Bogotá La Candelaria: Walking Tour, Museums & Graffiti Stories

La Candelaria’s old streets, museum stops and graffiti tales

You’ll wander Bogotá’s La Candelaria with a local guide, tasting street snacks and hearing stories behind colorful graffiti and historic squares. Step inside museums like Botero and Gold Museum, pause in plazas where Colombia’s history feels close, and leave with more questions than you started with (in a good way).

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 16 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Walking Tour 10:00 and 14:00 Guide in English or Spanish Shared tour: includes a Gran Colombia Tours guide, gastronomic experiences and all-risk insurance.

Tour on foot and by bicycle 10:00 Guide in English or Spanish Shared tours: beyond the walking tour, this option adds a biking tour that shows Bogotá is more than just La Candelaria.

None of these options right for you? See 12 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore La Candelaria and key landmarks

• Meet guide at Chorro De Quevedo Square
• Walk old streets of La Candelaria
• Visit Plazoleta del Rosario
• Learn history at Plaza de Bolivar
• Walk by Teatro Colon
• Pass Botero Museum
• Pass Gold Museum
• Visit Plaza de Santander
• Pass Emerald Museum
• Pass Casa de la Moneda

Stops and time spent at each 6 stops

1. La Candelaria 2h
2. Plaza de Bolívar 15m
3. Botero Museum passing by
4. Gold Museum passing by
5. International Emerald Museum passing by
6. Bogotá Mint Museum passing by

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your guide at Chorro De Quevedo Square, guided walks through La Candelaria’s key sites, entry to museums like Botero and Gold Museum, street food tastings as part of your gastronomic experience, all-risk insurance during your visit, and umbrellas if Bogotá decides to rain on you.

Times

• Every day 10:00 14:00

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 20 11 private ›

Live guide English and Spanish Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 12 with pickup ›

Book up to Start time

Ages Adult (5 to 85 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Gran Colombia Tours

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Traveler reviews

4.81 ★★★★★ Exceptional 903 verified traveler reviews 88% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 797

4 ★ 67

3 ★ 22

2 ★ 8

1 ★ 9

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The experience

The first thing I noticed in La Candelaria was the color: walls splashed with wild graffiti, some half-faded, some almost shouting. We met our guide, Camilo, right at Chorro De Quevedo Square. He was already chatting with an older woman selling obleas (those wafer sweets), and I tried one. Sticky caramel on my fingers before we’d even started. The air had that city smell: coffee from somewhere nearby, a hint of rain on stone.

We wandered through these narrow streets, past art-deco corners and colonial houses that looked like they’d seen everything. Camilo pointed out how the street art isn’t just for show. It’s real history layered over old bricks. At Plaza de Bolivar he paused and told us about the armed conflict and the emerald mafia (I didn’t expect to hear “mafia” so casually). I caught myself staring at a policeman feeding pigeons while Camilo explained how politics and trade shaped this place. It felt heavy but not hopeless. You could feel people still fighting for something better.

Inside the Gold Museum, it was quieter than outside. The gold pieces looked almost alive under the lights, so much detail in such tiny things. Someone in our group whispered that they’d never seen so much gold in one room. I just nodded because honestly, me neither. At the Botero Museum later, we all laughed at those round sculptures: Camilo called them “chubby art,” which made everyone smile. There was a moment when I lost track of time just watching sunlight move across a painting.

I’m still thinking about that walk along Plaza de Santander. The way everyone seemed to be moving fast except us. It’s strange how you can feel both like a tourist and part of something local for a few hours. Not everything made sense (my Spanish is shaky), but somehow it didn’t matter much by the end.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Is lunch included on this Bogotá walking tour?

A gastronomic experience is included. Specific details may vary but you’ll try local flavors along the route.

Does the tour operate if it rains?

Yes, it runs in all weather conditions: umbrellas are provided if needed.

Are museum entry fees included?

Museum visits are part of the itinerary. Any required entry is covered by your booking.

Where does the Bogotá walking tour start?

The meeting point is Chorro De Quevedo Square in La Candelaria district.

Is this walking tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s designed for all physical fitness levels with manageable walking distances.

Can I combine this with a bike tour?

You can add a Bike Tour option to enjoy both activities on the same day if you wish.