By Soren Rivero
As the country’s capital city, you’d be right to guess that there are tons of fun things to do in Bogotá. From tasting diverse cuisine to wandering through museums, you can be sure that exciting opportunities await you here – some of which you can do without spending a peso!
Need some inspiration? Here are 10 free things to do in Bogotá.
Browse Around Usaquén Sunday Market
Boasting a colorful charm, Mercado de las Pulgas de Usaquén (Usaquén Flea Market) is a beloved cultural icon. This popular marketplace is located in the Usaquén neighborhood in northern Bogotá. A lively fair is held every Sunday where dozens of vendors set up stalls to sell their goods. You’ll find anything from home staples, clothing, handmade jewelry, and authentic handmade Colombian trinkets. Food, drink, and live music are available as well!
Image Courtesy of Pedro Szekely (Wikimedia)
Free Walking Tour of La Candeleria
Every city has at least one district, street, or neighborhood that holds some deep historical importance. For Bogotá, it's La Candeleria. The street is located on the southeastern end of Bogotá and hosts a number of the most important landmarks in Bogotá. Included are the Gold Museum, the Museo Botero, and a handful of colonial-era architecture. Walking around this gorgeous area is a fun free thing to do in Bogotá plus there’s also a free walking tour starting from Chorro de Quevedo Square that leaves twice daily: 10am and 2pm.
Image Courtesy of Felipe Restrepo Acosta (Wikimedia)
Walk around Carrera 7
Colombia’s streets are iconic for their color and overall design. What makes Calle 7 (Carrera Séptima) a great area to walk around is the law that prohibits cars from crossing around the street. Year after year, this street has been regarded as an incredibly important main road due to its significance in the fields of culture, history, art, and more. Walking around is completely free and a great place to take pictures in Colombia. Be on the lookout for street performers, food vendors, and more!
Hike up Monserrate
If you’re looking for free things to do in Colombia and don’t mind being outdoors, you should consider visiting Monserrate. Built around the 17th century, this beautiful white church sits at the top of the mountain with the same name. It overlooks the city of Bogotá and is a very notable attraction to see. Taking the hike up is quite challenging, so come prepared. Getting to the top of the mountain to see the church requires you to climb over 1,300ft into the air. But trust us when we say that visiting Montserrat will reward you with the best views in Bogotá. If you aren’t feeling the hiking challenge, you can take the cable car up to the top (for a very small price). Don’t forget to browse around the vendors or grab a bite to eat before heading back down.
Image Courtesy of Felipe Restrepo Acosta (Wikimedia)
Take a Break in Parque Metropolitano Simón Bolívar
It’s no surprise that the top free things to do in Bogotá all have something to do with history. For this next recommendation, you’ll be able to combine your love for nature and history by visiting Parque Metropolitano Simón Bolívar (Parque Simón Bolívar). This park is named after the South American military and political leader who led the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia into independence from Spain. The park is a large area of greenery filled with plenty of space to relax, play games, and attend public events.
Visit Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) on a Sunday
Gold is everyone’s best friend when you visit Museo del Oro in Bogotá! Carrying over a thousand beautiful artifacts of gold, this museum is something you can’t miss out on when you take a trip to Colombia. Not only are the artifacts made of gold, but the majority of them were crafted by Indigenous people! Admission to the museum is free on Sundays, so plan your trip accordingly.
Image Courtesy of Pedro Szekely (Wikimedia)
See the Museo de Botero
Another noteworthy museum in Bogotá is Museo de Botero. Quite young, this museum was founded in 2000 after the artist Fernando Botero donated hundreds of his works of art to Banco de la República de Colombia. Both agreed that the work he gave would be displayed to the public for free, and now we have the gift that is the Museo de Botero. You’ll also see works from other famous artists around the world, making this museum one of the best free things to do in Bogotá!
Image Courtesy of Stephen Downes (Flickr)
Walk Around Zona Rosa
As vibrant as it is important, Zona Rosa is a go-to neighborhood where many locals and visitors love to shop, eat, and drink. You'll find anything from restaurants, cafes, shops, and bars scattered around this pretty area. Hotels and even shopping malls might make you think Zona Rosa is a small town, but it's more of a district with a huge personality. You can walk around during the day admiring the beauty of cute craft stores, or come by during the late hours for some of the best nightlife in Bogotá.
Image Courtesy of Peter Angritt (Wikimedia)
Learn Something New at the National Museum of Colombia
Perfectly set in the heart of downtown Bogotá, the National Museum of Colombia hosts the largest collection of all things Colombian. You’ll find historic displays of art, records of historic events, and other aspects of the country’s culture. Fun fact: the museum is built inside of a former prison!
Image Courtesy of Pedro Szekely (Wikimedia)
Graffiti Tour
No trip to Colombia is complete without admiring the street art scattered across the country’s capital city. Interestingly, Bogotá is one of the cities throughout the world with the most graffiti art. It’s a very important part of Colombian culture and society, with anything from political to pop culture graffiti scattered around the streets of Bogotá. To get the best views, you can take a free graffiti tour in Bogotá hosted by local organizations or just wander around yourself!
Which of these free things to do in Bogotá will you be trying out?
