Colombia · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Colombia
These are our picks across Colombia, from gold museums and salsa bars to coffee farms, jungle beaches and colonial plazas. Opening hours, park closures and festival dates change, so check before you go.
Places to Visit in Bogotá
Arts and Culture
- Museo del Oro (La Candelaria)
The world famous collection of pre-Hispanic gold, including the Muisca raft of the El Dorado legend. - Museo Botero (La Candelaria)
Botero's rounded figures and his personal collection of European masters, free to enter. - Bogotá Graffiti Tour (La Candelaria)
A walking tour of the city's murals that doubles as a lesson in modern Colombian history. - Museo Santa Clara (La Candelaria)
A former convent church whose walls are completely covered in colonial paintings and gold leaf.
Things to Do
- Monserrate (Cerros Orientales)
Ride the cable car or funicular to the mountain top church for the classic view over the city. - Ciclovía (City wide)
On Sundays and holidays, main roads close to cars for cyclists, runners and skaters. - Quebrada La Vieja (Chapinero Alto)
A forested hiking trail up the eastern hills, popular with locals early on weekend mornings. - Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá (Zipaquirá)
An underground cathedral carved into a salt mine, an easy day trip north of the capital.
Shopping and Markets
- Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao (Paloquemao)
A huge market of exotic fruit, flowers and breakfast stalls, best early in the morning. - Mercado de las Pulgas de Usaquén (Usaquén)
A Sunday flea market of crafts, street food and live music around the old village square.
Restaurants
- La Puerta Falsa (La Candelaria)
A tiny centuries old eatery near Plaza de Bolívar serving tamales, ajiaco and hot chocolate with cheese. - Leo (Chapinero)
Chef Leonor Espinosa's tasting menus built on ingredients from across Colombia's regions. - El Chato (Chapinero)
A relaxed but refined kitchen celebrating Colombian produce in creative small plates. - Andrés D.C. (Zona Rosa)
A multi-floor carnival of a restaurant with huge menus, music and dancing late into the night. - Ajiacos y Mondongos (Chapinero)
A no frills local favourite for big bowls of ajiaco and mondongo tripe soup.
Cafés
- Café San Alberto (La Candelaria)
Speciality coffee from a celebrated Quindío farm, with guided tastings near Plaza de Bolívar. - Amor Perfecto (Chapinero)
One of Bogotá's pioneering speciality roasters, with cupping sessions and brewing classes.
Bars and Nightlife
- Gaira Café Cumbia House (Chapinero)
A bar and restaurant tied to the Vives family, with live cumbia and vallenato on weekend nights. - Theatron (Chapinero)
A vast LGBTQ friendly club complex with many rooms of different music under one roof. - Bogotá Beer Company Usaquén (Usaquén)
Colombia's best known craft brewery, in a relaxed pub near the Usaquén square.
Nature and Outdoors
- Jardín Botánico de Bogotá (Engativá)
Gardens of Andean and páramo plants, with a tropical glasshouse and quiet trails.
Events
- Rock al Parque (Parque Simón Bolívar)
A huge free rock festival held over several days, one of the largest in Latin America.
Stays
- Hotel de la Ópera (La Candelaria)
A historic hotel in colonial buildings beside the Colón Theatre, with a rooftop view of the old town.
Places to Visit in Medellín
Things to Do
- Comuna 13 (San Javier)
Outdoor escalators, murals and hip hop on a guided walk with local residents. - Metrocable Line K and Line L (Santo Domingo)
Cable cars over the hillside neighbourhoods up to the forests of Parque Arví. - Guatapé and El Peñol (Guatapé)
Climb the giant granite rock for lake views, then explore the painted streets of the town. - Jardín (Jardín, Antioquia)
A colourful coffee town with a grand basilica and a cable car up to a viewpoint.
Arts and Culture
- Plaza Botero (Centro)
More than twenty bronze Botero sculptures in an open square downtown. - Museo de Antioquia (Centro)
The largest collection of Botero's work alongside Antioquian art and history. - Casa de la Memoria Museum (Boston)
A moving museum about the city's years of conflict and how its people rebuilt.
Nature and Outdoors
- Jardín Botánico de Medellín (Aranjuez)
Free gardens with an orchid house and a striking wooden canopy called the Orquideorama. - Parque Arví (Santa Elena)
A mountain nature reserve with trails, a farmers' market and cool fresh air above the city.
Shopping and Markets
- Mercado del Río (El Poblado)
A food hall of stalls covering Colombian and international dishes under one roof. - Minorista Market (Centro)
The city's big wholesale market for tropical fruit, flowers and local snacks.
Restaurants
- Hacienda Junín (Centro)
A long running restaurant for a classic bandeja paisa in the city centre. - Carmen (El Poblado)
Creative cooking in a stylish setting, one of the city's best known fine dining tables. - El Cielo (El Poblado)
Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos's playful multi-course tasting experiences. - Mondongo's (El Poblado)
A busy local favourite for tripe soup, bandeja paisa and Antioquian home cooking.
Cafés
- Pergamino Café (El Poblado)
A leafy café serving coffee from its own farms, a speciality coffee landmark in the city.
Bars and Nightlife
- Parque Lleras (El Poblado)
The city's nightlife hub, packed with bars and clubs from early evening. - Son Havana (Laureles)
A small, sweaty, much loved salsa bar with live bands on weekends. - La 70 (Laureles)
A long avenue of bars, food stalls and music that comes alive at weekends.
Events
- Feria de las Flores (City wide)
The August flower festival with the famous silleteros parade of flower displays carried on their backs. - Alumbrados Navideños (Río Medellín)
Millions of Christmas lights along the river and parks every December.
Stays
- The Charlee Hotel (El Poblado)
A design hotel near Parque Lleras with a rooftop pool and lively bar.
Places to Visit in Cartagena
Things to Do
- Walled City walk (Centro Histórico)
Wander the colonial streets, balconies and plazas, then watch sunset from the walls. - Plaza de la Trinidad (Getsemaní)
The neighbourhood square where street performers, food carts and locals gather every evening. - Palenque de San Basilio (San Basilio de Palenque)
The first free African town in the Americas, with its own language and music. - Volcán del Totumo (Santa Catalina)
A small mud volcano where you float in warm mud, then wash off in the lagoon.
Arts and Culture
- Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (San Lázaro)
The largest Spanish fortress in the Americas, with tunnels to explore. - Palacio de la Inquisición (Plaza de Bolívar)
A colonial palace turned museum about the Inquisition and the city's history. - Iglesia de San Pedro Claver (Centro Histórico)
A church and museum honouring the saint who served enslaved Africans arriving in the port.
Nature and Outdoors
- Islas del Rosario (Rosario Islands)
Coral islands within a national park, reached by boat for snorkelling and swimming. - Playa Blanca (Barú)
A long white sand beach on the Barú peninsula, best visited on weekdays.
Restaurants
- La Cevichería (San Diego)
A small, famous spot for Caribbean ceviches and seafood. - Carmen Cartagena (Centro Histórico)
The coastal sister of Medellín's Carmen, serving creative Caribbean flavours. - Celele (Getsemaní)
A kitchen researching and reinventing the ingredients of Colombia's Caribbean. - La Mulata (San Diego)
A local lunch spot for set meals of fried fish, coconut rice and stews.
Cafés
- Época Espresso Bar (San Diego)
A cool, bright café with good coffee and breakfast in the old town. - Ábaco Libros y Café (Centro Histórico)
A bookshop café with shelves of literature and a calm break from the heat.
Bars and Nightlife
- Café Havana (Getsemaní)
Live salsa bands in a bar that feels like old Havana. - Alquímico (Centro Histórico)
A multi-level cocktail bar using ingredients from its own farm, with a rooftop. - Café del Mar (Baluarte de Santo Domingo)
Sunset drinks on the ramparts of the old city walls.
Shopping and Markets
- Mercado de Bazurto (Bazurto)
A chaotic, authentic market of fish, fruit and food stalls, best with a guide. - Las Bóvedas (San Diego)
Old vaults in the city wall converted into craft and souvenir shops.
Events
- Hay Festival Cartagena (Centro Histórico)
A literature and ideas festival held in the old town each year. - Fiestas de Independencia (City wide)
November celebrations of the city's independence with parades and music.
Stays
- Sofitel Legend Santa Clara (San Diego)
A former convent turned luxury hotel in the old town.
Places to Visit in Salento
Nature and Outdoors
- Valle de Cocora (Cocora)
Hike among the world's tallest palm trees in a misty Andean valley. - Acaime Hummingbird Reserve (Cocora)
A rest stop on the Cocora trail where hummingbirds feed around you. - Termales de Santa Rosa de Cabal (Santa Rosa de Cabal)
Hot springs beneath waterfalls in a forested valley. - Jardín Botánico del Quindío (Calarcá)
Botanical gardens with a large butterfly house.
Things to Do
- Finca El Ocaso (Salento)
A working coffee farm offering tours from bean to cup. - Don Elías Coffee Farm (Salento)
A small family farm giving simple, organic coffee tours. - Mirador de Salento (Salento)
Climb the steps at the end of Calle Real for views over the green valley. - Filandia (Filandia)
A quieter coffee town with basket weavers and a wooden lookout tower. - Parque del Café (Montenegro)
A theme park about coffee with rides, shows and gardens.
Shopping and Markets
- Calle Real (Salento)
The main street of painted balconies, craft shops and cafés.
Restaurants
- Trout restaurants on the plaza (Salento)
Local trout served with patacones is the classic Salento meal. - Helena Adentro (Filandia)
Creative Colombian cooking in a stylish small town setting.
Cafés
- Café Jesús Martín (Salento)
A speciality coffee café with a roastery and tasting experiences.
Bars and Nightlife
- Los Amigos (Salento)
A bar where locals and travellers play tejo, the Colombian game of exploding targets.
Arts and Culture
- Mirador Colina Iluminada (Filandia)
A tall wooden viewpoint over the coffee hills near Filandia.
Stays
- La Serrana (Salento)
A long running farm hostel with valley views just outside town.
Places to Visit in Santa Marta
Nature and Outdoors
- Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (Tayrona)
Jungle beaches between giant boulders, reached by forest trails. - Ciudad Perdida (Sierra Nevada)
A multi-day trek to the ancient Tayrona city in the jungle. - Pozo Azul (Minca)
A refreshing natural pool and waterfall near Minca. - Playa Cristal (Tayrona)
A clear water beach good for snorkelling.
Things to Do
- Minca (Minca)
A cool hill village of waterfalls, coffee farms and birdwatching. - Parque de los Novios (Centro Histórico)
A lively square surrounded by restaurants and bars. - Palomino (Palomino)
Float down the river on a tube to the Caribbean. - La Victoria Coffee Farm (Minca)
A historic coffee farm with original machinery still running on water power.
Arts and Culture
- Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino (Mamatoco)
The hacienda where Simón Bolívar died, with a museum and gardens. - Museo del Oro Tairona (Centro Histórico)
A small Gold Museum in the old customs house.
Restaurants
- Ouzo (Parque de los Novios)
Mediterranean cooking with a wood oven in the historic centre. - Lulo Café Bar (Centro Histórico)
Arepas, juices and casual meals in the old town. - Fried fish stalls at Taganga (Taganga)
Fresh fried fish by the bay.
Bars and Nightlife
- La Brisa Loca (Centro Histórico)
A busy hostel rooftop bar.
Stays
- Casa Elemento (Minca)
A mountain hostel famous for its giant hammock. - Ecohabs Tayrona (Tayrona)
Thatched cabins inside the national park.
Events
- Fiesta del Mar (Santa Marta)
A July festival with water sports, parades and music.
Places to Visit in Cali
Bars and Nightlife
- La Topa Tolondra (San Antonio)
The city's most popular salsa bar for dancing. - Zaperoco Bar (Granada)
A classic salsa bar with vinyl and live music.
Things to Do
- Barrio San Antonio (San Antonio)
A colonial hilltop neighbourhood with cafés and a church overlooking the city. - Delirio (Cali)
A circus, salsa and music show, held monthly. - Salsa class at Swing Latino (Cali)
Learn salsa caleña from the dance school famous for its show.
Shopping and Markets
- Galería Alameda (Alameda)
A market of Pacific fish, fruit and food stalls.
Restaurants
- El Zaguán de San Antonio (San Antonio)
A restaurant serving traditional dishes with a rooftop view. - Cholados in Parque del Perro (San Fernando)
Try cholado, a fruit and shaved ice dessert.
Nature and Outdoors
- Cristo Rey (Cali)
A giant statue of Christ on the hills with a view. - Zoológico de Cali (Santa Teresita)
The city zoo, known for its Colombian species.
Arts and Culture
- Museo La Tertulia (Centro)
Modern art museum by the river.
Events
- Feria de Cali (City wide)
Late December salsa parades and concerts. - Festival Petronio Álvarez (Cali)
A festival of Pacific music, food and culture held in August.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro (City wide, Bogotá)
A major theatre festival filling venues and streets with performances from around the world. - Casa Legado (Chapinero, Bogotá)
A small boutique hotel in a restored historic house in a calm residential street. - Café Velvet (El Poblado, Medellín)
A relaxed café with good coffee, cakes and a garden feel in Provenza. - Envy Rooftop (El Poblado, Medellín)
Cocktails beside a rooftop pool with views over the valley at The Charlee hotel. - Casa Kiwi (El Poblado, Medellín)
A well established guesthouse for travellers in the heart of El Poblado. - Restaurante Interno (Centro, Cartagena)
A restaurant inside the women's prison run with inmates, a meaningful dinner booking ahead. - Casa Lola (Getsemaní, Cartagena)
A colourful boutique hotel in restored colonial houses. - Hacienda El Caney (Quindío, Salento)
A colonial style hacienda stay among the coffee hills. - Fiestas Aniversarias de Salento (Salento, Salento)
Local January festivities with music, parades and horse events. - Café Ikaro (Minca, Santa Marta)
A café with views and good coffee in the village. - Café Macondo (San Antonio, Cali)
A café with cakes in San Antonio. - Hotel Spiwak (Chipichape, Cali)
Large hotel in the north.