The capital of Colombia is a temple to culture and art. A unique site in which tribute is paid to two of the great artists that Colombia has given: Gabriel García Márquez, in the letters; and Fernando Botero in painting. If you travel to this beautiful city in Latin America, you cannot miss the tourist attractions of Bogotá during your visit.
Places of tourist interest in Bogotá that you should visit
The history of Bogotá as the capital of the country dates back to 1538, when it was founded as the capital of the New Kingdom of Granada by the Spanish conqueror Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. The city is 2,625 above sea level, which makes the climate mountainous. Take some warm clothes on your visit! Bogotá is located in the center of the country and you can get directly to the city’s airport, El Dorado. It is named in honor of the legendary (and never found) city made of gold.
The Colombian capital was awarded the title of “Athens of South America” thanks to the large number of universities (114) and research centers that it houses, as well as the museums, theaters and libraries that make up some of the tourist attractions of Bogota
If you are interested in ecological means of transport and that, in addition, encourage physical activity, we tell you that Bogotá has 550 kilometers of cycling infrastructure: 117 more kilometers were added, temporarily, due to Covid-19.
We recommend a trip by tram to get to know the whole center at once and then take a tour of the places that interest you the most.
Museums in Bogota
Gold Museum of the Bank of the Republic
This museum houses one of the largest pre-Hispanic gold collections in the world. More than 55,000 pieces of gold and other materials from the country’s pre-Columbian cultures are exhibited here. In the museum you can learn all about the goldsmithing made by these peoples through its permanent and temporary exhibition rooms. It also has an interactive room, auditorium and, of course, a shop and cafeteria.
You can visit the museum from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. Sundays and holidays from 10 am to 4 pm. Join the free tour at 11 am or 4 pm from Tuesday to Saturday!
Botero Museum
Fernando Botero was one of the greatest artists in Colombia. Iconic for its famous large volume paintings of people. The museum that bears his name is undoubtedly one of the most important tourist attractions in Bogotá and is located in a house from the colonial era. Here you can see more than 100 paintings in watercolor, oil and pastel techniques, but also sculptures. In the Botero museum you will not only find the art of Botero, but also that of other great painting artists: Picasso, Dalí, Renoir and Matisse.
If before embarking on a trip to Colombia you want to see some of Botero’s art, and you live in Madrid, we advise you to come as soon as possible to CentroCentro, in the Palacio de Cibeles.
Bogota tourist attractions for literature lovers
Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center
“Macondo more than a place in the world, it is a state of mind”. It is a phrase from the Nobel Prize in Literature, Gabriel García Márquez, one of the greatest exponents of Spanish-American literature. Lovers of letters will know that Macondo is a fictional town created by García Márquez and the setting for some of his works. How could it be otherwise, the writer is very present in the Colombian capital through a cultural center that bears his name.
The center is an icon of contemporary architecture in the country. During your visit you will find a library that houses more than 80,000 books , an art gallery, record store and bookstore. After your tour, we recommend you stop by for a cup of coffee (they say the best in the world), on the ground floor of the center. We tell you that the place is surrounded by 29 universities, 7 libraries and 58 cultural entities. Don’t miss out on some of them!
Gabriel García Márquez Journalists Park
This park is located in the Las Nieves neighborhood, in Bogotá. Since 2014, the year of the death of the Nobel Prize for Literature, it was renamed in this way in his honor. Curiously, the park is triangular in shape thanks to a section of the Environmental Axis, a large brick pedestrian path that crosses one of the most important areas of the city.
In the park you can visit a temple dedicated to Simón Bolívar, liberator of America. This temple, built between 1882 and 1886, is inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Rome. At the center of the complex is a replica of a statue of Bolívar made in 1884. The statue of García Márquez, which was initially installed in this park, is currently located in the El Tunal Metropolitan Park, in front of the El Tunal Gabriel García Public Library Marquez.
Luis angel arango library
It is the most important public library in the country and one of the most visited in the world. In the heart of the historic center of Bogotá, this library receives about 5,000 daily visitors. In addition to being a meeting point for readers and researchers, the center has an important cultural agenda with concerts, exhibitions, conferences, workshops and seminars.
The enclosure has 1,962 reading positions distributed in 12 specialized rooms and divided by areas of knowledge. All in a building work of art of Colombian architecture.
Discover the magic of Bogotá
Bolivar plaza
The square in honor of the liberator of America is a place that you cannot miss in the Colombian capital. It is located in the heart of the city, surrounded by emblematic buildings such as the National Capitol, the First Cathedral of Bogotá, the Palace of Justice and the Mayor’s Office. A place to relax after a whole day of city tours and museums.
Monserrate Hill
Among the tourist attractions of Bogotá is the Cerro de Monserrate. It stands 3,152 meters high and offers spectacular views of the city. At the top of the hill is located the Sanctuary of Monserrate that houses a figure of Christ dating from the seventeenth century. We tell you that it is a pilgrimage site and receives people from all over the world.
You can go up by cable car for 16,400 Colombian pesos (4 euros, approximately) or venture up on foot in a 90-minute journey.
José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden
We invite you to visit this 50 acre oasis of palm trees and exotic tropical gardens in the middle of the city. It has an orchid gallery, waterfall, lake and a sundial. We are sure that you will love visiting it and getting away from the noise of the Colombian capital.
Open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9 am to 5 pm.
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá: one of the most important tourist attractions in Bogotá
This imposing cathedral is located 50 kilometers north of Bogotá . It is a unique building, carved completely carved in salt and, in addition, it is underground: 180 meters underground. It was built in the Zipaquirá salt mine and is considered one of the most important tourist destinations in Colombia. It is an architectural gem!
Small gastronomic route: the best restaurants in the city
Bogotá has a great gastronomic offer for its tourists. You can start with The False Door . It is a very typical and popular restaurant in the city where you can taste typical dishes of the country such as ajiaco santafareño (thick soup with potato and chicken). Also ideal for eating tamales or drinking chocolate.
For beer lovers, Bogotá Beer Company (BBC). Here you can not stop trying their cold craft beer or ask for something more global. A German or British beer? Come to any of the more than 20 BBC bars. If wine is your thing and you are looking for a more formal place, go up to the top of Monserrate by cable car and have a drink at Casa San Isidro. The views are unique!
If you are looking for party and rumba, Gaira Café Cumbia House is what you are looking for. This bar is owned by the Colombian singer Carlos Vives. Ideal for dancing! And you will also be able to see instruments and objects that belonged to prominent musicians in the country. From Thursday to Saturday it opens until 3 am.
