5 days in Bogotá

Day by day

1. Day 1: Museo del Oro and Plaza de Bolívar

   Museo del Oro, Plaza de Bolívar and Museo Botero, then Teatro Colón in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museo del Oro

      Allow at least two hours, and hire an audio guide or join a free guided tour to understand the cultures behind the objects. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Plaza de Bolívar

      Visit in the morning, then walk up Carrera 7 and Calle 11 towards the Museo Botero. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ajiaco santafereño

      Traditional restaurants in La Candelaria and La Perseverancia market, especially at lunch.

   4. Afternoon

      Museo Botero

      Continue through the connecting buildings to the Casa de Moneda and the Miguel Urrutia Art Museum, also free. (1.5–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Teatro Colón

      The best way to see the interior is to attend a performance; check the programme on arrival.

2. Day 2: Monserrate and La Candelaria street art

   Monserrate, La Candelaria street art and Chorro de Quevedo, then Zona Rosa and Zona T in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Monserrate

      Go early in the morning for the clearest views; the hike is steep at altitude, so acclimatise for a day first. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      La Candelaria street art

      Join a graffiti walking tour led by local artists; they explain the political context and the stories behind each mural. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chocolate santafereño

      Historic cafés in La Candelaria and bakeries across the city, especially in the afternoon.

   4. Afternoon

      Chorro de Quevedo

      Try chicha, the fermented corn drink, in the Callejón del Embudo, but go easy — it can be strong. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Zona Rosa and Zona T

      Upscale bars and clubs around Calle 82 and Carrera 13, busy Thursday to Saturday.

3. Day 3: Museo Nacional de Colombia and Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia

   Museo Nacional de Colombia, Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia and Quinta de Bolívar, then Chapinero in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museo Nacional de Colombia

      Look out for the old prison cells that now serve as small exhibition rooms. (2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia

      Come at lunchtime and choose a busy stall; portions are huge. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Changua

      Traditional breakfast restaurants and markets.

   4. Afternoon

      Quinta de Bolívar

      Combine it with Monserrate, whose lower station is a short walk up the hill. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Chapinero

      Bars, live music and the city's main LGBTQ+ scene, especially along Carrera 13 and side streets.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

   About 1–1.5 hours by bus each way. Getting there: Bus from the Portal Norte TransMilenio station, or an organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

      About 1–1.5 hours by bus (Bus from the Portal Norte TransMilenio station, or an organised tour); about 50 km.

   2. Day

      Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

      An underground church carved deep inside a working salt mine, with the Stations of the Cross, a vast main nave and dramatic lighting. Best for first-timers, families and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Bogotá

      Dinner: try Tamal.

5. Day 5: Iglesia de San Francisco and Usaquén Sunday flea market

   Iglesia de San Francisco, Usaquén Sunday flea market and Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao, then Parque 93 in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Iglesia de San Francisco

      Step in on the way to the Museo del Oro; the plain exterior hides a spectacular interior. (20 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Usaquén Sunday flea market

      Arrive mid-morning, browse, then have lunch at one of the restaurants around the square. (2–3 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tamal

      Bakeries, markets and traditional restaurants, especially on weekends.

   4. Afternoon

      Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao

      Come early, ideally before 9am on a weekday or weekend, for the flower market and the freshest fruit. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Parque 93

      Cocktail bars and lounges around the park, popular with an after-work crowd.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, La Candelaria keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, La Macarena ($$) suits food lovers, culture and couples. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–23 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.8 hours in December to 12.4 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Bogotá
• 2 days in Bogotá
• 3 days in Bogotá

Questions travellers ask