Essential La Paz Travel Guide: What to See & Do

La Paz is a city shaped by altitude, geography, and living Andean traditions. Set in a steep canyon on the Altiplano, its neighborhoods extend from roughly 3,250 to more than 4,000 meters above sea level. Brick buildings climb the surrounding slopes, while snow-dusted peaks and expansive highland scenery create one of the most striking urban landscapes in South America.

Often described as the world’s highest capital city, La Paz shares Bolivia’s capital status with Sucre. Since its foundation by the Spanish in 1548, it has been an important political and commercial center. Its history reaches further back to Indigenous Andean cultures and an earlier Inca settlement, with this layered past still visible in the city’s architecture, squares, monuments, and customs.

Best Places to Visit in La Paz

Basilica of San Francisco

The Basilica of San Francisco is one of La Paz’s most notable landmarks. Its ornate design combines European and Indigenous influences, reflecting the city’s complex cultural history.

Murillo Square

Murillo Square is the symbolic heart of Bolivia’s national politics. Surrounded by important buildings and monuments, it offers a strong sense of La Paz’s civic and historical character.

Sagarnaga Street and the Witches’ Market

Sagarnaga Street and the nearby Witches’ Market reveal a more everyday side of the city. Crafts, herbs, and ritual objects reflect enduring spiritual traditions and the continued importance of Andean customs.

Killi Killi Viewpoint

At Killi Killi viewpoint, visitors can appreciate the unusual scale of La Paz from above. The elevated perspective makes the city’s steep canyon setting and densely built slopes especially clear.

Things to Do in La Paz

La Paz’s cable-car network is both practical transportation and one of the city’s most memorable experiences. The system offers sweeping views across the canyon and toward El Alto, providing a different perspective on the city’s dramatic geography.

Food is another part of the La Paz experience. Local cuisine reflects Bolivia’s varied climates, combining highland ingredients with flavors from the valleys and lowlands.

Visiting La Paz

A visit to La Paz requires patience while adjusting to the elevation. In return, travelers encounter powerful scenery, deep cultural character, and an atmosphere found nowhere else. From its steep urban landscape and Andean traditions to its viewpoints, markets, and cable cars, La Paz offers a distinctive introduction to Bolivia.