Start with an easy stretch along Avenida 16 de Julio (El Prado), the city’s main downtown spine and the best place to get your bearings without rushing. This boulevard is busiest in the late afternoon and early evening, when office workers, street vendors, and families all spill onto the sidewalks; it’s a good 1-hour walk if you keep it loose and just observe the rhythm of the city. If you want a coffee beforehand, there are plenty of simple cafés tucked just off the avenue, and taxis within the center are cheap—typically just a few bolivianos for short hops.
From there, continue into the historic core at Plaza Murillo, where La Paz’s political life unfolds around the square. The plaza itself is open all day, and it’s most atmospheric in the evening when the façades glow and the pace slows down a bit. Walk slowly here and take in the mix of government buildings and old city architecture; it’s the easiest place in town to understand how the city is layered between old colonial formality and modern daily life. Right on the plaza, step into Catedral Basilica Menor de Nuestra Señora de La Paz for a quick look at the stonework and interior details—usually accessible during the day with modest donation or small entry fees depending on access, and worth about 30 minutes.
For dinner, head west to Sopocachi, one of the city’s most pleasant neighborhoods for an unhurried meal. Café del Mundo is a relaxed choice with enough variety for both local and international tastes, and it usually lands in the comfortable mid-range: plan roughly $10–20 per person depending on what you order. It’s a good place to settle in for 1.5 hours, especially if you want to avoid anything too formal after arrival. A taxi from the historic center to Sopocachi is the simplest option and should be quick unless traffic is heavy.
End at Mirador Killi Killi in Villa Pabón, which is one of the best payoff spots in the city if you want a panoramic first impression. Go up in time for sunset if you can, because the whole bowl of La Paz starts to light up beautifully as the sky darkens; after sunset, the city view becomes even more dramatic. It’s usually a short taxi ride from Sopocachi, and the lookout itself only needs about an hour, leaving you room to linger without feeling scheduled. Bring a light jacket—altitude evenings cool down fast—and just enjoy the skyline before calling it a night.