Bogota

Bogotá, Colombia | Duration of stay recommended: 2 days

Day 1: Visit the city of Bogota

Historic center of Bogota:

as soon as you arrive, we advise you to put down your luggage and then go directly to the heart of the city. Head to Simon Bolivar Square! With its imposing buildings, it immediately sets the tone. You are in the capital! The square includes several points of interest such as the National Capitol, the Primada Cathedral, typical of colonial squares, and the Liévano Palace. Take a few photos before heading to the Colonial Art Museum or the Military Museum. As you walk, you will pass through sublime streets with a very marked colonial architecture and in front of the San Carlos Palace, magnificent!

Museo Botero:

if you continue on your way, you will arrive at the Botero museum. It's a little painting gem. The paintings of this artist are world famous, it would be a shame to miss them!

Museo de Oro:

After this visit, you can go to the north of the historical district Candelaria. There are two superb museums waiting for you: the gold museum and the emerald museum. With their large collection of artifacts, you will love to know the processes of extracting and sculpting these two precious materials. The Museo de Oro in particular is a must see in the city. Its collections are incredible and unique in the world. You'll have plenty of eyes!

Strolling through the streets you will certainly see some churches with unconventional architecture. Among the most beautiful are Our Lady of Carmelites, the Church of San Francisco or the Church of Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria.

Monserrate:

In the afternoon, we suggest you take a little height by going to the top of Monserrate hill. Funicular, cable car or even hiking, it's up to you! You will rise to more than 3000 meters of altitude by reaching the Basilica of the Señor Monserrate. From the watchtower a little further up the hill, you will have a magnificent view of the whole city. From this point, the full extent of Bogota’s urban sprawl is realized. The roofs of the historical districts mix with modern buildings and vegetation. A landscape like a whole country that takes on magnificent colors at sunset.

Day 2: Discover Bogota more in depth

Barrio Usaquen and Mercado de las Pulgas:

if you are in Bogota on a Sunday, do not miss the Usaquen district, on the Las Pulgas market. Here you will find magnificent, colorful handicrafts! Beautiful souvenirs to bring back to your loved ones.

Museums:

otherwise, you can take advantage of this day to get closer to the museums you didn’t have time to visit the day before. There is so much to see and learn from this little-known country... You could go to the Santa Clara Museum or to the cloister of San Augustin, both offering a beautiful example of colonial architecture. Take the time to stroll through the streets of the center. This may be an opportunity to purchase hand-made souvenirs in Pasaje Rivas.

You could also switch sectors and go a little further north. In the district of Santa Fe you will find the National Museum of Colombia, one of the most beautiful and complete in terms of archeology and history. It is located very close to the Enrique Olaya Herrera National Park, a beautiful place to eat on the go in a green area.

Bogota Parks:

In the afternoon, we suggest you take a break after all these cultural visits and head towards the Jose Celestino Mutis botanical park. Its superb greenhouses gathering the most beautiful plant species of the national territory will delight you. This will give you an idea of what awaits you if you start your journey, or it will be a nice conclusion if you are on the way back.

Finally, if you still have time, enjoy the Parque Simon Bolivar, the largest in Bogota. It will bring you peace and relaxation, and you can even kayak on its lake. From here you will have a beautiful view of the city buildings with the Monserrate hill in the background.

Bogota's districts and monuments:

• Historic center of Bogota:

as soon as you arrive, we advise you to put down your luggage and then go directly to the heart of the city. Head to Simon Bolivar Square! With its imposing buildings, it immediately sets the tone. You are in the capital! The square includes several points of interest such as the National Capitol, the Primada Cathedral, typical of colonial squares, and the Liévano Palace. Take a few photos before heading to the Colonial Art Museum or the Military Museum. As you walk, you will pass through sublime streets with a very marked colonial architecture and in front of the San Carlos Palace, magnificent !

• Candelaria district of Bogota:

This area, located in the east of the city, is considered the historical center of Bogota. With its typical colonial architecture and colorful houses, it has many points of interest, such as the main museums, churches and monuments. Don't miss the Plaza del Chorro and the Plaza Simón Bolívar, which is home to several symbols of the Republic.

• Place Bolivar:

Bogota's central square, it includes a series of buildings with impressive architecture such as the Primada Cathedral, the Liévano Palace (now the city hall) and the National Capitol.

• Primada Cathedral:

or cathedral of immaculate design, it was built between 1807 and 1823 in a flamboyant neoclassical style! It was listed as a national monument in 1975 and represents a symbol of the capital.

• National Capitol:

located on Simon Bolivar Square, it stands majestically up with columns reminiscent of ancient Greek temples. It was built between 1848 and 1926 and today houses the Congress of the Republic of Colombia. He's one of all the postcards in Bogotá!

• Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria:

In the heart of the historical district of Bogota you will find many churches, as different as magnificent! This church is famous for its young chick color. It's worth a look!

• San Francisco Church:

it dates from 1567, making it the oldest in Bogota! Although its exterior is a mixture of styles due to successive restorations, it has a rich baroque style. Sculpted solid wood, painted ceilings and a dazzling gold altar, you can only admire all these ornaments !

• Church of Our Lady of Carmelites:

or Santuario Nacional Nuestra Señora del Carmen, its style very influenced by Italian Gothic architecture, it is famous for the unusual stripes of its façade.

• Pasaje Rivas:

this passageway, located close to the Place Simon Bolivar, is perfect for shopping. Here you will find crafts, good food and places to stop for a drink. Enjoy fresh lemonade or exotic fruit juice!

• Usaquen district:

with its Mercado de las Pulgas, its magnificent craft market, you will find the most beautiful souvenirs to take away with you. It is also a neighborhood with many tasty restaurants and several festive bars. It's enough to spend a nice evening.

Monserrate Hill:

• Monserrate:

a hill overlooking the city, it offers a superb panorama perched at an altitude of 3152 meters. To reach its peak, you can try a short hike or embark on a funicular or a dizzying cable car! From here you can reach the Basilica and the Monserrate viewpoint, the best view of the city.

• Basilica of the Señor Monserrate:

it was built in 1925 after an earthquake caused the chapel that had been standing there since the 17th century to collapse. Its bright white overlooks Bogota superbly. To your cameras!

Museums in Bogota:

• National Museum of Colombia:

a jewel of the national heritage, this museum founded in 1823 gathers more than 2,500 artifacts in 16 rooms that retrace the history of the Colombian nation. A nice introduction if you start your trip in the country!

• Gold Museum:

considered the largest museum in the world with its many unique pieces, it retraces the know-how of the pre-Columbian civilizations of the region. It consists of dazzling sculptures entirely made of precious metals, giving an idea of their importance in Andean culture. It is a magnificent museum and will teach you many things!

• Botero Museum (painting):

it includes more than a hundred works by Fernando Botero, originally from Medellín. His paintings are characterized by characters with very round shapes and bright colors. Do not miss out on this museum that houses world-famous paintings. He is one of the greatest artists in the country.

• International Emerald Museum:

a very informative little museum, it explores the importance of emerald extraction in Colombia. This precious stone is abundant in the territory. What if you put yourself in the shoes of a minor?

• Museo Santa Clara:

this small museum, built in a former convent, offers beautiful views of the entire historical center and exhibits colonial pieces. It is one of the most beautiful buildings of colonial architecture in the city center. You will find it a stone's throw from Simon Bolivar Square.

• San Augustin cloister:

eager to observe another treasure of colonial architecture? This former 18th century monastery has been transformed into a cultural center and hosts several exhibitions throughout the year.

The parks of Bogota:

• Parque Metropolitano Simon Bolivar:

huge lung of greenery in the middle of the city, it offers beautiful sports facilities and a pleasant setting for a walk. Its 370 acres, 10 miles of slopes and its large lake will make you forget the hustle and bustle of the capital!

• Parque Botanico Jose Celestino Mutis:

this is the opportunity for you to meet the flora of a whole country in a few hours. The number of exotic plants gathered in this park is 4000 species. They are spread over several greenhouses that reflect the different climates you will encounter during your trip. An exotic taste!

How to get to Bogota in Colombia?

By car / bus : 

• from Medellin : 8 hours 
• from Cali : 9h30 
• from Barranquilla : 16h30 
• from Pereira : 7h 
• from Manizales : 7h
• from Bucaramanga : 8:45 am
• from Cartagena : 17h30
• from Monteria : 15h

By plane: 

• from Medellin: 50 min 
• from Monteria : 1h 5 min
• from Cali : 55 min
• from Bucaramanga : 55 min