Bogota is a fascinating city and as travellers you’ve no doubt heard about all the major sights it’s famous for. But do you know about some of the hidden gems in Bogota? Would you like to discover some more local places that many tourists tend to forget? This list of top 5 spots, created by our Bogota locals, will help you do exactly that!
5. Visit Paloquemao Market
Get up early and head to the Paloquemao Market, which is open every day and offers a huge variety of flowers and food. You may even discover different kinds of vegetables and fruits that you didn’t even know existed. Dive into the atmosphere and enjoy a variety of sights, sounds, colors, and smells.
4. Rent a bike and enjoy Bogota’s ciclorutas
Bogota is known as the most bike-friendly cities in South America, so you should definitely rent a bike and try it out for yourself. Ride along the ‘ciclorutas’, the city’s biking routes, and discover the different barrios of Bogota. If you are in town on a Sunday or a public holiday, enjoy the Ciclovia, an event that closes major streets off for traffic and leaves them open to cyclists, runners, and skaters from 7am to 2pm.
3. Experience the best view from Monserrate
Monserrate is a monastery located on Monserrate Hill. Depending on how active you are, you can either go up by walking or use the train or cable car. Bear in mind that Bogota is located at 2,600m above sea level, so due to the altitude it is much more exhausting to hike up. Once you arrive at the to,p you will be rewarded with a stunning view accross the city, and you can visit the church or enjoy a nice walk through the gardens of the monastery while you’re up there.
2. Try delicious food in Café La Florida
Visiting Café La Florida in Candelaria is another must-do in Bogota. La Florida offers a wide variety of traditional snacks, food, and pastries, so take a seat, relax, and tuck in. A local favourite is to order a hot chocolate with cheese and bread. It may sound strange, but that tradition is to cut the cheese into small pieces and put it in the hot chocolate – just trust us on this one! It’s a Colombian tradition, and a tasty one at that.
1. Relax at Parque el Chico and discover the Museum
Parque el Chico used to be a huge hacienda and now it’s home to a beautiful park where Bogotános come to play with their children and enjoy some green spots in this crowded city. If you are interested, you can also visit the Museum del Chico, which gives you a history of the area and is set in a gorgeous colonial building.
