Itineraries for Your Trip to Bogotá
3 Days in Bogotá for First Timers
When I first stepped foot into Colombia’s beating heart—sleepy and stiff following a long night bus journey from Medellin—I was struck by the energy that radiates from the capital city and its tangle of contradictions: simultaneously gritty and gorgeous, classic and contemporary.
Often overlooked by travelers, who tend to rush through Colombia's capital in order to reach the Caribbean coast or the verdant coffee regions of the center, Bogota is a rough diamond of a city. If you look beneath the surface, you’ll find a treasure chest bursting with cultural and culinary jewels that represent an abundance of Colombian spirit. Here are my top picks, best seen over three days.
Bogota’s high altitude means it can get chilly, especially at night—bundle up.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the La Candeleria neighborhood, which represents the best of Bogota.
Get your Bogota bearings in the historic old town of La Candelaria, where cobbled streets and colorful buildings mix with world-class museums and vibrant street art. Most of the city’s top attractions are centered around Plaza de Bolivar, so use that as your base for exploring Nariño Palace, Colombia’s presidential palace and art gallery, and the neoclassical La Catedral Primada, the biggest cathedral in Bogota.
Then, take the 10-minute stroll to the Gold Museum, where all that glitters really is gold. Home to more than 55,000 treasures, the museum tells the long history of gold mining and metallurgy in Colombia.
Go underground on a trip to Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church built 600 feet (183 meters) below ground in a labyrinth of salt mines. Part of the Salt Park, it's home to a museum and gallery featuring art works and information on Colombia’s salt mining history. The functioning church is illuminated by colorful lights for stunning photos.
Spend the afternoon at the emerald-green Lake Guatavita—a crater lake that harbors a rich indigenous history. Some day trips combine both of these attractions, which lets you relax and saves the hassle of separate bookings.
Dedicate your final morning in Colombia’s capital to street art, which is world-renowned. Along with La Candelaria, 26th Street—stretching between El Dorado and the historic center—is an open-air gallery featuring work by established graffiti artists such as Toxicomano and DjLu, hailed as the Banksy of Bogota.
Spend your last evening watching the sunset from Mt. Monserrate, topped by a beautiful 17th-century church. Ride the cable car to the forested peak at 10,341 feet (3,152 meters), which feels hours away from the bustling center of Bogota. You'll enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Andes mountain range.
