Things to see in Bogotá

The art collection at Museo Botero, donated by Colombian artist Fernando Botero, is thought to be one of the most important in the country's history. The collection consists of 120 artworks, mainly paintings, drawings and sculptures by European artists such as Picasso, Chagal, Dali, Renoir, Matisse and Monet. There are also a number of oil paintings and sculptures by Botero himself, especially from the last 20 years. His earlier work (up to 1960s) can be found in the National Museum, also in Bogotá.

This is the historic centre around the Plaza de Bolivar. Despite some unfortunate architectural influences from 20th century, the barrio remains largely soaked in the colonial spirit and lifestyle. Some buildings are being restored to their former glory, others remain dilapidated. The first buildings were built in the 16th century and today's La Candelaria is actually a group of old districts such as La Catedral, Egypto and La Concordial. The area was declared a National Monument in 1964. The streets of the old Santa Fe are full of old Spanish-style mansions with heavy doors, large halls, spacious rooms, patios, thick walls and various styles of balconies. The 19th- and 20th-century buildings are locally known as Republican. La Candelaria of today has a strong bohemian, cultural and academic flavour.

The Presidential Palace is another neoclassical jewel in Bogotá’s architectural crown. Also known as Casa de Nariño, the palace was originally the house of Antonio Nariño, one of the fathers of independence. Rebuilt and extended in 1908, it is as grand and impressive as you’d expect for the home of the President of Colombia. It’s also heavily guarded. However, the palace does open its gates each afternoon for the changing of the guard and it’s worth seeing this extravagant march, which is full of pomp. The palace gardens also feature the oldest observatory in the new world. Visits to the palace must be arranged through the website.

Standing a little higher than nearby Cerro Monserrate, at some 3,300m (10,827 ft), Guadalupe Hill provides a similar view of the city. This verdant precipice is more isolated and tranquil than its neighbour, but more difficult to reach. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe church first stood atop the hill in 1656, but was reduced to ruins four times by earthquakes. The church was last rebuilt in 1967 and features a striking wood-carving of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Her appearance to the Mexican peasant in 16th century is one of the defining moments in the conversion of indigenous people to Catholicism, and she is revered throughout Latin America. One of Bogotá’s main icons stands outside the church, the 15m (49 ft) sculpture of the Virgin by local artist, Gustavo Arcila Uribe.