Bogotá

Once a sacred site for the ancient indigenous community of Muiscas, La Candelaria neighbourhood is where Bogotá was founded back in 1538. Naturally, this is the first stop for many tourists. Steep stone streets are lined with colonial buildings that house cafes, restaurants and artisanal shops. Some buildings are showing signs of their long life, while others have been revitalised with colourful street art. You will find major cultural hotspots like the Gold Museum, Museo Botero, the colonial-era cathedral dedicated to the Virgen de la Candelaria and the neoclassical Capitol flanking Bolivar Plaza. Navigate the winding streets of the historical centre yourself or follow a guided tour of La Candelaria.

You can find free walking tours in most major cities, and Bogotá is not an exception. Most guides will take you through the historic centre of La Candelaria — the creative hotspot of the city set in the winding cobbled streets. You will learn about colonial houses and baroque churches, the Colombia's colonial and indigenous past, striking graffiti and the impact of the Colombian drug trade. The most popular free tour is organised by Gran Colombia Tours, but check the link below to find a tour that fits your interests best.

The Gold Museum is the most well-known museum in Bogotá, with 6,000 of artefacts on display and another 49,000 in the archives. Explore pre-Hispanic cultural heritage presented over three floors. Jewellery, masks, bowls, ritual offerings and armour are separated by themes and geographic area. Guided tours are conducted in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese. Check the schedule on the official website.

Beautifully laid out and maintained botanical gardens. A refuge from Bogotá's hectic traffic, this place is always peaceful and never too crowded. Spectacular tropical greenhouses were completed in 2020 and now offer special exhibitions that feature the various climates and regions of Colombia. Stroll around the pond and try your luck spotting lizards, turtles, ducks, peacocks, and other animals. The small outdoor cafe on the premises serves great spiced coffee. Nature lovers will benefit from a guided tour — a perfect introduction to Colombia's ecosystem.

Plaza de Bolívar is the political heart of Colombia. The massive square is surrounded by the Cathedral of Bogotá, the mayor's office and the Capitol Building. The Palace of Justice, once besieged by the infamous Pablo Escobar, is also here. Just around the corner you'll find the heavily guarded Casa de Nariño — the official home and principal workplace of the President of Colombia. Spend some time on this square crowded with street-sellers, pigeon and monumental buildings. An absolute must-see.

Every weekend, the sweet little village of Usaquén on the city's edge hosts a flea market. So many beautiful things to decorate your house or to gift to friends back home: blankets, ponchos, pictures, jewellery, antique kitchen stuff, purses, personalised leather bags and famous Colombian mochilas — the list goes on and on. Cash is king. The flea market is a major attraction for tourists and locals. Numerous cafes and restaurants have sprung up in the area, serving traditional Colombian dishes as well as international cuisine.

Every Sunday, Bogotá closes over 100 km of roads for cars and allows cyclist, roller-skaters and joggers to enjoy the city without traffic. It is a marvellous initiative that brings out the young and the old. Rent a bike and join the fun. Make your way to one of the many parks and join a dance or aerobics class — look up Recreovía for exact time and location. Ciclovía Sundays are a perfect time to make your way north towards the Usaquén flea market.

Parque 93 is a fairly small but very popular park, located in the rather affluent neighbourhood of Chapinero. The park has green shaded lawns and plenty of space for kinds to run around, plus a playground. You'll find numerous trendy restaurants, cafes and shops on all sides of the park.

Military Museum of Colombia is run by the armed forces and aims to show you more than 200 years of the country's military history. You'll see uniforms, flags, weaponry, medals, aircraft, scaled-models of ships and some full-size vehicles. In the two courtyards you can see actual tanks, cannons and airplanes.

Museo Santa Clara is a former church built in the 17th century. These days it is open as a museum and is jam packed full of beautiful art. You can both discover the colonial-era Baroque architecture and explore temporary modern art exhibitions. Don’t miss the murals and the 950 wooden, hand-carved and gold-foiled flowers covering in the ceiling.

The MAMBO is a multicultural and dynamic art space that investigates, communicates and exhibits Colombia's cultural heritage and the various expressions of modern and contemporary art. There is no permanent exhibition, but a series of temporary ones spread over the four floors on the gorgeous brick building designed by architect Rogelio Salmona.