Discover Bogotá: 4-Hour Historic City Centre Walking Tour

The Historical City Centre of Bogotá

Walk into the very heart of Bogotá. See the best of Colombia’s Andean capital city. During our 4-hour city tour, our guide will show you the most important places in the city centre and briefly tell you about its history, and life today.

La Candelaria - Bogotá’s Culturally Rich Old Town

Your walking tour starts in La Candelaria, the oldest part of Bogotá. This is where the City was founded. As you walk along the cobblestoned streets of La Candelaria, you’ll be surrounded by colonial houses with their colourful walls and wooden balconies. Soak in the ambience and enjoy your stroll through the old, well-preserved streets. The experience is like moving back in time, to another era.

The Botero Museum

A highlight of this area is the Botero Museum. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial mansion, this museum showcases the works of the internationally famous eccentric Colombia artist, Fernando Botero, famous for his distinctive sculptures and large-figured paintings. Botero donated his entire collection to the Museum, and you will therefore also find pieces by other world-renowned artists like Picasso, Monet, Dali, Degas and Renoir, making it a true treasure trove of art.

Calle del Embudo

Your walk through La Candelaria includes the interesting Calle del Embudo (Funnel Street - it is shaped like one!), where at one end there is just enough space for horse and rider to pass through. Stop at Chorro de Quevedo (named after the Augustine priest Father Quevedo), a small square that marks the birthplace of Bogotá in 1538 CE.

Plaza de Bolívar - Bogotá’s Principal Town Square

The Catedral Primada on Plaza Bolívar © Mano Chandra Dhas

Next on the walking city tour, we’ll visit Plaza Bolívar, the real colonial centre of Bogotá, quite literally, of the Country. This majestic town square is surrounded by some of the most important buildings in Colombia. You’ll see the Catedral Primada, Bogotá’s cathedral and the seat of the Cardinal of Colombia, with its impressive neoclassical facade.

On the same Eastern side is the Capilla Sagrario (or the Chapel of the Tabernacle). Founded in 1660 and built between 1660 and 1700, the 17th-century chapel is one of Bogotá’s oldest churches. On the same side of the square, you will also find the Cardinal’s Palace.

The Capitolio Nacional, home to Colombia’s Congress, stands proudly on the South side of the square. On the opposite side, you’ll find the third avatar of the Palacio de Justicia, (the Supreme Court), of Colombia.

On the opposite side of the Cathedral, is the Liévano Palace, the office of the Mayor of Bogotá and the City Hall, with its beautiful French-inspired architecture. Your guide will bring these buildings to life with stories of their roles in Colombia’s history.

The Eje Ambiental

As we make our way to our final stop, we’ll walk along the Eje Ambiental or Environmental Axis on Jiménez Avenue. This renovated street follows the path of the old Río (river), San Francisco (or originally Río Vicachá), and is now a pleasant tree-lined walkway, offering a glimpse of how Bogotá is blending its historical elements with modern urban design. The river now runs underground where it converges with the Río San Agustín.

The One-of-a-kind Gold Museum

Our tour culminates in Bogotá’s famous Gold Museum. The Museum, owned by the Central Bank of Colombia, has over 55,000 gold pieces created by pre-Colombian tribes and cultures, in its collection. There usually are 6,000 pieces on display. The museum rotates what it puts on view. Here, everything here that glitters is gold. In evidence is what the colonial Spanish came looking for: gold. The Museum’s pièce de résistance is the must-see, famous Muisca Raft, a golden representation of the legend of El Dorado. Incidentally, the legend has its origin in Colombia.

After the museum, you’ll have the chance to pick up some souvenirs at the nearby craft market in Santander Park, the perfect way to remember your journey through Bogotá’s past and present.

1800-year-old Gold Poporo Quimbaya, Museo del Oro - Bogotá, Colombia ©Mano Chandra Dhas

Note: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and the Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays. They are both closed on major holidays. Plan your visit in such a way that you do not miss this very special museum.