Free things to do · Bogotá · Colombia
7 free things to do in Bogotá
Bogotá without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Peter Angritt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Bogotá without paying an entry fee: Plaza de Bolívar, Museo Botero, Chorro de Quevedo and Iglesia de San Francisco are all free. The Museo Botero and the other Banco de la República collections in La Candelaria are free, and the Museo del Oro's entry is low.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 8
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- May and September–November
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · La Candelaria
1.Plaza de Bolívar
Visit in the morning, then walk up Carrera 7 and Calle 11 towards the Museo Botero.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Gallery · La Candelaria
2.Museo Botero
Continue through the connecting buildings to the Casa de Moneda and the Miguel Urrutia Art Museum, also free.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Historic site · La Candelaria
3.Chorro de Quevedo
Try chicha, the fermented corn drink, in the Callejón del Embudo, but go easy — it can be strong.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
Religious site · La Candelaria
4.Iglesia de San Francisco
Step in on the way to the Museo del Oro; the plain exterior hides a spectacular interior.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Art
Market · Usaquén
5.Usaquén Sunday flea market
Arrive mid-morning, browse, then have lunch at one of the restaurants around the square.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Free
- Kids
Experience · Citywide
6.Ciclovía
Rent a bike from a shop in La Candelaria or Chapinero, or join a guided bike tour on a Sunday.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
- Kids
Park · Teusaquillo
7.Simón Bolívar Park
Combine it with the Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis nearby.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| La Candelaria | Plaza de Bolívar, Museo Botero, Chorro de Quevedo and Iglesia de San Francisco | 30 minutes + 1.5–2 hours + 45 minutes + 20 minutes |
| Usaquén | Usaquén Sunday flea market | 2–3 hours |
| Citywide | Ciclovía | 2–4 hours |
| Teusaquillo | Simón Bolívar Park | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · La Candelaria
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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
Neighbourhood · La Candelaria
La Candelaria street art
Join a graffiti walking tour led by local artists; they explain the political context and the stories behind each mural.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Photo spot
- History
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Museum · La Macarena
Museo Nacional de Colombia
Look out for the old prison cells that now serve as small exhibition rooms.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Historic site · La Candelaria
Quinta de Bolívar
Combine it with Monserrate, whose lower station is a short walk up the hill.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
Architecture · La Candelaria
Teatro Colón
The best way to see the interior is to attend a performance; check the programme on arrival.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- After dark
- Rainy day
Market · Paloquemao
Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao
Come early, ideally before 9am on a weekday or weekend, for the flower market and the freshest fruit.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Photo spot
- Shopping
Garden · Engativá
Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis
Head for the tropical glasshouse on cold, grey days.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Market · La Macarena
Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia
Come at lunchtime and choose a busy stall; portions are huge.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
More ways to save
- The Museo Botero and the other Banco de la República collections in La Candelaria are free, and the Museo del Oro's entry is low.
- Eat set lunches at local restaurants for a fraction of dinner prices.
- Use TransMilenio outside rush hours instead of taxis for long cross-city trips.
- Business hotels in the north often have lower rates at weekends.
- Take public buses to Zipaquirá and Suesca rather than private tours.
- Use ATMs inside banks or malls and decline dynamic currency conversion.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Bogotá expensive to visit?
Bogotá is affordable for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Bogotá?
Plaza de Bolívar: Visit in the morning, then walk up Carrera 7 and Calle 11 towards the Museo Botero.