If you ever came across our blog before, you probably know that in addition to travel, I’m also fascinated by history and love writing about some of the oldest cities of human civilization. Before, we have written extensively about the oldest cities in the world, oldest cities in Europe, the oldest cities in Asia, the oldest cities in North America, and the oldest cities in Africa, the oldest road in Britain, the oldest street in Europe, and in this article, we’ll cover the oldest cities in South America that any history buff should visit at least once in their lifetime.
But before we embark on this unforgettable historic journey, first things first…
Helpful Tips For Discovering The Oldest Cities In South America
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Quito, Ecuador
We’re starting our bucket list of oldest cities in South America with Quito, the capital of Ecuador – a city. Quito’s modern story began long before on December 6, 1534, when the city we know today was founded by Sebastián de Benalcázar. That makes this grand old lady nearly 490 years old but its actual indigenous history stretches back even further, as early as the 9th century.
Nestled high in the Andes, it’s a city of breathtaking contrasts with its colonial architecture and modern urban sprawl set against a backdrop of volcanic peaks.
Now, if you’re a fan of ‘firsts’ and ‘oldests,’ Quito will be your cup of tea. It was one of the first cities to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site back in 1978 and walking through the Old Town, with its narrow, winding streets and squares lined with beautifully preserved colonial buildings, you’ll see why.
Cusco, Peru
Originally established as the capital of the Inca Empire, it’s a city where history isn’t just studied; it’s felt in every stone and every breath of the Andean air. Now, Cusco is no ordinary city. Think of it as the Las Vegas of the Inca world – what happened in Cusco, definitely did not stay in Cusco. It was the heart and soul of an empire that stretched from Colombia to Chile for centuries before the arrival of Spanish ships (as early as the 9th century AD).
But, unlike Vegas, Cusco’s glory wasn’t in its neon lights but in its gold – lots of it. When the Spanish conquistadors came trotting in the 16th century, they were so dazzled by the city’s wealth, they decided to rebuild it in their own image, atop the Incan foundations.
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Santa Marta, Colombia
Founded by the Spanish in 1525, this city doesn’t just have history; it’s a history-maker. It holds the title of the oldest surviving city in Colombia and one of the oldest cities in South America. That’s right, Santa Marta has been around the block more times than most, racking up nearly 500 years of stories.
Nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Caribbean Sea, it’s got natural beauty in spades. The city isn’t just a feast for the eyes; it’s a banquet for history buffs. The streets of Santa Marta are a mosaic of colonial architecture and modern Colombian zest. It’s where the past sips coffee with the present.
But Santa Marta is more than its age and good looks. It’s a cultural melting pot, where indigenous, African, and Spanish influences blend into a vibrant cultural tapestry. The city buzzes with life, from its bustling markets, filled with the scent of fresh Colombian coffee and tropical fruits, to its lively plazas that echo with music and local chatter.
Cumana, Venezuela
Often overlooked by most tourist who visit Latin America, Cumana is one of the oldest cities in South America. The modern version of this Venezuelan city was founded in 1515 by Spanish explorers, but it’s likely that the area surrounding the city has been inhabited for at least 500 years prior to this.
Originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, Cumana saw several empires rise and fall, the arrival and departure of the Spanish conquests, and even pirate invasions. Today, Cumana is renowned for its colonial architecture, historic monuments, vibrant street life with bustling markets, and of course- the Caribbean sun and pleasant weather. It’s a place where you can explore ancient forts and then kick back on a sun-soaked beach, all in the same day. Last but not least, one can’t talk about Cumana without mentioning its natural wonders, mainly the nearby Mochima National Park with its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life.
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Sao Vicente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
This list of the oldest cities in South America just couldn’t be complete without Sao Vicente, the oldest city in Brazil and the first Portuguese settlement in America. The city’s history began in 1532 when the city was founded by Portuguese explorer Martim Afonso de Sousa who chose a strategic geolocation quickly turned the new city into one of the most important regional hubs but with time the city was overshadowed by other emerging cities like Sao Paolo that took the role of a regional maritime hub.
Today, Sao Vicente is a relatively small city with a population of 300,000 residents famous for its history, medieval landmarks, iconic churches, amazing food, and of course- a vibrant festival scene, all of which are more than a reason enough to visit this Brazilian gem of a city.
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Lima, Peru
When Pizarro laid the first stone in 1535, he probably didn’t that the city he was building would become the heart of Spanish power in South America for years to come; throughout its history, Lima has been an important historical city- it was the administrative and political center during the colonial era but it was also where the seeds of Peruvian independence were sowed. The city quickly emerged as a regional hub and became a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Indigenous, European, and even African and Asian communities contributing to its rich cultural tapestry.
Today, Lima is nothing short of a bustling metropolis, one of the most important commerce hubs on the continent but also a cultural and political center but the main highlight of the city is the Lima Old Town, with its colonial architecture and grandiose churches, but also modern districts like Miraflores and Barranco that buzz with contemporary life that include art galleries, museums, vibrant nightlife, and sprawling markets.
Piura, Peru
Similar to Lima, Piura was also founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1532 but unlike its more famous cousin, Piura was a bit of a chameleon throughout its history. What I mean by this is that it was initially built as a pit stop for Spanish explorer, at one point it became an agriculture hub and eventually it became a crucial player in Peru’s development, and even one of the first cities in today’s Peru to declare independence from Spain in 1821.
Today, the city is known for its sunny warm climate (hence, the nickname City of the Ethernal Heat), for being an agricultural hub, and for its gorgeous colonial architecture.
Vila Velha, Brazil
Vila Venha is another Brazilian city that made it to our list of oldest cities in South America. SImilar to a few other Brazilian cities, Vila Venha was also founded by Vasco Fernandes Coutinho in the 1530s and it was also attractive because of its potential in the sugar cane cultivation field. However, what started with simple sugar cane cultivation and trade, quickly developed into one of the wealthiest cities in the region.
Today, the city is not one of the biggest nor most grandiose cities in Brazil but it’s still one of the 50 largest cities in the country and one of the most important historical cities not only in Brazil but on the whole continent.
Cali, Colombia
This list of the oldest cities in South America couldn’t be complete without Cali- Colombia’s second-oldest and third-largest city. The city was founded in 1536 by explorer Sebastián de Belalcázar and it started off as a stepping stone in the Spanish conquest of the Andean region.
As years passed the city eventually became an agricultural power hub, then an industrial center (and in between a cocain trade capital) and today, it’s the third largest and most important city in Colombia behind Bogota and Medellin and a city famous for its unique blend of vibrant culture, lively music, and rich history. Cali is synonymous with salsa music and festivals that are more than just events but rather way of life.
Asuncion, Paraguay
Founded in 1537 by Spanish explorer Juan de Salazar y Espinosa, this city has been at the heart of South America’s story for longer than most. Initially, Asuncion started as an agricultural center but as the continent developed it became an important cultural and political center, and ultimately, the capital of the country that we know today as Paraguay.
What sets Asunción apart? It’s a city where past and present coexist in a vibrant dance. The city is speckled with colonial-era buildings like the Palacio de los López, which stand as silent witnesses to its rich history. But Asunción isn’t stuck in time – it’s a city that pulses with contemporary life. Its streets buzz with energy, from the bustling Mercado 4, a labyrinthine market, to the modern business districts where you can see a blend of old-world charm and new-age dynamism.
Bogota, Colombia
Bogotá, the high-altitude heart of Colombia was officially founded by Spanish explorer Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada in 1538, making it the third-oldest city of modern Colombia. Bogotá’s beginnings as a city were humble but the city slowly transformed from a small mountain town that used to be the seat of the Muisca chiefs into a colonial epicenter, and a convergence point for Spanish administrative and religious might. Comfortably situated in the Andean peaks the city was a silent observer to most of the country’s revolutions and rebirths, growing while some of the other larger cities were fading throughout the years.
If this doesn’t paint the picture what sets Bogotá apart is first being one of the rare mountainous capitals in the world but also the city’s historic center, La Candelaria, that can best be described colorful mosaic of colonial architecture, cobbled streets, and art-filled plazas. However, that’s not all, just a stone’s throw away, Bogotá buzzes with contemporary life featuring skyscrapers, thriving cultural scenes, and bustling markets like Paloquemao that offer a sensory overload of colors, flavors, and aromas.
Santiago, Chile
Next on our list of oldest cities in South America we have the Chilean capital of Santiago. The city was founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia in 1541 who chose the fertile lands of the Chilean valley to build new Spanish settlements. SImilar to most other cities on this list, Santiago started small and grew big throughout the years until it ultimately became the capital of the newly founded country of Chile in 1818.
Today, Santiago is a bustling metropolis and one of the richest cities on the continent that offers a lovely mix of the old and the new. The city’s heart, Plaza de Armas showcases Santiago’s colonial past, with historic buildings like the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral but it also serves as proof of the city’s modern vitality with sleek skyscrapers and bustling markets located just a stone’s throw away from some of the city’s most iconic historic landmarks.
Salvador, Brazil
The story of Salvador (Brazil) begins in 1549 when Portuguese explorers first set foot in this part of the continent. Many people forget this but Salvador was actually the first capital of Brazil even though at the time Brazil technically wasn’t a country. The city was probably the most important city in Brazil for Portuguese colonialists which meant that the city also has a dark history of being one of the major stops of the early slave trade.
Today, Salvador is no longer the capital of Brazil but it’s still its fifth-largest city with close to 3 million residents. It’s also home to Olodum which is said to be one of the most beautiful old towns in South America and some of the most beautiful colonial cathedrals and buildings like the baroque São Francisco Church and Convent and a diverse cuisine that mixes indigenous, Spanish, and African flavors.
Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Santiago del Estero is the oldest city in Argentina; its story begins in 1553 when the Spanish first entered the territory of what we know today as Argentina. With its strategic location, Santiago del Estero served as a vital outpost for Spanish expeditions that ventured further into unknown territories and it was here that the mix of Spanish and indigenous cultures started shaping the modern Argentine identity.
Even though it was the earliest modern city in Argentina, today Santiago is only the 12th largest city in the country and it seems like its glory days are way behind it. However, the city remains one of the most beautiful historic cities in Argentina famous for colonial architecture and the unusually high number of parks and plazas that serve not only as green spaces but social hubs where history and daily life intersect.
Cuenca, Ecuador
Last but not least, we’ll conclude this list of the oldest cities in South America with another Ecuadorian city- Cuenca. Founded way back in 1557 by the Spanish conquistador Gil Ramírez Dávalos, the city of Cuenca is one of the oldest cities in South America. Stepping into Cuenca is like opening a novel where the pages are paved with cobblestone streets and the chapters are written on the walls of colonial buildings.
The city’s heart beats in its architecture – a rhythm set by the imposing yet graceful structures like the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception that dominates the city’s skyline with its blue domes like a crown jewel of Cuenca. Also, did you know that Cuenca is the birthplace of the Panama hat? Yep, those stylish hats that somehow ended up with a misleading name! In Cuenca, these hats are a legacy woven into the fabric of local culture crafted with a precision that would make even a Swiss watchmaker nod in approval.
How did you like this list of the oldest cities in South America? Did you ever visit any of them? Which one is your favorite? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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