The 13 top experiences in Bogotá

Historic streets, scenic mountain trails, vibrant markets, and unique museums thrive in Colombia’s capital, perched at 2600 meters (8530ft) above sea level.

In Bogotá, begin your day with a stroll through the local cloud forest, wander the charming 18th-century streets of La Candelaria in the afternoon, and cap off your evening at a restaurant that transforms into a lively dance club.

With a bustling population of 8 million, the key attractions are just a short taxi ride apart. Maximize your experience with our guide to the must-do activities in Bogotá.

1. Enjoy a panoramic view of Bogotá from Cerro de Monserrate

Explore this lush mountain that rises above the city center and appreciate Bogotá’s immense scale while enjoying fresh air from the cloud forest and sampling local snacks.

While many visitors opt for the cable car to ascend Monserrate, adventurous souls can tackle a well-marked trail featuring hundreds of steps, taking about an hour to reach the summit. At the top, browse market stalls offering souvenirs, coca tea, arepas, and fruit juices, along with hearty breakfast and lunch options.

You’ll also find a couple of gourmet restaurants boasting stunning views of the city, as well as a church frequented by thousands of pilgrims on Sundays—visit on a weekday to dodge the crowds.

Local tip: Arrive early in the morning to beat the lines at the cable car station. The prime photo opportunities are before 8am, when the sun rises behind you over the mountains, or after 5pm as the sun sets over Bogotá.

2. Marvel at centuries-old treasures at the Museo del Oro

Colombia's indigenous peoples may not have built grand pyramids like those in Mexico or Peru, but they excelled in gold and bronze craftsmanship, creating exquisite jewelry that has stood the test of time.

At the Museo del Oro, you'll find hundreds of earrings, nose rings, necklaces, breastplates, and small sculptures of birds and mammals, offering insights into Colombian life before European colonization.

Managed by Colombia's Central Bank, which began the collection in 1938, the museum boasts over 34,000 gold artifacts from the Pre-Columbian period, making it one of the largest gold collections in the world.

On the fourth floor, you can see the museum's very first acquisition: a golden gourd adorned with four spheres known as a poporo. Indigenous peoples used these gourds to store lime, mixing it with coca leaves while chewing the sacred plant.

3. Wander through La Candelaria, Bogotá’s charming historic district

Stroll through the narrow lanes of La Candelaria, one of Colombia’s most well-preserved colonial neighborhoods, adorned with colorful homes and clay-tiled roofs. Begin your journey at Plaza de Bolívar, where you’ll find the neoclassical congress building, the Baroque cathedral, and the modern supreme court. Then, make your way toward the mountains along the steep Calle 11, where local art shops and eateries serving tamales and hot chocolate await, along with the circular Gabriel Garcia Marquez cultural center, which offers a lovely view of the area.

La Candelaria is also home to the Museo Botero and El Chorro de Quevedo, Bogotá’s first public square. Many homes here have been transformed into coffee shops and bars popular with students, and on weekends, street performers fill the air with live music.

Detour: For a distinctive culinary adventure, visit Prudencia on Carrera 2. This restaurant, set in a former 19th-century residence, features an exquisite tasting menu showcasing meats roasted in a firewood oven. Be sure to arrive on time, as Prudencia is only open from midday to 5pm.

4. Experience a game of tejo in Barrio San Felipe

Grab a few beers and test your precision with tejo, a sport originating in rural Colombia that has gained popularity in Bogotá.

The game involves throwing an iron disk at a clay-covered board topped with small paper triangles filled with gunpowder. If you strike one of the triangles in the center, you score extra points with a bang!

While there are tejo tournaments, most play for enjoyment. The San Felipe area offers several tejo venues that are easily accessible and favored by both locals and tourists, such as Tejo La Embajada, which serves craft beers and snacks and turns into a lively dance spot later in the evening. You can reserve a lane on their website.

Detour: If you visit one of the tejo venues in San Felipe, be sure to explore the nearby park lined with trendy cafés, restaurants, and art galleries. It's just a five-minute walk from Tejo La Embajada, located at Calle 75 and Carrera 22.

5. Hike through the cloud forest covering Bogotá’s Cerros Orientales

If you need a break from Bogotá’s busy atmosphere, venture to the mountains on the eastern edge of the city, where you can explore several trails winding through the serene cloud forest.

Currently, there are five publicly accessible trails that are free to use, including Quebrada La Vieja, which begins just a 15-minute walk from the financial district on 72nd street and leads to a viewpoint offering stunning views of the northern part of the city.

The cloud forest is rich with eucalyptus trees, pines, ferns, and a variety of local bird species. It's a popular destination for locals looking to exercise in the mornings or simply escape the city's hustle and bustle.

Local tip: The trails are open only in the mornings and managed by Bogotá’s water company, EAAB. Be sure to visit EAAB’s website to reserve a spot. It's best to go on a weekday, as weekends can get quite busy.

6. Explore Museo Botero for a distinctive perspective on modern art

Fernando Botero stands out among 20th-century artists. Unlike his contemporaries who delved into cubism and abstraction, his work celebrates life with vibrant colors and exaggerated, rounded figures with small eyes and graceful hands.

At Museo Botero, housed in a grand historical building in La Candelaria, you can admire some of Botero’s most iconic paintings and sculptures. As you stroll through the exhibits, notice how he transforms even fruits, trees, birds, and musical instruments into large, round, lively forms.

Botero generously donated over 120 sculptures and paintings to the Colombian government to establish the museum, along with numerous pieces from his private collection that features works by Picasso, Degas, Renoir, and Monet.

Detour: Next to the Botero museum, you'll find a building that houses the Banco de la Republica’s art collection, featuring pieces by 20th-century Colombian artists like Enrique Grau and Alejandro Obregon. Room 5 showcases a compelling exhibit on Colombia’s armed conflict, presented by photographer Jesús Abad Colorado.

7. Experience the vibrant nightlife at Theatron, Colombia’s liveliest nightclub

Groove to Cher and Abba beneath a massive disco ball in this former movie theater turned club, exploring its 17 rooms while DJs mix reggaeton, Latin beats, electronica, and gothic trance throughout the night.

This sprawling five-story venue has long been a hotspot for Bogotá’s LGBTIQ+ community, claiming the title of “the largest gay-themed nightclub in Latin America” on Instagram. However, it's increasingly attracting straight partygoers eager to join the festivities.

On weekends, enjoy drag queen performances, often in a room designed to resemble a Mexican cantina. Theatron accommodates up to 6000 guests and stays open later than most dance clubs in Bogotá, closing at 5am on weekends. For directions, visit the website.

8. Take to the dance floor at one of Bogotá’s Salsa Clubs

Though Bogotá may be cool, its locals are no strangers to the lively rhythms of salsa. You can catch residents showcasing their best moves at various salsa clubs, where dancers of all ages groove to music from Grupo Niche, Celia Cruz, and Hector Lavoe.

In the heart of the city, visit El Goce Pagano, where DJs have been spinning classic salsa tracks from Cuba, Colombia, and beyond for over thirty years. For live performances, don’t miss Quiebra Canto, a celebrated Bogotá venue that has showcased local salsa, champeta, and tropical pop bands before they hit it big.

In northern Bogotá, near Parque 93, Galeria Café Libro also features live bands. If you're seeking a cozier atmosphere, check out Sandunguera close to Plaza Lourdes, which offers lessons in the early evenings.

9. Savor Colombian comfort food and dance off the calories at Andres Carne de Res

With its vibrant music, extravagant décor, and hearty dishes, Andres Carne de Res has become a favorite spot for Bogotanos celebrating birthdays, enjoying a lively night out, and showcasing Colombian culture to international visitors.

At the Bogotá location, try their fried plantain pizza paired with a tangerine vodka cocktail called the Mandarino. Alternatively, opt for a locally brewed beer alongside crispy pork rinds, sweet corn arepas, and chorizos with lime. The three-story venue transforms into a dance club at night, featuring DJs spinning Latin pop hits and rock – en español.

10. Discover the trendy Usaquén and shop at its craft market

The charming neighborhood of Usaquén comes alive on weekends, as numerous artisans set up stalls along its narrow streets, offering a variety of handmade goods.

At Usaquén’s craft market, you can find gold-plated earrings shaped like toucans, vibrant hand-painted mugs, wooden carvings of Colombian hummingbirds, and skincare products crafted from Amazonian fruits.

When you’re ready for a break from shopping, the neighborhood boasts dozens of trendy restaurants, a rum bar, and a coffee shop that roasts its own beans.

Detour: For a glimpse of local designers’ creations, visit the Ambardae market, nestled inside one of the neighborhood's colonial homes. You might leave with a hand-stitched sweater or matching pajamas for you and your pets.

11. Embark on a tropical fruit safari at Mercado Paloquemao

This vast market west of the city center receives fresh produce from all over the country every day. Stroll through its bustling aisles and spend a few pesos sampling vividly colored tropical fruits like lulo, guanabana, and pitahaya. Try the crunchy yet refreshing granadilla seeds or savor the sweet pulp of mangostino, which is purple on the outside and white on the inside.

Feeling thirsty? Swing by the juice stands for a smoothie made with curuba, a tangy fruit from Colombia’s highlands, or enjoy zapote juice from the Caribbean coast.

The market becomes lively on weekends as families shop for groceries and negotiate prices with stall owners. For a more peaceful visit, come during the week.

Local tip: Breakfast stalls at the market offer local delights such as changua egg soup and tamales filled with pork and chicken.

12. Rent a bike and discover the city during the Sunday ciclovia

Every Sunday morning, cars are prohibited on many of Bogotá’s main streets, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy them exclusively.

This weekly event is known as the ciclovia, providing locals a perfect opportunity to exercise, breathe in fresh air, and experience the city in a family-friendly setting. It also facilitates exploring Bogotá on two wheels, free from typical traffic jams.

So grab a bike, put on a helmet, and join the crowd to check out some of the city's landmarks or stop by fruit juice stands along the route. Over 100km (62 miles) of roads, including Carrera Septima—which connects the historical center with Usaquén—are car-free during the ciclovia, passing through trendy areas like Chapinero and Rosales.

Detour: For a physical challenge, head towards La Calera and join numerous amateur cyclists along a winding mountain road offering stunning views of the city. The steep ascent to La Calera begins at Carrera Septima and Calle 85, with most cyclists stopping at the Los Patios toll booth at km 7, where eateries and food stalls await to reward them.

13. Join a graffiti tour to explore the contemporary side of Bogotá’s historic center

In 2011, a police officer fatally shot a sixteen-year-old while he was tagging under a bridge, sparking widespread protests that prompted the local government to reconsider its stance on urban art.

Bogotá has since decriminalized street art, adopting a more open approach to graffiti that allows artists to embellish—or mark up—the city's walls. A prime location to witness this vibrant mix of urban artistry is La Candelaria, where local artists lead walking tours of the murals.

Discover Guache’s vivid pieces featuring indigenous themes, the anti-capitalist stencils of the Toxicomano collective, or Pez’s cheerful fish designs. Many of these colorful murals adorn the walls of 18th-century houses, complete with large windows and clay roof tiles, creating a fascinating blend of the old and the new.