Must-visit museums and exhibitions in Bogota: a complete guide
Bogota has a large and diverse museum network. This guide gathers the ones worth visiting now and the shows currently on view.
The city holds more than 60 museums, from public institutions to private collections and university galleries. Some are huge, others fit in a single room, but all of them hold pieces that tell a story about the country.
Before planning your route, check the Qué Hacer en Bogotá calendar. There you will find current temporary shows, opening hours and links to reserve tickets.
The big museums every newcomer should see at least once
The Museo Nacional sits in Parque de la Independencia and is the oldest museum in the country. It has 17 permanent rooms and close to 20,000 pieces covering art, archaeology and history. Entry is free on Sundays and any day for visitors under 18.
The Museo de Botero, in La Candelaria, displays a selection of works Fernando Botero donated to Colombia. You will find pieces by Picasso, Monet, Dalí and others. Free entry every day.
The Museo del Oro, run by the Banco de la República, holds the largest collection of pre-Hispanic goldwork in the world. More than 55,000 pieces from cultures such as the Muisca, the Tairona and the Quimbaya. It is in central Bogota, close to Parque Santander.
Mid-size museums with strong programs
The Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá (MAMBO) sits one block from Parque de la 93. It focuses on Colombian art from the 1960s and rotates the collection every six months. Tickets are cheap and guided tours run on Saturdays.
The Museo de los Niños, on Carrera 60 with Calle 63, mixes science, technology and art for families. It has more than 200 interactive modules. If you go with kids, weekdays are quieter and faster.
The Casa de la Memoria is downtown, near the La Favorita neighborhood. It is a small but powerful museum that collects testimonies from Colombia's armed conflict. Entry is free.
Smaller rooms worth a stop
The Museo de Arte de la Universidad Nacional sits inside the university campus. It holds a strong collection of 20th-century Colombian art and rotates temporary shows often. Entry is free.
The Museo de Bogotá, on the south side of Parque de los Periodistas, tells the story of the city from its founding. It reopened a few years ago and is worth a slow walk through.
The Fundación Gilberto Alzate Avendaño, in La Candelaria, works as a gallery and cultural center. Its interior patio often hosts photography shows and young art projects.
Temporary exhibitions that shape the calendar
The major museums refresh their program every few months. In the middle of the year you can usually catch photography shows, Indigenous art displays and contemporary pieces from Latin American artists.
To follow every opening, check the exhibitions category on Qué Hacer en Bogotá. New shows, closing dates and the museums that host them are listed there.
Some exhibitions are free. Others charge between 5,000 and 25,000 pesos. Most private museums offer a student discount with a valid ID.
How to plan a smooth museum route
La Candelaria lets you cover three or four museums in a single morning. Start at the Museo del Oro and finish at Botero. The walk between them takes about 15 minutes.
If you prefer the north side, MAMBO and the Museo de los Niños are close to each other. You can add the Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá gallery, on Carrera 7 with Calle 16.
Remember that public museums usually close on Mondays. Private and university museums keep their own hours. Before you head out, confirm the schedule on the museum's website or on the Qué Hacer en Bogotá calendar.
The lineup changes every month. To stay current with new exhibitions and cultural events across the city, head to the Qué Hacer en Bogotá calendar and filter by the Exhibitions category.
FAQ
Which museums in Bogota have free entry?
The Museo del Oro, the Museo de Botero, the Museo Nacional (on Sundays and for visitors under 18) and the Casa de la Memoria. Some university galleries are also free.
What is the best museum in Bogota to visit with kids?
The Museo de los Niños has interactive modules for all ages. The MAMBO also works well, since it runs family workshops on weekends.
What day do museums in Bogota close?
Most public museums close on Mondays. The Museo Nacional is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Check each case on the updated cultural calendar.
Where can I find current temporary exhibitions?
The Exhibitions category on Qué Hacer en Bogotá lists new shows with dates, venues and links to reserve tickets.
Explore these categories
Dates and prices may change. Always confirm on the source page.
