Museum
Botero Museum
The museum in La Candelaria showcases the collection Fernando Botero donated to the Banco de la República: 123 of his own works and 85 works by international artists. Admission is free; closed on Tuesdays.
Colombia
Bogotá
City
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and lies at 2,640 meters in the Andes. You come for the Gold Museum, the colonial streets of La Candelaria, and the views from its iconic mountain, Monserrate.
by Felix Gillen
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and lies at 2,640 meters in the Andes. You come for the Gold Museum, the colonial streets of La Candelaria, and the views from its iconic mountain, Monserrate. With around eight million inhabitants, the city, founded in 1538, is large and diverse: Chapinero and Zona T are the districts for restaurants and nightlife.
Sights in Bogotá
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Museum
Museo del Oro
The Gold Museum of the Banco de la República on Parque Santander houses over 34,000 pre-Columbian gold objects, plus some 25,000 pieces of ceramics, stone, and textiles. Its centerpiece is the Muisca Raft, depicting a ceremony that inspired the myth of El Dorado. Closed on Mondays, admission is free on Sundays.
Natural Feature
Monserrate
Bogotá's local mountain reaches 3,152 meters. At the top stands the Sanctuary of Señor Caído, whose figure dates from the 17th century, while the current church building was completed in 1920. You can ascend by funicular, cable car, or via a steep footpath of about 2.4 kilometers, which is closed on Tuesdays. In 2026, the round trip costs 35,000 COP from Monday to Saturday.
Historic Landmark
Plaza de Bolívar
Bogotá's main square was laid out in 1539. Flanking it are the Cathedral, the Capitol with Congress, the Palacio Liévano as City Hall, and the Palace of Justice.
Museum
National Museum of Colombia
The National Museum is one of the capital’s landmarks and offers an overview of Colombia’s art and history.
Church
Plazoleta Chorro de Quevedo
The small square in La Candelaria is an evening meeting point: street musicians and storytellers can be found here until about 10 PM. All around are small bars where chicha is served.
City walks in Bogotá
Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.
Rundgang La Candelaria
Der kurze Rundgang beginnt an der Plaza de Bolívar und führt über Kathedrale, Teatro Colón und den Kulturblock der Banco de la República mit Museo Botero und Bibliothek bis zur Plazoleta Chorro de Quevedo. Die Strecke ist rund 1 km lang, mit Museumsbesuchen rechne mit zwei bis drei Stunden. Die Gassen von La Candelaria steigen nach Osten leicht an.
Stops (6)
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Restaurants in Bogotá
Chef Álvaro Clavijo's restaurant in Chapinero ranked #1 on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025. The cuisine spotlights local produce. Reservations essential.
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Leo
Head Chef Leonor Espinosa highlights Colombia's biodiversity and ingredients from indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. In 2025, Leo was ranked 23rd on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants.
Mario Rosero's restaurant in La Candelaria (Carrera 2 #11-34) serves a seven-course menu that changes regularly. Dishes are prepared with local ingredients, wood fire, fermentation, and smoking. Check opening hours in advance.
Opened in 1816, the establishment one street from Plaza de Bolívar is considered Colombia's oldest continuously operating restaurant. It is known for ajiaco, tamales, and chocolate santafereño with cheese.
Food and Drink in Bogotá
Bogotá's traditional cuisine is called santafereña and is suited to the cool highland climate. It thrives on soups, tamales, and hot chocolate, best sampled in Candelaria's old establishments.
Ajiaco santafereño
A hearty soup of chicken, corn cobs, and three potato varieties, flavored with the herb Guascas. Voted in a city survey as the dish that tastes most like Bogotá.
Changua
Leichte Frühstückssuppe aus Milch, Wasser, Ei und Koriander, meist mit Brot serviert. In derselben Umfrage landete sie auf Platz zwei.
Santafereño chocolate with tamal
The Tamal, a filled corn dough cooked in banana leaf, is eaten in Bogotá with hot chocolate. Often, cheese and Almojábana are served instead.
Puchero santafereño
A hearty stew, one of Bogotá's most typical dishes, alongside Ajiaco and chocolate. You'll find it especially in traditional Old Town restaurants.
Culture and History
At Plaza de Bolívar stand the Cathedral, Capitol, City Hall, and Palace of Justice side-by-side, the nation's political core. The Plaza was laid out in 1539.The Museo del Oro houses over 34,000 pre-Columbian gold objects and around 25,000 other pieces from ceramic, stone, shell, and textile. The Museo Botero displays a collection Fernando Botero gifted to the Banco de la República: 123 of his own works and 85 works by international artists.
Nightlife
The club, housed in a former cinema in Chapinero, is known as one of Latin America's largest LGBTQ+ clubs, attracting a mixed crowd. In over a dozen areas, you'll find Pop, Electro, Reggaeton, Salsa, and drag shows. Open Thursdays to Saturdays; all areas are only open on Saturdays.
The cocktail bar in northern Chapinero crafts drinks with home-grown herbs and plants, offering a seasonal menu. In 2022, it was named Bogotá's best bar at the Premios Cocktail. Reservations recommended.
Restaurant, bar, dance floor, art gallery in one, with Salsa, Latin Jazz, live shows. Audience is mostly Colombian.
Getting In and About
Airport: El Dorado (BOG) is the country's main international airport.City Transport: The TransMilenio rapid bus system connects the city districts. Check the current UK FCDO travel advice before your trip.Monserrate: Funicular and cable car cost 35,000 COP return, 21,000 COP one-way, Monday to Saturday (as of 2026). The walking path is around 2.4 kilometers long and ascends approximately 470 vertical meters. It opens at 5 AM, entry closes at noon, and it is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance.Intercity Buses: Terminal Salitre and Terminal del Norte, depending on destination.
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