Monserrate & La Candelaria

Bogotá from above and from the ground. The hill that watches over the city and the colonial neighborhood where it all began.

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Overview

Bogotá was founded in La Candelaria in 1538, and the neighborhood still looks the part. Cobblestone streets, colonial facades and plazas that have hosted centuries of history. Some of the most important museums in the country are within walking distance of each other.

Monserrate sits at 3,152 meters above the city, accessible by cable car or funicular. From the top, Bogotá spreads out in every direction — eight million people and forty kilometers of urban sprawl visible from a single point. The church at the summit has been a pilgrimage site since the 17th century.

Colorful colonial house under hanging umbrellas near Chorro de Quevedo during a private La Candelaria tour

Private transport throughout the day
Visit to Monserrate by cable car or funicular
Walk through La Candelaria historic center
Visit to the Gold Museum and Botero Museum area
Entrance tickets, meals and beverages not included

What's included

Underground salt museum

About the destination

La Candelaria is where Bogotá began. The Plaza de Bolívar anchors the neighborhood — surrounded by the Capitol building, the Primary Cathedral and the Palace of Justice, it is the political and religious center of the country in a single square. From there, the streets spread out into a mix of colonial architecture, street art, bookshops and cafes that make the area worth exploring slowly.

Two blocks away, the Gold Museum holds the largest collection of pre-Columbian gold in the world. Over 55,000 pieces documenting the craftsmanship and beliefs of Colombia's indigenous cultures. The Botero Museum displays Fernando Botero's most iconic works alongside an impressive collection of international art donated by the artist himself.

Monserrate is a different kind of experience. The cable car takes three minutes to the top, the funicular a little longer. Either way, the view from 3,152 meters is the kind that stops conversation. The church at the summit draws pilgrims and tourists in equal measure, and the entire city stretches out below from end to end.

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