11 Best things to do in Bogota (Colombia)
Bogota, the vibrant and culturally rich capital of Colombia, has become a booming tourist destination recently. Most tourist spots are exciting and fun to visit in Bogota. You will also find something unique and meaningful as you delve into the culture of the city while you explore this part of Colombia.
A general notion about Bogota is that it is unsafe to travel. Staying mindful and cautious, as you would in any other big city like Paris or Rome, and you will be just as safe. So don’t let that stop you from discovering the beautiful city of Bogota.
Best Things to do in Bogota
1. Explore the Heart of the City: La Candelaria
In Bogota, La Candelaria is where you will find the perfect mixture of history and modernization. You will find Spanish colonial buildings, churches, and universities. At the same time, you will get to browse through shops, tourist attractions, educational centers, an art deco house, a police museum, and much more. It is the perfect place to start your visit to Bogota.
2. Take a Sip of Chicha at Chorro de Quevedo
Chorro de Quevedo is a fountain at La Candelaria. It is one of the most famous and visited neighborhoods in the city. Many locals gather here to celebrate during the festive season, but the local shops and colorful surroundings make it an attraction for tourists. The most unique thing about the place is a local organic drink which is specially made by the local people and enjoyed by everyone.
The drink’s name is Chicha, and you will find it near the fountain. Chicha used to be a drink to welcome visitors to Colombia. The tradition has been kept intact since before colonization, and they also haven’t changed the recipe. It is made of corn, fermented, and then boiled.
Chicha does contain alcohol so don’t offer it to your children.
3. See the Four Facets of Plaza Bolivar
The Plaza de Bolivar is the main square in Bogota. It is an open space with cobbled streets surrounded by spectacular buildings on each side. Starting from the most important one, you will find the Cathedral of Bogota here; on the south, you will find the National Capital, the City Hall will be in the west and the Palace of Justice stands tall in the north.
You will also find a statue of Simon Bolivar who was instrumental in freeing Colombia from Spanish rule in the early 1800s.
Visit Musuems in Bogota
Bogota is Colombia’s capital city and therefore has many museums that chronicle Colombian history. It has all the records of colonization, freedom fighting, the contribution of the local people, and a lot more stories that need to be preserved. No wonder it has a lot of museums.
4. Be amazed by the treasure of the Gold Museum
When it comes to Bogota’s museums, the Gold Museum is the most visited and famous museum. Here, you will find a tremendous amount of gold in the form of plates, art crafts, and other valuable but ancient objects of great significance to the country.
You will learn how the Colombian people mined the gold and how artisans created so many amazing works of art.
5. Admire Artwork at the Bogota Museum of Modern Art
Start at the Bogota Museum of Modern Art. It is a funky place for modern art enthusiasts. You would love the blast of colors spilled on the walls of this museum and how the museum has been set up and designed is also extremely fun and admirable. Every wall will lead you to a different tale of color combination that will give you a new view.
6. Visit the Botero Museum
Located in La Candelaria is the Botero Museum, which is full of fantastic artwork. This museum is a must-visit place for you in your Bogota itinerary, no matter if you are an admirer of art or not. It is home to Latin America’s most famous and influential art collections.
You will get to see some peculiar and exceptional paintings of inflated humans, the most popular one being that of the Mona Lisa. The museum is also worth visiting to see the bronze sculptures made by Fernando Botero, a renowned Colombian artist. Apart from that, you will love the traditional, Colombian Villa-like surroundings of the museum.
7. Learn about Colombian history at the National Museum of Colombia
For a more serious outlook on Colombian culture, Bogota has the National Museum of Colombia, which is housed in a stunning building and stands majestically holding the history of the making of the Colombian nation from the beginning.
Here, you will take a deep dive into Colombian history and South American history, like the practices of the people before the Colombian colonization and the trades and lives of the people under the rulers. You will also learn about what or how the freedom fighters of the land were able to free themselves from Spanish colonization.
8. Take Insta-worthy pictures at Calle de Escudo
A bit of a controversial opinion, but I consider street art as art and not spoilage of real estate properties. And I feel the people of Bogota agree with that notion.
You would love it too as you explore the street art on the walls of houses in Bogota. As you pass down the streets, you won’t be able to take your eyes off every color that either scream about the artists’ dreams or tells the tale of the revolution that happened in Colombia decades ago.
9. Shopping at the Agosto Market
If you are looking for the perfect souvenir, this will be the shopping experience for you. The best part about Agosto Market is that it offers handmade bags and other traditional handicrafts that you will love to take home.
Among the fruit stalls and the piles of vegetables, you will find small shops with colorful objects, hand painted with organic colors that would not only look good in your living room but also remind you of the beautiful time you had in Bogota.
It is also an excellent place to try out some local food if you want to be submerged in the local culture while enjoying it and do not want to go to the same old café settings. To get the perfect taste of the Agosto Market, you must try salpicon, which is quite famous, it is a mixture of all the fruits with some salt and garnishing.
10. Participate in the Ciclovia Sundays
Bogota loves biking! It is an entire city committed to cycling. Cycling is not just a recreational activity for them that they follow occasionally. Every Sunday, from 07:00 am to 02:00 pm; the capital city shuts down its highway and main roads for cyclists, walkers, and runners.
On Ciclovia Sundays, you will find many people in groups, and tourists cycling together and doing a round of the city. And a considerable crowd passes by on these roads without any hindrance. It is a great way to bring a community together and for travelers to be a part of a local community.
11. Take a Stroll at the Scenic Simon Bolivar Park
Simon Bolivar Park is a scenic wonder for you if you are an outdoor enthusiast or a person who loves being out in nature. It is the perfect place when you get tired of exploring crowded spaces and markets.
The park is surrounded by mountains and has a lake that offers a perfect atmosphere to sit and relax. There is an aquatic center, a velodrome, an amusement park, and a concert venue. As it is a metropolitan park, there is no doubt that you would find many people here. But the crowd here is more relaxed and cheerful.
In conclusion
These are the best things to do in Bogota that you should not miss out on. If you are visiting Colombia for the first time, you can use this city as a base for further exploration. There are many fantastic day trips from Bogota such as Jardin and Monserrate that will leave you spellbound by their beauty.
Author Bio :
Anjali Wadhwa is a travel blogger on Cheerful Trails, where she shares her passion for exploring the world. She loves writing about destinations, travel tips, and itineraries to inspire readers to venture on their own journeys.
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