Bogotá La Candelaria: Walking Tour, Museums & Graffiti Stories

Summary

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).

What’s the experience like?

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.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 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

Top questions

How long does the walking tour in La Candelaria last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect several hours covering multiple museums and neighborhoods on foot.

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.

Will there be an English-speaking guide?

The tour can run in English or Spanish depending on group needs—sometimes both languages together.

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.

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.