Plaza de San Nicolas
Cl. 33 #4128, Barranquilla, Colomba
Presided over by the candy-colored St. Nicholas Church, Plaza de San Nicolas is the beating heart of Barranquilla on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. As well as the neo-Gothic church, the square is home to neo-classical and colonial architecture and is frequented by street food vendors and performers.
The basics
Plaza de San Nicolas is a staple of Barranquilla sightseeing tours thanks to its historical significance and central location. These excursions often include time to wander Plaza de San Nicolas alongside other highlights, such as Monumento Ventana al Mundo (Window to the World), a brightly-colored, avant-garde landmark that symbolizes the city’s modernity, and Museo del Carnaval, which traces the history and culture of Barranquilla through colorful multimedia exhibits and costumes.
Things to know before you go
There are several hotels on Plaza de San Nicolas.
Be sure to sample a jugo de sandia (watermelon juice) from a vendor on the square; vendors typically only accept cash.
Plaza de San Nicolas is wheelchair-accessible.
How to get there
Plaza de San Nicolas is in central Barranquilla, 7 miles (12 kilometers) from the international airport. It’s a 25-minute drive via Avenida Boyacá; there’s no public transport, so your best option is to use a rideshare app. Once you’re there, Barranquilla’s center is an easy place to explore on foot.
When to get there
Plaza de San Nicolas is a 24-7 destination as it’s a public square. The best time to visit is during the day on a weekend to grab a street food lunch, as this is when most vendors congregate. Barranquilla enjoys the most pleasant weather in the summer months, typically from November through March.
What to see at St. Nicholas Church
With its ornate peaches-and-cream exterior, St. Nicholas Church (Iglesia de San Nicolás) is one of Branquilla’s architectural highlights. It was declared a National Culture Site by the Ministry of Culture in 2005, not only for its neo-Gothic facade, but for the grandeur of the altarpiece and pulpit inside.
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