Monserrate Mountain in Bogotá: Taking the Cable Car for Sunset and Night Views of Colombia’s Capital
- Mark Vogel
- Sep 2
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 6
Bogotá, Colombia ✈
Monserrate in Bogotá: Experiencing the City from Above
When I planned my trip to Bogotá, Colombia, I knew that visiting Monserrate had to be part of my itinerary. Monserrate is one of the most recognized landmarks in the city, and at 3,152 meters (10,341 feet) above sea level, it offers an unmatched view of Colombia’s capital. The mountain is topped by a church, restaurants, walking paths, and lookout points that draw both locals and visitors every day. For centuries, Monserrate has been a place of pilgrimage and a defining feature of Bogotá’s skyline.
I wanted to experience the mountain during the transition from day to night, so I timed my visit to arrive before sundown. My plan was to explore the summit in daylight, watch the sun dip behind the horizon, and then stay long enough to see the city lit up after dark. It turned into one of the most memorable parts of my stay in Bogotá.
“Spending the late afternoon, sunset, and evening at Monserrate gave me the chance to see the city from multiple perspectives. In daylight, the view shows the vastness of Bogotá, with its neighborhoods and mountains stretching out endlessly. At sunset, the sky transforms the atmosphere, and by nightfall the city becomes a glowing landscape of lights.”
Getting to Monserrate
From my hotel, I ordered an Uber that took me directly to the part of the mountain where the station for both the cable car and the funicular is located. The ride was easy with the driver dropping me off just outside the entrance. Buying tickets was also simple. I had purchased my round-trip ticket online in advance, which saved me some time once I arrived. The ticket I bought was a regular one, but there is also an option to purchase what they call the “Preferencial” ticket, which allows you to bypass the long lines.
On the way up, my wait was short, so the regular ticket worked fine. But on the way down, when the evening crowd was trying to leave, the line for the cable car was much longer. That’s when I realized the Preferencial ticket would have saved me a good amount of time. Based on my experience, I would recommend the upgrade if you plan to return after sunset, since that’s when many people head down at once.
Cable Car vs. Funicular
There are two ways to reach the top of Monserrate: the cable car (teleférico) and the funicular railway. The funicular runs along the mountain on tracks, while the cable car is suspended on wires, giving you an aerial ride with wide views. I chose the cable car for both directions.
The ride itself takes about four minutes, which is short but unforgettable. You’re packed into a cabin with other passengers, and as it starts to climb, the city quickly expands below you. The steep ascent gives you a sense of just how high above Bogotá you’re traveling. As the cable car pulls away from the base and rises higher, you see both the forested slopes and the city spreading out behind you.
The Hike Up Monserrate
Not everyone chooses the cable car or the funicular. Many people hike to the top of Monserrate, especially locals. The trail is about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) long, but it climbs steeply, with more than 1,500 stone steps leading up the mountain. On weekends, the path fills with residents using the hike as both exercise and spiritual practice.
The trail is open only during daylight hours for safety reasons, and guards are stationed along the way. It takes most people between 60 and 90 minutes to reach the summit depending on fitness and pace. While the hike offers a sense of accomplishment and a closer connection to the natural setting, the altitude makes it demanding. At more than 3,000 meters above sea level, breathing becomes noticeably harder the higher you go. Even though I didn’t attempt the hike myself, seeing the hikers reach the top gave me a clear sense of how important Monserrate is not just as a tourist attraction but as a spiritual and physical challenge that ties people to the mountain.
A Place of History
Monserrate is not just about the views. Its history stretches back hundreds of years. In the 17th century, a hermitage was built here dedicated to the Virgin of Montserrat, named after the mountain in Catalonia, Spain. Over time, it evolved into a place of pilgrimage. The current church, the Basílica Santuario del Señor Caído de Monserrate, was completed in the 1920s. Pilgrims continue to climb the mountain on foot, especially during religious holidays.
As I walked around the top, I could see how the religious history of Monserrate still defines the space. The white church, perched right at the peak, is the central building. The wide stone staircase leading up to it gives the site a sense of importance, and visitors gather in front to take photos or sit on the steps. Inside, the church continues to attract worshippers who come to pray and attend services.
At the Top
Reaching the summit, I was met with a mix of natural beauty, religious presence, and tourist activity. The views over Bogotá are the highlight, stretching across the entire city. In daylight, you can trace the outlines of neighborhoods, the tall modern buildings in the financial district, and the distant mountains surrounding the capital. The air is noticeably thinner at this altitude, and moving around can leave you catching your breath.
There are several restaurants and food stands at the top, which makes it easy to spend several hours there without having to come back down. La Tienda Monserrate, a casual snack shop, sells empanadas, pastries, and drinks. Prices are affordable, with items like empanadas, arepas, and hot chocolate available for just a few thousand Colombian pesos. There are also full-service restaurants where you can sit down for a longer meal.
The grounds around the church include statues, gardens, and walkways. The walkways are cobblestoned and lined with plants, giving the area a peaceful feel despite the number of people visiting.
Experiencing the Views
Arriving in the late afternoon, I was able to see Bogotá while it was still bathed in daylight. From the terraces and lookout points, the city stretched far in every direction, a massive urban sprawl that looked endless from above. Downtown Bogotá, with its cluster of high-rise buildings, stood out, while surrounding neighborhoods filled the valley below. Clouds hovered across the horizon, sometimes opening just enough to let rays of sunlight pour through.
Looking across the city from this vantage point gave me more than just a view. It gave me perspective on Bogotá’s sheer scale. With more than seven million residents, it is one of the largest cities in Latin America, and from Monserrate that becomes clear. I could see the long avenues cutting across the city grid, the rooftops of entire neighborhoods, and the green hills that frame the capital. I even spotted the airport where I had landed earlier in my trip, a reminder of how this mountain provides a full panorama of Bogotá’s landscape.
As the sun began to lower, the atmosphere shifted. The sky filled with shades of orange and gold, fading into deeper tones as the light disappeared. Watching the sunset from Monserrate gave me a clear sense of Bogotá’s size, as the outlines of the city softened and the lights began to switch on below.
By the time night fell, the view had transformed completely. The city sparkled with twinkling lights, stretching endlessly into the distance. From above, Bogotá looked like a sea of stars spread across the valley floor. Car headlights traced the avenues, and the glow of entire neighborhoods lit up the landscape. My photos from this time show groups of visitors gathered at the terraces, looking out over the scene, silhouetted against the glowing city. It’s one of the most striking perspectives you can have of Bogotá.
Practical Information
Planning a visit to Monserrate is easy, but a few points are useful to know. Tickets for the cable car or funicular can be purchased online or at the station. A regular round-trip ticket costs about 30,000 Colombian pesos (roughly 7 to 8 U.S. dollars), though prices can vary slightly depending on the day and time. The Preferencial ticket, which allows you to skip the lines, is more expensive, but after experiencing the long wait to descend in the evening, I would recommend it for anyone visiting during busy hours.
The cable car ride takes about four minutes, and the funicular is similar. Operating hours usually begin in the early morning and extend until late evening, giving visitors the chance to choose between daytime, sunset, or nighttime visits.
The altitude is something to keep in mind. Bogotá itself sits at about 2,640 meters above sea level, and Monserrate is even higher. The thinner air means you may feel short of breath after climbing stairs or walking uphill. I paced myself and made sure to drink water.
It’s also a good idea to dress in layers. Bogotá’s weather can change quickly, and at the top of Monserrate, it often feels cooler than in the city below. During my visit, the clouds rolled in and out, and by evening it was chilly enough for a jacket.
Monserrate is reasonably accessible for visitors with reduced mobility. Both the cable car and funicular have been adapted for people with reduced mobility, and wheelchairs are available for loan. However, be aware of some challenges: the trails at the top are uneven and steep, and some paths are cobblestone, which makes them harder to navigate. Priority in boarding is also given to seniors and people with reduced mobility.
Wrapping Up My Visit to Monserrate
Spending the late afternoon, sunset, and evening at Monserrate gave me the chance to see the city from multiple perspectives. In daylight, the view shows the vastness of Bogotá, with its neighborhoods and mountains stretching out endlessly. At sunset, the sky transforms the atmosphere, and by nightfall the city becomes a glowing landscape of lights.
The combination of history, religion, and scenery makes Monserrate more than just a viewpoint. The church, statues, and walkways remind you of its sacred importance, while the restaurants and snack shops make it practical to stay for hours. The accessibility of the cable car means anyone can reach the summit, but for those who want a more strenuous experience, the walking path remains an option.
For me, the highlight was staying through the evening and watching the lights of Bogotá appear one by one. The scale of the city becomes clear in a way you don’t feel from the streets below. If you’re visiting Bogotá, Monserrate is not optional—it’s essential. It’s the best way to understand the city’s scale, its setting, and its atmosphere.
