20 Best Things to Do in Bogotá, Colombia

Despite being Colombia’s capital, many travelers tend to trade Bogotá for the tropical likes of Cartagena, Medellín’s buzzing city life, or the coffee plantations of Salento. And while I can attest to the beauty of these destinations, skipping Bogotá is just not an option.

Nestled amidst the Andes mountains, Bogotá is the fourth highest capital in the world. This means that, no matter where you are in the city, you’ll be able to see the mountains. The omnipresent peaks made me fall in love with the city and will mesmerize any traveler.

But, as if that’s not enough, this city has even more to offer than its spectacular mountain vistas. From colorful street art in the La Candelaria neighborhood, to the historical Plaza de Bolívar and the Botéro Museum, you’ll find there are plenty of things to do in Bogotá.

With so much to see and do, you should spend at least two to three days here. I just had one day on my first visit, which was way too short for everything I wanted to do.

I know that sounds quite overwhelming, but don’t worry! To help you have the best trip possible, I have created this ultimate guide to the best attractions, activities, sights and things to do in Bogotá.

20 Best Things to Do in Bogotá

1. Bicycle Tour

The first thing I did on my trip to Bogotá was a bicycle tour. Together with my fellow group of Dutchies we embarked on a tour through La Candelaria all the way to Parque de la 93, the Ciclovia, a coffee roastery and fruit market.  

This is the best thing to do in Bogotá in my opinion! In just a couple of hours, you see a lot of the city. Including areas that are beautiful but not safe to visit on your own. The guides are also the best resource when it comes to staying safe in the city and learning more about Bogotá’s history and folklore.

This bicycle tour, which’ route is the same as the one I did, takes you past all the main sights including some hidden gems. Book it well in advance to secure yourself of a spot!

2. Botéro Museum

The Botéro Museum revolves around the work of Colombia’s most famous artist: Fernando Botéro. His surreal paintings of round people with funky proportions are famous around the world, but for a long time this fame didn’t extend into his home-country. Not because no one liked his work, but because art was only accessible for the rich.

To make art available to regular citizens, he donated lots of it to the public. Besides his statues on Botero Square in Medellín, the Botéro Museum is the most famous instance. Here you can see both his own work and his private collection including other masters like Dalí, Picasso, Monet and Matisse. And in true Botéro fashion, entrance to the museum is free!

Besides loving his artworks, I also loved the architecture of the museum itself. Located in an old building in La Candelaria, the exhibitions are spread out over several rooms surrounding a romantic courtyard.  

What wasn’t romantic? The crowds: we went there on a Sunday afternoon and the museum was packed. So, to skip the crowds, go on a weekday or early in the morning. And if you want to know more about the context of Botéro’s art, book a guided tour through the museum.

3. Plaza de Bolívar

Plaza de Bolívar cannot be missed on your trip to Bogotá! It was the final stop of our bicycle tour, and I loved how lively it was. With dozens of pigeons, street food carts, and architectural heritage, there was just so much to see, I’ll have to come back someday.

But here, there’s more than just vibes: the Plaza de Bolívar is Bogotá’s political and cultural heart. Named after Simón Bolívar, who liberated much of South America from the Spanish Empire’s colonial clutch, it tells the story of Colombia’s complex history and current political climate. Here you can therefore find the Capitol Building, Palace of Justice, mayor’s office and the Cathedral of Bogotá.

Its history is also what makes it the perfect first stop on your Colombia itinerary. In my opinion, anyone traveling to a place with a colonial past must learn more about that history to understand where they are and the role they play as a traveler. As we too often exacerbate and continue parts of that colonial legacy when traveling.

To learn more about Colombia’s oppression and liberation, visit the nearby Independence Museum, which is open every day.

4. Street Art Tour in La Candelaria

Bogotá is full of colorful street art. Doing a street art tour is therefore a must when visiting the city. You will find most iconic murals in La Candelaria, Bogotá’s Old Town, which is where I would start when walking around by yourself.

Much like the rest of Colombia, Bogotá expresses itself through color and art. When every façade tells a story, walking through town suddenly starts to feel like you’re reading a book on the country’s history, politics and culture.

This is why I strongly recommend doing a guided street art tour. Without a local guide to help you, you will remain oblivious to most Indigenous histories and mythologies, as well as social movements and political statements infusing the artworks. I found these stories fascinating, so don’t miss out on those!

5. Cerro Monserrate

Fancy panoramic views? Then don’t miss Cerro Monserrate on your trip to Bogotá! This 3000+ meter tall mountain with a church perched on top gives you unobstructed views of the city and valleys beyond.

There are three options of reaching the peak: you can either take the hiking trail, gondola or funicular. Personally, I would always choose the hike, but since Bogotá is on such a high altitude, I’d advice taking the gondola or funicular up, and then hiking down. This way you get to see the beautiful nature around the city as well as the view from the gondola/funicular.

At the top you’ll find multiple restaurants as well as a snack bar. While it might be tempting to stay here for sunset, it can get dodgy and even dangerous after dark. So, visit during the day to stay safe!

The opening hours of the gondola and funicular are 6:30 am – 10:30 pm from Monday to Saturday, and 5:30 am – 5:30 pm on Sunday. Similarly, you can hike up between 5 am and 1 pm daily, and hike down between 5 am and 4 pm.

6. Botanical Garden Bogotá

If you want to escape the city’s hectic traffic for a while, you must visit the Bogotá Botanical Garden. This slice of green heaven showcases 19,5 hectares of Colombia’s native plants. It’s thus a great place to spot Colombia’s national plants, the orchid and wax tree, and read a book in the sun.

You can easily get to the gardens with the TransMilenio, Bogotá’s rapid bus system, or an Uber. Getting there will take around 30 minutes from the center, though. So, only go if you have two or three days in the city, or if you’re a botany connoisseur. If you just have one day, like me, I’d stick to the sights that are closer to each other.

Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm on weekdays, 9 am – 5 pm on weekends, closed Mondays.

7. La Candelaria

La Candelaria is Bogotá’s old town. Dating back to the sixteenth century, this part of town was largely built by the Spanish colonizers. The Plaza de Bolívar and low, colorful homes bordering the narrow alleyways are a testament to this.

Now, La Candelaria is Bogotá’s most colorful neighborhood. Through its street art residents have taken back the historical narrative, paying homage to the Indigenous people that have long inhabited this land and the struggle for liberty and non-violence.

But besides these gorgeous murals, La Candelaria is great to visit for drinks, food and shopping as well. Go for some chicha on Plaza Del Chorro de Quevedo, or cocktails and arepas on the adjacent Paseo Chorro de Quevedo.

8. Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen

As a catholic country, Colombia is full of churches, but the Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen might be one of its prettiest. With its red and white stripes, it’s very different from most of the regular white churches I saw on my trip to Colombia.

As it’s located in La Candelaria, it’s super easy to add to the rest of your Bogotá itinerary. Just make sure to check the opening hours, as we arrived a little too late to see the inside.

9. Mercado de las Pulgas de Usaquén

You’ll find the Mercado de las Pulgas every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the northern neighborhood of Usaquén. It’s one of the places I had to skip on my trip, which makes me so sad, as I think this is one of the best things to do in Bogotá.

This large market is popular among tourists and locals alike: you’ll find quality products like bags, clothes and shoes, as well as street food vendors and musicians. The market is surrounded by upscale restaurants and bars as well, so take your time exploring this part of Usaquén as well.

💡 Want to make your own souvenirs? Then book a pottery making class followed by a tour of the market.

10. Day Trip to Zipaquira’s Salt Cathedral

Have a couple of days in Bogotá? Then you must visit the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira. Carved into the walls of an old salt mine, it’s quite different from everything else you’ll see in Bogotá.

The mines date back to the 5^th century BC, when the Muisca’s – Colombia’s Indigenous people – exploited the mine. There’s always been some form of a prayer altar, but the current Catholic church was built in the 90s. This was after the first one, built in the 50s, became instable. In the meantime, they expanded it into a full ‘Salt Park’ where you can learn more about the geology, history and sustainable future of the salt mines.

You can get to Zipaquira in an hour by taxi, or by bus from Portal Norte. The bus costs around €1, while the taxi is somewhere between €20-€30. But, if you want to learn more about the mines while you’re there, you can book a tour of the Salt Cathedral including pick-up and drop-off.

11. Museo de Oro

The Museo del Oro, or the Gold Museum, is one of the best things to do in Bogotá. It tells the pre-Hispanic story of Colombia’s Indigenous peoples. Through mostly golden archaeological artifacts, which was considered a sacred metal, you get a glimpse into the lives of a society that was destroyed by colonialism.

The museum is open from 9 am to 7 pm daily, except for Sundays when it opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm. A ticket costs 21,000 COL$, which is around €6. Squeeze it in early in the morning to skip the crowds, or go in the late afternoon.

12. Ciclovia (every sunday)

During our bike tour, our group passed the Ciclovia, which was one of the most fun things I’ve seen in Bogotá. Every Sunday for the past 50 years, the municipality has closed off 127,69 kilometers for motorized traffic. The goal? To give Bogotáns enough space to work out outdoors an cycle safely.

While visiting the Ciclovia you’ll thus see people of all walks of life roller-skating, doing aerobics, running and cycling. Interspersed with the Sunday athletes you’ll find street food vendors and street performers. I absolutely loved how everyone was out and about and working out together. To have a feeling of community in such a large city is really special.

The Ciclovia runs every Sunday from 7 am to 2 pm. You can find a map of the route here.

13. Visit a Coffee Roastery or Farm

Colombia is one of the biggest exporters of coffee. Towns like Salento within the coffee region thus draw tens of thousands of tourists a year. But did you know there’s also great coffee to be had in Bogotá?

On our cycling tour we stopped at Cafe de la fonda, where we got to both taste the coffee and witness the roasting process. With some poppyseed cake and a cappuccino, I was one happy girl. I’ve found Colombian coffee to be a lot fruitier and more floral than the Italian coffee I drink at home. And I can get used to that!

So, if you’re a coffee lover like me, doing a coffee tasting in a roastery is one of the best things do in Bogotá. But instead of a roastery, you can also opt to go on a day trip to a nearby coffee farm. Here, you’ll get to see the full process: from harvesting, to drying, roasting and making the coffee.

14. Street Food Tour

Lots of travelers claim Colombia’s food is nothing to write home about, but I beg to differ! While I did struggle to find dishes with vegetables at times, the country’s cuisine is not all about beans and chicken.

Instead, every region has its own specialties. You’ll find lots of fish and coconut in the Pacific and Caribbean, while the mountainous regions offer heartier dishes. Bogotá thus also has its own food scene. Booking a food tour like this one, where you also get to play tejo, is a must do if you’re a foodie like me.

Want to save money and plan your own tour? Then keep reading to figure out what you must try in Bogotá.

15. Hot chocolate with cheese

Have you ever melted cheese in your hot chocolate? Yes, me neither before coming to Colombia, and I won’t ever do it again. I’m Dutch, so I am very particular about how to eat cheese, but I will tell you to try it anyways. Who knows, it might tickle your tastebuds in the right way!

This drink, also known as chocolate santafereño or chocolate complete, is popular throughout Colombia, but originally hails from colder mountainous regions like Bogotá. It’s typically eaten as an afternoon snack or with a filling breakfast. The point is to melt pieces of soft cheese in the chocolate and then eat it with a spoon.

To try it, head to a traditional Colombian restaurant, or ask your hotel what the closest café is.

16. Try Ajiaco, Bogotá’s Signature Soup

Another Bogotan classic is Ajiaco, a creamy soup with corn, vegetables, chicken and three types of potatoes. I actually tried this in Medellin for the first time, even though it hails from the capital. And my thoughts? Incredible! It’s simple and hearty, yet rich of flavor.

Origen Bistro in La Candelaria is a great place to try some Ajiaco. I had filled patacones here, because they unfortunately ran out of soup, but I can tell you the food here was delicious.

17. Try Arepas, Patacones, Tamales, and Empanadas

And because eating is one of the best things to do in Bogotá, you can’t skip Colombia’s classics. Arepas, patacones, tamales, and empanadas can be found on every street corner, and are a must to have at least once on your trip.

Not a fan of leaving things to chance? All of the above, including Ajiaco and chocolate santafereño, can be found at La Puerta Falsa. This small, Colombian restaurant is the perfect place to relax and eat after a day of exploring.

18. National Museum of Colombia

This gorgeous 19^th-century building used to be a prison but is now Colombia’s largest and oldest museum. The National Museum displays over 20,000 artworks, artefacts, and more, with some objects dating back to 10,000 BC.

With such a vast collection, it is the best place to learn more about Colombia’s history, culture and art. So, if you have a couple of days in the city, don’t skip it!

The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays, opens an hour later on weekends and is closed on Mondays. Tickets cost 6,000 COP for adults, which is about €4.

19. Museo Santa Clara

The Museo Santa Clara is literally an artwork. Located in a 17^th-century colonial church in La Calendaria, it was built in the Baroque period and heavily influenced by that style. You’ll thus find decorations and 17^th– and 18^th-century paintings covering every inch of its walls.

Art lovers will have to visit this special place! Museo Santa Clara is open from 9 am to 5 pm on Tuesdays to Sundays. Tickets cost 6,000 COP for adults, which is about €4.

20. Play Tejo

Tejo is Colombia’s national sport. Combining clay, discs, and explosives, it’s quite unlike any other game you’ve ever played. To win, you must throw a disc at a bucket of clay in which explosives are hidden. Letting these explosives go off gets you a couple of points.

Doesn’t that sound like a fun night out? You can play tejo at several bars in La Calendaria, like The Tejo House and Tejo Ancestral. Traveling solo? Then join this beer tour where you get to meet people while playing tejo.

Is Bogotá Safe to Visit?

Before you plan the rest of your trip, I must answer one burning question: is Bogotá safe? And as with most travel destinations in Colombia, I’ll have to say: ‘Yes, but…’

Colombia is no Europe, which is what I, as a European, am used to when going about my life and traveling. While you can wander around some areas by yourself, others must be avoided at all times. And then there are those that fall somewhere in between.

For example: one of the most dangerous areas for both tourists and residents is Ciudad Bolivar, while the streets around the famous Cerro de Monserrate get dangerous after dark. Even street art Walhalla La Candelaria completely turns at night.

Sounds overwhelming and scary? Then book either a free or a private walking tour. My trip to Bogotá was perfectly safe because I had a guide showing me around in the morning. The local knowledge they shared about what to do and where not to go was key to staying safe.

To make sure you have a pleasant and safe trip in Bogotá, here are two main rules: (1) don’t walk around at night, but take a taxi, and; (2) only book taxis via apps like Uber or via your hotel. Unfortunately, all around Colombia, taxis are used to rob tourists or worse. So, when booking a taxi, always text the taxi’s number plate to someone who can respond quickly if things go wrong, and check Google Maps during the trip to see whether you’re going the right way.

Lastly, it comes down to street smarts. The Colombians have a saying: ‘¡No dar papaya!’ This means don’t put yourself in a position to be taken advantage of. In the case of Bogotá’s most common crimes – pickpocketing and mugging – it means ‘don’t flaunt your valuables!’ Leave your stacks of cash at home, don’t wear flashy jewelry, don’t take your phone out on the streets and be careful with your camera.

But don’t let this deter you from visiting Bogotá, or Colombia in general! This city is incredibly cool and full of amazing people, places to visit and things to do. Just be mindful of where you are and what you do, and you will have the best adventure.

And if shit hits the fan and your purse does get stolen, make sure you have travel insurance to cover your losses. Heymondo has some great plans for all types of travelers and trips.

Best Time to Visit Bogotá

The best time to visit Bogotá is from December to March, which coincides with Colombia’s first dry season. During this time, you’ll see clear skies, but you’ll also see lots of tourists.

Colombia’s second dry season runs from June to August, which is also a good time to visit Bogotá. However, if you’re also visiting the Caribbean coast, I’d advise against it. Cartagena will be very hot and even more humid. Personally, I think the best time to visit is a month most travel blogs discourage 👇

The best time to visit Bogotá to skip the crowds though, is one of the two rainy seasons. These run from September to November and from April to May, of which the first sees the heaviest rain. We visited in May and it barely rained. The downpours mainly happened during the night, while the temperature was pleasant. And what made it even better? There were barely any tourists at the main sights!

How to Get to Bogotá

The best way to get to Bogotá is by plane. Even when you’re traveling domestically! This country is huge, which means every major city has an airport and every plane is more like a bus. Moreover, it is very hard to enter Colombia overland. This is mainly due to conflicts along the borders of Panama and Venezuela, and the Amazon Rainforest covering large parts of Colombia and Brazil.

So, unless you’re traveling from a town that’s close-by Bogotá like Zipaquira, find a cheap flight to get you from A to B(ogotá). I always use Skyscanner to find the best deals. So head over there, or use the widget below.

Where to Stay in Bogotá

The best place to stay in Bogotá is Zona Rosa, also known as Zona T. Choosing your accommodation with care is extra important in a city where safety is not a given. Being the nightlife district in Bogotá, there is quite some police around Zona Rosa to keep residents and tourists safe. Furthermore, it’s lively and centrally located, making exploration of the city super easy.

In such a bustling environment, it’s important to sleep well though. Those looking to splurge a little will thus feel right at home at Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia. Their beds are plush and their breakfast is to die for. But if you want something equally calming that doesn’t break the bank, then the green GHL Bioxury Hotel will do the trick.

Zona Rosa neighbors Chapinero, which is another safe area to stay in. This is one of Bogotá’s trendiest neighborhoods, with lots of coffeeshops and street art. If that’s your style, then the well-designed Hotel Coco will match it perfectly.

FAQs About Things to Do in Bogotá

What are the best free things to do in Bogotá?

The best free things to do in Bogotá are undoubtedly the Botéro Museum, walking around La Calendaria, visiting the Plaza de Bolivar and Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen, and joining an aerobics class on the Ciclovia. To keep your expenses low, you can also choose to hike up to Cerro Monserrate instead of taking the gondola or funicular.

What are the most unique things to do in Bogotá?

The most unique thing to do in Bogotá is experiencing the Ciclovia on a Sunday: it’s just adorable to see so many people do aerobics and other sports! Doing a street art tour is also one-of-a-kind in Bogotá, as the murals tell the story of Colombia’s pre-Columban past, its culture and politics.

What shouldn’t I do in Bogota?

The number one thing you should not be doing in Bogotá. is ignoring the safety precautions. Becoming complacent when walking around with your valuables makes you an easy target.

Additionally, be aware of Bogotá’s climate and altitude. Here, it’s often a lot colder than in the rest of the country, so always bring a light jacket. Also don’t hike the Cerro Monserrate on your first day, but let your body acclimatize first.

And finally: don’t rely on your English. Spanish is a global language too, so learn some basic Spanish phrases to help you get around. Trust me, it will make your trip a lot easier! As I learned the hard way, I started taking private Spanish lessons on Preply to prepare myself for my next trip.

Is Bogotá worth visiting?

Bogotá is 100% worth visiting. It has a rich history, vibrant food scene, beautiful street art and so many things to do, that any traveler will find something they enjoy. I recommend adding it to the start of your itinerary, so you can slowly get used to warmer climates.