Things to do in  Bogotá

Bogotá’s main square is built on a grand scale, from a landmark statue of Simón Bolívar to the 16th-century La Catedral Primada. In between is a colorful crowd of vendors, travelers, and downtown workers. A starting point for exploring the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, the Plaza de Bolivar is a key stop for visitors to Bogotá.

Towering 10,341 feet (3,152 meters) tall at the edge of Bogotá, forested Mt. Monserrate (Cerro de Monserrate) can be spotted from across the city. Set like a pearl on the summit is the Monserrate Sanctuary, a 17th-century church whose shrine is a major pilgrimage place for Colombian Catholics.

The graceful and carefully planned Spanish colonial city center, known as La Candelaria, is the oldest part of Bogotá, Colombia. Now a vibrant hub of activity for young artists, bohemian university students, and hip indie businesses, La Candelaria centers on Plazuela del Chorro del Quevedo, the spot where the city was founded in 1537.

This spacious cathedral is carved into a warren of salt mines 600 feet (183 meters) below the ground. Venture into the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral (Catedral de Sal) to see chapels and altars carved directly into solid rock, learn about the mine’s history, and see intricate statues in chapels representing the Stations of the Cross.

Now a museum dedicated to currency, the Bogota Mint Museum traces its origins back to the 1620s, when the Spanish king ordered gold coins to be minted en masse. Today it's a great place to not only see cool coins, many of which are centuries old, but to also learn about the history of Colombia from the 17th century until the modern age.

Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) is one of the city’s most popular attractions. It sparkles with more than 55,000 priceless archaeological and artistic treasures. Only a fraction can be displayed at any one time, laid out to tell tales of pre-Colombian mining, manufacturing, and metallurgy of pre-Hispanic Colombians.

While the plump proportions of Fernando Botero’s sculptures have earned him international acclaim, it’s his generosity that’s made the artist Colombia’s favorite son. At the peak of his fame, the artist donated more than 150 pieces worth $200 million to the Colombian government—you can enjoy all of this art for free at Museo Botero.

Though better-known exports include coffee and salsa dancing, Colombia is actually the world's largest producer of emeralds. Located on the 23rd floor of the Avianca Building, Bogota’s International Emerald Museum (Museo Internacional de la Esmeralda) exhibits the history and processes of emerald mining in Colombia, and boasts 3,000 of the world’s finest emeralds.

Throughout South America, you’ll probably encounter the name Simón Bolívar on an almost daily basis. Nicknamed “The Liberator,” he led the movement for many nations to gain their independence from Spain, but in between political battles, he’d return to his home in Bogota’s eastern hills. Today, the house is known as the Quinta de Bolívar Museum, and documents Bolívar’s fascinating life, while providing valuable insights into Colombia’s history.

Conquistadors dreamed of a golden city called El Dorado, and modern-day archaeologists find traces of that myth in historic practices at Colombia’s Lake Guatavita. Here, the Indigenous Muisca people are believed to have made offerings to the gods by casting gold figures into the crater lake—a scenic and popular day trip from Bogotá.

Designed by the Colombian architect Rogelio Salmona, this modern cultural complex celebrates Colombia’s most famous author, Gabriel García Márquez, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Along with hosting a vibrant program of cultural events, the center boasts a huge bookstore and an exhibition space.

Set in historic La Candelaria, this neoclassical palace is the official home and office of the President of Colombia. It's an impressive sight from the outside, with its mix of grand columns and fountain features, while the interiors house elegant furnishings and oil paintings, many created by famous artists.

With a grand perch by Plaza de Bolívar, Bogotá’s biggest cathedral is a neoclassical landmark with centuries of history. A chapel houses the tomb of Bogotá’s founder, and paintings deck the walls and the dome’s interior. While not as elaborate as some Colombian cathedrals, this historic place remains one of Bogota’s top attractions.

Hidden away in the mountains outside of Bogotá is La Chorrera, a slim cascade that tumbles 2,000 feet (590 meters into the jungle. This waterfall is Colombia’s tallest and among it’s most striking natural attractions.

The country’s history and heritage are on display in the Colombian National Museum, whose vast collections include more than 20,000 objects. Permanent exhibitions range from golden treasures to colonial-era artwork, paintings, sculpture, and ethnography. It’s easy to see why Colombia’s first museum remains a top destination in Bogotá.