Bogota Sights and Landmarks Guide, Colombia

Bogota, the capital of Columbia, is known worldwide for several records. It is the third major city in the world, situated at 2640 m, in the Andean highlands. Bogota is also known under the name of “the Athens of South America”, thanks to its impressive number of libraries and internationally known universities. Bogota is the city of contrasts and diversity, which incorporates both Cartagena’s colonial charm and Medellin’s modernity. The various ethnic groups living in Bogota have transformed it into a colourful jumble of cultures and languages. It is a modern metropolitan city with plenty of traditional elements, and that’s what makes Bogota such an interesting tourist destination. With its rich history and many entertainment opportunities, Bogota is a great holiday spot for any kind of tourist. This Bogota Sights will briefly describe the major tourist attractions in this vibrant city.

Bogota Sights - Monuments and Museums

The Banco de la República Gold Museum is probably one of the few museums of its kind in the entire world. There are vast displays of pre-Columbian artefacts made of gold. In fact, this museum has the largest exhibitions of golden objects in the world. The museum has several sections, which can describe the mining process, manufacture of objects, ceremonies and rituals and the symbolism of each object.

Donacion Botero is an art museum that displays the works of Botero, the famous Colombian figurative artist, donated to the gallery by the artist himself. The exhibitions include paintings by Monet, Renoir, Picasso and Dali. The entrance to the Donacion Botero is free, so this museum is definitely a must-see for any tourist. The National Museum of Colombia is also one of the places of interest for foreign visitors, especially for tourists interested in the history of Colombia. The museum displays over 20.000 items. The museum building is very impressive on its own: an imposing stone and brick building embellished with numerous arches, domes and columns.

Another museum that this Bogota Sights Guide recommends is the Museum of Colonial Art, located in a former cloister, Las Aulas, one of the oldest buildings in the city. The museum displays an outstanding collection of Creole religious art, including a huge collection of paintings by Gregorio Vasquez, the most important baroque painter of Colombia.

Bogota Sights - Architecture and The Outdoors

If you don’t mind walking, don’t miss La Candelaria, Bogota’s beautiful old quarter. The streets are mostly pedestrian, and there are many quaint houses, shops and even smaller museums and even universities that are worth a look. The oldest church in Bogota is the Primary Cathedral, which, according to local legends, exists since the founding of the city in the 16th century, although at that time it was merely a hut made of hay. The cathedral presents quite an impressive façade and it can boast of being one of the largest churches in the country. For a relaxing walk, you should visit the Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park, the largest park in the city. Bogota Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden in Colombia, and it features several greenhouses full of rare plants.

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