Established in 1538 by the Spaniards, Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia. It is also called the White City for its baroque buildings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries painted in this color. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1991, the city welcomes tourists and travelers from all over the world who come to discover its cultural and historical jewels. To make the most of your stay, here we introduce you to the activities for discovering Sucre, Bolivia’s capital.  
 The 25th of May Plaza is an emblematic place in Sucre, a true political and cultural theater of the country / Photo: Canva Pro
 

Stroll through its colonial streets and discover its heritage treasures 

It is nice to walk through the streets of Sucre, touring the colonial buildings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with their predominantly white paint. Going up and down, you will love to discover its small heritage treasures. You will find many museums, cultural centers, churches, cafes and restaurants with colonial charm that will make your visit to the capital memorable. Several walking tours are offered to discover the stories and secrets of the emblematic places of Sucre. The Treasury Museum, the Ethnographic and Folk Museum, the Museum of Indigenous Art, Pond Museum, etc. A multitude of cultural spaces that will allow you to discover the interesting history of Bolivia. Be sure to visit the House of Freedom, which offers tours in French telling the history of the country's independence.
 The Declaration of Independence of Bolivia was signed at the Freedom House in 1825 / Photo: Canva Pro

Visit its many parks and squares

Sucre is a very green city with many parks and squares for walking or for resting between visits. Bolivians spend most of the day on the streets between the markets and the many street stalls, a cultural feature that we explain in our article the 5 things to know before traveling to Bolivia. The squares are especially lively at night, while the parks usually host cultural and musical events during the day. It is likely that visits to the city will take you to some of the parks and squares of the historical center of the city, where house monuments have been the scene of many stories and events throughout the centuries, such as Simón Bolívar Park and the 25th of May Plaza.
 The 25th of May Plaza is a very lively place in Sucre where all locals and tourists meet / Photo: Canva Pro
 

Watch the sunset in Recoleta

 An emblematic place in Sucre dominates the city and offers a particularly charming spectacle at sunset. From the city center, you can walk through the colonial-style streets and reach the square of the Recoleta Monastery, a 17th-century building where handicraft shops line the viewpoint. Restaurants offer terraced seating to watch the sunset with a drink or a good meal, or you can also admire it from a corridor adorned with columns and benches where musicians usually offer shows to accompany the sunset, which is very popular with locals and tourists.  
  The Recoleta viewpoint is next to the monastery, a 17th-century building / Photo: Canva Pro
 

Go eat like a local in the Central Market

 Sucre is full of culinary specialties to discover, since food is an integral part of Bolivian culture. Many restaurants offer good menus, but it is worth going to the Central Market, an emblematic place in Sucre where locals go shopping and have lunch. Less touristy culinary speaking, but the prices are more attractive and offer you delicious menus of typical Bolivian dishes. It is also a good opportunity to walk between the different positions and discover the fruits, vegetables and other typical condiments of the country. You can find local specialties such as salteñas, those baked empanadas stuffed with meat and / or vegetables, the Mondongo, a typical dish with a piece of pork and corn, and much more.  
 The Central Market of Sucre is one of the most popular in Bolivia / Photo: Canva Pro
 

Attend traditional events

The capital of Bolivia is a lively city that hosts many cultural events throughout the year. It is also the scene of several traditional festivals where the inhabitants gather for shows, parades, fairs, exhibitions, etc ... If your stay in Sucre falls on one of the famous holiday dates, do not hesitate to participate in it to discover the incredible diversity of the Bolivian culture and more specifically of the Chuquisaca region. Here are the most important events in the White City: - On January 6, on the occasion of King's Day, the inhabitants celebrate this festival in churches and in the streets with traditional cult dances. - On February 1 it is the Virgin of the Candelaria which is in the center of attention with religious festivals. - The Carnival of Sucre, in February or March, according to the calendar, offers a folkloric entrance and a general entrance with typical regional dances. One of the famous carnivals of South America, being this very important party on the continent, do not miss it! - Easter Week in April offers you special visits to churches, a pilgrimage route to Churuquella Hill, as well as traditional dances in the streets of Sucre. - On June 24, for the day of Saint John, the entire historic district celebrates this traditional and religious festival. - August 6 is the national holiday of Bolivia and the whole country celebrates this special date, especially Sucre, the capital. Civil parades decorate the streets throughout the day. - At the beginning of September, it is the patron feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe that is in the spotlight with two days of folkloric procession with music and colorful costumes.
 In September, the folkloric procession in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe fills the White City with color / Photo: Canva Pro
  You are ready for your stay in Sucre, the beautiful White City will enchant you on your trip to Bolivia. For a successful visit in this country rich in history and traditions, do not hesitate to read our article about the 5 things to know before traveling to Bolivia and the 8 must-see places for discovering Bolivia.  
By: Tiffany Flour, French tourism student and part-time world traveler.