Top 8 Things to See & Do in Bogotá, Colombia
Colombia's most cosmopolitan city features a mix of old and new, local and international attractions. Get to the heart of Bogotá with Jacqui, as she shares her top things to do in her home town.
Photo © iStock
La Candelaria, Bogota's Historical Center
Spectacular Views of Bogota
José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden
The Northern Suburbs: Chapinero and Zona Rosa
Plaza de Mercado Paloquemao
Tours Taking it to the Street
Take a walk along the narrow streets of La Candelaria, Bogotá's historical center and home to many museums and fascinating sights.
Visit the famous Gold Museum. A large collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts, gold and metal works are on display here, and the exhibits are expertly curated to take you on an informative trip through Colombia's ancient cultures.
Also a must-see is Bogota's most popular art museum, the Botero Museum. The exaggerated "Boterismo" works of accomplished Colombian artist Fernando Botero, along with Dalí and Picasso, are on display here.
On the way to admire the colonial architecture of Plaza de Bolívar – surrounded by the Palace of Justice and the Cathedral of Bogota – stop off at the city's oldest cafe, La Falsa Puerta for hot chocolate and cheese.
Give the local ritual a try, too: Throw the cheese into your hot chocolate and scoop up the resulting melted goodness with a spoon. It's surprisingly delicious.
To comprehend this massive, sprawling city from above, there are two options. The cheapest and easiest way is to reach the top floor of the Colpatria Tower – a 50-floor skyscraper that offers a 360-degree panorama of the metropolis.
For spectacular views of not only the city but the surrounding mountains, take the cable car up to Cerro de Monserrate, which sits at 3,152m (10,340ft). Arrive just before sunset to enjoy the evening sky as night takes over. While you're here, stop in at Casa Santa Clara – a restaurant specializing in typical Colombian food and drinks.
Escape the chaotic streets of Bogota and take an easy stroll to observe flora unique to the Colombian Andes, Amazon, and the Guajira desert in the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden.
With a collection of more than 19,000 plants from all over Colombia, the garden is the country's largest botanical garden and acts as both a recreational green space and a research center.
In the north of the city lies the colonial neighborhood of Usaquén.The wonderfully preserved colonial buildings are now full of restaurants, cafes, and bars, offering a wide range of national and international cuisine.
Every Sunday, Usaquén hosts a Flea Market, filling the streets with dozens of stalls selling handmade arts and crafts.
For a chance to experience the trendy side of Bogota, hang out in the neighborhoods in Chapinero and Zona Rosa, where glam meets hipsters in a very stylish way.
The area is overflowing with pubs, cafes, restaurants, and shopping centers.
As the meeting point for all Colombian produce, a visit to Bogota's largest market, Plaza de Mercado Paloquemao, provides an authentic Colombian culinary experience. It's a definite must for foodies.
Bring along small notes and coins, and spend a couple of hours trying fresh tropical fruits that can only be found in Colombia, snack on street food, and inhale the fragrances of thousands of different flowers.
Septima Challenge
For a chance to get intimate with Bogota and to connect and socialize with locals in a crazy cultural scavenger hunt, sign up for the Sunday Septima Challenge, organized by Bogotá-based tour agency, Bogota & Beyond.
Teams of four to five are given a list of fun challenges to complete within three hours along Carrera 7, which is closed to cars on Sundays.
These tasks may include taking a photo of a dog in a Colombian soccer jersey, a video of a teammate dancing salsa with a local, or of a couple kissing.
Bogota Graffiti Tour
Discover Bogota's vibrant street-art scene and the culture surrounding it. The walking tour is led by local artists who'll share with you the stories behind these powerful murals, as well as interesting insights into the politics and the history of graffiti in Bogota.
By Jacqui de Klerk,
World Nomads Contributor - Mon, 15 Apr 2019
A Traveler's Guide to Getting Around Bogota
How to get around Bogota like a local, from buses and taxis, to Uber and TransMilenio.
7 Outdoor Adventures Outside Bogotá's City Walls
Beyond the hills of the huge, fast-paced city of Bogotá awaits several adventures that'll bring you much closer to the culture and rolling hills of the Andean countryside.
3 Ways to Explore Colombia's Amazon Basin
Our insider Chris knows where to go in Colombia's undiscovered Amazon basin.
Landon said 7 months ago
Hi I am from Colombia and this was not very accurate please stop posting and leave country alone please!!!!!!
[email protected] said 7 months ago
Hi Landon,
If you're willing to share, we'd love to hear about your favorite things to see and do in Bogota – a local insider's knowledge is always best. While our writer does live in Bogota, perhaps she enjoys exploring Bogota in a different way to you?
Dominick Barber said 6 weeks ago
Wow... Landon lighten up and try not to be so angry. 鷺 I like zip lining ,dirt bike & horse back riding. Forget the long walks on the beach. Where is a gd place to rent Dirt Bikes?
Download our free Insiders' Guide to Colombia