christ the King)

One of the most precious emblems for the caleños is its statue of Cristo Rey. It can be seen from the four cardinal points of the city and annually receives about 300,000 visitors. With its creation, in 1953, we wanted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the tragic war of a thousand days, which led the country to a strong depression.  
Visiting the Cristo Rey can also be an adventure experience, it is possible to access through safe trails with medium difficulty / Photo: Daytours4u
  This important tourist attraction of Cali is in the famous Cerro los Cristales, named for the amount of quartz stones that were around it. If you are lucky, you can find one of these stones along the way and take an interesting souvenir home. Travel tip: To get to Cristo Rey, take Circunvalar Avenue. Admission is free and parking and restaurants are available.  

7- The dog park

The origin of the statue of the dog "Teddy", located in the main park of the traditional San Fernando neighborhood, has several versions dating back to the 50s. In all versions it is shared that the dog was poisoned and in the face of the great commotion the community, the statue was built in 1970. Currently the park continues to be a meeting place for families and its surroundings have become a gastronomic space, with a wide range of bars, restaurants and boutique clothing stores. Travel tip: We recommend you visit the El Arca restaurant, specialized in offering dishes made with banana, a traditional food in Colombians.  

8- Jairo Varela Square

Salsa is the musical genre that characterizes the caleños and could not miss having a platform that was proof of this. This famous square was conditioned as part of a tribute to Jairo Varela, creator of The Niche group and author of great successes that allowed him to give the city popularity from music.  
From the date this space was set up, it became a meeting point for interesting cultural events aimed at all audiences / Photo: 90minutos.co
  Its imposing sound sculpture refers to thrombus and trumpets and, if you place yourself under it, you will listen to salsa songs that will make you feel part of the city's musical culture, you will love it! Travel tip: Be sure to visit the museum of the Jairo Varela square, admission is free and teaches valuable musical instruments and other curious objects, for example, personal items of Celia Cruz and scores of renowned salsa songs.  

9- Pance River

It is one of the seven rivers that cross Cali and can be easily reached by the road to the town of Pance just 20 minutes from the city. It has several spas and daily locals and tourists can still bathe in its waters. This river is a symbol for the caleños and with certainty everyone has gone at least once to enjoy the water currents and share a day with family and friends.  
Take advantage of your trip through Cali to also know its rural area. On the same road Cali - Buenaventura you arrive at another beautiful place called La Chorrera del Indio and that deserves to be visited / Photo: cali.gov.co
  The most intrepid can make crossings until they reach their birth, in the Farallones of Cali, where cold, fast and crystalline waters arise. It is also ideal for hiking and bird watching. Take note: The Pance River is one of the most important water sources in the city, remember to make responsible use of the spaces, being a guest of honor and contributing positively with your visit to this precious place.  

10- Enrique Buenaventura Municipal Theater

This wonderful theater, located in the historic center of Cali, is another example of the architecture that still retains the city. It has a classic Italian style and is decorated with various works by national and foreign artists. One of the most prominent is the fresco of the plafond, made by the Colombian painter Mauricio Ramelli Andreani. Likewise, part of the foyer's decoration is the work of also Colombian Efraim Martínez, who was inspired by the work of writer Jorge Isaacs, Maria. Travel Tip: If you want to continue contemplating nearby places of interest, next to the Municipal Theater you will find the Calima Gold Museum, the Religious Art Museum and the La Merced Church. The latter is a Spanish colonial construction that has been preserved since the 16th century and is also worth visiting. No matter how long you are going to be in Cali, these 10 tourist attractions will give you a complete experience to enjoy the greatness of the city. Make the most of your stay and book with us a complete City Tour in Cali so that you know, with the best local guides, all its culture, richness and flavor.  
By: Vanessa Figueroa González, caleña passionate about digital marketing and the world of tourism. Professional in International Marketing and advertising.