La Candelaria
Bogotá's colonial old town, with brightly coloured single-storey houses, cobbled slopes and walls covered in graffiti, at the heart of the city's history and street art.
La Candelaria is where the Spanish founded the city in 1538. It preserves many colonial buildings from the 17th to 19th centuries, mostly one or two storeys high. The facades are painted bright yellow, royal blue and orange-red, and wooden balconies and wrought-iron window grilles are everywhere. Today the area is home to universities, museums, theatres, hostels and cafés. A suggested route starts at the small Chorro de Quevedo square, where the city was first settled. From there, walk through the narrow Callejón del Embudo, a lane covered in murals with small shops selling chicha, a fermented corn drink. Continue past the Academy of Sciences district and the Colón Theatre area down to Plaza de Bolívar, stopping at the Botero Museum and the Mint Museum along the way. This is one of South America's finest neighbourhoods for street art. Since 2011 the city has been tolerant of street art, so the murals are frequently repainted. English-language 'Bogotá Graffiti Tour' walks run every morning and afternoon, with tips expected. For lunch, try ajiaco, a chicken and potato soup from Bogotá, and tamal. In the afternoon, pair them with a chocolate santafereño, a hot chocolate served with cheese. Be aware that the old town is busy and generally safe during the day. Quiet back streets are best avoided after dark or on Sunday afternoons, when there are fewer people, and keep an eye on your phone when taking photos. The coordinates given point to Chorro de Quevedo.
Opening hours
All day (daytime visits recommended)
Nearby sights
- Chorro de Quevedo
- Luis Ángel Arango Library
- Botero Museum
- Colón Theatre
- Gold Museum
- Primatial Cathedral of Bogotá
- Church of San Francisco
- International Emerald Museum