Mountain trails, historical streets, trendy markets, and an impressive museum are what define Bogota.
So, you could start your day walking in one of the local forests, then have a relaxed afternoon exploring the 18th-century streets of La Candelaria, and, of course, spend your night having dinner at one of the cool restaurants that serves local dishes or spend time in a raucous dance club.
In addition to the above, there are several things you can do in Bogota, ranging from visiting attraction sites to sampling local dishes and brews to walking around the city.
We will cover the main ones in this article. So, stay tuned to learn more.
List of the Best Things to Do In Bogota in 2024
1. Get a Bird’s Eye View of the City
The best place to get a glimpse of the city from a higher level is to visit Cerro de Monserrate.
This green mountain offers the best view of the city.
And the best thing is that you get a beautiful view of Bogota while enjoying fresh air from the cloud forest.
2. Visit Museo del Oro to Explore Centuries-old Jewelry
While Colombia is not famous for building pyramids like its peers in South America, it has some of the most beautifully-crafted jewelry.
These gems have survived centuries.
In fact, you will marvel at centuries-old nose plates, earrings, breastplates, necklaces, and small sculptures depicting mammals and birds. In total, there are over 34,000 golf items in the museum.
3. Take a Walk Through La Candelaria
La Candelaria is a famous neighborhood because of its narrow streets lined by colorful architecture.
This is probably among the few best-preserved colonial-era neighborhoods in Colombia.
So, if you have time, just stroll through the neighborhood staring out at Plaza de Bolivar, then progress towards the mountains along Calle 11, and finish your trip in the circle-shaped Gabriel GGarcia Marquez cultural district.
4. Gaming at Barrio San Felipe
If you are a fan of tejo, the best place to visit is Barrio San Felipe.
This historic sport originated in rural Colombia and involves throwing an iron disk at a covered board.
You will earn points if you hit one of the triangles located at the center of the board.
5. Walk through the Cloud Forests at Cerros Orientales
If Bogota’s busy life doesn’t impress you, you can take a break and explore the mountains on the eastern edge of Bogota.
Here, you will find numerous trails that cross the cool cloud forest.
The best thing is that these trails are open to the public and cost nothing to walk through.
6. Visit Museo Botero
One of the best things to do in Bogota is to visit Mueo Botero, where you will see famous paintings and sculptures by Fernando Botero, a celebrated 20-th century artist.
As you walk through the many exhibits, you will not miss noticing Botero’s versatility in terms of items he could paint or carve.
7. Enjoy Nightlife at Theatron
If you want to dance to Cher and Abba, then you will not want to miss a visit to Bogota’s most racious nightclub.
You will be amazed as you wander through 17 rooms as you listen to latin music, reggaeton, gothic trance, and electronica.
8. Join the Dance at Bogota’s Salsa Clubs
Locals love to showcase their best moves in some of Bogota’s salsa clubs.
This is where you will find people of all ages dancing to the tunes of Celia, Grupo Niche, and Hector Lavoe.
Specifically, you need to check out El Goce Pagano, where local DJs have been spinning classic salsa tunes from Colombia, Cuba, and beyond for several years.
9. Try Colombia Comfort Food at Andres Carnes de Res
With its lively music and hearty plates, Andres Carnes de Res has created a name among locals and visitors as a place to visit if you want to have a loud night out, have birthday parties, and show off Colombia’s culture to foreigners.
10. Shop at Craft Markets
During weekends, Usaquen is buzzing with activity, with dozens of artisans occupying small stalls on narrow streets.
These guys sell a variety of items. For instance, you can get colorful hand-painted mugs, gold-plated earrings in the shape of toucans, and wooden carvings of Colombian hummingbirds.
11. Tropical Safari at Mercado Paloquemao
This marvelous market receives lots of fresh produce from every corner of Colombia each morning. So, you can take a walk along the streets and taste colored tropical fruits.
Go for the sweet pulp of the mangonistino or try the crunchy seeds of the granadilla.
12. Bike Around the City
One of the most interesting things to do in Bogota is to rent a bike and cycle through the city.
Sunday mornings are the best because there are fewer cars on Bogota’s main streets.
Essentially, cars are banned from accessing these roads on Sunday to allow pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy fresh air and exercise.
13. Visit Bogota’s Historical Center to Explore Graffiti
Since 2011, the city administration has decentralized street art, making it easier for artists to express their talent on the city’s walls.
One of the best spots to see this eye-catching urban art is the La Candelaria historic neighborhood.
14. Cable Car Tour to Monserrate
At 10,347 feet, the Montserrat Mountains tower above everything in the city.
To reach the peak of the mountain, you can either take a cable car or hike.
But because of the steepness of the mountain, a cable car seems to be the better option.
15. Day Trip to Guatavita Lagoon and Zipaquira Salt Cathedral
One of our favorite things to do in Bogota is to participate in a group tour of Salt Cathedral and Guatavita.
Here, you will explore the incredible underground Salt Cathedral in addition to hiking up to the Guatavita Lagoon.
16. Savor Local Dishes at Prudencia and other Food Joints
Want to try Colombian cuisine?
Well, there are several top-rated restaurants and eateries that serve traditional dishes like patacones with hogao sauce, ajiaco, banana leaf tamales, arepas, and local delicacies like chica.
But if you are looking forward to the most spectacular dining experience in the city, then you should visit Prudencia.
17. Drink Colombian Coffee
Colombia is among the top three coffee bean producers worldwide.
So, you are likely to find the best coffee here. These coffees are served in some of Bogota’s best cafes.
18. Take a Day Trip to Villa de Leyva
If you have plenty of time during the day, you can take a full-day trip to Villa de Leyva.
This charming colonial town is whitewashed and is only a few hours away from Bogota.
Besides this, it is home to Colombia’s largest plaza, hiking trails, and quaint cobblestone streets.
19. Eat at Central Cevicheria
If you want to sample Peruvian meals while in the city, try visiting Cevicheria.
The ambience and food are fabulous. The good thing is that it has several outlets across the city.
20. Take a Free Walking Tour
This is one of the most interesting things to do in Bogota.
Actually, this is what most adventurers do when they get to a new destination.
It is a great way to learn the local scene, have a local expert answer, and see the main sights.
21. Wander Plaza Bolivar
This is one of the busiest squares in Bogota.
Not only is it home to the Cathedral of Bogota, Colombia’s Palace of Justice, the Capitol Building, and the mayor’s office, but it is also a place where pigeons wander around.
One of the most interesting things is that you will find several historic buildings dating back to the 16th century.
22. Take a Tour of the Botanical Garden Biodiversity
The Botanical Garden of Bogota is rich in biodiversity, with almost 20,000 plants.
Your main focus here would be regional plant species, especially those that are endemic to high-alpine regions such as the Andes.
23. Attend Gringo Tuesdays
Every Tuesday, you have the opportunity to meet with fellow travelers and probably have a few hours of conversation.
In the process, visitors learn different cultures and languages. This weekly language exchange program has grown into an international party.
Usually, it starts with a few hours of conversations, and thereafter, the party begins, which runs late into the night.
24. Check the Santuario Nuestra Senora del Carmen
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Carmen is in a historic Gothic church.
One of the unique things about this shrine is that it has a red-and-white striped pattern that makes it appear as a giant candy cane.
25. Visit Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park
Created in 1979, it is one of the most visited parks in the city.
Here, you will find people of diverse origins relaxing, exercising, and attending concerts. So, it is a nice place to take a stroke or just relax.
Final Words
Colombia’s capital usually gets a bad rap when compared to other top destinations in the country like Medellin, Salento, and Cartagena.
But this is a misguided perspective, as the city offers a true experience of Colombia. Spending time here helps you understand who Colombia is as a nation.
It also amazes visitors with its colorful, dynamic streets and buildings surrounded by awesome nature.
Moreover, there are plenty of activities to do while here. In fact, we just listed a few of them. So, if you give Bogota a chance, you will be glad you did.
Also Read:
