7 Day Walking Tour of Bogota in 2023
Are you in Bogota and want to get to know the rich history of the city and country? This walking tour guide of Bogota with a focus near La Candelaria neighborhood will give you just that. This guide breaks things down into days to really get an intensive look at museums, parks, restaurants and more.
Day 1: Plaza Bolivar, Gold Museum, Callejón de Embudo, Botero
- Start with a walking tour of La Candelaria, the historic district of Bogota. Visit the Plaza Bolivar, the main square of the city and home to the Cathedral, the Palace of Justice, and the National Capitol.
- Stop by the Museum of Gold, which showcases the pre-Columbian goldsmithing techniques of the Muisca people.
- Take a break for lunch at a traditional Colombian restaurant in the area like La Puerta Falsa.
- In the afternoon, visit the Botero Museum, which houses a collection of works by the famous Colombian artist, Fernando Botero.
- Finish the day with a stroll through the Callejón del Embudo, a picturesque alleyway lined with colonial-style houses and street art.
Day 2: Iglesia San Fransisco, Monserrate, Casa de Nariño
- Begin the day with a visit to the Quinta de Bolívar, the former residence of Simon Bolívar, the leader of the movement for independence in South America.
- Next, head to the San Francisco Church, a beautiful 18th-century church that is also home to a museum.
- Take a break for lunch at a local eatery.
- In the afternoon, visit the Casa de Nariño, the official residence of the President of Colombia.
- Finish the day with a visit to the Montserrate hill, one of the most iconic places of Bogotá, which offers a panoramic view of the city.
Day 3: Museum of Anthropology, Churches, Museum of Colonial Art
- Start the day by visiting the Museum of Anthropology, which has an impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts and pottery.
- Take a walk through the La Merced Church, one of the oldest churches in Bogota.
- Visit the Museum of Colonial Art, which showcases the religious and colonial art of the region.
- Take a break for lunch at a local restaurant.
- In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Modern Art, which features works by Colombian and international artists.
- Finish the day by taking a stroll through the Parque de Los Periodistas, a beautiful park located in the heart of La Candelaria.
Day 4: Palacio de San Carlos, National Museum, Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Museum
- Begin the day with a visit to the Palacio de San Carlos, a colonial-style palace that now serves as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Head to the Teusaquillo neighborhood and visit the Museum of the Political Constitution of Colombia, which tells the story of the country’s political history.
- Take a break for lunch at a local eatery.
- In the afternoon, visit the National Museum, which has an extensive collection of artifacts and artworks that tell the story of Colombian history and culture.
- Finish the day with a visit to the Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Museum, which tells the story of the life and legacy of the famous Colombian politician.
Day 5: Universidad National de Colombia
- Start the day with a visit to the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country.
- Visit the Museum of the Republic, which tells the story of the country’s political history.
- Take a break for lunch at a local restaurant.
- In the afternoon, visit the Museum of the Holy Family, which has a collection of religious art and artifacts.
- Finish the day with a visit to the Museum of the Palace of Fine Arts, which features a collection of Colombian and international art.
Day 6: Simon Bolivar Park, The Planetarium, Museum of the History of Santa Fe
- Start the day by visiting the Simon Bolivar Park, one of the largest parks in Bogotá. Take a walk around the park and enjoy the beautiful scenery and peaceful surroundings.
- Visit the Planetarium, an interactive museum that showcases the universe and its mysteries.
- Take a break for lunch at a local restaurant.
- In the afternoon, visit the Museum of the City, which tells the history of Bogotá from its founding to the present day.
- Finish the day with a visit to the Museum of the History of the Santa Fe Foundation, which tells the story of the Santa Fe Foundation and its role in the history of Bogotá.
Day 7: History of Medicine Museum, Museum of the Holy Spirit and the Bull Fight Museum
- Begin the day with a visit to the Museum of the History of Medicine, which has a collection of medical instruments and artifacts from the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Head to the La Candelaria neighborhood and visit the Museum of the Holy Spirit, which has a collection of religious art and artifacts.
- Take a break for lunch at a local eatery.
- In the afternoon, visit the Museum of the Nation, which tells the story of the history of Colombia.
- Finish the day with a visit to the Museum of the Bullfight, which tells the story of bullfighting in Colombia.
Getting Around Bogota With Public Transportation
If you are looking to expand outside the area, make sure to know how to get around with Bogota’s public transportation.
Top 10 Questions You Might Need To Ask a Local
- What are the must-see sights in La Candelaria? / ¿Cuáles son los sitios imprescindibles en La Candelaria?
- How can I get around downtown Bogota? / ¿Cómo puedo moverme por el centro de Bogotá?
- What are some good restaurants to try local food? / ¿Qué restaurantes recomiendas para probar la comida local?
- Can you recommend any museums or cultural attractions in the area? / ¿Puedes recomendar algún museo o atracción cultural en el área?
- Are there any parks or green spaces to visit in downtown Bogota? / ¿Hay algún parque o espacio verde para visitar en el centro de Bogotá?
- What is the best way to experience Colombian culture? / ¿Cuál es la mejor forma de experimentar la cultura colombiana?
- Are there any events or festivals happening during my visit? / ¿Hay algún evento o festival durante mi visita?
- Are there any safety concerns I should be aware of when visiting downtown Bogota? / ¿Hay alguna preocupación de seguridad que deba tener en cuenta al visitar el centro de Bogotá?
- Are there any shopping areas in the downtown area? / ¿Hay algún área de compras en el centro?
- Are there any recommended activities or tours in the area? / ¿Hay alguna actividad o recorrido recomendado en el área?
Make this your Walking Tour of Bogota in 2023 Foundation
As you can see there are clearly things to do in Bogota to keep your creative mind curious. Use this guide as a foundation to plan your actual visit and learn of what the city has to offer.