MONTSERRAT AND THE GOLD MUSEUM

2 must-see places in Bogotá: Montserrate and the Gold Museum

Why visit the gold museum and how to get to the cerro (hill) of Montserrate in the capital of the Andes

If you only have a day to visit the capital, here are the two places that should be your priority.

Where should you go to visit the Museo del oro (in Spanish)? Located opposite the Plaza de Santander in the Candelaria district, this is Bogotá’s must-see museum, housing priceless pieces of pre-Hispanic silverware. It takes around 3 hours to visit.

The Montserrate hill is one of Bogotá’s most emblematic sites, perched at an altitude of over three thousand meters, where you can admire the sunset. It offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Colombian capital and its surroundings. To reach the top of this monument, visitors can take a cable car or choose a hiking trail (not recommended for the frail). Our bilingual guides will advise you throughout the day to make the most of your visit to the Montserrat Basilica, so you don’t miss a thing.

The myth of El Dorado and the Gold Museum

This museum is one of Bogotá’s cultural jewels. It houses a rich collection of historical objects, religious art and documents tracing the history of the religious order in Colombia. Reopened in 2009 with a striking new scenography, this museum, unique in the world for its solid gold pieces, welcomes over 500,000 visitors a year.

This museum tells the story of the origins of the El Dorado myth, and you’ll learn why ancient indigenous traditions led to this myth. The museum’s collections also explain how Colombian gold gave rise to the famous myth of “El Dorado”, that legendary land teeming with precious metals: a myth that originated in the Bogotá region in 1536. You’ll discover how the natives mastered the art of gold.

The capital’s best-known museum features collections of paintings, sculptures, textiles and liturgical artifacts, offering a fascinating insight into Colombian art and religious history. Exhibitions are carefully curated to provide an immersive and educational experience, ideal for history and religious heritage enthusiasts.

Gain height with Montserrat Hill

At the summit is the famous sanctuary of the Lord of Montserrate, a 17th-century basilica and a major pilgrimage site in Colombia.

The sanctuary of Montserrat is home to a venerated statue of the same name, attracting many devotees and tourists alike. The site is a place of pilgrimage during Catholic festivals, surrounded by legends and mysticism, adding a spiritual dimension to its natural beauty. Visitors can also enjoy the lush gardens and local flora as they explore the sanctuary’s surroundings. You’ll be able to enjoy an exceptional view of the capital and admire an unparalleled sunset.

The perfect combination for a day in Bogota

Colombia Tour Adventure, your travel partner, has designed this tour in partnership with its local guides for people with only one day in the city. By combining these two visits, Montserrat Mountain and the Gold Museum, you’ll have a panorama of two of the metropolis’s essential monuments. These sites offer a unique combination of history, art and nature, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience for all visitors.

For those with more time on their hands, you can discover other equally fascinating and spectacular itineraries on our site, such as a visit to the Amazon region for those in search of nature and adventure, and why not go and see the humpback whales and enjoy a private beach in the Chocó region on the Pacific coast, or the more touristy beaches of the Caribbean coast, which are equally fascinating itineraries.