Bogotá, the capital and largest city of Colombia, with more than 7 million residents. It is home to a vibrant restaurant scene, world-class museums, surprising wild nightlife and a charming colonial quarter with classical and progressive architecture that makes it one of the greatest and most beautiful cities on earth. More than everything, Bogotá is all about its people; warm, charming, sophisticated and stylish. WOW Travel presents you its Top 10 Things To Do In Bogota.
Booking.com“South America’s Next Capital Of Cool: Bogota” – Forbes
The Botero Museum
1
Situated in a renovated colonial house in the heart of Bogota’s historical center, the Botero Museum houses one of Latin America’s most important international art collections. It showcases the paintings and sculptures of Colombia’s famed artist, Fernando Botero, known for his depictions of exaggeratedly overweight subjects and fruits.
Cerro de Monserrate
2
High upon the Andes Mountains, watching over the city, is Cerro de Monserrate a 3,152 meter (10,341 ft) mountain in the middle of the city. It offers one of the most magnificent and panoramic views of the city of Bogotá. Get there by taking the cable car ride. There is a church with a shrine up there, restaurants and a market for souvenirs and local delicacies such as coca tea.
Plaza de Bolivar
3
Plaza de Bolivar is the main square in the La Candelaria neighborhood, the heart of the historical and political area of Bogotá, filled with vendors, tourists, and friendly pigeons. The square features the National Capitol building, the city mayor’s office, Palace of Justice and the Cathedral of Bogota. On the square stands a statue of Simón Bolivar. The statue was created in 1846 by Italian Pietro Tenerani. It is the first public monument in Bogota.
La Candelaria
4
La Candelaria is the historical and cultural center of the city, It is undoubtedly the bohemian neighborhood of Bogota and the place to be. Packed with locals and tourists, It is a great place to walk around and lose yourself in the quaint alleyways and the cobblestone streets; house to many Spanish colonial buildings, wooden cathedrals and street art everywhere.
Casa de Nariño
5
The Casa de Nariño is the official home and principal workplace of the President of Colombia. From 1765, this was the home where one of the most significant heroes of the independence process was raised: Antonio Nariño y Alvarez. In spite of the fact that people usually view the palace from the outside, the interior is a highly recommended visit, but you will need to book well in advance. However, the guided tour is free and perhaps the most interesting in the city. Inside, you can see some of the country’s most iconic art, decoration, and politics.
Villa de Leyva
6
“A visit to Villa de Leyva is a lovely side trip which can be done in a day but is more leisurely done with an overnight stay or two. Villa de Leyva is a Spanish town left in time with no modernization at all. It is filled with original buildings and cobblestone streets. The square is one of the most popular Bogota attractions, with a small fountain and a white cathedral that sits against an amazing backdrop of the Colombian Highlands.” Source: lehotels.com
Zona Rosa
7
Zona Rosa has become one of Bogota’s trendiest and most upscale neighborhoods. With so many high-end restaurants, malls, boutique stores, European-style bars, luxurious lounges and exclusive nightclubs, Zona Rosa is Bogota’s major nightlife district. If you like clubbing, you will find many options from mixes of western music and Colombian music to techno and electronic pop. The Zona Rosa is also home to the Chapinero, an LGBT-friendly area with a large concentration of gay and lesbian bars and clubs.
Gold Museum
8
The renovated Gold Museum is the most popular and most rewarding museum in Colombia. Here you will discover how metals, especially gold, were used in the prehispanic societies that used to live in the area which today is Colombia. There are 3 floors filled with more than 6,600 pieces on display from archeological sites across Colombia including masks, breastplates, crowns, bowls, jewelry, offerings and armor. it’s a dramatic walk through Colombia’s rich and fascinating history with gold production.
Salt Cathedral
9
About an hour outside of the city, in the town of Zipaquira, There is the world famous salt cathedral that was carved within a salt mine 180 meters (590 ft) underground. The architectural and artistic design of the new salt Cathedral was done by Bogotan architect Roswell Garavito Pearl, which was approved after selecting the project that had a total of 44 proposals in a contest organized by the Colombian Architects Society in 1990. By the way, the town of Zipaquira is also an amazing place to spend an entire day.
Usaquen
10
“Usaquen is a neighborhood that feels like a small local town. It is a popular place with a number of restaurants, live music shows and shopping. Not to be missed is the flea market on Sundays that showcases lots of typical handicrafts. The Hacienda Santa Barbara shopping mall is also located here.” Source: lehotels.com
Just So You Know…
- By the end of 2012, Colombia was crowned the happiest country in the world.
- It’s no secret that one of Bogota’s best-known treasures are its very beautiful women.
- Visit Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park on a sunny day – the massive park that is the city’s largest and is larger than New York’s Central Park. The park is the city’s hot spot for concerts, sporting events, and even has a large central lake where you can go paddle boating.
- If you come during the summer, check out the Carnaval de Bogotá: held on August 5-6 to celebrate Bogota’s founding, the carnival is a festive event honoring Colombia’s diversity with Comparsas, parades of folkloric groups, celebrations in suburban streets with dances, music, games and gastronomy from different regions of the country.
- Santamaria Bull Ring – Bullfighting is a celebrated sport. The ring holds 14,500 people and it’s worth a visit.
- Visit the National Museum housing collections history, art, and culture, is the biggest and oldest museum in Colombia.
- Take the Bogota Graffiti Tour for free – Bogota is widely appreciated for its street art.
- Make your visit unforgettable by staying at the best hotels in Bogota!
Grab A Bite:
- Café Rec is all about freshly ground coffee while promoting and sharing musical culture. Masa with the best croissants in the city. Matiz is one of the best fine cuisine restaurants in Bogotá. Merlín Café with quiet dinner in an intimate setting. Restaurante El Boliche with excellent Italian food and a fun atmosphere. Andres Carne de Res about 30 minutes drive from the city, Colombian food with a focus on grilled meat steak dinner and a wild night of partying. La Jugueteria kitschy and creepy Place with delicious Food.
- Eat Ajiaco for Lunch at least once, it is a thick and hearty soup consists of shredded chicken.
Great article! In Colombia you can do whatever you can imagine. For example if you like sports there are plenty destinations with incredible geography and landscapes. And if you like culture, there are several museums where you can discover all about the Colombian traditions. I share with you an article that shows 3 best scuba diving places in Colombia: https://colombiabybus.co/destinations/3-best-scuba-diving-places-colombia/
I would like to do a day trip from Panama. Arv around 630am, leave at 730. Do you have a guided trip that can accommodate my time?? Mark
Pretty Good List. I´ve spent a fair amount of time in Bogota and did a few tourist things while I was there. I can also recommend Mike´s Bike Tours. He´s in the La Candelaria. Also there is a new salsa school opening up While your in Colombia you should definitely learn salsa!
I agree! the selling of sex in Colombia is out of hand and is so 19th century. Women are not commodities. Bangkok was a fabulous world class city in the 1960’s.When sex became the calling card, men who could not make it with the women in their own culture flocked there to purchase sex. Now, in my opinion,Bangkok is a sewer. Is this what travel writers do,intice sexual malfits to places so they, the writers can make a buck? Medellin is already on this downward spiral, and you want Bogota to follow?
“It’s no secret that one of Bogota’s best-known treasures are its very beautiful women.”
The women generally seem agreeable and don’t seem to exude offputting vibes and most westerners will see a different flavor of looks than they’re used to but this is unmerited hype–also not sure why it’s even necessary. But hey, whatever rakes in those valuable free (male) tourist dollars right?
There are two mistakes, because Villa de Leyva and Salt cathedral aren’t in Bogotá. Villa de Leyva is in Boyaca and Salt Cathedral are in Zipaquira. ;)
Hello Michelle
Thank you so much for your comment :)
We just wanted to explain… Villa de Leyva is located in a Spanish town as we wrote in the article, and the same with the Cathedral (About an hour outside of the city) . The article recommend about the top things to do while visiting in Bogota and includes sites and attractions in the city and around