BREAKFAST
Typical breakfast options in Colombia are arepas - flatbread made from ground mielies, either plain or filled with egg and meat, then fried; caldo de castillo, a clear broth served with a boiled potato and chunk of meat in it; and changua, a milky soup with poached egg and bread floating in it. You'll buy the best arepas from a street vendor. Otherwise try Masa (Calle 70 #4-83) for pastries, pancakes and eggs.
MUSEUM
The Gold Museum, hailed as one of the best in South America, tells the history of Colombian culture through jewellery, figurines and other artefacts, dating back to well before the Spaniards arrived in 1499. You can also buy some jewellery from the gift store, where you'll find unique pieces based on pre-Colombian designs.
SHOP
For woven wayuu bags in all sorts of hues, check out the market to the left of the Gold Museum, and the one on Carrera S�ptima (7th Ave) as you walk towards Plaza Bolivar. There are also vendors selling bags and other trinkets in the streets around the centre.
LUNCH
From the Museo del Oro, head south along the pedestrianised Carrera S�ptima to Plaza Bolivar. After a few minutes dodging pigeons and taking pictures of the cathedral, Congress and Palace of Justice on the main square, cross to the northeast corner for lunch at the oldest restaurant in the city.
La Puerta Falsa (Calle 11 #6-50) serves up authentic Colombian food to a mix of civil servants and tourists. Their signature dish is the tamal, mashed rice stuffed with chicken, vegetables and sometimes pork, wrapped in a plantain leaf.
If you're really hungry, try the calorie overload that is the bandeja paisa - rice, beans, pork crackling, fried egg, mince, sausage, avocado and an arepa.
MUSEUM OR MARKET
If you're up for another museum, turn left as you leave La Puerta Falsa and walk to the Botero Museum, with two floors dedicated to the work of Colombian artist Fernando Botero, plus art by international heavyweights like Chagall, Monet and Picassoand Renoir.
Or, if you prefer something outdoors, hop in a cab to the foot of Monserrate mountain and take the cable car up to the church and markets at the top. At 3152m above sea level, the views are stellar.
COFFEE
