Yes — it holds one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold artifacts in the world, spanning cultures that worked gold in the region long before Spanish colonization.
Discover Authentic Bogotá: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Bogotá, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as Museo El Chicó, the Basílica de Lourdes and El Chato, alongside our Mercure hotels.
Top 5 Things to Do in Bogotá
Museo del Oro (Gold Museum)
Home to one of the world's largest collections of pre-Columbian gold work, with thousands of pieces made by cultures that predate the Spanish arrival by centuries. The darkened final room, filled floor to ceiling with gold, is worth the visit alone.
La Candelaria
Bogotá's colonial old town, all narrow cobbled streets and buildings painted in reds, yellows and blues. Wander without a fixed route — the street art and balconies are half the point.
Monserrate
A mountain-top church overlooking the whole city, reached by cable car or funicular. Go for sunset if you can — the whole Bogotá valley spreads out below as the lights come on.
Zona T rooftop bars
Bogotá's nightlife hub, a pedestrian zone shaped like a T lined with restaurants and rooftop bars. It's an easy walk from Chapinero and gets going properly after dark.
Paloquemao Market
A working produce market piled high with exotic fruit you won't find at home — lulo, pitaya, guanábana — plus flower stalls supplying much of the city. Go hungry and try a fresh juice blend from one of the stands.
Explore Bogotá's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Bogotá
We've mapped local spots across Bogotá, from colonial mansions to a restaurant ranked among the world's best.
Culture & heritage
Museo El Chicó
Also called Museo Mercedes Sierra de Pérez: a colonial mansion with ten rooms of glassware, ceramics, silver and period furniture, a chapel of religious art, peaceful gardens and a children's playground.
El Chicó · Museum and gardens · Perfect for families and history
Open San Felipe
Several times a year, the San Felipe neighbourhood opens up: more than 90 studios, workshops and venues, with performances, artist talks and street food such as empanadas and arepas.
San Felipe · Cultural event · Made for art lovers
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes
Commissioned in 1875, Bogotá's first neo-Gothic church anchors Chapinero's main square. Look up at the spire, then step in for the stained glass and the marble altar with Our Lady of Lourdes.
Chapinero · Basilica · Great for architecture
Usaquén flea market
A buzzing Sunday market of artisan crafts, antiques and food stalls. Arrive hungry, leave with treasures.
Usaquén · Sunday market · Perfect for souvenirs
Biblioteca Virgilio Barco
A circular library by modernist architect Rogelio Salmona in Simón Bolívar Park, with water pools, ramps and tiled roofs to explore.
Simón Bolívar Park · Library · Ideal for architecture
Teatro Astor Plaza
A popular venue with nearly a thousand seats for concerts, comedy and plays.
Theatre · Great for a night out
Plaza de Mercado 7 de Agosto
A farmers' market of fruit, vegetables and crafts, with a food court serving bandeja paisa and sancocho.
7 de Agosto · Market · Perfect for local food
Food & nightlife
El Chato
Chef Álvaro Clavijo trained in kitchens such as Noma; El Chato was ranked 25th on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024. Go à la carte or choose the tasting menu, a love letter to Colombia's biodiversity and small producers.
Bogotá · Restaurant · Made for a special dinner
Demente Aguardientería
A celebration of aguardiente, Colombia's anise-flavoured cane spirit, with guided tastings and cocktails – plus dishes from traditional maize, such as purple-corn arepas with egg. Salud!
Bogotá · Restaurant and bar · Perfect for local flavours
Theatron
One of Latin America's largest nightclubs: around 20 spaces, from huge dance floors to reggaetón, Latin and house rooms, live shows and themed nights. A cornerstone of Bogotá's LGBTQ+ scene, and everyone's welcome.
Chapinero · Nightclub · Great for a big night out
Hanna Hops
A laid-back gastropub brewing its own beers, like the Eureka IPA, with Colombian-inspired food.
Gastropub · Perfect for craft beer
Indio
Wood-fired pizzas and craft beer in a Bauhaus-style building near Parque Portugal. Grab a table on the leafy terrace.
Restaurant · Ideal for relaxed meals
Piqueteadero Doña Nieves
A no-frills Chapinero favourite for 'piquete' platters, starring free-range gallina criolla with yuca, plantain and arepas. Bring friends.
Chapinero · Eatery · Made for sharing
Colo Coffee
A café and roastery in Usaquén: espresso classics, pour-overs and coffee tastings.
Usaquén · Café · Perfect for coffee
Coctel del Mar
A lively seafood spot mixing Colombian ingredients with global touches, from coconut seafood soup to grilled baby octopus.
Restaurant · Great for seafood
La Herencia
Traditional Colombian cooking in a restored colonial building: ajiaco, mondongo, cazuela ranchera.
Restaurant · Ideal for local dishes
Super Bowling Bogotá
A favourite local hangout with bowling, live music, DJs, cocktails and Colombian snacks.
Bowling · Perfect for groups
Parks & outdoors
Quebrada La Vieja
Trails into Bogotá's Eastern Hills from Chapinero, climbing to viewpoints at 3,000 and 3,200 metres. Take it slow – you're high up.
Chapinero · Hiking · Made for city views
Parque de los Novios
A peaceful lakeside park near the centre, with paddleboats, a jogging trail and plenty of birdlife.
Park · Great for a picnic
Shopping
Centro Comercial Avenida Chile
Next to the historic church of La Porciúncula: a cinema, a food court and some 160 shops, from local beauty brands and Colombian designers to coffee to take home.
Calle 72 · Shopping centre · Perfect for souvenirs
FAQ
By cable car or funicular from the base station, both departing regularly. Sunset is a popular time to go, when the city lights start coming on below.
Bogotá sits above 2,600 metres, so it's common to feel short of breath on hills or stairs for the first day or two. Pace yourself, especially around Monserrate, and stay hydrated.
El Chato, led by chef Álvaro Clavijo, was ranked 25th on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024 and showcases Colombian ingredients.
Theatron in Chapinero is one of Latin America's largest nightclubs, with around 20 different spaces and themed nights.
Museo El Chicó, a colonial mansion with collections, a chapel and gardens, is a peaceful choice.
Where to Sleep in Bogotá
These Mercure hotels appear on our map:
- Mercure Bogotá Calle 100
- Mercure Bogota BH Retiro
- Mercure Bogotá BH Zona Financiera