La Paz is Bolivia’s administrative capital, a city that clings to the walls of a canyon, rising from 3,600 meters to over 4,000 meters above sea level. That dramatic geography means it holds the title of the highest capital city in the world. From the crowded streets of the valley floor to the windswept plateau of El Alto, La Paz is a city of striking contrasts. Cable cars from the Mi Teleférico system soar above neighborhoods like flying buses, offering sweeping views of the city and the snow-covered peak of Illimani watching from the distance.

The city’s history reveals itself around every corner. In the heart of La Paz, the Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas) offers a blend of Andean belief and daily commerce. Here, stalls overflow with herbs, dried llama fetuses, talismans, and remedies, sold by women known as yatiris. Not far away, churches like San Francisco still draw worshippers, while the nearby Calle Jaén is one of the best-preserved streets in the city, lined with museums and colonial homes painted in bright colors.

For travelers interested in urban adventure, La Paz doesn’t disappoint. Walking its steep, narrow streets is like stepping through layers of history and culture. Street murals sprawl across building facades, mixing political messages with folk art. Performances of traditional Andean dance can break out in plazas with little warning, especially during festivals. And if you're up for a challenge, take a day trip down the infamous Death Road by bike, descending from the misty highlands into the lush Yungas valley.