Our most recommended things to do in Zipaquirá

Bogota: Daily Group Tour of the Salt Cathedral Zipaquira

1. Bogota: Daily Group Tour of the Salt Cathedral Zipaquira

Travel for 2 hours north of Bogotá to the city of Zipaquirá, where you will visit the renowned Salt Cathedral. Known as a must-visit in Colombia, it is a monument of faith that has become an architectural piece like no other.  Explore the Roman Catholic church built in the ancient hollows of a salt mine, 180 meters below ground. Marvel at the cathedral’s architecture built within the mine’s remaining caverns and tunnels.  You will have 2 hours inside the Cathedral to visit all the sights as the audio guide explains about the process of salt formation, the architecture, and the mining process within every detail. Inside the mine, there are different pieces of stonework and sculpture that, due to their size and illumination, make this spectacular wonder an engineering jewel, famous around the world. You may also visit the light show at the very end of the tunnels before returning to Bogotá.

Bogota: Guatavita and Salt Cathedral Daily Group Tour

2. Bogota: Guatavita and Salt Cathedral Daily Group Tour

After gathering at either of the meeting points or being collected from your accommodation, your combination experience in Bogota will begin. First visit the Guatavita Lagoon, which was a source of inspiration for the Legend of El Dorado and the movie with the same name. The beauty of this place is sure to overwhelm you, and after some time there cross the savannah. In the afternoon, reach the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, which was the First Wonder of Colombia due to its imposing architecture. In a single day, enjoy the indigenous spiritual cosmogony, Christian spirituality, the beauty of nature, and the grandeur of the architecture. At the end of your experience, you will be returned back to your point of origin.

Private Tour Salt Cathedral Zipaquira with tiket & Lunch

3. Private Tour Salt Cathedral Zipaquira with tiket & Lunch

In our Tour you will be able to know directly the only underground cathedral in the world located in Colombia, built 180m underground, it is a mega structure that deserves to be among the most impressive in our country and the planet. The entire structure of this cathedral is carved in salt from the largest saline rock deposit in the world. During the tour there are several stations where you will see the interpretation of the Christian viacrucis, in addition to the central dome where Eucharists are performed, intervened by an artistic work of sculpture and amazing lighting, and also natural structures typical of the saline deposits, a set of elements that will leave you breathless. Once you finish the tour of the salt mine, the town of Zipaquirá awaits us to tour its central square, some of its beautiful streets of colonial aspect where we will find the ideal place for you to enjoy a typical lunch.

Bogotá: Salt Cathedral Private Tour with Entry Ticket

4. Bogotá: Salt Cathedral Private Tour with Entry Ticket

Begin your day with convenient hotel pickup to comfortably start your journey toward the town of Zipaquirá. This will be a somewhat long drive of about 2 hours, so feel free to take a nap, watch the Bogotá savanna through the window, or make small talk to your driver about anything in Colombia. Upon arrival, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá will be the first stop. Skip the ticket lines and go directly to the entrance to pick up an audio guide. Then, begin discovering an incredible monument of faith that’s a unique architectural marvel. When booking, you can choose a personal live guide instead of an audio guide, if you prefer.  Once inside, you’ll be guided through the stations that represent the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross). Understand the details in each corner of the works of art, and visit famous sights inside the halls such as the water mirrors, the virtual reality theater with its 3D movie, the dome, and a balcony where you can observe the world's largest underground cross. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Miner's Route and take part in a salt workshop if you select the option. The route is a 45-minute tour where you become a salt miner for a day, whereas the workshop consists of an explanation about salt mining and carving. To top off your experience, carve your own piece of salt to take home as a souvenir. After your visit, your driver will be waiting outside to take you back to Zipaquirá village. Here, enjoy some time to take a look around and have lunch in one of the local restaurants. From there, you will be taken back to Bogotá and dropped off at your hotel.

Bogotá: Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour

5. Bogotá: Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour

Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Bogotá at 09:00 AM or a time to suit you, and then journey to the colonial town of Zipaquirá, famous for its Salt Cathedral. Relax on the 60 to 90-minute trip to the cathedral, where on arrival you will be accompanied to the entrance of the mine for a 2-hour guided tour in English or Spanish.  Located inside the depths of the world's biggest salt rock reserve, Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral was adapted from an old salt mine to function as a place of worship. Marvel at the icons, ornaments and architectural details hand-carved in the halite rock. Surface the mine to enjoy a typical Colombian lunch in one of Zipaquirá's best restaurants. Choose from fish or vegetarian options, or savor different plates of meat prepared in the traditional way on fire. Then, explore the main sights of the town, including Independence Square and the colonial center. Admire one of the oldest churches in Colombia. Drive back to Bogotá for drop-off at your accommodation, or book one of the following options to continue exploring. Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavitá Tour with Lunch After visiting the Salt Cathedral and enjoying a typical Colombian meal, go to the colonial town of Guatavitá. Take a short guided hike, admire the scenic landscape and discover the birthplace of the El Dorado legend. On the return trip to Bogotá stop at La Calera viewpoint for panoramic views of the city. Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Mine Tour with Lunch Once you have visited the Salt Cathedral and enjoyed a traditional Colombian lunch, discover the salt mine tunnels of Nemocón. Experience what it felt like to work 60 meters below ground. Be dropped off back in Bogotá at the end of the tour. Salt Cathedral & Villa de Levya Tour without Lunch Go from the Salt Cathedral to Villa de Leyva, famous for its cobblestone square Plaza Mayor, which at 150,695 square feet is the largest in Colombia. Learn about the history of this charming town before returning to your accommodation in Bogotá.

Bogotá: Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

6. Bogotá: Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

A staff member from the company will meet you at the hotel at your choice of either in the morning or the afternoon. From here you will be taken on a tour through La Sabana de Bogota to the town of Zipaquira, whose name means "City of our Father" in the language of the Chibcha. Back in pre-Columbian times, salt around the area was the most important commodity and the "salt cakes" were the only currency for trading. Throughout time, technology improved and the "Muiscas" began to extract larger amounts of salt. As a result, an underground salt deposit was formed and it is where the Salt Cathedral was built, 180 meters below the surface. Inside you will discover a chapel titled “capilla de los mineros”, which was built as a tribute to the Virgin “Our Lady of the Rosary of Guasá”. At the conclusion of your tour, you will return safely back to Bogotá.

Bogotá: Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavitá Tour with Lunch

7. Bogotá: Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavitá Tour with Lunch

Head to the countryside from Bogotá on a 10-hour excursion to Zipaquirá. Discover the architectural achievements of architect Roswell Garavito Pearl and learn about history of salt exploitation in Colombia on a tour of the Salt Cathedral. Enjoy a typical Colombian meal at a local restaurant. See Independence Square, lovely colonial houses and the old church before continuing on to Lake Guatavitá. Take a short guided hike, admire the scenic landscape and discover the birthplace of the El Dorado legend. Take in views of the Tomine Reservoir before visiting the colonial town of Guatavitá. On the return trip to Bogotá stop at La Calera viewpoint for panoramic views of the city.

Bogota: Zipaquira, Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavitá Tour

8. Bogota: Zipaquira, Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavitá Tour

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Bogota and travels north into the savanna. Arrive at Zipaquira, a vibrant town with a history dating back to the 1600s. Visit Zipaquia's famous Salt Cathedral, an impressive subterranean building that stands on an old salt mine. Wander through the halls and marvel at the cathedral's stunning architecture while you learn about its rich-history. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, enjoy lunch overlooking the Tomine Reservoir, before continuing onto the spectacular Guatavita National Park. Upon arrival, learn about the cultural significance of Lake Guatavitá, as well as the characteristics of this peculiar ecosystem. After the park, make one final stop at a nearby village, and soak up the quaint and charming atmosphere of this traditional location. At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return journey to Bogota.

Zipaquira: Half-Day Salt Cathedral Tour

9. Zipaquira: Half-Day Salt Cathedral Tour

In this Salt Cathedral tour in Zipaquira, you will travel to a place that is without a doubt a must-visit in Colombia, a monument to faith that has become an architectural piece like no other. Near Bogotá, Zipaquira is a colonial town known for its beauty, but its typical architecture is not its principal attraction. 180 meters under the ground, you will find an engineering jewel, famous around the world, known as the Salt Cathedral. Visit a unique place that will leave you breathless. Inside the mine there are different pieces of stone work and sculpture that, due to their size and illumination, make this spectacular wonder an incredible destination.

From Bogotá: Jaime Duque Park and Salt Cathedral with Lunch

10. From Bogotá: Jaime Duque Park and Salt Cathedral with Lunch

Spend a full day exploring the outskirts of Bogotá with an all-inclusive tour of Jaime Duque Park and guided tour of the famous Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá.   Get picked you up from your hotel or other accommodation in Bogotá and drive to Jaime Duque Park, located about 35 minutes outside the city in the Tocancipá municipality. The amusement park offers an array of family-friendly attractions. Enjoy a guided and all-inclusive tour with historical, architectural, technological, and environmental scenarios. Check out a replica of the Taj Mahal, a medieval castle, and the Museum of Mankind, among other attractions. Following the theme park, continue on to Zipaquirá and enjoy a typical Colombian lunch at one of the best restaurants in town. Choose between different meat dishes traditionally prepared over a fire or a vegetarian meal. Afterward, take a tour of the subterranean Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá and discover the main squares of the colonial city. The Salt Cathedral is considered one of the country’s most notable architectural and artistic achievements. Your tour guide will accompany you to the entrance of the salt mine where the guided tour of the church begins. The tour is in English or Spanish and lasts about 2 hours.   Before returning to Bogotá, discover the Plaza de la Independencia and the Plaza de Armas de Zipaquirá with one of the oldest churches in Colombia. Drive back to Bogotá and get dropped off at your hotel or location of your choice.

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What people are saying about Zipaquirá

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 687 reviews

We did a private tour with Andres. He is a very knowledgeable guide, well spoken and helpful. The logistics coordination was easy with Andres getting in touch via WhatsApp to confirm pickup time and location. He also went out of his way to help us figure out our NYE plans. Great experience!

It so amazing to experience this salt mine. It’s over the top Colombia style. Lake Guatavita is an inspiration to see and the locals share their stories to give rich context. It is helpful to understand Spanish for this part.

..an excellent trip..the cathedral is just amazing..transport was faultless..and they kindly dropped me back near my hotel..a perfect trip..

Taylor was an excellent guide! Everything worked smoothly the whole day. I can highly recommend.

It's a good experience and the salt cathedral is quite interesting.