10 Best Things to Do in Bogotá
Bogotá packs an enormous amount into a compact, walkable core, and most of its best experiences cost little or nothing. Here are ten worth building a trip around.
1. Walk La Candelaria and Plaza de Bolívar
Bogotá’s colonial old town holds the Cathedral Primada, the Capitolio Nacional, and Plaza de Bolívar itself, with narrow streets branching off toward Chorro de Quevedo, the spot where the city was founded in 1538.
2. See the Muisca Raft at the Gold Museum
The Museo del Oro holds the world’s largest collection of pre-Hispanic gold work, and the Muisca Raft, the votive piece behind the El Dorado legend, is the single most important object in the building. Entry is free on Sundays; the museum is closed Mondays.
3. Ride or hike Monserrate
The mountaintop church at roughly 3,152 meters is reached by cable car, funicular, or a hiking trail that’s far safer than it used to be, though it’s still best tackled in daylight with the crowds rather than alone.
4. Take a graffiti tour
Bogotá’s street art has been semi-officially tolerated since a 2011 policy shift, and tip-based walking tours through La Candelaria explain the politics and artists behind the murals.
5. Visit the Museo Botero
Fernando Botero donated over 200 works, including pieces by Picasso, Monet, and Dalí, and entry is free every day except Tuesday.
6. Join Ciclovía on a Sunday
Every Sunday and holiday since 1974, roughly 120 km of Bogotá’s streets close to cars from 7am to 2pm for cycling, running, and walking. It’s the city’s signature experience and costs nothing.
7. Browse Usaquén’s Sunday flea market
This northern village-turned-neighborhood hosts a Sunday flea market and a strong brunch scene, a good half-day pairing with a relaxed morning.
8. Shop Paloquemao Market
Colombia’s exotic fruit lineup, lulo, feijoa, guanábana, granadilla, mangostino, and uchuva, is best sampled here alongside flowers and fresh produce.
9. Watch the changing of the guard
Casa de Nariño, the presidential palace, holds a changing-of-the-guard ceremony on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, viewable free from the plaza.
10. Go out in Chapinero
Chapinero is home to one of South America’s best LGBTQ+ scenes, a genuine plus since same-sex marriage became legal in Colombia in 2016, alongside Zona T’s broader bar and club scene.
Spanish is the main language, the currency is the Colombian peso, and taxis should be booked through an app or called by your hotel rather than hailed on the street.
Read more: our Bogotá hidden gems guide covers quieter spots beyond this list.