Bogota holidays

What are the best ways to discover Bogota?

The Colombian capital Bogota is well worth a couple of nights' stay in its own right and shouldn't be overlooked en route for Cartagena or beyond. This cosmopolitan city is also known as the Athens of the Americas, and has received substantial investment in recent years. This has made significant improvements to its aesthetics, security and infrastructure, and an Andean location means that the air is cool and clear. While Bogotá's appeal is not as immediately apparent as in other Latin capitals with local knowledge and advice from Original Travel, this is an excellent place to spend a few days. Once adjusted to the altitude (7,500ft), visitors can explore historic neighbourhoods with their colonial architecture alongside leafy parks and glitzy modern districts.

The old town of Candelaria is an immediate draw for all visitors to the capital, with its narrow cobbled streets, colourful buildings and museums. The culture here is all about cafés, either for a daytime coffee or an evening aperitif and dinner. By contrast, the Zona Rosa is the area to head to for clubs and bars (similar to the area of Mexico City of the same name) and this northern section of the city has many of the most expensive hotels, restaurants and shops. To gain perspective on the city and for sweeping views of its urban sprawl, take the funicular railway or cable car to the top of Monserrate hill and take in the panorama from the church atop the peak.