Calle Real is the main pedestrian street in Salento, running from the central plaza uphill to the staircase that leads to the viewpoint. It is the most concentrated expression of the bahareque architecture that characterises this part of Colombia — wooden frames filled with woven bamboo and plaster, painted in vivid combinations of yellow, green, blue, and red, with carved wooden balconies and ironwork details.
The street is lined with craft shops selling bamboo artesanías, leather goods, and woven textiles, and with cafes and restaurants. The quality of the coffee served here is generally excellent — Salento is, after all, in the middle of one of the world's great coffee regions. In the evening the street fills with locals and travellers, and the atmosphere is relaxed and convivial. Walking Calle Real, climbing to the viewpoint, and returning for dinner at one of the restaurants is the standard Salento day.