Usaquén: the Sunday market and what to do

Usaquén is the part of Bogotá that still feels like a small town: a square with a colonial church, streets of low houses and a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by the high-rises of the north. It was a separate municipality until 1954, when the capital absorbed it. Today people mostly go on Sundays, for the flea and craft market, a long lunch and the Ciclovía. In my view it deserves half a day; here’s how to get there and how to plan it.

The Usaquén flea market

The Mercado de las Pulgas de Usaquén is one of Bogotá’s best-known markets: crafts, jewellery, leather goods, clothes by local designers, antiques, coffee and street food. It isn’t strictly a second-hand market: many stalls sell handmade products, at prices you can politely haggle over.

Useful information
When	Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays
Hours	roughly 9 am-5:30 pm (some sources say it closes later on Sundays)
Where	Carrera 6A between Calles 119 and 120A, next to the square
Entry	free

Sunday has the most stalls and the best atmosphere, but also the biggest crowds. Bring cash in small notes: many stalls take card or phone payments, but not all.

What to see in Usaquén

• The square (Plaza Fundacional), the heart of the old town, with a few original colonial houses and restaurants all around.
• The Santa Bárbara church, the square’s main building, which began as a small chapel of Dominican missionaries in the 17th century.
• The streets around the square, with low houses, courtyards turned into restaurants and cafés, and some murals.
• Hacienda Santa Bárbara, a shopping centre partly built in the buildings of an old estate, a few minutes’ walk away: handy if it rains.

Usaquén’s historic centre is small: you can walk it in an hour. The rest of your time goes on the market, lunch and a coffee.

How to get to Usaquén

Usaquén is in the north of the city, around Calle 119 and Carrera Sexta.

• By taxi or ride-hailing app: the easiest option. From La Candelaria it takes 30-60 minutes depending on traffic, less from Chapinero. On Sunday mornings the Ciclovía closes some roads, so drivers have to take longer routes.
• By TransMilenio: the station to use is Usaquén, on the Autopista Norte; from there walk or take a short taxi ride east to Carrera Sexta. Watch your bag and phone on crowded buses.
• By bike on Sundays: with the Ciclovía you can ride there along Carrera Séptima, closed to cars from 7 am to 2 pm.

Where to eat

Around the square and in the nearby streets there are dozens of restaurants, from traditional Colombian cooking to international food, plus cafés and bakeries. Usaquén is an affluent area: prices are higher than in La Candelaria. To spend less, try the food stalls at the market. At weekend lunchtimes the best-known restaurants fill up: arrive early or book.

Staying in Usaquén: is it worth it?

Usaquén is one of the calmest and safest areas of Bogotá, with modern hotels, apartments and a few boutique hotels. The drawback is distance: La Candelaria and the museums are 30-60 minutes away by taxi each time. I’d recommend it for business trips, a second visit to Bogotá or if you value peace and quiet; for a short first trip, Chapinero, halfway between downtown and the north, works better. The neighbourhoods are compared in our Bogotá travel guide.

How to plan your half day

1. 8-10 am: the Ciclovía along Carrera Séptima, by bike or on foot.
2. 10:30 am: arrive in Usaquén and walk around the square and the Santa Bárbara church.
3. 11 am-1 pm: the flea market.
4. 1 pm: lunch at one of the restaurants around the square, then head back.

If it’s your first time in the city, you can pair Usaquén with Monserrate the day before and La Candelaria the day after: the full itinerary is in our guide to things to do in Bogotá.

Mistakes to avoid

• Going on a weekday expecting the market: it only runs on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays.
• Underestimating traffic: a taxi between Usaquén and downtown can take an hour, so don’t schedule a tight visit right after.
• Keeping your phone on show in the market crowds: it’s the most common theft even in calm areas. Tips are in our guide to safety in Colombia.
• Forgetting a jacket: Bogotá’s weather changes fast and it often rains in the afternoon.

FAQ

When is the Usaquén market on?

On Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays, roughly from 9 am to 5:30 pm. Sunday has the most stalls.

How do you get to Usaquén from downtown Bogotá?

The easiest way is a taxi or ride-hailing app: from La Candelaria it takes 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. On TransMilenio the station to use is Usaquén, on the Autopista Norte, from where you continue east to Carrera Sexta.

Is Usaquén safe?

It’s one of Bogotá’s calmest areas, popular with families and visitors. The usual precautions still apply: keep your phone in your pocket in crowds and use a ride-hailing app at night.

Is it worth staying in Usaquén?

Yes if you want peace and quiet or you’re on a second visit to Bogotá; for a short first trip, Chapinero is more convenient, closer to the historic centre and the museums.