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Bogotá

Colombia

Bogotá

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PDF Guide

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

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HomeSouth AmericaColombiaBogotá
BogotáGuide was updated:
Bogotá is the sprawling, high-altitude capital of Colombia. Cradled by chilly and lush Andean peaks, the city features the colonial-era historical centre La Candelaria. Colonial buildings and cobblestone streets attract visitors to explore the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Fernando Botero's art and ornate churches. Bogotá’s monumental government buildings and human-scale brown brick houses are a real treat for architecture lovers. Another major attraction is the city's vibrant and varied nightlife.

Do & See

Colombia's capital is truly packed with touristy things to do. From free walking tours, bike rides, street art and world-class museums to flea markets, culinary gems, colonial and pre-Colombian cultural heritage. Start your day overlooking the city from Mount Monserrate 3,152 metres above the sea level. Explore the cobbled streets and museums of La Candelaria and head to the Chapinero neighbourhood for hip cafes, shops, restaurants and nightlife.
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La Candelaria

La Candelaria

Once a sacred site for the ancient indigenous community of Muiscas, La Candelaria neighbourhood is where Bogotá was founded back in 1538. Naturally, this is the first stop for many tourists. Steep stone streets are lined with colonial buildings that house cafes, restaurants and artisanal shops. Some buildings are showing signs of their long life, while others have been revitalised with colourful street art. You will find major cultural hotspots like the Gold Museum, Museo Botero, the colonial-era cathedral dedicated to the Virgen de la Candelaria and the neoclassical Capitol flanking Bolivar Plaza. Navigate the winding streets of the historical centre yourself or follow a guided tour of La Candelaria.

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Free Walking Tour

Free Walking Tour

You can find free walking tours in most major cities, and Bogotá is not an exception. Most guides will take you through the historic centre of La Candelaria — the creative hotspot of the city set in the winding cobbled streets. You will learn about colonial houses and baroque churches, Colombia's colonial and indigenous past, striking graffiti and the impact of the Colombian drug trade. The most popular free tour is organised by Gran Colombia Tours, but check the link below to find a tour that fits your interests best.

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Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden

Beautifully laid out and maintained botanical gardens. A refuge from Bogotá's hectic traffic, this place is always peaceful and never too crowded. Spectacular tropical greenhouses were completed in 2020 and now offer special exhibitions that feature the various climates and regions of Colombia. Stroll around the pond and try your luck spotting lizards, turtles, ducks, peacocks, and other animals. The small outdoor cafe on the premises serves great spiced coffee. Nature lovers will benefit from a guided tour — a perfect introduction to Colombia's ecosystem.

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Mount Monserrate

Mount Monserrate

Monserrate is a dramatically high mountain over 3,152 metres (10,000 feet) high that dominates the city centre of Bogotá. You can reach the top on foot, but be warned that it won't be the easiest trek of your life because of the altitude. Alternatively, take the cable-car or the funicular. They will safely deliver you to the church with a shrine devoted to El Señor Caído with astonishing views over the city. If you are superstitious, be warned: Colombians believe that couples who visit Monserrate together will never get married.

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National Museum of Colombia

National Museum of Colombia

The National Museum of Colombia is housed in a sprawling 19th century prison built in the style of a fortress. Without a doubt, this is the biggest and oldest museum in Colombia. Permanent exhibitions will introduce you to over 20,000 archaeology and ethnography samples from Colombian treasures dating from 10,000 years BC, up to twentieth century indigenous and Afro-Colombian art and culture. Fine art lovers must not miss the chance to see paintings by masters Débora Arango, Fernando Botero, Enrique Grau, Ignacio Gomez Jaramillo, Santiago Martinez Delgado, Alejandro Obregón, Omar Rayo, Andrés de Santa María and Guillermo Wiedemann.

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