The Best Things to Do in Bogota, Colombia: Your In-Depth Bogota Itinerary

Bogota is Colombia’s vibrant capital and it’s criminally underrated. There is a smorgasbord of things to do in Bogota, and this Bogota itinerary can help guide you to a memorable trip is the nation’s most populous city.

Bogotá is a city that I’d always wanted to visit, and when I got there, I was not disappointed. It’s the capital city of Colombia, and one of the largest cities in South America. Given its size with traffic and so forth, it’s not the easiest city to get around, but once you’re where you want to be, it’s hard to want to be anywhere else.

Bogota has a reputation for perhaps having a bit of an underbelly, but in my humble opinion, that’s largely a reputation that does not concern daytime exploration, and is more about being cautious at night. Personally, I spent full days exploring, and plenty of nights out at restaurants and the like, but was more just weary of not walking long distances by foot in the late hours of the evening.

It instantly became one of my new favourite cities in South America, and I felt much more at home here than one of Colombia’s other popular cities on the tourist circuit, Medellin (though not quite as home as I felt in a place like Quito, Ecuador). As much as I enjoyed visiting places like the Museum of Antioquia in Medellin, I still didn’t feel quite as happy as I was in Bogota during my time in Colombia.

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A Bit More About Bogota, Colombia

You’ll find the city is in the centre of the country, on a high plateau known as the Bogota Savanna. It’s noted for its altitude, and is the third-highest capital city in South America (behind Quito and La Paz), sitting at 2640 metres above sea level.

Due to this altitude, Bogota tends to be mild and relatively cool year-round. When I was travelling there, I came across many people who just assumed it’d be a considerably hotter climate (and did not pack accordingly), but that’s not the case. Generally speaking, expect a high of around 18-20 degrees celsius during the day and a low of around 6-9 degrees at night).

Culturally, the city is very rich, with a seemingly endless supply of theatres, museums, restaurants, festivals, libraries, universities and more. Bogota is the heart of the nation in many ways, including population wise, and makes for an important and valuable stop on any Colombia itinerary.

Where to Stay in Bogota

Bogota is a large city, and it can be overwhelming to decide where you plan to base yourself on a trip here. There are two neighbourhoods that I’d recommend basing yourself in during your time in Bogota.

La Candelaria isn’t only an excellent neighbourhood to wander around, but it’s also a great place to situate yourself if you’re looking to centre yourself in the most historic part of the city. Accommodation options are available for all budgets, and it’s truly a beautiful part of town.

If you’re keen to stay in more of a local, trendy and bohemian neighbourhood, then Chapinero is an excellent place to do so. It has a buzzing restaurant and cafe scene, beautiful parks, and it’s touted as being one of the safest parts of the city.

Of course, the opportunities are endless when it comes to choosing the best place to stay in Bogota, so I’d highly recommend using this map to find the budget and location that’s just right for you.

I designed this travel guide in the hopes of putting together the travel tips I picked up during my time in Bogota. Let’s look at some of the top things to do in Bogota, so you can take in the sights and sounds of the city on your next trip there.

What to Do in Bogota During Your Visit

This will be a busier itinerary than you may have expected, but in the best kind of way. You won’t have a problem filling up a few days with activities while you’re in this exciting city.

Make time for the Museo Del Oro (Gold Museum)

It would be a mistake to come all the way to Bogota and not make time to visit the Museo del Oro, which is widely considered to be one of the most famous museums in Latin America. It’s also one of the most visited, as it regularly pulls in around half a million visitors per year.

The Gold Museum, as you might imagine, is renowned for its collection of over 55,000 gold items and other metal artifacts from a variety of cultures that have called Colombia home, including the Muisca, Quimbaya, and Calima cultures. Around 6000 of these artifacts are on display at any one time, and it’s the largest collection of its kind in the world.

You’ll never see so much gold in your life. They have jewellery and ornate masks, textiles, figurines and so much more.

The museum is divided in such a way where you’ll see a lot, but it doesn’t necessary have to take an enormous amount of time, unlike places like the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.

GEt Your Bearings in the Plaza de Bolivar

The Plaza de Bolivar, also known as Bolivar Square, is the main square in Bogota. I always like to head to the main square of a city on the first day, as that tends to mean that you’ll be in the historical heart of the city, and that’s certainly the case here.

The square, of course, is named after Simon Bolivar, who is famous around the continent (and in world history at large) for liberating much of South America from the harsh colonial rule of the Spanish.

The Plaza de Bolivar is surrounded by several important buildings, including the Cathedral of Bogotá, the Palace of Justice, the National Capitol, and the Liévano Palace, which is the seat of the mayor of Bogotá. The square also features several statues and monuments, including a statue of Simon Bolivar in the centre of the square, fittingly.

It’s the place to go and do a little people watching, and just get a sense for the pace and flow of Bogota.

Head On Up to Monserrate

Monserrate, Bogota, Colombia — The views of central Bogota from Monserrate.

Bogota is a city that has a high elevation, but you can get even higher by taking the cable car up to Monserrate. It’s an enormous mountain in the city centre. If you’ve got the time, there’s a 2.5 km steep hill you can walk up, but I felt the views from the cable car are exceptional. I put together a quick Reel to showcase that journey if that interests you.

Up at the top, the views are simply stunning. There’s an 17th century church, shrines, some areas to do a little shopping and grab a bite, and a whole lot more. My advice would be to head up there, and give yourself an hour or so to carefully explore and take in the views.

Since you can see all of downtown Bogota from this viewpoint, it’s a very popular place to catch the sunset at the day’s end.

The price of admission for an adult is about 30,000 COP (Colombian Pesos) per person.

Get the Context You Need at the Museo Nacional de Colombia

The National Museum of Colombia is the biggest and oldest museum in the country. It was built back in 1823, and at first glance it looks more like a fortress than a museum, but that’s by design. It was actually a prison until 1946, and then was restored and readied to be a museum, opening its doors in the mid 1970s.

Personally, I feel as if this is a great place to visit on your first day in Bogota. That’s because you’ll encounter pieces that showcase what Colombia was like all the way from 10000 BC to the present day. I’d spend some extra time with the 20th century indigenous and afro-colombian art exhibits in particular. But visiting here early on in your time in Bogota can colour your experience and understanding of the city and nation at large.

All of Colombia’s master painters (including the likes of Botero, Obregon, and Grau) are represented here as well, by the way.

WAnder Around La Candelaria Neighbourhood

La Candaleria is the vibrant heart of the city, and it’s the neighbourhood where many of the sites on this list will be found. In the ever spread out city of Bogota, you can think of La Candelaria as "the Old Town.”

The city was founded here all the way back in the early 16th century. This one neighbourhood is an excellent way to understand the roots of the city, and see how far it’s come since then.

Picture colourful, quaint streets filled with old houses and churches, and architectural styles ranging from Spanish Colonial to Baroque and Art Deco.

Give yourself time to wander around this neighbourhood, and see what museums, local restaurants, and bars you happen across without too much of a schedule. It’d be easy enough to head to a place on this list (say the Plaza de Bolivar), then explore from there.

Wandering this neighbourhood, along with checking out several of the parks and squares in the city are excellent free things to do during your time in Bogotá.

Embrace Bogota’s Park Scene

There are a ton of parks in Bogota, and they’ve become even more cherished and better maintained as Bogota has continued to strive towards being a “green city.” It’s a true Colombian experience to wander and relax in one of Bogota’s parks, and is a must during your trip to this city.

Here are a few parks you’ll want to consider:

Simon Bolivar Park - This is one of the largest parks in Bogota, and is a great place to enjoy outdoor activities like jogging, cycling, and picnicking. You’ll see people out and about here, active as can be. The park also features several lakes, sports facilities, and even an amusement park. This is honestly more of a recreation complex than just a simple park!
Usaquén Park - A hip, very compact park that fits in perfectly to its artsy surroundings. There are usually some lovely flowers in bloom, or some lights to mark the change of seasons and occasions.
Park of the 93 - This park is located in the upscale neighborhood of El Chicó and it’s a popular spot for joggers, cyclists, and just to do some general people-watching. The park features a large central square surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and shops, which gives it a nice buzz.
Parque El Virrey - This park is located in the heart of the city and is a popular spot for outdoor events and festivals. It features beautiful gardens, fountains, and a large central square. What’s interesting about Parque El Virrey is that it’s a 25 acre linear park, which makes it perfect for bike routes and pedestrian paths.

Keep Your Eyes Open for Street Art

Street art I happened across in the La Candelaria neighbourhood.

In truth, you should always be keeping your eyes open for great street art in Bogota, because it’s never too far away. If you’re on a hunt though, here are some neighbourhoods known for their street art prowess. You can either book a graffiti tour, or self-guide your way through these neighbourhoods.

Calle 26: Calle 26 is a major thoroughfare in Bogota that connects the city's airport to the downtown area. You should keep your eyes open here for a series of murals that were commissioned by the local government.
Usaquén: Usaquén is a trendy neighbourhood in the north of Bogota that's known for its charming cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Expect to see ample murals and graffiti.
Chapinero: Chapinero is a hip neighbourhood in the centre of Bogota that's popular with artists and creatives. Your camera will thank you for walking down some of the colourful alleys around here.
La Macarena: La Macarena is a bohemian neighbourhood close to the centre of Bogota that's known for its art galleries, cafes, and bars. Neighbourhoods like that tend to have mighty fine street art.
La Candelaria: The historic neighbourhood of La Candelaria is full of street art, as I’ve mentioned above. There you can take a street art walking tour here, but you can also just throw on your headphones and go street art hunting. It’s astonishing how much good street art there is around here.

Visit the jose celestino mutis botanical garden

Welcome to Colombia’s biggest botanical garden. What you can do with art and history at the National Museum of Colombia in terms of learning, you can do here with plants, as there are plants from every region, climate, and altitude.

It traces its roots back to 1955, when it was founded in honour of the famed Colombian botanist and astronomer, Jose Celestino Mutis. I love that there are actually labs here for studying plants and flowers—to continue his work!

There’s a library, a tourist info desk, a sun clock, and an artificial waterfall.

Pop Into the Botero Museum

The Botero Museum Courtyard — The picturesque courtyard at the Botero Museum.

I loved my visit to Museo Botero, largely because I wanted to become more familiar with the work of one of the most prominent Colombian artists, Fernando Botero.

In the year 2000, Botero donated 208 art pieces (123 of his own works, plus 85 from other international artists), and the Botero Museum was born, and instantly became one of the top things to do in Bogota for both citizens and visitors.

His style is very unique, and well worth setting eyes on. Even if you don’t end up loving his work, my feeling is that you’ll still want to check out works from the likes of Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Chagall, and Dali.

Take a Moment at the Biblioteca Publica Virgilio Barco

This 3-story public library, with its unique circular shape (and famous design by a noted local architect, I might add), has become a symbol of the city, and even a national monument of the country. The body of water surrounding the structure makes it unlike any other library I’ve seen.

During a visit here, keep your eyes open for fountains and statues surrounding the building, as well as head on up to the library roof for a different perspective.

If libraries are your thing, as they very much are mine when I travel, you should also have the Biblioteca Luis Ángel Arango, the National Library of Colombia, and Library Julio Mario Santo Domingo on your Bogota itinerary.

What Else Should You Add to Your Bogota Itinerary?

If you’re spending a fair bit of time in Bogota, I want to make sure I’m setting you up to fill your days, so here are a few other experiences you might want to think about adding to your Bogota itinerary.

If you like markets, you may want to carve out some time to visit the Paloquemao Fruit Market. It’s an enormous local farmer’s market where you’ll find fruit and veggies, as well as meat, fish, and flowers from the communities surrounding Bogota.
If you want to try ajiaco (a famous Colombian chicken and potato soup), I’d recommend going to La Puerta Falsa near Bolivar Square.
Consider taking a food tour of Bogota, to truly get a sense for what the cuisine in this city is all about.
The Museum of Contemporary Art in Bogota is has over 1500 works from contemporary artists, and it’s widely considered to be one of the most important museums in Colombia’s capital.
If you’re a cyclist, every Sunday Bogota turns about 100 kilometres of its city streets into a bicycle superhighway. It’s known as La Ciclovia de Bogota. Any other day of the week, if you’re keen to get on two wheels, you can take a bike tour of the city to see it in a completely different light.
Bring your camera to Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen and relish the sight of this Florentine Gothic striped masterpiece.
If you’re looking to try a meal that offers something a little different, consider visiting Andres Carnes de Res. This is an absolutely wild restaurant, complete with great food, elaborate cocktails, and a loud atmosphere and dance floor. Come for dinner, and stay for the party!
If it’s daytime fun you’re after, Salitre Magico is an amusement park complete with everything from roller coasters to bumper cars, and it calls Bogota home.

What About Day Trips from Bogota?

There are several different areas you can set your sights on if you’re keen to check out unique and exciting day trips from Bogota. While many of these are accessible on your own, taking a private or group tour that’s guided is often the best option. This way you’re guaranteed to get back safely if the tour goes after sunset by the time you return to the city.

If you take a group tour, it’s also an excellent way to meet people who are visiting the city, who may be travelling to other parts of Colombia during the time of your trip, too!

In no particulare order, here are some options to consider if you’re keen to take one or more day trips from Bogota:

The Zipaquira Salt Cathedral is about an hour outside of Bogota, and this underground cathedral is probably the go-to day trip from Bogota. It’s considered a must-visit sort of place if you’re spending a while in and around the city. The cathedral, as you might imagine, was built inside a salt mine and features a fair amount of beautiful salt sculptures and artwork.
If you have an affinity for salt, you should also consider the Salt Mines of Nemocón, also located about an hour outside of the city. Underground chambers, tunnels, and salt formations—you know the drill.
If you’re into coffee plantations, there are several coffee plantations located outside of Bogota that offer tours and tastings. Some of the more popular options include Hacienda Coloma and Hacienda La Victoria.
If it’s colonial towns you’re after, then consider Villa de Leyva, located about 3 hours outside of Bogota. It’s famous for its stunning architecture and cobblestone streets. It's a go-to day trip from Bogota if you’re keen to relax and enjoy some small-town charm.
If you don’t mind longer drives, you should also have Laguna Guatavita on your bucket-list. Lake Guatavita is gorgeous, and the myths that surround it (particularly as a dumping place for ceremonial gold) are seriously intriguing.
Chingaza National Park is a national park that is located about 2 hours outside of Bogota and features beautiful mountains, lakes, and hiking trails. It's a great place to go to if you want to escape the city and enjoy nature.
If you’re looking for something a little longer, there are multi-day trips that leave Bogota and head to other parts of the country. The Andes mountain range is relatively close to Bogota, compared to other major cities in Colombia. You can plan to go on a hiking trip, take a horseback riding tour through the mountains, or simply plan to unwind in the high altitudes and refreshing mountain air.

Enjoying the mystique of Lake Guanavita.

There’s a Lot to See in Bogota!

Bogota, for one reason or another, seems to be a place that people are divided on. Some get it immediately, like myself, and others are left wondering what all the fuss is about. However, it’s the capital of Colombia, and there are stories and information here that are invaluable for understanding the country at large. I also loved the buzz of the city, and the fact that there was never a dull moment if you didn’t want there to be.

I hope this quick-hitting Bogota itinerary helps you explore Colombia’s ever intriguing capital. I can only hope I’m back before too long!