When eating is no longer a temptation! Bogotá and Cundinamarca invite you to indulge your palate during Holy Week.

According to Catholic traditions, Holy Week gastronomy refers to the culinary customs and foods considered 'permitted' during this sacred period, which spans from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, from April 13 to April 20.2025. 

Bogotá and Cundinamarca, regions rich in Catholic traditions, joined forces to promote religious and gastronomic tourism during the upcoming Holy Week. This collaborative effort invites visitors to enjoy exquisite local and regional gastronomy while exploring significant temples in the city and the department and participating in various Eucharistic activities associated with this religious celebration.

The official launch of Holy Week 2025 will take place on March 20 at 10:00 a.m. at the Primatial Cathedral of Colombia. The event will be attended by notable figures, including the Mayor of Bogotá, Carlos Fernando Galán; the Governor of Cundinamarca, Jorge Emilio Rey Ángel; and the Director of the Bogotá Tourism Office (IDT), Andrés Santamaría Garrido, among others.  

Marketplace: Menu a la carte

Those who wish to avoid 'sinning'—by following the tradition of abstaining from red meat, pork, chicken, or rabbit—can indulge in a whole universe of fish, seafood, and ceviche. 

To satisfy your taste buds, visiting marketplaces is an excellent choice. These vibrant locations are known for their rich offerings of traditional local and national cuisine. During Holy Week, they particularly focus on serving fish and seafood.

In Bogotá, there are approximately 45 public and private marketplaces, 16 of which are district markets, located in the city's different localities. 

In marketplaces such as La Perseverancia, Siete de Agosto, and La Concordia, visitors—both believers and tourists alike—will discover a diverse range of culinary offerings. They can enjoy traditional dishes from the Colombian Pacific and Caribbean, including fish stew, shrimp ceviche, seafood casserole, and fish in coconut sauce. Other specialties include viudo de capaz' fried or grilled mojarra, garlic trout, and bocachico broth, among many other delicious preparations. 

But if fish and seafood are not to the diner's liking and they decide to commit a little 'sin,' they can always indulge in other delicious specialties from Bogotá and Cundinamarca. These include the traditional Ajiaco Santafereño, hearty Chicken Sancocho, or baked delights known as amasijos — including almojábanas, pan de yuca, empanadas, and all kinds of arepas. And, of course, no meal is complete without iconic desserts: marquesas, obleas with arequipe, cuajada con melao, turrones, and many other sweet treats that reflect the region's rich culinary heritage.

District Marketplaces open on Good Friday

As part of Holy Week traditions, some marketplaces close on Good Friday. However, several will remain open. Check which ones will welcome visitors that day and their operating hours:

• El Carmen District Marketplace (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

• Trinidad Galán District Marketplace (7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)

• Carlo E. Restrepo District Marketplace (7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)

• 20 de Julio District Marketplace (7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

• Fontibón District Marketplace (7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)

• Las Ferias District Marketplace (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

From town to town in Cundinamarca

Chía and Cajicá are well-known for their culinary offerings found in local marketplaces and restaurants. The same can be said for La Calera and Sopó. In Zipaquirá, the iconic Salt Cathedral is a must-visit, and nearby, you can also explore the Nemocón Salt Mine.
   
All municipalities in Cundinamarca have marketplaces and a variety of restaurants where you can enjoy fish and seafood—perfect for the Holy Week season—as well as emblematic dishes like cocido cundiboyacense. It’s also worth stopping on the road to savor obleas with arequipe, merengues de frutas (meringues with fruit), and a wide array of desserts.

Other culinary experiences

If you are seeking a more comfortable dining experience, consider visiting the city's most iconic seafood and fine dining restaurants, where you can savor the finest fish and seafood. 

For those who prefer French, Italian, or Asian cuisine in Bogotá and Cundinamarca, there are hundreds of restaurants that can indulge your palate without compromising the spirit of Holy Week.

You can explore areas such as Zona G, Zona T, Usaquén, La Macarena, and the San Felipe District. A must-visit spot in La Candelaria is the block between Calle 11 and Carreras 7a and 6a, home to some of the city's most traditional restaurants, including La Puerta Falsa, just a short walk from the Cathedral—perfect for a visit after attending mass.