Bogota in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

If you plan to visit Bogota in 3 days and want to organise an itinerary around the different attractions of the city, you should bear in mind that the Colombian capital offers many options and that the distances between each of the sites can be very long. That's why the best alternative is to organise a circuit based on geographical proximity, so below I suggest a travel plan following this principle.

Some of the best things to do in Bogota in 3 days include visiting the Gold Museum, walking through La Calendaria, visiting the El Paraíso favela, participating in a beer tour, visiting Monserrate Hill, touring the coffee plantations around the capital, taking a night tour bus ride, touring Villa de Leyva and contemplating the skyline from the Colpatria Tower.

For the first day of your trip I propose a tour of the most traditional area of Bogotá, which includes the colonial neighbourhood of La Candelaria and its historic buildings as well as the picturesque Gold Museum. You'll also get to see a different side of the Colombian capital at the El Paraíso favela and take part in a beer tour. Are you ready to get started?

Visit the Gold Museum

To start the tour I suggest you visit the Gold Museum, which is one of the most popular exhibitions in Colombia and also a cultural treasure that takes visitors on a journey back in time to the pre-Columbian civilisations of the Americas. In its rooms, you will find a collection of gold pieces and archaeological objects that narrate the richness and diversity of the indigenous cultures prior to the Hispanic conquest.

The exhibits in this museum, considered one of the best of its kind in the world, range from funerary jewellery to elaborate ceremonial pieces, revealing the master craftsmanship of these ancient communities. In each of the galleries you will gain insight into the beliefs, rituals and ways of life that shaped the cultures of the Muisca, Quimbaya and Tairona.

The museum not only houses gold treasures, but also displays ceramics, textiles and feather art, providing a comprehensive overview of the cultural diversity of the region. In addition, its modern architectural design provides an immersive experience, while the museum narrative highlights the historical and cultural importance of these pre-Columbian civilisations.

The Gold Museum can be reached from anywhere in the city by bus on lines T12, T13, A124, K324, and H907. The entrance fee is approximately 8 euros per person, and is included among the attractions of the Bogotá City Pass.

Walk around La Calendaria

Walking through La Candelaria will allow you to discover the history and culture of the Colombian capital. In its narrow cobblestone streets, adorned with colonial facades, you will be able to distinguish the most traditional profile of Bogota, and among the most famous surrounding buildings you can see the Primada Cathedral of Colombia and the Plaza de Bolivar

In addition, in La Candelaria you can see the street murals, which constitute an open-air art gallery. There you can also discover the taste of real Colombian coffee and visit some of the oldest restaurants of this destination.

At the Plaza de Quevedo, you can see the iconic water spout that marks the exact site of Bogotá's founding. This site is a meeting point for locals and visitors alike, and is also the kilometre zero of the Colombian capital.

La Candelaria, often the epicentre of Bogotá's best guided tours, is a 10-minute ride from the Gold Museum on the C80 and L307 buses or on the city's hop-on-hop-off tour buses.

Get to know the favela El Paraíso on a guided tour

Bogota's most traditional area is made up of La Candelaria, but also the popular areas of Ciudad Bolivar. One of these neighbourhoods, the largest in the region, is El Paraíso, an urbanised favela that will give you an authentic perspective, far from stereotypes, to discover the customs and cultural richness of this place.

If you opt for a guided tour, you can discover first-hand the diversity of activities that characterise life in El Paraíso, ranging from colourful street art to local enterprises that reflect the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the community. The guides, mostly local residents, will share with you personal stories that offer an in-depth insight into daily life in this favela.

In El Paraíso, music and dance are fundamental elements of cultural expression, and during a visit you can enjoy live performances that reflect this facet. During the tour you can also get a panoramic view of this site from the funicular railway that crosses the entire neighbourhood.

From the Gold Museum you can reach El Paraíso by bus on lines C80, L81, T12, H13 and H15, although many of the guided tours include transfers and pick-ups from the hotel or a central location.

Join a brewery tour

After an in-depth cultural tour during the first day, the best alternative is to close the day on one of Bogotá's traditional beer tours. On these experiences you can visit the most popular local breweries, where you can taste a variety of craft beers.

Also, on these tours you can get to know the local brewing culture, visit the breweries and learn about the brewing process. In addition, some tours also offer gastronomic experiences that complement the tours, making these activities one of the best things to do in Bogotá at night.

Keep in mind that these experiences will not only allow you to taste the different types of beer, but you will also get to know the local festive spirit and nightlife of Bogotá, in neighbourhoods such as Usaquén and Zona T, two of the most lively areas of the Colombian capital.

After the traditional tour of the first day, for the second day I propose a circuit to get to know another perspective of Bogota. From the Cerro Monserrate you will discover the panoramic views of the city, in the surrounding coffee plantations you will be able to distinguish the local culture and a night bus tour will give you a panorama of the night skyline.

Visit Cerro Monserrate

Cerro Monserrate, at 3,100 metres above sea level, marks the highest point in the capital. The trails, which can take you to the top, combine the adventure offered by the surrounding nature with the adrenaline rush of the cable car from its panoramic cabins.

Once at the top, you'll be able to take in sweeping views of Bogotá, from the city's skyscrapers to the mountains that surround the capital. You can also appreciate the unique architecture of the Basilica del Señor Caído, a pilgrimage site with a revered statue that attracts visitors from all over the country.

If you want to opt for an adventure tour, instead of the cable car you can opt to hike the winding trails leading to the top, although you should be aware that this will take longer, which may upset your travel plan during a short stay.

The base of Cerro Monserrate can be reached from the city centre on bus lines 7, L325, L422, L519 and H617.

Tour the coffee plantations around Bogota

One of the best excursions you can do from Bogotá is to explore the city's coffee plantations, which will allow you to immerse yourself in the very essence of Colombian culture, which is intimately related to the production of this raw material.

This tour will take you through the coffee plantations, where you will have the opportunity to learn about the process of cultivation, harvesting and production of Colombia's most emblematic beverage. You will also learn the secrets of manual harvesting, a deep-rooted practice that highlights the importance of local labour in the coffee industry.

During the Bogotá coffee experience you will have the opportunity to visit small farms and learn about the different varieties of coffee grown in the region. In addition, some tours include tastings where you can savour the unique notes of local coffees, paired with regional sweets.

Take a ride on the city's night tour bus.

During a short stay in a city as big as Bogotá you'll need efficient tours and one of the most practical ways to get to know the night skyline of the Colombian capital is to take part in the city's tourist bus tours. On these itineraries you'll be able to visit the main avenues and historical sites, giving you a completely different perspective from the daytime.

These buses, which usually start in La Candelaria, usually include strategic stops at points of interest such as the Catedral Primada or the Plaza de Bolivar, where the colonial architecture comes alive with the night lighting. During the tour, tour guides will share with you stories that will allow you to discover the history and legends of the city, making it one of the best things to do at night in Bogotá.

In addition to the historical monuments, some night bus tours also include trips to modern areas full of restaurants and bars, such as the Paseo de la 26, which usually marks the end of these tours and is where you'll find many places to dine during the end of your second day in Bogota.

Bogota is a diverse, eclectic and versatile city, so the third day of your tour will be a tribute to these Bogota characteristics. You can combine a visit to one of the most beautiful colonial towns around the capital with a tour of the Botero Museum, one of the most traditional and representative of this destination.

Get to know Villa de Leyva

Bogota is an ideal place to use as a base to discover the nearby sites, so one of the best activities you can do from the Colombian capital is to discover Villa de Leyva, a town that stands out for its cobbled streets, colonial houses and an atmosphere that seems to be stopped in the Hispanic era.

As you explore its squares and corners, you'll be immersed in a history that dates back to the 16th century, when Villa de Leyva was founded by Spanish captain Hernán Suárez de Villalobos. The heart of the town is the Plaza Mayor, which is one of the largest in Latin America, and is flanked by historic buildings and the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario.

On the other hand, during your visit you can also visit the Paleontological Museum of Villa de Leyva, which stands out for its architectural beauty and for being a cultural and artistic beacon in the region. Villa de Leyva can be reached on an organised morning tour that lasts approximately 8 hours or you can visit on your own on a long-distance bus.

Visit the Botero Museum

Fernando Botero is not only one of Colombia's greatest cultural exponents, but also one of the prodigal sons of the Colombian capital. Although he was born in Medellín, he lived for a long time in Bogotá and forged a strong bond with the city and its community. Today, in what was once one of his residences, you can visit the Botero Museum.

In this museum you will find a large part of the artist's collection, which is characterised by his voluptuous figures of unmistakable style. You can also take a look at the painter's career, which includes portraits, classical paintings, self-portraits and even sculptures.

The Botero Museum can be reached by bus on lines K86, M86, L81, L307, H307, H317 and P500 and on the city's hop-on-hop-off tourist buses.

See the views of the city from the Colpatria Tower

To close the third and last day of your tour of Bogota, I suggest you visit one of the most emblematic buildings in the city to discover one of the best panoramic views of the region from its terrace. The 196-metre-high Colpatria Tower is one of the beacons of Bogota's urban design and, at night, it is at its best.

This structure, which was built in 1979 and was once the tallest in South America, offers a 360° viewpoint at night that includes a panoramic view of the Catedral Primada, Plaza Bolívar and the surrounding mountains. You can also discover from the heights the complex layout of Bogotá, which includes everything from exclusive neighbourhoods to popular sites such as the favela El Paraíso.

Note that if you visit the Colpatria Tower, which is located in Alameda, you can also discover the restaurants and bars in the area, where you can try some of the typical local dishes or even take part in a gastronomic tour, which is often considered one of the best experiences in Bogotá.

The Colpatria Tower from the Botero Museum can be reached by bus lines M47, M83, T25, A620, B907 and B919.