Top Things to See and Do in Bogotá, Colombia

Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is a bustling city in South America with a lot of amazing things to see and do. If you are visiting Colombia from an international destination, you’re bound to land in this city. Though some use the city as a stop on their way to other parts of Colombia, I think it is worth spending a few days exploring what the city has to offer. The city is filled with interesting architecture, interesting museums, beautiful art, and great coffee!

I will be completely honest and say that Bogotá is one of the lesser safe places I’ve been in my travels. However, the level of safety to me felt quite similar to that in other big cities in South America. With certain precautions, you can stay safe when visiting the city. These include avoiding local taxis, wearing non-flashy clothing, hiding electronics, and not walking alone at night. While staying safe when visiting cities such as Bogota is important, that’s not to say it will make you miss out from the great things to do in the city!

Continue reading to check out some of the top things to see and do in Bogotá!

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How to Get There

As Bogotá is the capital and largest city in Colombia, your international flight is likely to land in the city. Which, of course, makes it quite convenient to get to the city core! The top things to do in Bogota are only a 35 minute taxi, Uber, or pre-booked car ride from El Dorado International Airport. I arrived at the airport quite late so I opted for an Uber, which costed me about 60,000 COP (~16 USD)

I think it’s important to highlight here that the only place I’d recommend getting a taxi in Bogotá is from the airport (only if it’s an official taxi!). The taxis are not safe for tourists in the city! It is best to take an Uber or a transfer directly from your hotel.

Where to Stay

As with most travel destinations, it is certainly important to research areas to stay in ahead of time! As Bogotá is a lesser safe destination, it is even more important to do so. Here’s a couple areas that are considered more safe neighbourhoods and would be good areas to stay in:

Zona Rosa

This area is the go to place to stay for people seeking fun, as it is filled with attractions, restaurants, clubs, and bars. It is quite the walkable area and is certainly on the safer side of neighbourhoods in the city.

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La Candelaria (Old Town)

In my opinion, this historic district is the most beautiful part of Bogotá. It is home to many of the top things to do in Bogotá and beautiful sites, including museums, graffiti tours, and incredible historic architecture.

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Top Things to See and Do in Bogotá

1. Admire Plaza Bolívar and grab a bite to eat nearby

This Plaza is surrounded by buildings with beautiful architecture, and is the historic heart of Bogota. It is typically people’s first stop when they are exploring the city. There are some shops and restaurants nearby as well!

2. Go on a street art tour

The street art around Bogotá is absolutely incredible. The streets are filled with art from both local and international artists, with many different styles. Some of the art isn’t just beautiful, but it is also moving. Consider booking a tour to experience the best that the city has to offer!

3. Wander through the historic La Candelaria

As I mentioned above, this is definitely the most beautiful part of Bogotá in my opinion. On a walking tour, you will admire incredible buildings and areas such as Plaza Bolivar, and learn about some of the fascinating history of Bogota.

4. Check out the restaurants and bars in Zona Rosa

This area is also known as “Zona T”, and is home to plenty of restaurants, bars, and clubs. It is certainly an exciting part of the city! After a long day of adventuring all the top things to see and do in Bogotá, it is a great spot to stop and have dinner and grab drinks.

5. Take a stroll through Parque Central Simón Bolívar

This giant park is in the middle of Bogotá, boasting beautiful greenery, lakes, and walking paths. Is is bigger than Central Park in NYC, and is home to many different concerts and attractions. It’s a great spot to relax or check out an event thats happening during your visit!

6. Hike up Monserrate

Monserrate is a large hill right near Bogotá’s city center. You are able to walk to the top, where you’ll find incredible panoramic views of the city. You can also opt to take a taxi to the top, or even a cable car!

7. Visit the Gold Museum

The Gold Museum is one of the most-visited touristy places in all of Bogotá. It is one of the most interesting museums in South America, housing over 55,000 pieces of Gold and various other materials from Colombia’s pre-Hispanic cultures. It is the largest collection of pre-Hispanic gold in the world! And better yet, it is free on Sundays!

8. Take a day trip to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

There are certainly many wonderful day trips from Bogotá, but the one that I thought was the most interesting was the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. The cathedral is HUGE and is built into a salt mine, 180 meters underground.

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What are your top things to see and do in Bogotá? Let me know in the comments!

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