Bogota’s historic district has a lot do and explore. There are many museums including the world renown Gold Museum and Botero Museum complex. Although some of the most striking art is the street art you find on the buildings and walls strolling through the Candelaria neighborhood. The churches and old colonial architecture give this area a nice feel and there are are a number of cute restaurants both traditional or modern to grab a little food and drink. Here are the top places to see.
Plaza Bolivar
The center of the city is Plaza Bolivar. Here you can see a statute of Liberator Simon Bolivar, the first public monument constructed in the city, the National Cathedral Building, the Palace of Justice Building and a couple blocks away, the Congress Building and a view of the Colombian Presidents house (which is called the House of Narino).
In the Plaza there are a number of vendors so you can take your picture with a llama or buy corn to feed the pigeons or some snacks for yourself like the “Big Ass Ants” which is exactly what it sounds like.
Museums
Gold Museum
The Gold Museum is one of the most visited tourist sites in the country.
The museum has a huge selection of pre-Colombian gold and other metals and contains the largest collection of gold artifacts in the world in its exhibition rooms on the second and third floors. The gold and other artifacts of the indigenous people show the life and culture of the different societies in Colombia before the Spanish conquest.
The museum is located at Carrera 6 No 15-88.
Botero Museum
The Botero Museum houses one of Latin America’s most important international art collections including works by Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin, Camille Pissarro and Edgar Degas. The museum is a large complex housed in an old colonial style mansion with a number of collections both of traditional religious works and modern exhibitions. It also includes the Casa de Monedas which show the history of Colombian money so allocate some time to see all the different parts of the complex.
Churches
Two lovely churches to stop at are The Church of our Lady of Candelaria, Carrera 4 #11, near the Botero Museum and the Church of San Francisco, Avenue Jimenez de Quesada #7-10, near the Gold Museum which dates back to the 16th century and has striking and elaborate religious artwork and a beautiful alter.
La Candelaria
La Candelaria is also one of the most historic neighborhoods in the city just a couple minutes walk from Bolivar Plaza. There are narrow streets lined with colonial style houses and buildings. It is now known also for its beautiful street art, shops, cafes and restaurants.
For the great street murals try strolling around the Parque de los Periodistas, Calle 16-18 & Carrera 3-5 or Calle 12c-12f & Carrera 1-3 or Parque la Concordia.
Food & Drink
When strolling around the area there are many cafes and restaurants. Two places to stop by for a bite or drink I recommend are La Puerta False and El Irish. La Puerta Falsa (The False Door) is a historic cafe started in 1816, they have been serving great Colombian comfort food for over 200 hundred years. They are famous for their Ajiaco, Santafereno and Tamales. Quaint, unassuming and inexpensive.
For a nice Irish pub with a great outdoor patio and good burgers try El Irish. Friendly staff, nice atmosphere and good pub food.
Bogota’s historic district has a lot to offer, it takes a little to figure it out but once you do everything is within a 15 minute walk and its cute area to explore.
Hope you enjoy and let us know what new interesting things you find!
Great content! Keep up the good work!
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