Enjoy amazing activities in Bogotá
What to see in Bogotá in 1 or 3 days?
If you only have one day in Bogotá, focus your visit on the historic center: start early by going up to Monserrate Hill for a panoramic view of the city, then spend the morning exploring La Candelaria, including Plaza de Bolívar and its iconic buildings. In the afternoon, visit the Gold Museum and end the day in Zona T to enjoy the local gastronomy.
With three days you can explore the city at a more relaxed pace. On the first day, follow the itinerary above. Dedicate the second day to culture: visit the Botero Museum, the Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center and the National Museum. On the third day, explore the north of the city: start in Simón Bolívar Park, visit the traditional neighborhood of Usaquén (especially recommended on Sundays for its flea market) and finish in the Zona Rosa to enjoy Bogotá’s nightlife.
To make the most of a short stay in Bogotá:
- Stay in La Candelaria or Chapinero to minimize travel times.
- Use TransMilenio to move between distant areas.
- Buy tickets in advance for the main museums.
- Consider taking a free tour on your first day to get oriented.
- For a cultural deep-dive, choose among the best museums in Bogotá.
Bogotá’s altitude (2,640 meters) can affect some visitors. Plan more demanding activities, such as the climb up to Monserrate, for the second or third day, when you are already acclimatized.
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Monserrate Hill
The views from Monserrate Hill offer a wide panorama of Bogotá. This viewpoint is located at about 3,152 meters above sea level, and to reach it it’s best to take the funicular or the cable car. The way up also allows you to see much of the north and center of the city.
There is also the option of hiking up. If you choose the pedestrian trail, it’s better to do it once you’re acclimatized. If you go by funicular or cable car, it can be a good first stop on day 1. At sunrise and sunset the light is better for clear views.
There is a curious local superstition: they say couples who visit Monserrate together never end up getting married. If you have wedding plans in your future and are superstitious, you might want to think twice.
La Candelaria, Bogotá
The historic district of Bogotá is La Candelaria, made up of the neighborhoods La Catedral, La Concordia, Las Aguas, Centro Administrativo, Egipto, Belén and Santa Bárbara. Its narrow streets and colonial architecture preserve buildings from the colonial and republican periods, and it has a wide historical, gastronomic and cultural offer.
This area is located in the central–eastern part of Bogotá, at the foot of the Guadalupe and Monserrate hills. It is easily accessible from various parts of the city, with direct connection via Avenida El Dorado.
The Historic Center of Bogotá was declared a National Monument in 1963. Here you will find architectural gems such as the Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, the historic Teatro Colón, and several emblematic museums such as Quinta de Bolívar, the Botero Museum and the Gold Museum.
Tips for visiting La Candelaria
To get the most out of the historic district:
- Visit early in the morning to avoid afternoon showers
- Wear comfortable shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Be careful with your belongings, especially in crowded areas
- On Sundays many museums offer free admission
Gold Museum: Colombia’s Treasure
The Gold Museum houses the largest collection of pre-Hispanic goldwork in the world. Located near the La Candelaria neighborhood, it displays more than 35,000 gold pieces and 25,000 additional objects (ceramics, bone, shell, textiles and stone) from various Indigenous cultures.
The museum’s five main galleries
The museum is organized into thematic areas such as:
1. The Exploratory: an interactive gallery to connect with cultural heritage through audio, images, videos and models.
2. Metalworking: explains ancestral techniques of metallurgy and mining.
3. The Offering: an immersive space that recreates ancient ceremonies where gold pieces were used in rituals.
4. Cosmology and symbolism: a gallery dedicated to the symbolic world of pre-Columbian civilizations.
5. People and gold: how metals were integrated into pre-Columbian religious and political life.
- Visit on weekdays to avoid large crowds - Don’t miss the Muisca Raft, one of the most emblematic pieces - Admission is free on Sundays (closed on Mondays) - Check the official website for guided tour schedules
Botero Museum
The Botero Museum brings together part of the work of Fernando Botero Angulo (Medellín, 1932–2023), a painter, sculptor and draftsman with a distinctive figurative style. His work is associated with the so-called “Boterismo”.
The museum exhibits 208 works: 123 by Botero and 85 by international artists. Among the latter are paintings by Renoir, Monet, Picasso and Miró, and sculptures by Degas, among others.
Plaza de Bolívar
Plaza de Bolívar brings together key institutional buildings. The standout is the Primatial Cathedral of Colombia, a neoclassical basilica built between 1807 and 1823 and the seat of the Archbishop of Bogotá. Due to its historical, architectural and cultural value, it was declared a National Monument in 1975.
Notable buildings on the square
Plaza de Bolívar is surrounded by important government buildings:
- National Capitol – seat of Congress
- Palace of Justice
- Primatial Cathedral
- Liévano Palace – seat of the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá
Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center
A space dedicated to culture and books in the center of Bogotá. Inaugurated in 2008, it has a large bookstore and an art gallery with temporary programming.
The cultural center includes a bookstore, exhibition halls and dining options. It represents the connection between Colombian literary tradition and contemporary cultural life.
Parque de los Periodistas
This emblematic park is just a few steps from the Colombian Academy of Language. It is also home to the Bolívar Pavilion, a republican-style monument dedicated to Simón Bolívar, built in 1883 by Italian architect Pietro Cantini.
The park is located between Santa Fe and La Candelaria. In the 1940s it was known as Parque de la Romana; in the 60s as Parque de la Independencia; and today, Parque de los Periodistas. It was a meeting point for writers, poets and journalists.
The area also includes the Centro Colombo Americano and the headquarters of the Alliance Française. On some days there is a small fair with handicrafts, antiques and books.
What you’ll find in the area
- Historic residential apartments
- TransMilenio Las Aguas station
- Handicraft stalls
- Street vendors selling typical products
- A cultural, bohemian atmosphere
Zona T
Bogotá’s Zona T is in the Chapinero area (Zona Rosa). It stands out for its pedestrian streets, easy to walk around. It’s a recommended area to stay in and a good base to explore nearby parks such as El Virrey Park or 93rd Street Park.
The area is bounded by pedestrian streets that form a “T”, hence the name. It is one of the main nightlife districts, with many clubs and bars. It forms part of the Zona Rosa, a few kilometers north of Chapinero and about 10 kilometers from La Candelaria.
The area concentrates restaurants, bars, shops and high-end hotels.
Usaquén Flea Market
Usaquén was once a separate town that was annexed to Bogotá, and it still preserves low-rise houses, a central square and the Santa Bárbara church. The Flea Market has been active for decades and was recognized as an activity of cultural interest by the Bogotá City Council (Agreement 154 of 2005; extended to the Usaquén Flea Market Association by Agreement 544 of 2013).
Torre Colpatria
Besides its viewing deck, Torre Colpatria is a 50-story, 196 m skyscraper with an LED-lit façade at night. It is no longer the tallest building in the city: it has been surpassed by BD Bacatá (216 m) and Atrio Norte (201 m).
Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park
Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park is the main urban park of the Colombian capital, located in the geographic center of the city, mainly in the Teusaquillo district, as part of the Simón Bolívar Park System.
It is considered the lung of the city due to its size and tree cover. The system includes several sub-areas:
- The Central Park, with 113 hectares for contemplative activities
- The Lake Park or “Los Novios” Park, with 23 hectares and sports facilities
- The El Salitre area with recreational and sports spaces
- The Children’s Museum
- The José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden
Recommended activities
The park offers many activities for all tastes:
- Boat rides on the lake
- Picnics on the grassy areas
- Visits to the botanical garden
- Outdoor cultural events
- Sports activities in the facilities
National Museum of Colombia
It is the oldest museum in the country, with collections of art, history, archaeology and ethnography. The institution was created in 1823 and its current building is the former Panopticon, whose construction began in 1874.
Among its highlights are colonial and contemporary works, as well as significant historical and ethnographic collections.
La Casa de la Moneda
La Casa de la Moneda was a mint founded by Alonso Turrillo de Yebra in the 17th century. Today it holds the numismatic and art collection of the Bank of the Republic. It is located in the La Candelaria neighborhood, in the city center.
Free admission; check current opening hours (the museum is usually closed on Tuesdays).
Museum of Modern Art (MAMBO)
The museum aims to be a dynamic space dedicated to the research, communication and exhibition of modern art in Bogotá.
It began its activities in 1963 (charter from 1955) and maintains a collection of Latin American and international modern art.
Among the works exhibited there have been pieces by artists such as Andy Warhol, Picasso, Dalí and Bacon, as well as photography and other disciplines.
Andrés Carne de Res
If you like meat and enjoy a festive atmosphere, Andrés Carne de Res is a well-known option. In Bogotá its urban location is Andrés DC (Zona T).
How to get to Bogotá
Bogotá is the main gateway to Colombia. Located in the center of the country, it’s worth dedicating enough time to visit and understand its scale.
How to get to Bogotá by plane
The city has the El Dorado Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento International Airport. The airport has two passenger terminals: T1 (main terminal, with domestic and international flights for most airlines) and T2 or Puente Aéreo (operates flights by Satena, Clic and JetSMART).
How to get to Bogotá by car
By road there is no connection with Panama (the Darién Gap). There is also no direct road continuity with Brazil or Peru from the national network; by land, entry is usually from Ecuador or Venezuela through authorized border crossings.
How to get from the airport to downtown Bogotá
Transport options from the airport
- By TransMilenio: Service K86 and feeder 16‑14 from T1 (check schedules on TransMiApp).
- By urban bus (SITP): check current routes on TransMiApp to connect with downtown.
- By taxi: only use the authorized airport taxis.
Check out our Travel tips for Bogotá so your trip doesn’t miss a single detail.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bogotá
How many days do you need to visit Bogotá?
A minimum of 3 days is recommended to see the most important places in the city. With 5 days you can explore the city more calmly and take excursions to the surrounding areas.
What is the best time of year to visit Bogotá?
The months with the least rain are usually December–February and July–August. The temperature remains fairly stable throughout the year due to the city’s altitude.
Is it safe to visit Bogotá?
Bogotá is generally safe for tourists, especially in the most visited areas. As in any big city, it’s important to take basic precautions and keep an eye on your belongings.
Which are the best areas to stay in?
The most recommended areas to stay in Bogotá are: La Candelaria (for history and culture), Chapinero (a modern and commercial area), and Zona T/Zona Rosa (for nightlife and restaurants).
* Price, schedule and access information is current as of November 2025 according to official sources. These details may change at any time due to holidays, construction work or regulatory changes. Always check the official websites or phone numbers of each place before your visit.
