La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia and the highest located of all capitals in the world. It is located at an altitude of approx. 4 thousand. m above sea level. Founded in the 16th century by the Spaniards, the city is very diverse and offers tourists many attractions, including colonial monuments, and the possibility of getting around by cable cars.
The city is situated in a valley and on the surrounding mountain slopes. Due to the altitude at which it is located, coming to it is often associated with ailments characteristic of altitude sickness. They pass after 1-2 days when the body gets used to the height. Therefore, visiting La Paz should be, at least at first, quite calm.
The representative part of the city is located in the lowest part of the valley. There is Murillo Square here, with, among others, Presidential Palace and the Cathedral. It is also close to the most important sacred building in the city, the monumental Basilica of San Fracisco, the construction of which began shortly after the arrival of the Spaniards to these areas. The San Fracisco Museum, presenting collections of sacred art, operates at the church. In the representative district, you can also visit the former colonial administration buildings and the building of the Bolivian Parliament.
As one of the two capitals of Bolivia, La Paz is also home to many important museums. The attractions of La Paz include the National Museum of Art, the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore, the Museum of Musical Instruments, the Costumbrista Juan de Vargas Museum, the Tambo Quirquincho Museum and the Coca Museum. Their exhibitions bring closer the extremely colorful and multi-layered history and culture of Bolivia.
Being a city where indigenous and European influences are mixed, La Paz has a very rich and diverse culture. It manifests itself not only in numerous monuments, but also in everyday life. Almost every district has its own market, which is the meeting point. The most famous of the local fairs is the Witches' Market. Streets with colonial buildings, such as Jaen Street, located a bit away from the very center, also have a lot of charm. Narrow, with houses with built-up balconies, they are an escape from the crowds in the squares.
The great attraction of La Paz is its location. The city districts climb the slopes of the mountains surrounding the valley. Its individual parts are connected not only by land transport, but also by cable railways. The ring of lines, marked with different colors, allows you to reach the higher estates and admire the beautiful views of the city. One of the most popular viewpoints is Killi Killi. The closest vicinity of the capital also has many attractive places. They include the famous Death Road with numerous bends and the Moon Valley, where you can see fancy rock formations.
