Things to do · Bogotá · Colombia
17 best things to do in Bogotá
17 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Felipe Restrepo Acosta, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Bogotá are Museo del Oro, Monserrate and Plaza de Bolívar. Of the 17 picks below, 7 are free, 5 work on a rainy day and 6 suit children. Allow about 4 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Museo del Oro
- Free sights
- 7
- Good on a rainy day
- Museo del Oro
- Time to see the highlights
- 4 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Museo del Oro | La Candelaria | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
| Monserrate | Cerros Orientales | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Plaza de Bolívar | La Candelaria | 30 minutes | Free |
| Museo Botero | La Candelaria | 1.5–2 hours | Free |
| La Candelaria street art | La Candelaria | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
| Chorro de Quevedo | La Candelaria | 45 minutes | Free |
| Museo Nacional de Colombia | La Macarena | 2 hours | Low cost |
| Quinta de Bolívar | La Candelaria | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Iglesia de San Francisco | La Candelaria | 20 minutes | Free |
| Teatro Colón | La Candelaria | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Usaquén Sunday flea market | Usaquén | 2–3 hours | Free |
| Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao | Paloquemao | 1.5–2 hours | Low cost |
| Ciclovía | Citywide | 2–4 hours | Free |
| Simón Bolívar Park | Teusaquillo | 2 hours | Free |
| Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis | Engativá | 2 hours | Low cost |
| Maloka | Ciudad Salitre | 3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia | La Macarena | 1 hour | Low cost |
The 17 best things to do
Museum · La Candelaria
1.Museo del Oro
The Banco de la República's Gold Museum on Parque Santander displays tens of thousands of gold objects and thousands more in ceramic, stone and textiles from Colombia's pre-Hispanic cultures. The highlight is the circular Ofrenda room, where the lights rise to reveal hundreds of gold pieces, and the Muisca raft linked to the El Dorado legend.
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
Viewpoint · Cerros Orientales
2.Monserrate
The church-topped mountain above La Candelaria rises to more than 3,100 metres and gives a panoramic view over the city. A cable car and a funicular run to the top, and pilgrims and joggers climb the steep stone path on foot. The summit has the 17th-century sanctuary, restaurants and stalls.
Go early in the morning for the clearest views; the hike is steep at altitude, so acclimatise for a day first.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Active
- Photo spot
Landmark · La Candelaria
3.Plaza de Bolívar
Bogotá's main square is framed by the neoclassical Capitolio Nacional, the Primary Cathedral, the Palace of Justice and the Liévano Palace, the mayor's office. A statue of Simón Bolívar stands at its centre, and the square is the stage for protests, celebrations and pigeons.
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
4.Museo Botero
Housed in a colonial mansion around a courtyard, this free museum shows Fernando Botero's donation of his own paintings and sculptures alongside his collection of works by Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Dalí, Miró and others. It is part of a complex that includes the Casa de Moneda and the Banco de la República's art collection.
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
Neighbourhood · La Candelaria
5.La Candelaria street art
Bogotá's walls are covered with large murals and graffiti, from political works to colourful portraits, especially along Calle 26, the streets around Chorro de Quevedo and the eastern edge of La Candelaria. Graffiti is widely tolerated and many murals are commissioned.
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
Historic site · La Candelaria
6.Chorro de Quevedo
This small square at the top of La Candelaria is traditionally considered the site where the city was founded in 1538. It is ringed by small bars and cafés, street performers and students, and the narrow Callejón del Embudo next to it has bars serving chicha.
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
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Museum · La Macarena
7.Museo Nacional de Colombia
Colombia's oldest museum, founded in 1823, occupies a 19th-century star-shaped former prison, El Panóptico. Its galleries cover archaeology, colonial history, independence and modern Colombian art, including early works by Botero and Débora Arango.
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
8.Quinta de Bolívar
A country house at the foot of Monserrate given to Simón Bolívar after independence, with period rooms, his personal items and well-kept gardens. It is a peaceful stop near the cable car station.
Combine it with Monserrate, whose lower station is a short walk up the hill.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
Religious site · La Candelaria
1.Iglesia de San Francisco
Built from the late 16th century, this is one of the oldest surviving churches in Bogotá, on the corner of Avenida Jiménez and Carrera 7 opposite the Museo del Oro. Its gilded carved main altarpiece is one of the finest in the country.
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
Architecture · La Candelaria
2.Teatro Colón
Colombia's national theatre, opened in 1892, has an ornate horseshoe-shaped auditorium with gilded balconies and a painted ceiling. It hosts opera, ballet, concerts and theatre, and guided tours are offered.
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 · Usaquén
3.Usaquén Sunday flea market
Every Sunday the streets around Usaquén's colonial square fill with stalls selling crafts, jewellery, leather, antiques and street food. Street performers and musicians add to the atmosphere, and restaurants nearby fill up for long lunches.
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
Market · Paloquemao
4.Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao
Bogotá's largest fresh market sells dozens of tropical fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and herbs, with a flower section that is busiest early in the morning. Lunch counters serve tamales, soups and fresh juices.
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
Experience · Citywide
5.Ciclovía
On Sundays and public holidays, more than 100 km of main roads close to cars from early morning until early afternoon, and cyclists, runners and skaters take over. Carrera 7 and the routes through the north are the most popular, with juice and repair stands along the way.
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
6.Simón Bolívar Park
One of the largest urban parks in Latin America, with a lake, paths and lawns. It hosts large free concerts and festivals, and families come to fly kites and boat on the lake.
Combine it with the Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis nearby.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
Garden · Engativá
7.Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis
Colombia's largest botanical garden shows the plants of the country's ecosystems, from Andean forest and páramo to tropical glasshouses with orchids and palms. It is a calm, green half-day near Simón Bolívar Park.
Head for the tropical glasshouse on cold, grey days.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Museum · Ciudad Salitre
8.Maloka
An interactive science museum largely underground, with hands-on rooms on the human body, biodiversity and technology, and a dome cinema. It is a good rainy-day choice for families.
Visit on a weekday morning to avoid school groups at weekends.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Market · La Macarena
9.Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia
A small traditional market in a working-class neighbourhood next to La Macarena, known for its lunch counters run by cooks serving ajiaco, sancocho, tamales and other Colombian dishes at shared tables.
Come at lunchtime and choose a busy stall; portions are huge.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Museo del Oro, Museo Botero, La Candelaria street art and Museo Nacional de Colombia |
| History | Museo del Oro, Plaza de Bolívar, La Candelaria street art and Chorro de Quevedo |
| Views | Monserrate |
| Outdoors and nature | Ciclovía, Simón Bolívar Park and Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis |
| Food and markets | Chorro de Quevedo, Usaquén Sunday flea market, Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao and Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia |
| After dark | Teatro Colón |
| With children | Museo del Oro, Usaquén Sunday flea market, Ciclovía and Simón Bolívar Park |
| On a rainy day | Museo del Oro, Museo Botero, Museo Nacional de Colombia and Teatro Colón |
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Bogotá?
Museo del Oro. The Banco de la República's Gold Museum on Parque Santander displays tens of thousands of gold objects and thousands more in ceramic, stone and textiles from Colombia's pre-Hispanic cultures.
+What can you do for free in Bogotá?
Plaza de Bolívar, Museo Botero, Chorro de Quevedo, Iglesia de San Francisco and Usaquén Sunday flea market. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Bogotá when it rains?
Head indoors to Museo del Oro, Museo Botero, Museo Nacional de Colombia and Teatro Colón.
+What is there to do in Bogotá at night?
Teatro Colón are best after dark.