Museums and Monuments in Bogota

Art, archaeology, history... Find out about the main museums and monuments in Bogota...

There are over 50 museums and art galleries in Bogota. On the last Sunday of every month most museums open their doors to the public for free or offer special prices. This programme is called "siga, esta es su casa" (Come in, this is your house).

Some of the most popular museums are listed below:

Museo Nacional: Museum with collections displaying the history of Colombia, with archaeological, ethnographic and art works on display. The museum holds regular temporary exhibitions and workshops.

  • Museo Nacional (website in Spanish)
    At: Carrera 7 Nº 28-66, Zona Centro
    Tel: (1) 3816470
    Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-18:00; Sunday 10:00-17:00

Museo del Oro: The Gold Museum holds one of the largest collections of pre-Hispanic gold work, pottery, stone, textile and shell work from the indigenous cultures in the country.

  • Museo del Oro (website in Spanish)
    At: Calle 16 Nº 588 Zona Centro
    Tel: (1) 3432222
    Open: Tuesday to Saturday 09:00-18:00; Sundays 10:00-16:00

Museo de Botero: It holds a large collection of works donated to the country by the nation's most prominent artist Fernando Botero, in order to promote the arts and culture in his country. Located in a colonial house in La Candelaria it has over 200 pieces from his own work and others from his personal collection.

  • Museo de Botero (website in Spanish)
    At: Calle 11 Nº 4-91, Zona Centro
    Tel: (1) 3431316
    Open: Monday to Saturday 09:00-19:00 (Closed on Tuesday); Sunday 10:00-17:00

Casa Museo Quinta de Bolivar: A colonial house and former home of Simon Bolivar after the independence war. It is now a museum dedicated to his life and hosts many different cultural and art exhibitions.

  • Casa Museo Quinta de Bolivar (website in Spanish)
    At: Calle 20 Nº 1E-91, Zona Centro
    Tel: (1) 3366410
    Open: Tuesday to Friday 09:00-17:00; Saturday, Sunday 10:00-16:00

Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Bogotá: The Museum of Modern Art displays and promotes modern and contemporary art from local and international artists. There is also a theatre featuring art and non-commercial films.

Art Galleries, Libraries and Cultural Centres

There are many art galleries, cultural centres and libraries around the city dedicated to promoting art and culture. These places host many art and photography exhibitions, special events, performances, poetry sessions and concerts.

Some of the main ones are listed below (websites in Spanish)

Monuments

Bogota has many monuments to visit, declared national architectural heritage. These are located mainly in the neighbourhood of La Candelaria.

Monserrate: Pilgrim destination and tourist attraction, there is a church at the top of the mountain built in the seventeen century. It can be accessed by cable car, cable train or on foot.

  • At: Calle 2 Nº. 21-48, Zona Centro.
    Tel: (1) 2845700
    Open: Monday to Saturday 07:00-23:45; Sunday 05:30-17:30; public holidays 06:00-17:30

Plaza de Bolivar: The main square of the city, with a statue of Simón Bolivar. It is home to the Palacio de Justicia which is the presidential office; the Alcaldia Mayor de Bogotá, which is the mayor's office; and the Cathedral of Colombia.

  • At: Between Carrera 7 and Carrera 8 with Calle 10 and Calle 11, Zona Centro

Catedral Primada de Bogotá: Roman Catholic Cathedral built in the seventeenth century, home of the Archbishop of Bogota.

  • At: Carrera 7 Nº. 10-40, Zona Centro
    Tel: (1) 3418838

Further Information