Architectural Jewels (Self Guided), Bogota

Bogota, Colombia, is quite a city for an architectural experience. Attentive to the local historical heritage, the city has managed to preserve in full splendor most of its colonial buildings.

One such gem is the Palace (or House) of Nariño, the official residence of the President of Colombia. Its grandeur and historical significance make it a prominent landmark.

Not far away from it stands the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmen, a symbol of religious devotion and architectural beauty. Renowned for its architectural fusion of Florentine Gothic, Byzantine, and Arabic styles, this sanctuary is a National Monument.

Further enriching Bogotá's architectural landscape is the Christopher Columbus Theatre (Teatro Cristóbal Colón), named so after the famed explorer.

The Palace of San Carlos, the San Ignacio Church, and the College of San Bartolome are additional architectural marvels, each with its unique story to tell. The Liévano Palace, the National Capitol, and the San Francisco Palace exemplify the city's governmental institutions with their imposing facades and historical significance.

Religious fervor is also represented through structures like the Church of San Francisco, the Third Temple Church (Iglesia de la Tercera), and the Church of True Cross (Iglesia de la Veracruz), each contributing to Bogotá's spiritual tapestry.

Moreover, institutions like the Colombian Language Academy (Academia Colombiana de la Lengua) and Faenza Theatre add intellectual and artistic dimensions to the city's architectural wealth.

Bogotá's architectural jewels offer a glimpse into the city's past and present and invite exploration and appreciation. So, should you wish to discover the splendor of Bogotá's architectural heritage firsthand, venture forth on this self-guided walk.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Jorge Láscar.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Bogota

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Architectural Jewels
Guide Location: Colombia » Bogota (See other walking tours in Bogota)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Bogota?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Bogota Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Bogota?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Bogota, Colombia

Create Your Own Walk in Bogota

Creating your own self-guided walk in Bogota is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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In the area now known as Quevedo's Fountain Square, Quesada set up 12... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

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Start your quest at Pasaje Rivas Market, Bogota's oldest marketplace, offering... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

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