Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center

Get to know Bogotá in a relaxed way. Start the self-guided tour whenever you like and spend a varied and enjoyable time in this exciting and fascinating city. The tour takes you to some of the city's most important sights, including the Gold Museum, the imposing Bogotá Cathedral, the Palace of Justice and the Capitol. You will also experience the lively atmosphere of the old town "La Candelaria", with its narrow cobbled streets, colourful colonial houses and fascinating mix of art, culture and history, enriched by street artists, cosy cafés, art galleries and souvenir shops. Get to know the best local delicacies from street vendors and get insider tips for traditional restaurants and markets. At the tour stops, there are entertaining tasks to solve and fun questions to answer. Who knows, for example, what ... but no, we won't tell you yet! Plan a leisurely 3.5 hours for this 3.5 km walk so that you can take your time to look at everything and have time for small breaks here and there. The tour ends 500 metres from the starting point. The tour is a great way to get outside and discover new things with family, friends or on your own. It's like being shown Bogotá by a good friend who knows the city like the back of his hand and has many exciting stories and anecdotes to tell. You can start the tour at any time and as often as you like in the browser of a smartphone. On site or even from the comfort of your sofa. Enjoy your time in Bogotá! *** Good to know *** You will receive the link to start the tour in an email directly after booking.

Our tour blends history, art, adventure, and the best tips to ensure you enjoy your visit to Bogotá to the fullest with the company of the best local and professional guides! During the tour, we'll explore (among other places 😉) the following sites: Plazoleta de la Concordia: A place that combines art, culture, and tradition. Here, you'll find a farmer's market and craft shops. Callejón del Embudo: A cobblestone street shaped like a funnel, which used to be the edge of the ancient Quebrada de San Bruno. Chorro de Quevedo: The place where Bogotá was founded in 1538 by the Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Casa de 'La Pola': The residence of Policarpa Salavarrieta, heroine of the liberation campaign. Palacio San Carlos: The former official residence of the President of Colombia. Iglesia San Ignacio: A Catholic religious temple built in the 17th century. Plaza de Bolívar: The heart of Bogotá, surrounded by iconic buildings such as the Palace of Justice and the National Capitol. Manzana Cultural: A place that houses three of the most important museums, including the Botero Museum. If you're looking for an experience that blends the ancient with the modern, the cultural with the adventurous, this is your trip! Get ready to be amazed and immerse yourself in a unique experience.

Visit Bogota's main places Places to Visit: Monserrate hill and its Church: It is a wonderful hill located in the 3.150 meters / 10.335 feets above sea level, that has become Bogota’s symbol that you can go up either Funicular or Cable car to the top. From where you will see the gorgeous Sanctuary where is “El señor caido de Monserrate“ a special sculpture to search for peace and reconciliation. Also the tour guide will do the explanation about the monastery then you will appreciate the both attractions a beautiful landscape and amazing views of the all city and then your tour guide will tell you the present social situation and political situation, besides interesting stories and Bogota best kept secrets to understand a bit about the Bogota structure. Note: Every Sunday we will change the visit to Cerro de Guadalupe instead of Monserrate due to the high percentage of visitors on Sundays. Historical center of Bogotá, Candelaria: It is a beautiful colonial area where Bogotá born and is composed for beautiful colonial architecture mix with a bohemian atmosphere. in this area are located very interesting attractions which you will visit thas (Botero museum, Casa de la moneda / numismatic museum, Luis Ángel Arango library, Gabriel Garcia Marquez cultural center). Bolivar Square: It is the main administrative center of Colombia. Where are located the important atracttions like; The national capitol, Bogota mayor office, the religious street and the Colombian Court house. Over there your private tour guide will tell you the most important political topics and Colombian stories related about the Colombian growing, Military situation and social situation. Gold Museum: Offers a varied exposition of different types of Pre-columbian pieces of Colombia not only made by gold also in other materials such as silver, copper, emeralds, wood and ceramics. It offers information about the indigenous groups and the meaning of the pieces for them. The museum has a permanent exposition of more than 35.000 pieces which is considerate as one of the biggest and valuable expositions in the world. (On Mondays this museum is closed so we could change it for Emerald museum or La Quinta house “Simon Bolivar house in Bogota” or more time of our guided tour visiting the main highlights of our Itinerary. The options are up to you and may be subject to changes, depending on the circumstances out of our control) – (Gold museum is subject to availability by Covid 19 restrictions. For reservations that are not made in advance, the visit to the Museum is not guaranteed )

Embark on an unforgettable journey that combines the enchanting depths of the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral with the vibrant streets of Bogotá's historic center. Experience the best of Colombian heritage, architecture, and culture in this unique day tour. Begin your day with an exploration within the heart of Bogotá: La Candelaria. Explore our city's beautiful historic center on the best walking tour available where you will have the opportunity to know the facts that have changed and transformed the city and the country. We will begin right in front of the Gold Museum, the largest pre-Hispanic gold collection in the world where we will understand how and why Bogotá was born. From there we will move through a timeline going through the most representative squares and institutions of the center of Bogota such as Plaza de Santander, Plazoleta del Rosario, Jimenez Avenue with Seventh Avenue, Chorro de Quevedo, Cultural "Apple", Candelaria Church, Coliseo Street, Colón Theater, José Cuervo Square, Bolivar Square, gastronomic alley, Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center, among others. We pass in front of the Botero Museum and Mint House, the 2 powers (religious and state) unified during the time of colonization. We will also have a break in the middle of the Tour to make the Muisca - Indigenous Ritual, a moment where we focus on the culture of corn, the basis of different ancient beliefs and rituals, its prohibition and cultural development. You will learn more about our culture from a local, an experience you will not forget. This is a fun and informative walking tour full of curious facts about history, culture, gastronomy, architecture, places to visit, art and cultural offerings. Your knowledgeable guide will provide curious facts about the city's history, culture, gastronomy, and architecture, enriching your understanding of Bogotá. Once we finish the walking tour, we will be transported directly to Zipaquirá's Salt Cathedral: an underground marvel nestled 180 meters below the earth's surface. This subterranean sanctuary, a testament to both architectural ingenuity and miners' devotion, will leave you in awe. We start at the First Station, where you can witness the profound Stations of the Cross. Proceed to the Great Center Dome, home to the largest underground salt cross, a breathtaking sight that embodies spiritual and cultural significance. As you navigate the intricate salt tunnels adorned with carvings and sculptures, your guide will delve into the rich history and spiritual essence of the cathedral, making your visit deeply immersive. This day tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the best of Colombian culture. From the depths of the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral to the historic streets of Bogotá, every moment promises to be filled with wonder and discovery. Join us for an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories and a newfound appreciation for the beauty and history of Colombia.

Everything you need to know about the historic center of Bogota is here! We will travel in time from the beginning of our indigenous ancestors through the period of colonization to the present day. Join the original and number #1 walking tour in La Candelaria by Beyond Colombia where you’ll visit the beautiful historic center of Bogota (La Candelaria) in order to learn about the history of the city while exploring it. Get in touch with the local culture, seeing the history come to life with stories from past and present. You can select upon 4 activities that fits your likes and time the best: La Candelaria only, with Monserrate, or Museums (Gold & Botero), or with Local Food with a Premium Coffee Tasting. Please check the options above and select the best for you! We’ll make sure to give you all the recommendations you may need to continue exploring Bogota on your own, whether you want to see all the museums, eat in the best restaurants or wander through iconic landmarks uncovering centuries of heritage. This is a fun and informative walking tour full of curious facts about history, culture, gastronomy, architecture, places to visit, art and cultural offerings.

This City tour in Bogota offers you a broad and realistic perspective of Bogota. During the tour you will visit up to 10 main attractions, we will make stops entering each attraction, we will inform you about customs and stories related to political and social factors that have marked Bogota, Colombia. You will visit places accompanied by our tour guides who will contextualize them to make your visit the best experience. Places to visit: Monserrate Hill: On the hill of Monserrate stands the church of the "Fallen Lord of Monserrate" which is one of the most important viewpoints of Bogota and Colombia. Located at 3,150 meters / 10,335 feet high where you can see beautiful views of the entire city and the wooded area behind the hill. The tour guide will explain the history of Monserrate and its importance, the city of Bogota, its tourist attractions and the current social classification of the country. Note: On Saturdays and Sundays the tour is changed for the visit to the Cerro de Guadalupe because on Saturdays and Sundays there is a high increase of visitors to Monserrate causing delays in the tour. Historical Center of Bogota; La Candelaria: The client will have the opportunity to visit the place where Bogota was founded, this place has a spectacular colonial architecture, where a historical legacy is preserved combined with a bohemian atmosphere in the tour you will visit the main tourist attractions and emblematic within the Candelaria: Jimenez Avenue. Plazoleta el Rosario. The cultural block. La Concordia Market Square (General explanation of the gastronomy and typical Colombian fruits). Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo. La Calle and La Calle 11. Gabriel Garcia Marquez Cultural Center. Bolivar Square: It is the administrative center, the epicenter of the activity of the powers and public bodies. This is the most important square in Colombia. Where are the following palaces and attractions (National Capitol, Palace of the Lievano - Mayor of Bogota, Palace of Justice, the Catholic Street and the monument to Simon Bolivar). Gold Museum: The museum contains a collection of the best and most historical Pre-Columbian pieces of Colombia and its historical reviews of indigenous communities with a collection of more than 35,000 pieces in permanent exhibition that to date consolidates one of the largest exhibitions worldwide. (The visit of the Museum is subject to availability of capacity and restrictions by COVID-19 - On Mondays this museum is closed. It can be changed optionally for the Emerald Museum). International Center: It is the second most important financial center of Bogota, Colombia where the first international banks and some of the largest companies in Colombia were located. Part of its construction was developed thanks to Colombia's first international coffee boom.