Bogotá, the capital of Colombia nestled amidst the Andes, offers a rich tapestry of experiences for solo travelers, especially those with an affinity for art, culture, and nature. Explore bohemian theaters and cafes in charming neighborhoods. Wander through the streets and stumble upon surprising vistas, find incredible nature oases behind skyscrapers, walk on the paths of history, indulge in culinary pleasures, and make friends with the amazing local people.
What makes Bogota most special for me personally, apart from its bohemian vibe and great people, is its extreme diversity and surprising contrasts. You can literally stumble upon a waterfall just 20 minutes by foot from the urban hustle and bustle, or feel like being in a tranquil small village with beautiful little houses and gardens just 5 minutes away from one of the most busy roads. That’s why Bogota started as a travel destination and turned into my adopted home.
Photo by Travelhapp, Plaza Bolivar Bogota Colombia
Bogotá boasts an array of interesting things to see and do, from well-known tourist attractions to hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Here’s my curated list of 20 unique things to do in Bogotá, from my perspective as a “new local”.
Dating back to the 16th century, picturesque La Candelaria is Bogota’s oldest neighborhood and enchants with its colonial cobblestone streets, colorful little houses, and stunning mountain views.
La Candelaria is home to some of Bogota’s most famous sights, including Chorro de Quevedo (where “Santa Fe de Bogota” was founded in 1538), Plaza de Bolívar (the city’s huge main square), Casa Nariño (the president’s palace), Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen (a beautiful red and white striped gothic church), Biblioteca Luis Ángel Arango (an impressive library), Eje Ambiental (a pedestrian-friendly green corridor close to Parque de los Periodistas), and many more.
Several local companies offer free walking tours around La Candelaria, For example Oaca Tours, Gran Colombia Tours and Beyond Colombia. They are a great way to learn about the history of Bogota and to meet other solo travelers.
However, La Candelaria is also a great place for solitary and serendipitous strolls. Let this unique artsy neighborhood surprise you with its bohemian theaters, literary cafes, hidden second hand libraries, fine restaurants, and many other treasures.
Photo by Travelhapp, La Candelaria Bogota
If you are a fan of serendipity, walking around La Soledad (Teusaquillo) and nearby Santa Teresita and Armenia will be paradise for you, since these neighborhoods are full of hidden gems and surprising views.
You can find totally quiet streets with beautiful little houses and flower gardens, a lot of bohemian cafes and restaurants, little galleries, cute bookshops (see Libreria Matorral on Google Maps), great street art, local beer breweries, beer gardens with big trees (see Diosa Cervecería on Google Maps), and much more.
Architectural styles are varied and often unexpected; in some streets you will feel like being in Italy, in others like walking through London or Hamburg. La Soledad is home to the famous Parkway, a lengthy green park stripe flanked by restaurants and bars.
Photo by Travelhapp, close to La Soledad and Parkway in Bogota
Bogota features over 60 museums, including some of Colombia’s absolute must-sees. Here’s a selection of Bogota’s best museums, many of them located in the downtown area:
Botero Museum (Museo Botero): Visit this beautiful museum to admire the iconic paintings, drawings and sculptures of the exceptional Colombian artist Fernando Botero.
Gold Museum (Museo del Oro): Discover a huge collection of gold and pre-Columbian artifacts and immerse yourself in impressive audio-visual experiences in the Museo del Oro, one of Colombia’s most important museums.
National Museum (Museo Nacional): The stunning National Museum in Bogotá is one of the oldest museums in Colombia and hosts a vast and diverse art collection including pre-Columbian art, colonial-era exhibits, and contemporary art. For some, it’s the best museum in Bogotá.
For modern and contemporary art, check out the Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia (MAMU) or the Museo de Arte Moderno (MAMBO). The peaceful San Augustin Monastery in the historic center also hosts contemporary exhibitions.
Photo by Travelhapp, Miguel Urrutia Art Museum Bogotá
Bogota is home to a large amount of cutting-edge galleries, for example in the bohemian La Macarena district close to downtown or in the San Felipe neighborhood in Chapinero. The galleries of San Felipe regularly open their doors during the Open San Felipe street festival. Follow Open San Felipe on Instagram to find out about the next dates.
Another fascinating location featuring contemporary exhibitions, as well as cinema, theater, art workshops and other cultural events is Galería Cinemateca close to the Eje Ambiental and Parque de los Periodistas in the center.
Photo by Travelhapp, serendipity somewhere in La Macarena
Street art in Colombia is at another level in terms of artistic quality and social relevance. You may want to take a graffiti tour or hire a guide to make sure you get to see the most impressive works. You can admire street art all over Bogota, for example in La Candelaria and in barrio Armenia.
Photo by Travelhapp, Street Art in Bogotá: Graffiti Mural in the Armenia district
The diverse nightlife in Bogota has to offer something to everyone. (Just remember to call a taxi or a service like Uber, Didi or Cabify to move around at night.) Here’s an overview of important nightlife districts:
La Candelaria: In La Candelaria you will find a bohemian and artistic nightlife scene with many small theaters, literary cafes and live music venues.
La Macarena: Bogota’s unique art district La Macarena features several interesting galleries and charming restaurants.
La Soledad & Calle 45: The area between Calle 45 and barrio La Soledad (including the famous Park Way) is filled with bars, beer taverns and gardens, restaurants, galleries, intimate venues with live music and everything else your independent and artistic heart desires.
Chapinero Central: In Chapinero Central, for example close to Plaza Lourdes and Parque de los Hippies, Bogota’s indie and alternative nightlife takes place. The area features a wild mix of salsa venues, classic rock bars, gay bars and clubs, run-down buildings hosting punk and wave parties, and iconic clubs like Latino Power, Theatron and O.D.E.M. with its rooftop bar (see Rooftop Guide).
Zona G & Chapinero Alto: Chapinero Alto and Zona G are situated east of Carrera 7, up the hills. Roughly between Calle 47 and Calle 72 you can find a wide range of dining options, and many exquisite restaurants.
Zona Rosa & Zona T: The Zona Rosa is one of Bogota’s most famous upscale nightlife areas and is located around Calle 85 # Carrera 15 in the North of Chapinero. Here you will find everything from restaurants to bars and clubs. Zona T is a pedestrian area lined with restaurants within the Zona Rosa.
Parque 93: A few blocks up North from Zona Rosa and you reach Parque 93, a huge park lined with restaurants and bars. The streets nearby are filled with hotels, wine bars and beer taverns.
Usaquén: The picturesque streets around Parque de Usaquén in the North of Bogota are full of delicious restaurants, great local cafes, and bars, some of which are hosting live music events on certain days, like the vinyl bar Mr. Bum (Google Maps).
The beautifully preserved former residence of Simón Bolívar with its gorgeous gardens offers visitors a glimpse into the life and legacy of the great liberator and South American independence fighter Simón Bolívar.
Photo by Vtooto (CC BY-SA 3.0), Quinta de Simón Bolívar (mod.)
Check out the latest events at Teatro Colón, Teatro de la Candelaria, Teatro Libre, Teatro Colsubsidio, etc. Visiting one of the small theaters in La Candelaria is already worth it because of their unique bohemian atmosphere.
Learn about the life and works of “Gabo”, the most famous Colombian author.
Photo by Travelhapp, Garcia Marquez Cultural Center, Bogotá
With an altitude of over 2600 m (8500 feet), Bogota is one of the highest capitals of the world, beautifully set amidst lush green mountains. The mountain with the white church overlooking Bogota is called Monserrate. If you are in a good shape, you can hike up the mountain to enjoy amazing panoramic views of Bogota. Alternatively you can take the cable car or funicular to the top. If you want to avoid the crowds, better go during the week. Read more about the hike to Monserrate and discover some lesser-known viewpoints in Bogotá.
Photo by Travelhapp, View from Monserrate, Bogota
Humedal de Cordoba (Cordoba Wetland) provides an incredible opportunity to connect with nature inside the city. This unique wetland features the biggest bird biodiversity of all of Bogota’s wetlands with probably more than 100 different species including hummingbirds, white herons and several endemic species. Read more about Humedal de Cordoba and how to arrange your visit.
Photo by Travelhapp, Humedal de Cordoba, Bogota Nature Oasis
This vibrant and bustling Paloquemao Market, located in the South of La Candelaria, will provide you with an incredible multisensory experience of tastes, smells, views and sounds.
If you are hosted in Chapinero, you may want to check out Plaza Mercado 7 de Agosto, usually open in the mornings until 2 or 4 PM. See Google Maps for detailed opening hours. You can find all sorts of interesting natural remedies there – even mixtures to make someone fall in love with you…
Photo by Travelhapp, Local Market at Plaza 7 de Agosto
Café hopping is one of the best things to do in Bogotá since the city features a sheer endless amount of excellent and beautiful cafes in all neighborhoods. Recently, a lot of cafes have started to offer different brewing methods (Chemex, AeroPress, Siphon, French Press, etc.), amplifying the range of coffee flavors to taste even more. Go treasure hunting to find your favorite café!
Here are some of my favorite coffee shops in different parts of Bogotá:
La Candelaria: Cecile (Google Maps) and Origines Café (Google Maps)
La Macarena: Ázimos (Google Maps)
Parque Nacional: Varietale (Google Maps)
Chapinero: Café 27-06 (Google Maps). A hidden gem, but not too far from Plaza Mercado 7 Agosto. Their Maracuya cheesecake is incredible!
Chapinero – Quinta Camacho: Casa Café Cultor (Google Maps), Nomada (Google Maps) and Libreria Wilborada (Google Maps)
Parque 93: Azahar (Google Maps) Try the Irish Coffee!
Usaquén: Colo (Google Maps)
If you want to learn more about coffee cultivation, harvest and preparation you can also do coffee tours near Bogotá. Female-run Tursimode (Google Maps | Website in Spanish) is an excellent local provider specialized in coffee tours.
In Bogota you can find typical food from all regions of Colombia. Find out which is your favorite among ajiaco, arepas, empanadas, tamales, sancocho, bandeja paisa, and many more. A great place to try traditional Colombian food is La Puerta Falsa (Google Maps) in La Candelaria, which has been a local favorite for over 200 years, or Herencia (Google Maps) in Chapinero.
For creative variations of traditional Colombian dishes with regional ingredients, Mesa Franca (Google Maps) and Mini Mal (Google Maps) are excellent addresses in Chapinero Alto. In my opinion, they are two of the best restaurants in Bogota.
Also a must-do in Bogota, is trying the “menu del dia” in a local “corrientazo” (simple street restaurant or bakery). A “menu del dia” typically costs around 15.000 COP and includes a soup, a main dish and a fresh juice. Quality can range across the whole spectrum, so the best thing to do is ask locals about a recommendation for a “buen corrientazo”.
While traditional Colombian dishes are quite meat-heavy, in Bogota also vegans and vegetarians will find great options. The local and socially responsible chains WOK and Crepes and Waffles offer some delicious animal-free dishes. I’m usually not a big fan of chains, but there’s a reason why Colombians love those two… In Crepes & Waffles I can recommend the different vegetarian crepes with spinach, the entry salads (especially Darina) and the soups (Covarachia and Vida en Verdes).
Photo by Luis Echeverri Urrea, traditional Ajiaco soup (mod.)
The more you walk up north from Parque de la 93, the greener the city gets. This is unfortunately a sign of the social divide in the city with a rich North and a poor South. Some beautiful districts in the North are Niza Antigua, Alhambra (by the Molino river), Cedritos and Usaquén. On Sundays, local artisans sell handcrafts, artworks and other typical goods in the cobblestoned streets close to Parque Usaquen.
Take a cable car up to Ciudad Bolivar and explore the streets and parks near the station. Ciudad Bolívar Is a previously informal settlement in the South of Bogota. Still viewed as a no-go area by many locals, it gradually gains visitor’s interest. Little cafes and restaurants are emerging close to the cable car station and there is a small museum dedicated to Ciudad Bolívar’s history and inhabitants.
Views from Parque Mirador (Google Maps) are incredible, even on a cloudy day. The cable car leaves from the Transmilenio Station “Portal del Tunal”. Try to avoid rush hours; Sunday mornings are typically the best time to go. It’s advisable to go with a local guide or friend for a safe and insightful experience.
Photo by Travelhapp, Ciudad Bolívar Cable Car, Bogotá
Bogota’s amazing Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis) and the huge Simon Bolivar Park (Parque Central Simón Bolívar) are located in close proximity to each other and make a great escape from the city within the city. In the botanical garden you can learn about Colombia’s diverse vegetation while in the Simon Bolivar Park you can take relaxed walks or paddle across the lake in a boat.
Parque Central Simón Bolívar is also home to the Public Library Virgilio Barco, another one of Rogelio Salmona’s groundbreaking architectural works.
Photo by Travelhapp, Simon Bolivar Park, Bogota
Photo by Travelhapp, Simon Bolivar Park, Virgilio Barco Library Bogota
In recent years Bogotá has become a top bicycle city with a lot of dedicated cycleways (and even more to come). One of the best things to do in Bogota on a Sunday or holiday is taking the “Ciclovia”. On these days some of the main traffic roads are turned into cycleways (“Ciclovia”), open exclusively to bikes and pedestrians and closed for cars. Biking in Bogota is a great way to get to know the city during day time.
The tough ones among you can rent a bike and follow the “rolos” (people from Bogotá) cycling up Via la Calera to Patios. Be warned: it is really steep!
There are also several local companies, offering bike tours in Bogotá, for example Bogotá Bike Tours who run daily tours.
Riding my bike is one of my favorite things to do in Bogotá, also because of the amazing mountain views!
Photo by Travelhapp, Biking down towards the city from Patios (Via la Calera)
Iconic Torre Colpatria with its 49 floors is one of the highest buildings in Colombia. From the top you can enjoy amazing 360-degree views of Bogota. The views are well worth paying the small entrance fee.
A free alternative are the viewpoints of Via La Calera. Read more about them in my article about the Monserrate and other view points in Bogotá.
Photo by Travelhapp, Biking down towards the city from Patios (Via la Calera)
The first thing to consider when planning a day trip from Bogotá is whether you prefer a warm or cold climate. What a privileged choice, isn’t it? Depending on whether you descend or ascend, you will encounter either Tierra Caliente or Tierra Fría. There is an incredible array of cultural and natural destinations within a maximum 3-hour reach from Bogotá.
We have started compiling an inspirational list of day trips from Bogotá, including well-known tourist attractions like the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, as well as hidden gems like Nature Park Chicaque.
What’s the best area to stay in Bogotá? Here are some neighbourhoods we like and recommend:
Chapinero: This large and pleasantly busy neighbourhood is home to a lot of shops, restaurants, hotels, co-working spaces, as well as cute little residential houses. Great areas to stay are, for example, Chapinero Alto and Quinta Camacho.
Teusaquillo: This neighbourhood has several extremely beautiful sub-districts with nice little houses and parks, like Santa Teresita, Armenia and La Soledad (where the famous Park Way with its restaurants and cafes is located).
La Macarena: La Macarena is quite close to the historic center and known as the bohemian part of Bogota with its art galleries and book shops. The streets are colorful and well-lit also later in the evening since there are a lot of little restaurants and bars around.
La Candelaria: La Candelaria is Bogota’s old town and the historic center of the city. It has a bohemian flair with interesting cafes, cosy restaurants and great theaters. Especially during the weekends, it’s busy with people until the late evening due to its large cultural and gastronomic offer.
Parque de la 93: The area around Parque de la 93 is a little more upscale, featuring a lot of great restaurants. It’s also close to La Zona Rosa, the entertainment and nightlife district of Bogotá.
Note: On AirBnB you can sometimes find accommodation with good ratings in La Perseverancia and Las Cruces. While these neighbourhoods may be picturesque and central they are not considered safe at all by locals.
Also apply some care with neighborhoods in the South of Bogotá. Though you can find safe neighborhoods in the South, the problem here is that the South basically does not appear on the touristic map and it’s really difficult to find out which parts are safe and which are not. You would need some time to talk to locals first.
Bogota is a great place for solo travelers. It’s easy to move around the city by bus or with services like Uber, Didi and Cabify. People are very open and friendly and it’s easy to get in contact with locals. There is so much to see and do that you’ll never get bored.
Is Bogota safe to travel? Bogota is a huge city and safety levels may change depending on where in the city you are exactly and when. It’s good idea to always move consciously in public (no daydreaming) and trust your gut feeling. Have a look at our Colombia Safety Tips and Solo Travel Guide for additional advice.
While many nature destinations near Bogotá are solo traveler-friendly in the sense that it’s easy to get there by public transport, it’s often better to go in a group for safety reasons. Join our Colombia Solo Travelers Facebook Group to search for other solo travelers near you that share your interests.
Bogota’s climate is characterized by its altitude (around 2,600 meters / 8,500 feet) and its closeness to the equator. The weather in Bogotá oscillates all year round somewhere between spring and autumn with average temperatures of around 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) during the day, and 9-14 °C after sunset. The driest months are typically December to February, and July to September.
The sun usually shows up every day, even in rainy season. It’s a good idea to wear sunscreen during the day and bring a warm jacket for the evenings and nights. In my opinion, this best time to visit Bogota is mid January to mid March, and mid June to early September.
It’s easy to reach several other interesting travel destinations in Colombia in less than 8 hours by bus from Bogota:
Villa de Leyva: Villa de Leyva is a very beautiful colonial town in the Andes. The bus from Bogota to Villa de Leyva takes approximately 3 hours (see Rome2Rio). Discover what to do in and around Villa de Leyva.
Honda: The charming colonial river town Honda is one of Colombia’s best kept secrets, as is the nearby Ciudad Perdida de Falan (“Lost City of Falan”), ruins of an abandoned colonial mining down deep in the forest. It takes 3-4 hours by bus to reach Honda from Bogota (see Rome2Rio). From Honda you can continue to Ibague or Manizales. Read more about Honda in my suggestions for things to do near Ibague.
Norcasia or Doradal: Río La Miel and Embalse Amani (Google Maps) near Norcasia and the Rio Claro Nature Reserve (Google Maps) near Doradal are two interesting, rather little known, nature destinations on the way to Medellín. It takes about 6 hours by bus from Bogota to reach either one of them. Both offer a lot of fun things to do, including body rafting and kayaking.
Villavicencio: It takes just about 2,5 hours by bus to reach Villavicencio from Bogota (see Rome2Rio). Villavicencio is most known as access point to Caño Cristales, Colombia’s famous River of 7 Colors, but the city and the Meta department have a lot of other things to offer, too, and are a true paradise for nature lovers. Find out what to do in and near Villavicencio.
Last Update: November 29, 2024
