La Candelaria

Bogotá

Copyright: Pedro Szekely/cc by-sa 2.0/Flickr (cropped)

DESTINATIONS colombia bogota Do & See 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.

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 meters 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.

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 …

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, the Colombia's colonial and …

Gold Museum

The Gold Museum is the most well-known museum in Bogotá, with 6,000 of artefacts on display and another 49,000 in the archives. Explore pre-Hispanic cultural heritage presented over three floors. Jewellery, masks, bowls, ritual offerings and armour are separated by themes and geographic area. Guided tours are conducted in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese. Check …

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, …

Mount Monserrate

Mount Monserrate

Monserrate is a dramatically high mountain over 3,152 meters (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 …

National Museum of Colombia

National Museum of Colombia

The National Museum of Colombia houses 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 10,000 years BC, up to twentieth century …

Botero Museum

Fernando Botero is known for his peculiar artistic style — he paints portrait and creates sculptures of people, animals, and fruits, but makes them all plump like an exaggerated cherub. Born in Medellín, he's probably the most internationally famous Colombian artist. Enjoy the beautifully renovated colonial house with a lush courtyard and be amused by …

Plaza de Bolívar

Plaza de Bolívar

Plaza de Bolívar is the political heart of Colombia. The massive square is surrounded by the Cathedral of Bogotá, the mayor's office and the Capitol Building. The Palace of Justice, once besieged by the infamous Pablo Escobar, is also here. Just around the corner you'll find the heavily guarded Casa de Nariño — the …

Usaquén Flea Market

Usaquén Flea Market

Every weekend, the sweet little village of Usaquén on the city's edge hosts a flea market. So many beautiful things to decorate your house or to gift to friends back home: blankets, ponchos, pictures, jewellery, antique kitchen stuff, purses, personalised leather bags and famous Colombian mochilas — the list goes on and on. Cash …

Bike Sundays

Every Sunday, Bogotá closes over 100 km of roads for cars and allows cyclist, roller-skaters and joggers to enjoy the city without traffic. It is a marvellous initiative that brings out the young and the old. Rent a bike and join the fun. Make your way to one of the many parks and join …

93rd Street Park

93rd Street Park

Parque 93 is a fairly small but very popular park, located in the rather affluent neighbourhood of Chapinero. The park has green shaded lawns and plenty of space for kinds to run around, plus a playground. You'll find numerous trendy restaurants, cafes and shops on all sides of the …

Graffiti Tour

Bogotá is a major attraction in the world of street art — enough to compete with the likes of Miami, Amsterdam, Río, and México City! You can stroll around and find the graffiti at random, finding surprises around every corner. Or you could join a walking or biking tour of the city and get …

Military Museum of Colombia

Military Museum of Colombia

Military Museum of Colombia is run by the armed forces and aims to show you more than 200 years of the country's military history. You'll see uniforms, flags, weaponry, medals, aircraft, scaled-models of ships and some full-size vehicles. In the two courtyards you can see actual tanks, cannons and …

Museo Santa Clara

Museo Santa Clara

Museo Santa Clara is a former church built in the 17th century. These days it is open as a museum and is jam packed full of beautiful art. You can both discover the colonial-era Baroque architecture and explore temporary modern art exhibitions. Don’t miss the murals and the 950 wooden, hand-carved and gold-foiled flowers …

Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia — MAMU

Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia — MAMU

This art museum showcases local and international artists from the 16th century to the present day. From the numismatist's dream of old coin minting machines to exquisite masterpieces from all over Latin America — this a thoughtfully designed art lover's dream. The galleries of this modernist building seem endless. Along the way, enjoy the …

Bogotá Museum of Modern Art — MAMBO

Bogotá Museum of Modern Art — MAMBO

The MAMBO is a multicultural and dynamic art space that investigates, communicates and exhibits Colombia's cultural heritage and the various expressions of modern and contemporary art. There is no permanent exhibition, but a series of temporary ones spread over the four floors on the gorgeous brick building designed by architect Rogelio …

Cinemateca de Bogotá

Cinemateca de Bogotá

Cinemateca is a fantastic cultural place for movie lovers. The venue has three screens dedicated to showing lesser known, alternative films from Colombia, Latin America and the entire world. The tickets are super cheap and you never know what kind of masterpiece you'll get to watch. Cinemateca also hosts several film festivals every year. Don't …

Bogotá Food Experience

Bogotá Food Experience

Two birds with one stone: walk through the historic streets of Candelaria and experience Bogotá's gastronomy. You will be guided through flavours of several Colombian regions. The tour is always changing and evolving to better showcase seasonal dishes prepared by family-owned businesses. Your guide will make accommodations for vegetarian and vegan guests as long as …

Play Tejo

Tejo (or turmequé) is a popular game that is similar to pétanque or cornhole, only played with a flat puck rather than a ball or a sack. Beer companies and small breweries have been promoting the game as a perfect pastime — and for a good reason! Enjoy a glass or artisanal beer and …