Colombia attractions

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.

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.

As well as offering respite from Cartagena’s Caribbean heat with its leafy trees, Bolivar Square (Plaza Bolivar) is home to both the Palace of the Inquisition museum and the Gold Museum (Museo de Oro Zenu). In between museums, sample Colombian coffee and snacks from street vendors and admire the eponymous statue of Simon Bolivar at the square’s center.

Sitting atop the highest point in Cartagena, Convento de la Popa is a 17th-century convent characterized by graceful stone arcades and an interior courtyard filled with flowers. History and architecture aside, the biggest draw of the convent is the scenery: from the 500-foot (152-meter) perch, travelers are rewarded with sweeping views of the Caribbean coast and colonial city.

Founded in 1534, Santo Domingo Church (Iglesia Santo Domingo) is the oldest church in Cartagena. As well as being notable for its marble altar and imposing central nave, the church boasts a prime location on Plaza Santo Domingo, where street vendors and al fresco cafes create a vibrant atmosphere.

Just off the coast of northern Colombia, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park is home to a wealth of endangered flora and fauna as well as the world’s highest coastal peak. Dominated by mountains and popular among hikers, this UNESCO-recognized national park is home to bird reserves, archaeological ruins, and indigenous villages.

Shoppers, barhoppers, and photography enthusiasts flock to picturesque Las Bovedas, located at the northeastern corner of Cartagena’s old walled city. Dozens of archways—stretching from Santa Clara to Santa Catalina Fortress—are home to souvenir shops, jewelry stores, small bars, and galleries.

Set in Plaza Botero, a square that showcases the disproportionate sculptures of Medellín-born Fernando Botero, the Antioquia Museum (Museo de Antioquia) houses a fascinating collection of classic and contemporary art. The third floor is dedicated entirely to Botero and exhibits such controversial works asThe Death of Pablo Escobar.

Deep within the Sierra Nevada, the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida is an indigenous archaeological site accessible only via a challenging multi-day trek through the surrounding jungle. Prepare to wade through waterfalls and climb more than 1,000 stone steps to reach the secluded ruins, where you’re rewarded with panoramic views.

Discover paintings and sculptures from Colombia and beyond during a visit to the Cartagena Museum of Modern Art, or the Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena. Located within the 17th-century Royal Customs House, this museum is home to both a permanent collection and rotating exhibitions featuring young artists from around the world.

One of Colombia’s most popular ecotourism destinations, Tayrona National Park runs along the Caribbean coast and covers beaches, jungle, reefs, and mangroves. Travelers come here from nearby Santa Marta to hike along the coast, relax and swim at tropical beaches, snorkel among the coral reefs, or simply disconnect from daily life within its idyllic setting. It’s a place to choose your own adventure for the day.

An escape from the urban jungle of Medellín is only a gondola ride away. Arvi Park (Parque Arvi) and Piedras Blancas Park (Parque Piedras Blancas), neighboring parks in the mountainous countryside east of the city, are crisscrossed by hiking trails and dotted with lakes, scenic lookout points, and wildlife museums.

Home to around 190 different species of bird, the National Aviary of Colombia harbors diverse flora and more than 2,000 birds. The 17-acre (7-hectare) park categorises birds according to three Colombian ecosystems—tropical rainforest, coastal zone, and desert—and promises an enriching experience for wildlife lovers.

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.

Cartagena’s Cathedral of San Pedro Claver (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver) immortalizes the life of Saint Pedro Claver, one of the first human rights pioneers in the Americas. The austere stone facade of the cathedral alludes to a peaceful interior, where visitors can pay their respects to the remains of the saint, which are visible through a gilded glass case.

Often called the River of Five Colors or the Liquid Rainbow, Caño Cristales is one of the world's most beautiful rivers. Set in Serranía de la Macarena National Park, the water flows over vibrant aquatic plants that bloom for several months of the year—a natural phenomenon resulting from three diverse ecosystems converging.

Lleras Park (Parque Lleras) forms the social center of the upscale neighborhood of El Poblado, a haven for gourmet restaurants, trendy cocktail bars, and youth hostels. The area is undoubtedly one of the safest Medellín neighborhoods to explore by night, when strings of lights illuminate the park and bars spring to life with DJs and young, fashionable Colombian crowds.

The laidback antidote to bustling Medellín, Santa Fe de Antioquia is one of the country’s best-preserved colonial towns and the former capital of Antioquia. Sample locally produced coffee, admire whitewashed single-story buildings, and cross the oldest suspension bridge in the country—the Bridge of the West, now a National Monument.

Barefoot Park (Parque Pies Descalzos) is a fun, interactive space where travelers and locals can quite literally kick off their shoes and play. This sensory experience for your tootsies consists of three separate zones—Sand, Forest, and Water—each with different surfaces and textures to provide a natural foot massage.

Medellin’s Metrocable is far more than just a public transport system. Built to transform the war-torn city in the wake of Pablo Escobar’s reign, the urban cable car helps those living in the poorer hilltop barrios to access the city. Use Metrocable to explore formerly unreachable parts of the city.

With its fragrant rose gardens and water features, Hacienda el Paraíso (Paradise House) lives up to its name. Originally built in 1816 as a base for supervision of the region’s sugarcane plantations, the hacienda became famous in the 19th century when it was used as the setting forMaría, a novel by iconic Colombian writer Jorge Isaacs.

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.

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.

Medellín Botanical Garden represents the city’s radical recovery from war-torn terror, as well as its innovative use of space. Brimming with more than 5,000 plant species and wildlife from Latin America, the garden—which spans an impressive 40 acres (0.4 hectares)—provides a welcome break from the bustle of central Medellín.

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.

Located at the base of San Felipe Castle, the Old Shoes Monument (Los Zapatos Viejos) is a giant sculpture of a pair of old boots. A popular spot for a selfie, the monument was created by Hector Lombana Piñeres in response to the poem “Mi Ciudad Nativa” by local poet (and one of South America’s most respected writers) Luis Carlos López.

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.

Behind heavy, iron gates in the affluent neighborhood of Poblado, you’ll find El Castillo Museum (Museo El Castillo, a 17th-century castle built in the style of those in France’s Loire Valley. French and Spanish art lines the walls of the museum, which harbors a poignant family history.