Known for its urban-colored aesthetic because of the graffiti on the walls and buildings, Bogota has uncountable tourist attractions for every taste. You’ll find the richest culture, history, green area, food and nightlife in this city.
With this diverse range of attractions, I rate Bogota as one of the 5 must-go cities in Colombia. Curious to know why? So, without further ado, here are the top things to see and do when visiting Bogota!
La Candelaria (Downtown)
La Candelaria is the historic center, or old downtown, of Bogota. An area with its own identity within the city that carries a big part of the town’s cultural heritage.
There you’ll find the most famous spots of the city, such as Plaza Bolivar, churches and museums, and renowned restaurants that I also included in this post, so keep reading to find out.
Not to mention the amazing architecture and, as I’ve mentioned, the beautiful graffiti art all around La Candelaria, which makes this part of the city very Instagramable, in case you like to take stylish urban photos.
Also, it is very interesting to see how art is so present in La Candelaria since you’ll probably see a lot of dance and music performances and artists selling their paintings and craftwork on the streets.
Cerro de Monserrate
Cerro Monserrate is a mountain 10,341 feet above sea level that features one of the most incredible views you’ll ever see.
To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for this attraction, but it blew my mind from the moment I hopped into the cable car throughout the whole experience.
That being said, the cable is one of the ways to get to the top of the mountain, where you’ll find the church Monserrate Monastery, which is the main attraction, spectacular restaurants, stores, and, of course, an extraordinary view of the city.
In addition, there are two other ways to get there, which are: by funicular railway and hiking.
Any option you choose is worth the experience, but be sure to check on the website the available times and prices before planning your visit to Cerro de Monserrate.
My advice is to go early in the afternoon and stay until sunset on a clear day!
Museo Botero
If you like art, you have probably heard of Fernando Botero, the renowned Colombian painter, and sculptor who has his own signature style, known as “Boterismo”. This style consists of very large people, figures, and remakes of famous artwork from other renowned painters.
As you’ve probably assimilated by now, Museo Botero is a museum in honor of Fernando Botero that exhibits his artwork in the heart of La Candelaria.
You should definitely visit this museum when you pass through La Candelaria. The entrance is free.
Museo del Oro
Another must-see museum in Bogota is Museo del Oro (Gold Museum). It exhibits several archeological collections made of gold from pre-hispanic cultures in Colombia.
Besides the beauty of each masterpiece in the museum, I highly recommend going there because you’ll learn a lot about South America’s history and culture!
The price to enter is 4,000 pesos, except for Sunday, which is free.
Restaurants
I could not help but leave a special topic for restaurants. Here are the ones you should not skip when visiting Bogota:
La Puerta Falsa
Located in the amazing La Candelaria and serving traditional Colombian food for over 200 years, La Puerta Falsa is the oldest restaurant in Bogota.
Synonym of tradition and history, you’ll love not only the food but also the amazing service and the coziness of the place.
Make sure to try the famous Ajiaco Soup, one of the most typical and delicious Colombian dishes.
Andrés Carne de Res
Andrés Carne de Res is more than a simple restaurant, it is a thorough experience of Colombia. You’ll find a menu full of choices, from arepas to the most exotic dishes, all very high quality.
The service is amazing too, and I don’t even have words to describe the environment. A mix of modern stylish design and good music makes it a must-go restaurant in Bogota.
It is important to note that Andrés Carne the Res pricing matches the experience, so it has a premium price, but if you really want to fully enjoy your trip to Bogota, it is very much worth it!
Juan Valdez Café
Juan Valdez Café is the most famous coffee shop in Colombia. So, you’ll not only find it in Bogota but in basically all major cities of Colombia for sure.
And it is a must-go in your first stop in Colombia. As you may already know, the country is one of the top producers of this good in the world, and top in quality too.
I got addicted to Juan Valdez the first time I went there. From that moment on, I became a loyal customer. I bet you will too!
So, what did you think about this Bogota travel guide? Any other attractions you would recommend going to? Let me know in the comments below!