The city of Bogota is a refreshing mix of old and new. With colonial style architecture, excellent historical museums and a vibrant nightlife, theres plenty to see and do today in Colombias capital. Here are some of the highlights:

Museu de Oro, The Gold Museum

A large and popular museum which houses a fantastic collection of more than 10,000 pieces of gold. The museum is the biggest of its kind in the world and traces evidence of the first inhabitants of Colombia before European explorers arrived. As well as gold the museum has a collection of pottery, wood, shell, stone and textile items, and several of the world’s largest emeralds on display. In 2004 a new building was opened at the sight and two more permanent collection halls are due to be opened in 2008. Its closed on Mondays but open from 9am-6pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and 10am- 4pm Sundays and most public holidays. Its COL$2,700 (about USD$1.40). On Sundays, the museum is open for free.

Salt Cathedral

About 50kms outside of Bogota is an amazing underground church, built 200 meters into the side of a Salt Mountain, where salt is still mined from today. Carved completely from salt rock, the church is full of underground tunnels and chambers, altars, statues and religious tributes. With high ceilings, archways and carved pillars, all illuminated with tranquil blue lighting, most people find a visit to the salt cathedral a spiritual experience, even if they are not religious themselves. Sunday mass is held there weekly and seasonal concerts are open to the public. Its open 9am-4:30pm Monday to Friday and until 5pm on the weekend. The best way to get there is by bus. They leave from the north of Bogota for the city of Zipaquirá.

La Candelaria

Near the Plaza of Bogota is the old part of the city, La Candelaria. Here you’ll easily spend a few hours wondering these streets, admiring the well preserved colonial style architecture, brightly painted buildings with decorative details like wrought iron work, carved balconies and quaint little plazas, old churches and some great restaurants and cafes. A must see when you’re there is the church of Santa Clara, which has some beautiful, ornate frescoes painted on its inside walls. From the top of the steepest part of this district you can enjoy some great views of the rest of Bogota.

Monserrate

For an amazing view of the city below, take the cable car of funicular to the top of Monserrate. 3,100 meters above sea level, it may take some time to adjust to the altitude, leaving you time to explore the cathedral and statues at the top, the surrounding park and market stalls. There is a selection of restaurants there too for an enjoyable lunch.

Plaza Boliviar

The main plaza in Bogota and home to some of the most important government and historical buildings in Bogota including a cathedral, the High Court, The Senate, Justice Palace and the Mayors office Lievano Palace. Most are not open to the public but its an excellent place to relax and watch life go by or feed the pigeons.

National Museum

This museum is housed in a beautiful historic building that was a prison until 1946. Its has a collection of nearly 30,000 pieces arranged into sections including anthropology, archaeology, history and arts, including works by some of Colombias most famous artists. Its a great place to get an overview of Colombias history and to take a look at some of the oldest pre-colonial artefact’s in the Americas. Open every day except Monday from 10am- 5:30pm.

Jardin Botanico

The Botanic gardens in Bogota are the perfect place to relax after seeing the city sights. Catch the bus that goes to the airport and ask to be let off near the gardens. They house an impressive variety of native Colombian flora, organised by the countrys different climatic zones in both outdoor gardens and greenhouse displays. The roses and orchids, one of Colombias biggest exports, are a must see. It’s open everyday. Weekdays from 8-5pm and Weekends 9-5pm.

Churches

Bogota has many beautiful churches that you can visit around the city. Two of the best are La Catedral Primada and Sata Clara. Primada is a beautiful example of Neo-classical architecture, built on the site where the first mass was observed after the citys founding in 1538 by Jimenéz de Quesada, whose tomb is inside. Santa Clara was built between 1692 and 1674. Visit if not for the religious art, statues and decorative altars but for the hundred or so paintings adorning its walls inside. Other churches worth mentioning are San Francisco, San Ignacio and San Agustin.