Introduction: when Cali looked to the future
If you walk along Avenida 2 Norte between calles 24 and 28, you'll encounter a different kind of silence. It's not the hustle and bustle of downtown nor the noise of the highway. It's the Centenario neighborhood, a fragment of Cali from the 1920s and 30s that survived modernity almost intact. Here, the buildings are not just pretty facades: they are witnesses to when the city stopped being a large town to become the capital of the Valle. In May 2026, while the city grows south and west, Centenario remains an open-air museum that few know well.
The neighborhood was born between 1920 and 1940, just when Cali was celebrating its first 400 years. The Caleño elite, inspired by the Republican and Art Deco architectural currents arriving from Europe and the United States, commissioned houses and buildings that mixed exposed brick, wrought iron balconies, and Spanish tile roofs. The old neighborhood plan, still preserved in the Archivo Histórico de Cali, shows a perfect grid of blocks, with Avenida 2 Norte as its backbone. Today, walking there is like opening a 3D photo album.
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What makes Centenario unique is not just its architecture: it's that many of those buildings still stand with their original uses. While other historic neighborhoods in Cali were demolished or remodeled without criteria, Centenario remained firm, thanks to its owners (traditional families and the State) not yielding to real estate pressure. This makes it a living laboratory for architects, historians, urban photographers, and anyone who wants to understand what life was like in old Cali.
What to do: a tour of 5 emblematic buildings
If you come with a camera in hand or a notebook, Centenario gives you plenty of material. Here are five must-see stops, each with its own story and architectural details worth observing calmly.
Edificio Furatena (Carrera 5 # 25-35)
It is the icon of the neighborhood. Built in 1935 by Italian architect Giovanni Rota, the Furatena was the first luxury apartment building in Cali. Its facade combines Art Deco elements (geometric lines, vertical windows) with neoclassical touches on the column capitals. Inside, the marble floors and bronze railings still shine. The most curious thing: the name comes from a Chibcha goddess, a nod to the indigenist fashion of the time. Today it functions as housing and offices, but you can enter the lobby without issue. The owners are friendly if you ask permission to take photos.
Fun fact: In the 1950s, the Furatena had the first private elevator in the city. Neighbors called it "the building that goes up by itself."
Banco de la República (Avenida 2 Norte # 26-20)
This branch of the Banco de la República, inaugurated in 1938, is an example of Republican institutional architecture. The exposed brick facade with white cement moldings, the semicircular arches on the windows, and the national coat of arms at the entrance make you feel like you're in a chapter of national history. Inside, there is a small permanent exhibition on the economic history of Cali, with old banknotes and photos from the era. Admission is free, and it's open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.
For the photographer: The afternoon light hits the facade just right, creating long shadows that highlight the brick textures. It's the best time to shoot.
Hotel Alférez Real (Calle 26 # 3-45)
Inaugurated in 1942 as the first luxury hotel in Cali, the Alférez Real is a monument to the California colonial style that became fashionable in the 1940s. Its white facade with red tiles, carved wooden balconies, and an interior courtyard with a fountain make it an oasis. Although it no longer operates as a hotel (it is now an event center and offices), you can enter the courtyard if you ask at the reception. The original hydraulic tile floors and wrought iron lamps are unmissable.
Local anecdote: They say that in the 1950s, the hotel hosted several Hollywood stars who came to film movies in the Valle. No one confirms the rumor, but neighbors swear they saw John Wayne at the reception.
Casa de la Cultura (Carrera 4 # 26-12)
This mansion from 1928, which belonged to the Londoño family, is a perfect example of Republican domestic architecture. It has two floors, a hallway with wrought iron grilles, an interior courtyard with a garden, and a wooden staircase that creaks as you go up. Today it is the Casa de la Cultura de Centenario, where they organize photography workshops, art exhibitions, and history talks. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Ask for doña Marta, the administrator, who will tell you the history of the house in great detail.
Recommendation: If you come on a Saturday morning, they sometimes offer free guided tours of the neighborhood. Ask at the entrance or call ahead.
Edificio de la Gobernación del Valle (Avenida 2 Norte # 25-50)
Don't be fooled by the name: this auxiliary branch of the Gobernación, built in 1936, is a jewel of the Neocolonial style. The facade combines semicircular arches, Solomonic columns, and a continuous balcony reminiscent of viceregal palaces. Inside, the main hall has a mural by Caleño painter Hernando Tejada that narrates the history of the Valle. Entry is restricted (it's a government building), but you can see it from the street and take photos of the facade without issue.
Useful tip: Across the street, there is a small square with stone benches, ideal for sitting down to draw or write while observing the neighborhood's movement.
Where to eat or drink: stops to recharge your energy
After walking and taking photos, hunger and thirst set in. Centenario is not a gastronomic area like Parque del Perro or Avenida Sexta, but it has authentic options worth knowing.
Panadería El Centenario (Calle 26 # 4-20)
A neighborhood bakery that has been open for over 50 years. They sell pan de yuca, almojábanas, pandebonos, and the best pandequeso in the area. They also have brewed coffee and natural juices. A full breakfast (bread, cheese, coffee) costs around $12,000 COP. They are open Monday to Saturday from 6am to 7pm. The smell of freshly baked bread greets you from the corner.
Restaurante La Antigua (Carrera 3 # 25-10)
A typical Colombian food restaurant operating in a restored house from the 1930s. The menu changes daily, but there is always bandeja paisa, sancocho de gallina, and sobrebarriga. Prices range from $18,000 to $25,000 COP per dish. The atmosphere is family-friendly, and the service is slow but friendly. They are open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 8pm.
Café de la Esquina (Avenida 2 Norte # 26-30)
A small but cozy café, with tables on the sidewalk and a decoration that mixes antique furniture with plants. They serve Colombian origin coffee (farms from Cauca and Huila), cappuccinos, and homemade desserts like carrot cake and chocolate brownie. A latte costs $5,000 COP. It's the perfect place to review the photos you took while you rest. They are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.
How to get there and transportation: getting to Centenario
Getting to the Centenario neighborhood is easy from any point in Cali. These are the most practical options:
- By MÍO (articulated bus): Take the Troncal Norte-Sur line (route T31 or T47) and get off at the "Centenario" station. The station is right on Avenida 2 Norte, half a block from the main buildings. The fare is $2,800 COP (2026 rate).
- By taxi or app (Uber, DiDi): From downtown, the trip costs between $6,000 and $8,000 COP. From the south of the city (neighborhoods like Ciudad Jardín or El Ingenio), the price goes up to $15,000-$20,000 COP. Ask to be dropped off at the corner of Avenida 2 Norte and Calle 26.
- By private car: There is street parking (free in some areas, but be careful not to leave visible objects) and a private parking lot at Carrera 4 # 25-30 that charges $3,000 COP per hour.
- On foot: If you are in the historic center (Plaza de Cayzedo), it's only a 15-minute walk north along Carrera 4 or Avenida 2 Norte. It's a pleasant walk, with trees and old houses along the way.
Local tips: how to make the most of your visit
Here are recommendations that only a local would give you, based on years of exploring the neighborhood:
- Bring your camera (or a phone with a good camera) and a wide-angle lens if you have one. The facades are tall and the streets narrow; the wide-angle lens lets you capture the entire building without having to cross the street.
- Visit on a weekday morning (from 8am to 11am). There is less pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and the light is soft for photos. On weekends, the neighborhood is quieter, but some buildings (like the Banco de la República) are closed.
- Bring cash in small bills. The bakery and café accept cards, but some street vendors and the parking lot only take cash.
- Don't forget sunscreen and a bottle of water. Walking under the Caleño sun (which hits hard even at 9am) can be exhausting. There are few shadows on the sidewalks.
- If you like history, bring a notebook to jot down the stories the neighbors tell you. The elderly people in the neighborhood (those who have lived there since the 1950s) have anecdotes that don't appear in any book.
- Respect private properties. Many buildings are homes or offices. If you want to enter a lobby or courtyard, ask permission politely. People are receptive if you show genuine interest.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centenario neighborhood safe to walk alone?
Yes, especially during the day. It is a quiet area, with little street crime compared to downtown. As anywhere in Cali, avoid displaying valuables and do not walk on dark streets after 7pm. The blocks around Avenida 2 Norte are the safest.
Are there official guided tours of the neighborhood?
There is no company offering regular tours, but the Casa de la Cultura (Carrera 4 # 26-12) organizes free tours every second Saturday of the month at 10am. You can also hire independent art history guides who offer heritage walks; search on social media for "Ruta Patrimonial Cali" or "Cali Histórica."
Can you enter the historic buildings or only see them from outside?
It depends on the building. The Banco de la República and the Casa de la Cultura have public access. The Edificio Furatena allows entry to the lobby, but not to the apartments. The Hotel Alférez Real only opens the courtyard if you ask permission at the reception. The Gobernación has restricted access. Always ask before entering; most places are friendly if you show respect.
How much time is needed to tour the entire neighborhood?
Taking it easy, taking photos, and entering open buildings, calculate between 2 and 3 hours. If you only want to see the facades from the street, you can do a full loop in 1 hour. I recommend starting on Avenida 2 Norte and then branching off onto carreras 3, 4, and 5.
Is there a map or printed guide of the neighborhood?
There is no official guide for sale, but at the Casa de la Cultura they sometimes have photocopies of a heritage sketch made by architecture students from the Universidad del Valle. Ask at the reception. You can also download a digital map on the Cali Mayor's Office website, in the Heritage section.