3 places to visit in medellin colombia

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25 Best Things to Do in Medellín (Colombia)

The second city of Colombia, Medellín has transformed itself perhaps more than any other city in the world. Though its violent, tumultuous past is well-known, today the city is modern, innovative, and just generally lovely.

Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring” for its nearly perfect weather, you’ll find plenty of parks and plazas where you can enjoy the sunshine with a fresh juice from a street food vendor and a couple of empanadas.

Make sure you learn all about the city’s past in order to appreciate how far it’s come – there are plenty of museums and tours that’ll educate you, along with authentic markets and neighborhoods to explore. The city is also home to great restaurants, cafes, bars, and even clubs that’ll have you salsa dancing the night away… or trying to anyway.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Medellín :

1. Museo de Antioquia

A former city hall turned museum, this place houses a great collection of works by Fernando Botero.

He’s one of Colombia’s most famous artists, and he had a penchant for painting all things chubby.

Born in Medellín, the artist patronized his hometown museum by donating many of the works himself.

Guides recommend starting on the top floor with his earlier pieces and making your way down to see his evolution as an artist.

The museum also houses works by international artists and offers an audio guide if you want to learn even more.

There’s a small cafe and courtyard here where you can take a break.

2. Free Walking Tour

The free walking tour in Medellín by Real City Tours is one of the most popular walking tours in the world.

Learn all about the city’s difficult past from an insightful and experienced guide.

This is a good way to get out of Poblado and see more of the city, taste some local foods, and hear how the local people really feel about Pablo Escobar.

You’ll see places like Parque Berrio, the Forest of Lights, and Parque San Antonio.

Do this tour at the beginning of your stay in Medellín so you’ll have lots of historical background on the city – plus your guide will give you great food and nightlife tips! Be sure to sign up ahead of time so you get a spot, and know that it’s not totally free – you’re supposed to tip at the end of the 4-hour tour.

There’s also a Pablo Escobar tour in Medellin.

3. Take the Metrocable Up to Parque Arvi

The metro and metrocable system of Medellín has received lots of praise for bringing a city of many different neighborhoods together.

You can get all over the city with your metro ticket, and if you want to venture up for great views and fresh air, pay a little more to take the metrocable from Santo Domingo to Parque Arvi.

The 15-minute ride provides great views of the city and neighborhoods below.

At the top, there are places to stop for some snacks made from local Colombian products (like grilled mushrooms) while you enjoy the views.

Check out the tents and street vendors selling trinkets and then head out onto the walking trails of the park.

Related tour : Medellin Innovation: 4-Hour Metro Tour

4. Santo Domingo and Biblioteca España

If you take a ride up the metrocable, you’ll get a glimpse of a few of the poorer barrios on your way up and down.

It’s an authentic look into life in these colorful neighborhoods which were once in the center of a warzone.

During the day it’s fine to stop in Santo Domingo to have a look around – maybe grab a beer and some fried chicken and arepas from one of the small local restaurants.

Many people also get off here to check out the Biblioteca España, a massive, modern library built from black slate that’s become like a local community center.

5. The Botanical Gardens

A natural oasis in the center of Medellín, they city’s botanical gardens contain more than 1,000 species of wildlife and 4,500 flowers.

There’s a butterfly garden, a cactus garden, and a huge collection of orchids.

Entry is free and you can go explore the area to find critters or just lie on the grass in the sun with a book.

There’s even a 65-foot-high wooden mesh structure called the Orquideorama which collects rainwater and protects the orchids and butterflies below.

Have a picnic, check for live events, and be sure to visit if you’re here during the city’s Festival of the Flowers, it’ll be even more impressive.

6. Parque Explora

Everybody loves Parque Explora, even adults and those folks without kids.

It’s an interactive science museum combined with South America’s largest freshwater aquarium.

There are over 300 interactive exhibits housed in the building’s four red cubes, plus a planetarium, 3D auditorium, and a television studio.

Located in Zona Norte near the botanical gardens and shopping malls, it’s easy to spend a whole day here playing and learning about science and technology, but it’s also a convenient stop on your way to other attractions.

Parque Explora is totally interesting and fun, and you’ll enjoy it even more if you do have kids with you.

7. Check Out Poblado

Chances are you might be staying in this upscale neighborhood anyway because it’s where most of the gringos, expats, and backpackers in Medellín choose to rest their heads.

It’s a beautiful area of shady streets with a solid café culture and a range of different types of international food options.

Coffee shops and free wifi abound, plus there are bars, spas, gyms, and all the other comforts from home here.

Whether you want to do a serious coffee tasting (try Cafe Toucan) or hit the clubs for the night (check out Calle 9), you’ll find it in Poblado.

8. Casa de la Memoria

This museum is both upsetting, enlightening, and informative, and it’s the place to go if you want more insight on Colombia’s dramatic and violent history.

From drug cartels and gangs to a terrible civil war, Casa de la Memoria aims to amplify the voices of victims and preserve their history so that we might learn more about it and avoid these pitfalls in the future.

Entry is free, and the whole place is well-curated – the interactive exhibits, emotional photography, and artwork are all sure to inform and move you.

9. Visit Guatapé

It’s the must-do day trip from Medellín, but it’s even better if you’ve got a night or two to spare there.

Guatapé is a picturesque, colorful lake town about two hours outside the city.

Take photos of the vibrantly painted exteriors of homes here, and visit the Plaza de Zocalos for the most colorful town square in Colombia.

Along the lake and throughout town you’ll find cheap street foods like empanadas and churros, and of course, the restaurants will supply you with plenty of freshly cooked lake trout and fish soup.

The most popular activity in town, however, is climbing the 740 steps up El Peñol, a giant rock, for an amazing view of the islands and water beneath.

Recommended tour : Guatape: Full-Day Tour from Medellin

10. Parque Lleras

Poblado is one of the biggest hotspots for nightlife in Medellín, and for locals and tourists alike, Parque Lleras is often the place where you start out the night.

It’s just a little park filled with trees where you’ll find vendors selling art by day and crowds of folks drinking by night.

The park is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and clubs, plus it’s close to many of the hostels in the area, so there’s always young people around.

Grab a bottle of the anise-flavored Colombian spirit, Aguardiente, or just a few Aguila beers and head to this lively park to hang out before heading out.

11. Go Salsa Dancing

Whether you’re an old pro or just want to learn a few steps, this city is the place to do it.

While Cali might be the salsa capital of Colombia, Medellín can get you started with salsa lessons or local bars and clubs filled with salsa music and dancing.

DanceFree in Poblado is a super popular place for private or group classes, and on the weekends they have a bar with dancing too.

For live salsa music and dancing (with locals and tourists alike showing off), check out the Son Havana or El Eslabon Prendido.

Available workshop : Medellin Salsa Like a Local Evening Workshop

12. Plaza Botero

A great place for people watching and art appreciation, check out the lively Plaza Botero for some larger than life sculptures by the square’s namesake, Fernando Botero.

There are 23 voluptuous bronze statues scattered about the plaza, all donated by the artist himself.

It’s a great place to meander around or sit with a fresh juice or empanada from one of the street vendors before or after visiting the Museo de Antioquia.

The area has transformed an otherwise run-down part of town, and you’ll find street performers, trinket salesmen, and food stalls all around.

13. El Castillo Museo y Jardines

Wait, there’s a castle in Medellín? Yep, for a small entry fee you can check out this French-inspired, 20th-century castle and its gardens, fountains, and pathways.

Take a little tour to see the inside as well, with its four-poster beds, porcelain collection, and giant dining room table.

It was built in 1930 and it opened as a museum in 1971, but in between those years it served as a home for the wealthy and a place for entertaining high society visitors from Europe.

14. Go Paragliding

This area of Colombia is renowned for paragliding, or parapente in Spanish, and it’s easy to arrange trips from Medellín, even on short notice.

The experience of leaping off a mountain into thermal currents with incredible deep green views beneath you is exhilarating (and maybe a little nerve-wracking), but professional guides will put you at ease.

They provide transportation out to the launching point, strap you to your guide, and teach you how to take off.

Some companies allow you to pay a little extra if you want GoPro footage of your adventure – check out Dragon Fly and Paragliding Medellín.

Book online : Paragliding the Andes from Medellín

15. Plaza Minorista Market

Get an authentic look at Medellín food culture by visiting one of the city’s markets.

Plaza Minorista is a huge farmer’s market filled with local vendors selling everything from fresh produce and fish to just-butchered meats and ready-made corn arepas.

It’s a great place to bring your camera to capture all the bright colors and characters here.

Take a tour to do some fruit tasting or just buy some of what looks good for yourself – prices are cheap! There are plenty of little restaurants in Minorista where you can grab a set meal or a full breakfast, plus things like fish stew, coconut rice, and freshly squeezed fruit juice.

16. See a Fútbol Match

Football (soccer) in South America is close to religion, drawing excited and loyal fans to the stadiums to watch their teams play.

Medellín is no exception, and if you want to attend a sporting event doubles as a cultural experience, go see one of the city’s teams play.

Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín are the two local clubs, and you can usually get tickets between $12 and $25 USD. Buy them a couple days in advance and get advice on where to sit, depending on if you want things to be rowdy or (relatively) calm.

Even if you’re not a soccer fan, go for the energy of the stadium – the rambunctious fans, the singing, the shouting, banners, and even firecrackers going off during games are a one of a kind experience.

17. Parque Berrío

A plaza with fewer people trying to sell you things and ask for money and more folks just trying to meet up and hang out, Parque Berrío feels very local.

Tons of people gather here in the afternoon to sit and listen to street musicians play after buying beers and snacks from local vendors.

Old men gather to play games like dominos, and the locals here are pretty friendly.

Once the site of the old public market and home to public executions, the park was transformed in the early 90s when the area made way for the nearby metro station.

You can visit the old Iglesia la Candelaria on one side and a few blocks away is the much more touristy Plaza Botero.

18. Eat Colombian Food, Especially Bandeja Paisa

If you don’t know much about Colombian food, Medellín is the perfect place to get acquainted.

From the many exotic fruits to mondongo (tripe soup) to cheese-filled arepas, you’ll have no shortage of options.

The one thing you must try here is the local specialty, bandeja paisa, a gut-busting combination of meats like sausage and pork cracklings alongside beans, plantains, rice, a fried egg, and a few avocado slices they’ve thrown in for good measure.

Hatoviejo, Hacienda Junin, and Mondongo’s are all great places to try local cuisine.

19. Comuna 13 and Las Escaleras

Once part of the city you’d never even consider visiting, the government and local artists have joined forces to make Comuna 13 a better place to live.

The addition of colorful artwork, escalators, and increased safety measures have opened the neighborhood up to tourism and brought the community closer together.

Comuna 13 used to be so dangerous that only its residents would think of climbing the steep slopes to enter, but the addition of escalators as a form of social and democratic infrastructure have made it more approachable.

Visit to see the many murals, people, police officers, colorful hillside homes, and transformation that has taken place here.

Recommended tour : Medellín: Comuna 13 Neighborhood Tour

20. Go Biking or Ride ATVs Outside the City

The lush surroundings, hills, and mountains around Medellín make it a great playground for adventure-seekers.

To explore them, head out with a tour company who’ll set you up with a mountain bike or ATV, transport you about an hour outside of town, and let you speed around challenging trails.

It’s a great chance to go off-road and visit some sites that not a lot of tourists make it out to see.

Guanabana Tours will combine biking and ATV riding with parasailing, river rafting, and even trips to Guatapé.

Medellín Adventure Trails will take you around the rugged terrain on bikes or ATVs (or both) and include a stop for lunch at a trout farm.

Available tour : Medellin Off-Road Adventure Tour by Quad Bike

21. Museo de Arte Moderno Medellín

A very cool work of modern architecture itself, this small but edgy museum is home to modern artwork by Colombian and other Latin American artists.

While somewhat compact, the MAMM features several permanent and temporary exhibits, including paintings, videos, sculptures, and 3D creations both inside and out.

Modern art isn’t for everyone, so the museum does a good job providing explanations of each of the pieces.

The theater here shows movies occasionally, and the gift shop sells super unique souvenirs created by artists.

There’s a great terrace with views of the city, and a restaurant downstairs where you can have a drink.

22. Mercado del Río

A popular spot for eating and socializing, check out Mercado del Río for a choice of over 40 restaurants.

It’s a lively food court with a cool ambiance and many trendy options located near the MAMM. This place is packed at lunchtime and dinnertime with young professionals from nearby office buildings, so getting a seat might be a challenge.

A cool spot to come with friends, you’ll have your pick of everything from sushi, hamburgers, and paella to mexican, vegan, and mediterranean dishes.

You can also grab beers, cocktails, or a glass of wine and hang out over a few shared plates.

23. Go Shopping

Medellín is a great place to do some shopping, whether you’re after dirt-cheap knock offs or luxury stores.

El Hueco is where you’d go for a little bit of chaos, haggling, and lots of shops and street vendors selling fake brand-name goods and other odds and ends you might need.

For a more modern mall experience with a broad range of stores, check out the huge Centro Commercial Santa Fe or Oviedo.

For a unique, high-end experience just a few blocks away, check out Río Sur, a group of repurposed buildings which now contain upmarket boutique shops, salons, and lots of nightclubs, restaurants, and bars.

24. Cañón Del Río Claro Reserva Natural

This little piece of paradise is about three hours outside Medellín, and it’s a great place to spend a few nights relaxing in nature and exploring.

You can go hiking, ziplining, rafting, birdwatching, or cavern trekking around the Río Claro Valley and reserve.

As far as accommodation, there’s an eco-friendly lodge, plus cabins and camping available – be sure to bring cash! It’s a rustic place, but it’s surrounded by pure natural beauty, like the river which cuts through a marble canyon and jungle-like forests.

You’ll spot plenty of exotic wildlife here too, with monkeys, scorpions, massive butterflies, and tons of birds from parrots to toucans to hummingbirds, all at your doorstep.

25. Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe

You won’t be able to avoid seeing this unique and imposing building, because of course you’ll be visiting the Plaza Botero.

Chances are you’ve never seen anything like its intricate and dizzying black and white facade though.

The architect who built it received so much public criticism for his work that he walked off the job (totally insulted), and the city finished his work in a completely different style (you’ll see, it’s very obvious). If it’s open, head inside to see the lovely courtyard with its fountain and gardens.

While the interior has fallen into disrepair a bit, there is some artwork to view and you can climb to the top for views of the city and plaza below.

25 Best Things to Do in Medellín (Colombia):

• Museo de Antioquia
• Free Walking Tour
• Take the Metrocable Up to Parque Arvi
• Santo Domingo and Biblioteca España
• The Botanical Gardens
• Parque Explora
• Check Out Poblado
• Casa de la Memoria
• Visit Guatapé
• Parque Lleras
• Go Salsa Dancing
• Plaza Botero
• El Castillo Museo y Jardines
• Go Paragliding
• Plaza Minorista Market
• See a Fútbol Match
• Parque Berrío
• Eat Colombian Food, Especially Bandeja Paisa
• Comuna 13 and Las Escaleras
• Go Biking or Ride ATVs Outside the City
• Museo de Arte Moderno Medellín
• Mercado del Río
• Go Shopping
• Cañón Del Río Claro Reserva Natural
• Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe

The Top 12 Things to Do in Medellin, Colombia

Medellin, the City of the Eternal Spring, knows how to reinvent itself. The former base of Pablo Escobar and current haven of digital nomads, there's much more to do here than visit the sights made famous by Netflix's "Narcos." Learn the holistic history of the city by visiting its museums, like the Museo Casa de la Memoria and the Museo Antioquia. See firsthand where formerly dangerous areas have shifted due to innovation and community pluck by touring the graffiti walls of Comuna 13 or riding the Metrocable. Walk its beautiful gardens and attend its flower parade. Stay out all night dancing salsa or clubbing in Poblado. Ground yourself in Barefoot Park, and paraglide high above the streets filled with tropical fruit vendors. To truly appreciate it, allow yourself to see this city not just for what it was or what it is, but also for what it's becoming.

Ride the Metrocable to Parque Arví

Take Linea L on the Metrocable from the Santo Domingo interchange to Parque Arví, a vast forested nature reserve and a pre-Hispanic archeological site. Entry to the park is free, though certain activities such as bicycle tours, boating excursions, and the butterfly farm charge a fee. Hike the 13 trails, go birding, and browse the small market of food and craft stands. The ride to and from the park over the hills of Medellin provides stunning aerial views of the city’s comunas (districts) and the Medellin River. An attraction in its own right, the Metrocable is part of the Medellin Metro, Colombia’s only metro system.

Bless Yourself at Plaza Botero

The 23 plump bronze statues of Fernando Botero's spread throughout Botero Plaza are said to bring luck and love to all who rub them, known as the "Botero legend." Botero, a famous painter and sculpture from Medellin, developed Boterismo, a style of art combining neo-renaissance, figurative, and contemporary elements, resulting in bulbous people and animals. Botero sculpted and donated all of the plaza's statues, ranging from a plump horse to a voluptuous lounging woman. Located downtown in Medellin's Old Quarter, find it sandwiched between the Museum of Antioquia and the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture. It's free to enter, photograph, and rub the statues in the plaza.

Dance Salsa

Dance salsa every night in Medellin with every level of dancer, from beginner to pro. Venues range from salsa nights in bars like Son Havana and El Eslabon Prendido (some even with live bands) to formal dance schools like DanceFree in Poblado. You can also find lots of informal dance meetups in city parks. If your budget’s tight, attend the free classes or pay a small entry fee at one of the salsa bars, but if you have the money and the time, pay for a few classes at DanceFree, as you’ll progress much quicker during your stay.

Learn Colombian History at the Museo Casa de la Memoria

Courtesy of El Museo Casa de La Memoria

A solemn, educational memorial on the wars, armed conflicts, and other violence in Colombia, the Museo Casa de la Memoria serves to document the stories of victims while educating visitors on the past and ongoing violence in the country. A touchscreen timeline allows visitors to read in-depth about the narco cartels, the paramilitarios, the former dictatorship, and the present-day reforms in the country. Other exhibits contain stories and photos of victims, as well as messages from their families. Concerts, workshops, and other events help visitors understand present-day Colombia through the context of its past. Free to visit, find it in Parque Bicentenario.

Geek Out at Parque Explora

See over 300 species of fish at South America’s largest freshwater aquarium, and check out the over 300 interactive exhibits in the attached science museum. A series of four red cube buildings with outdoor display spaces, a vivarium, a planetarium, and a small television studio, the Parque Explora complex offers activities for kids of all ages. Record your own podcast episode, learn about the history of radio in Colombia, and make life-size pin art. Walk through the dinosaur exhibit, create graffiti, and see massive snakes and reptiles in the vivarium. General admission costs the equivalent of about $5. Reach it by taking the Metro to the Universidad station in Zona Norte.

See Art at the Antioquia Museum

The Museo de Antioquia displays Pre-Colombian, colonial, and modern art and creates art by collaborating with resident artists. The permanent collection includes many clay pieces from the region, as well as works by Fernando Botero, the local artist turned international superstar for his curvy Boterismo figures. Colombian artist Pedro Nel Gomez, a pioneer of the Colombian Muralist Movement, also features prominently. Though known for its collection, the museum’s work in the community has given it fresh relevance, demonstrated by its award-winning cabaret of sex workers entitled “No One Knows Who I Am,” with performance artist Nadia Granados. Entry to the museum cost the equivalent of about $5. Take the Metro to Parque Berrío to reach it.

Walk Amongst the Flowers

Bountiful in blooms, the reason behind Medellin’s nickname as “the City of the Eternal Spring” can be seen in full display during the Feria de las Flores when a parade of 500 flower vendors march the streets with overflowing bouquets and massive flower arrangements overtake the city’s balconies, billboards, and malls. If you can’t make the festival in early August, experience the flower abundance by going to the flower market at Placita de Flórez, the biggest plant market in the city. Alternatively, picnic in the Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden, where 4,500 flowers grow in rows of yellows, pinks, and reds. Free to enter, the garden also contains a natural rainwater collection system, the Orquideorama, doubling as a protective shield for the butterfly and orchid gardens.

Eat Tropical Street Food

An incredibly bio-diverse country with a fantastic array of fruits, Colombia is one of the best places in the world to eat healthy street food. Sip on a sweet, frothy guanábana (soursop) shake or limonada de coco (coconut milk mixed with lime). Sample sour yet sweet borojó (thought to be an aphrodisiac) or snack on guava, star fruit, or yellow dragon fruit. Street vendors throughout Medellin cut up fruit salads, like green mango with salt, for a hydrating, light lunch, or as a palate cleanser for those who’ve opted for the heavier street fare like arepas and buñuelos.

Go Clubbing in Poblado

The most famous district for nightlife, Poblado contains the greatest number of the city’s dance clubs, Parque Lleras, and the bar street Via Provenza. With a beer in hand, take in the incredible views of the city from Envy rooftop at The Charlee Hotel, or head to Vintrash to dance to reggaeton. For those that want a chill club with good DJs and no dress code, Calle 9+1 is the place to go, while The Blue Bar serves reasonably priced drinks and the speakers blast rock and electronic music. If you’re unsure where to start, buy an Aguila from a convenience store near Parque Lleras, then chill on at the park to see where people are heading from there.

Relax in Barefoot Park

Parque de Los Pies Descalzos invites visitors to take their shoes off and experience nature more intentionally through bare feet. Free to enter and explore, the park offers guides to lead patrons through installations and activities centered around the elements of water, air, and land. Stick your feet in the Well of Sounds for water jets to massage your feet, or walk on the Zen Garden’s stones to stress your foot fascia. Work your balance by walking on the beams of the Level Towers, or go through the Maze with eyes closed, using your other senses to guide you. Open every day but Monday, reach it by taking the Metro to the La Alpujarra station.

Slide Through Comuna 13's Graffiti Murals

Previously one of the city's most dangerous areas due to violence committed by guerillas of urban militia groups, Comuna 13 has transformed into a bastion of graffiti art and a testament to the city's innovation and rebirth, complete with a giant slide and famous series of escalators. Wall-sized colorful murals cover the streets next to the escalators, installed to aid in transportation and access to job opportunities for residents. Tours by resident guides happen daily, explaining the significance behind each mural and speaking about Comuna 13's past conflicts. To visit, take a tour or take the Metro to the San Javier station, then bus 221i or 225i. Despite recent changes, it is not advised to visit this area at night.

Paraglide Over the City

Courtesy of Medellin Paragliding

Take off from the hills of San Felix to paraglide over the lush Aburrá Valley and the red-roofed houses of Medellin. Located about 40 minutes from Medellin proper, Medellin Paraglide offers tandem 15-minute day flights, as well as certification courses for those wanting to learn how to fly on their own (a commitment of 40-plus hours and multiple flights). Started by the father of paragliding in Colombia, Ruben Dario Montoya Vargas or "Ruben Fly," the school has internationally certified instructors, all bilingual in English and Spanish. Take your own transportation via taxi from Medellin or the Metrocable to La Aurora, or book directly with the school for door-to-door pick-up service.

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16 Top-Rated Things to Do in Medellin

Written by Mark Johanson , Lana Law , and Michael Law Updated Feb 15, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Authors Michael and Lana Law have visited Colombia on several occasions and were in Medellin most recently in the fall of 2022.

If ever there was a city brimming with 21st-century optimism, it's Medellin. With a comfortable, mild climate and cosmopolitan feel, this city of 4 million — the second largest city in Colombia after Bogotá — hasn't always had an easy time of it.

In 1988, Time magazine declared Medellin "the most dangerous city in the world." In 2013, The Wall Street Journal called it the most innovative metropolis on the planet. Today, Medellin is a hot spot for digital nomads and remote workers who come here to enjoy the city for more than just a holiday.

Needless to say, much has changed over the last few decades, and this is no longer the city once in the grip of the famed narco-trafficker Pablo Escobar. Far from it, Medellin is overflowing with things to do for all types of travelers and packs a way bigger punch than most cities of its size.

Unlike other large South American cities where the old town area typically has the majority of sights, many of Medellin's main attractions are quite spread out. This coupled with significant traffic means that it takes time to see and do things, so plan accordingly.

1. Wander the Streets of El Poblado

2. the medellin metrocable, 3. plaza botero, 4. the museum of antioquia, 5. shopping in downtown medellin, 6. comuna 13, 8. mamm: medellín museum of modern art, 9. the botanical garden and parque explora, 10. museo casa de la memoria (house of the memory museum), 11. palacio of culture rafael uribe uribe, 12. barrio manila, 13. plaza cisneros, 14. museo del agua epm & barefoot park, 15. pueblito paisa, 16. el castillo museo y jardines.

Medellin's star attraction is the neighborhood of El Poblado. Shady streets lined with huge leafy trees are home to restaurants, cafés, and boutique shops. Walking along some of the roads leaves you feeling like you're in a park, with a giant canopy of leaves over top and a small river tumbling below the sidewalk. It's a wonderful area to explore by day or to go for nightlife, and a good place to base yourself in the city.

Calle 10 is the main street through El Poblado and is always a busy, happening area. Smaller roads leading off this street are where you'll find interesting places to eat or hang out. Wander down Carrera 37 for a quaint and quiet atmosphere of restaurants and shops, or head to the pedestrian-only Carrera 35 for a more lively atmosphere and music.

Restaurants in El Poblado

You'll find no end of restaurants in El Poblado, from fine dining to street-side patios, and even grab-and-go fast-food places. For a great atmosphere and outdoor patio dining, as well as excellent food, try Bonhomia on Carrera 37.

For something a little more casual, head across the street to 37 Park Medellin . This restaurant has the look and feel of a tree house and is a good place to meet international travelers.

Mondongos is a restaurant that many Colombians will recommend and is a good option if you want to try some traditional dishes, like tripe soup. It's right on busy Calle 10 and easy to find.

Coffee Culture in El Poblado

Colombia is the world's third-largest coffee producer , and many of the beans come from the hills of Antioquia surrounding Medellin. Of course, you don't need to leave town to experience the distinct flavors of Colombian coffee. The trendy El Poblado neighborhood is a hub of coffee culture and absolutely brimming with hip cafés grinding strong local roasts.

The granddaddy of them all is Pergamino , with hot and cold beverages made largely from beans grown on the owner's family farm. Right across the street, you'll find the equally recommended Café Velvet , while on the far side of the neighborhood (and much closer to the El Poblado metro stop) lies Urbania Café , which has rotating art exhibitions on the walls and a great selection of Colombian design and fashion magazines to read with your latte.

Each of these cafés makes its own blends from regional beans and sells them by the bag for prices you're unlikely to find back home.

Medellin lies in a big Andean bowl, and the best way to take in the panorama is simply to hop on public transportation and connect to the Medellin Metrocable.

These futuristic cable cars soar above the city into the surrounding hills, offering unrivaled views that are perfect for avid photographers. One option is to ride Line J over social housing towers and smaller shantytowns to an outstanding overlook near the final station at La Aurora .

A more popular thing to do, however, is take Line L up to Arvi Park , an urban oasis of forested hills that feels a world away from the city center. This vast park is the perfect getaway for nature lovers, with peaceful walking trails and plenty of food and craft vendors to satisfy your every need.

Hometown hero Fernando Botero donated 23 of his larger-than-life sculptures to the city of Medellin, and you'll find them sprinkled around the aptly named Plaza Botero (near the Parque Berrio metro station).

From rotund Roman legionaries to overstuffed animals, these portly figures have become symbolic of downtown Medellin and are surely some of the most photographed artworks in all of Colombia. Their setting against the ornate black-and-white patterns of Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture only highlights the overall appeal.

This is a busy square with a bit of an edgy feel to it. It's best to go during the day and ensure all your valuables are out of sight.

You'll find even more of Botero's works — including famed paintings like La Muerte de Pablo Escobar ( the death of Pablo Escobar ) — in the Museum of Antioquia (Museo de Antioquia).

Located along the western edge of Plaza Botero, this three-story facility is the second oldest museum in the country. It includes a wide spectrum of art from pre-Columbian Colombia right up to modern masters like Botero. Other items in the collection include ceramics, furniture, and pre-Colombian pottery.

If you only go to one museum in Medellin, make it this one.

Address: Carrera 52 # 52-43, Medellín, Antioquia

Official site: http://www.museodeantioquia.co

The area south and west of Plaza Botero is a veritable shopping paradise. Just wander down the pedestrian-only Calle 52 , and you'll soon be in the heart of it. The entire area is jammed full of shops selling just about anything you can imagine. Many of the buildings have long galleries that create an almost warren-like area of small shops. Wander into one, and you aren't quite sure where you'll exit.

Fortunately this huge shopping area is well organized by item. If you are looking for fabric for curtains for example, all the fabric sellers are located together. Need a power tool? All the hardware stores are right next to one another.

One building that is not to be missed is the National Palace Mall . This spectacular building has been wonderfully restored to its former glory complete with massive chandeliers and skylights. This is the place in Medellin to come to for the latest fashions.

Comuna 13 was once the most dangerous neighborhood in Medellin. Now it's fast becoming one of the city's top tourist attractions, with tour groups wandering through its graffiti-filled streets . Why? An ever-growing system of open-air escalators linking together Comuna 13's cliff-clinging communities has helped drive down crime and elevate community pride.

Many of the escalator operators are also street artists who've livened up the edges of the escalator route with colorful murals that both reflect the neighborhood's tough past and offer hope for a promising future. To get the most out your visit, it's best to take a tour with an English-speaking guide from a company like Comuna 13 Tours .

Official site: http://www.comuna13tours.com

There is so much to see and do within Medellin that it can be hard to leave. However, one of the top attractions among most visitors actually lies 90 kilometers out of town. El Peñón de Guatapé is a monolithic rock formation that soars 200 meters above the surrounding landscape.

Climb the 750 concrete steps to the top, and your reward is 360-degree views over the Guatapé Reservoir , a manmade lake that has numerous tentacles lined with vacation homes and hotels. The viewing platform up top has plenty of drink vendors and shaded tables to cool off at before huffing it back down to the bottom.

The best way to visit is by a Full-Day Guatapé (Pueblo de Zocalos) from Medellin that includes lunch and a boat trip out onto the turquoise lake to view El Peñón from afar.

If you go on your own, count on a minimum of four hours of travel time to get there and back.

This modern art museum is, without a doubt, the star attraction of the up-and-coming Ciudad del Rio neighborhood, a former industrial area along the Medellin River that has been gentrified in recent decades and is now home to artists' lofts, sculpture-filled gardens, and top-tier dining.

Built within (and all around) the refurbished confines of a 1939 steel mill, MAMM showcases some of the stars of Colombia's contemporary art scene, including pop artists Beatriz González and expressionist Débora Arango. Ride the elevator up to the top floor of this five-story building and wind your way down for the best experience.

Address: #19A, Cra. 44 #16 Sur100, Medellín, Antioquia

Official site: http://www.elmamm.org

Need a break from the city noise? Head to the Botanical Garden near the Universidad metro station, where 14 hectares of green space awaits. This sprawling and free-to-enter garden not only showcases more than 600 species of trees and plants, but also has a herbarium, lagoon, and popular butterfly enclosure.

Just across the street from the botanical gardens, you'll find another must-see attraction: Parque Explora . This family-friendly complex boasts a vivarium (for reptiles and amphibians), a planetarium (for stargazing), and Latin America's largest freshwater aquarium (which showcases many critters from the Amazon Basin). There are also three interactive areas, with educational exhibits on physics, neuroscience, and communications.

You can explore Medellin's sordid past, collective progress, and promise for a brighter future at Museum House of the Memory. This striking (and free-to-enter) complex opened in 2012 to offer a space for victims of Colombia's armed conflict to amass and dignify their memories.

The archival collections depict the history of drug and paramilitary violence in the country as well as the fight for peace and unity. It is, perhaps, the best place in Medellin to come to grips with Colombia's headline-making history and put a face to the victims of Latin America's longest-running armed conflict.

Address: Calle 51 # 36-66 Bicentennial Park, Medellin

Official site: http://museocasadelamemoria.gov.co

As you wander around Plaza Botero, the one building that keeps drawing your eye again and again is the checkerboard patterned Palacio of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe. This building, done in the Gothic Revival style first started in 1925, was abandoned for many years and was finally finished in 1982.

The building is open to the public with no admission charge, so feel free to wander in and take a look around. The massive dome is quite spectacular, and the Rafael Uribe Uribe Museum room is worth a look.

Exceptionally green and effortlessly chic, this pocket-sized barrio on the edge of El Poblado offers a quieter alternative to its neighbor. Home to a number of fantastic accommodation options across all budgets, Manila is also your go-to spot for some of the trendiest open-air restaurants in the city, including Tal Cual and Malevo (for chargrilled meats).

Want a healthy breakfast? Head to Café Al Alma for a big bowl of granola and yogurt with local fruits. In the mood for an afternoon pick-me-up? Try Hija Mia for one of the silkiest americanos in town.

Plaza Cisneros is yet another example of a section of Medellin that was once full of drugs and violence but is now a relatively safe and popular destination for sightseeing.

Walk by during the day, and it might not look like much, but head back after dark and the 300 light poles scattered throughout the plaza will surely leave an impression. These 24-meter-high beacons are like giant Jedi lightsabers brightening up the night sky.

More than just pretty lights, this plaza is also home to some spectacular architecture, including the angular Biblioteca EPM , a library with a small museum and free Wi-Fi. Head across Avenida San Juan for even more architectural marvels like the bumblebee-colored towers of Plaza de la Libertad.

Address: Cl. 44 #52-50, Medellín, Antioquia

The Museo del Agua (Museum of Water) is, as the name suggests, all about water, from its origins to modern-day uses. You have to explore the museum on a guided tour, so be sure to check in advance to see when tours are starting.

Immediately outside the museum is Barefoot Park, a zen-inspired public park designed by local architect Felipe Uribe de Bedout. You can take off your shoes and wander through its green gardens, sandy pits, and bubbling water fountains to experience the different textures and contemplate how they feel. The idea is to reconnect with nature in a way humans lost when we started wearing modern footwear.

Equally enjoyable for both kids and adults, the park has plenty of shady nooks and cooling waterways to beat the heat on a scorching afternoon.

Address: Cra. 58 #42-125, Medellín, Antioquia

This mock town atop Cerro Nutibara is like a living museum, where you can walk back in time to the turn of the century and experience life in rural Antioquia. The village centers around a traditional town square with a church, mayor's office, barbershop, and one-room schoolhouse.

Its hilltop setting also makes it a great spot simply to get a bird's-eye view of the city below. You'll find plenty of souvenir and handicraft shopping here alongside some excellent restaurants where you can try the paisa cuisine of the Colombian Andes, including classic dishes like bandeja paisa, a belly-busting platter of ground meat, fried plantains, and avocados served with rice and refried beans.

You may not expect to find a castle in Medellin, but one does exist and it's spectacular. Once a private residence, and then for many years an entertainment venue for VIPs, today the castle and grounds are an attraction open to everyone for a modest admission fee.

One-hour, Spanish-only tours leave on the hour. Knowledgeable guides provide the background and history of the slightly dated but still sumptuous interior. The grounds display tropical plants, fountains, and large trees.

A popular pastime is to grab some takeout from a restaurant in nearby Poblado and have a picnic. A small restaurant on-site also provides food and beverages.

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Best things to do in Medellín to appreciate all the city has to offer

Oct 28, 2021 • 6 min read

Medellín shimmers with tons of amazing experiences – dive in and get to know the "City of Eternal Spring" ©Juan Fernando / Ramírez Mejía / EyeEm / Getty Images

Medellín  is a city living a new chapter – take one step in the Colombian city, share one conversation with a paisa  (Medellín citizen) and stroll down a singular street within its transformed and contemporary barrios and you’ll appreciate all the “City of the Eternal Spring” has to offer.

Here are the 10 best things to do to experience and appreciate its beauty today.

Take in the vistas on the Metrocable

Medellín is home to Colombia’s only metro rail system and it is by no means boring. In addition to a pristinely-kept two-line rail system – with simple-to-navigate lines that run north to south and east to west – there is a connected tram system, intricate bus lines and gondola system ( the Metrocable ) that takes locals and visitors alike up into the hillside barrios (neighborhoods). With trips of each metro or Metrocable leg seldom exceeding $3,000 pesos, it is a vista-filled way to explore Medellín and take in the Andes Mountains. For those seeking an even higher view than the Metrocable offers, Fly Colombia offers helicopter journeys in and around the city, too.

Party like a paisa

This city knows how to let its hair down. The nightlife scene doesn’t get bumping until 10 or 11 p.m., with El Poblado , La 70 in Laureles and the periodic warehouse-esque nightclub in Barrio Colombia leading the pack. And you can opt to party with a view:  Envy atop the Charlee Hotel in Parque Lleras is an upscale, club-like option. Los Patios in El Poblado is a bit more laid back and appeases the backpacker crowd.

Load up on Medellín’s street food

Stroll down nearly any Medellín thoroughfare and you’ll be greeted with convenience shops big-and-small with display cases of fried goods.  Once you’ve become accustomed to the empanada (in Medellín, typically a fried pastry with beef and potatoes), buñuelo (round cheese fritter) and pastel de pollo (chicken pastry), go to the city’s best spots for culinary bliss. Hit up  El Machetico de Nico in El Poblado for ultra-crispy empanadas, El Peregrino in Sabaneta for super-cheese infused buñuelos and La Estación del Sabor near La 70 for a pastel de pollo. Pro-tip: Ask for some ají – a typically homemade spicy sauce – to add some kick to any fried morsel.

Cheer on Atlético Nacional (or DIM)

Colombia loves its fútbol and the most beloved team in the entire country is based in Medellín: Atlético Nacional . The team plays at Estadio Girardot and as does its bitter intracity rival, Deportivo Independiente Medellín (DIM). If you’re lucky enough to be in Medellín while Nacional is playing there, throw on some green garb, snag a ticket at the stadium and enjoy watching the team’s very devoted fan base as much as the game itself.

Achieve a new level of gluttony with a bandeja paisa

After a raucous night out (or just when paisas are really, really, really hungry), the bandeja paisa is the go-to dish. The bandeja paisa is the region’s typical dish and often features a grilled piece of meat, beans, white rice, chicharrón (fried pork), fried plantains, a slice of avocado, arepa (maize dough) and fried egg. For the best one in town, hit Las Delicias de La Nena on La 70 in Laureles. If you’re not that hungry, opt for a traditional soup like mondongo , ajiaco or sancocho .

Shop ‘til you drop

While fashion may reach its boiling point in July for the ColombiaModa festival, style is very much center stage in Medellín year-round. For handcrafted clothing and keepsakes, the areas known as Via Primavera (Carrera 35) and Via Provenza (Carrera 37) in El Poblado are renowned for their trendy boutiques. Malls like Santafé and El Tesoro are loaded with Colombian-owned stores, like preppy brand Tennis and beloved bag maker Totto . For souvenirs, check out the free Mercados Artisanos on the weekends in nearly 20 Medellín parks throughout the city .

Get caffeinated at a specialty coffee shop

Fun fact: According to the United Nations , Colombia is the third largest coffee producer in the world. Antioquia – the state that Medellín is situated in – is loaded with coffee farms. So, it only makes sense to drink as much delicious coffee as humanly possible, while in Medellín, right? 

In addition to the cart-pushing vendors selling tinto (black coffee) and café con leche (coffee with milk) on the streets, the city has a blossoming specialty coffee scene with spots slinging pour overs, finely tuned espresso shots and sugary delights. Top coffee shops include Pergamino in El Poblado, Rituales and Café Tipica in Laureles and Distrito Cafetero in Barrio Colombia.

Wander Medellín’s one-of-a-kind museums 

The “City of the Eternal Spring” is home to some excellent museums. The most powerful and tear-jerking museum experience is the Museo Casa de La Memoria , which digs into personal perspectives and displacement stemming from Colombia’s conflicts and wars.

On the lighter side and equally as unique to the city is Museo el Castillo , a 90-year-old castle built by architect Nel Rodríguez with nine rooms housing antique Colombian goods. For art lovers, the Museo de Antioquia is a must, with a top-floor permanent exhibit of Fernando Botero exhibits and 23 of his statues permanently installed out front in Plaza Botero.

Experience the city’s neighborhoods

Just decades removed from drug-war induced violence that plagued the entire city, many of its neighborhoods have been totally revitalized. An example among many: Comuna 13 (or San Javier) is accessible via the Metrocable and has become the Medellín destination for graffiti art tours and experiences. While in San Javier, make sure to check out the escaleras electricas – outdoor escalators that help locals along their commute, with eateries and select souvenir shops dotting the route, too.

Other barrios leading the transformation charge include Moravia - once the site of Medellín’s central dump and a haven for those displaced by Colombia’s conflict – and the eastern barrio of Manrique , which has put tango concerts, lessons and experience at the core of its comeback. 

Take a day trip to the color-splashed Guatapé

The pueblo of Guatapé may feel worlds away from Medellín, but it’s within a two-hour bus ride east. Guatapé is the leading Medellín day trip among locals and tourists alike thanks to its vividly painted historic center, man-made lake with intense blue waters and Piedra del Peñol . Climb the 600 steps to the top for one of the most serene views in the region.

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18 Best Things to Do in Medellin, Colombia

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on May 4, 2024

Delightfully known as the ‘City of the Eternal Spring’, the cool, mountainous Medellin is now one of the top places to visit in Colombia. Once plagued by deadly gang wars and drug trafficking, it has undergone an incredible transformation since the nineties.

The second-largest city in the nation, it occupies a long, narrow valley surrounded by forested mountains and barrio-clad hills. Long an important center of commerce and industry, the metropolis suffered much violence in the eighties as various cartels and Pablo Escobar battled for dominance.

Since then, it has bounced back impressively with it now known for its cool, art-filled neighborhoods and exciting nightlife. Some of the best things to do in Medellin include exploring its top-class museums, picturesque parks and sweeping viewpoints. With loads of great local Paisa food, coffee and culture to experience, Medellin really is a must-visit destination in Colombia.

18. Plaza Cisneros

Relatively dangerous until just a few decades ago, Plaza Cisneros is now a popular tourist attractions in the city center. Renovated in 2005, it is delightfully called the ‘Park of Lights’ due to its artificial forest of enormous light poles.

Dating to the 1920s, the square is named after the Cuban engineer Francisco Javier Cisneros who constructed the historic Antioquia Railway. While a handful of beautiful old buildings border it, people mainly visit for its soaring columns of light.

Numbering 300 in total, the tall poles are made out of concrete and metal with some towering up to 24 meters in height. Clustered together, they make for quite the sight, particularly when lit up at night. After snapping some photos, you can always head to nearby sites like Plaza Botero and the Palace of Culture.

17. Palace of Culture

Just a ten minute walk away on the opposite side of El Centro is the impressive and unmissable Palace of Culture. Lying alongside Plaza Botero, its bold black-and-white colors and colossal dome immediately catch the eye with their unique design.

Begun by Belgian architect Agustín Goovaerts in 1925, it was only completed in 1982 after having been abandoned for decades. The palace showcases some gorgeous Gothic-style features with its vast facade appearing very much like a checkerboard.

Originally home to the Government of Antioquia’s administration department, it now contains an art gallery, music archive, cafe and library. It also hosts countless cultural events and community festivals during the year while sublime views can be enjoyed on its roof. After admiring the architectural masterpiece, make sure to see all of Botero’s brilliant bronze sculptures in the square outside.

16. Casa de la Memoria

An absolute must-visit, the moving Casa de la Memoria covers the history of conflict in Colombia since the 1950s. Very well done, all its sombre displays shine a light on drug cartels, the civil war and other armed interventions. The museum also provides victims with a space to share their stories and commemorate the lives that were lost.

Only opened in 2012, its striking concrete complex and leafy green outside spaces lie just southeast of El Centro. Inside, dramatic-looking installations and artworks look at the history of drug and paramilitary violence in the country and people’s long struggle for peace. Lots of emotive photos and original artifacts also highlight the harsh reality of living in Medellin under the threat of daily violence.

Although many exhibits were sadly only in Spanish, we found the House of Memory invaluable for understanding Colombia’s recent past. Despite the upsetting subject, it leaves you with a feeling of hope for the future.

15. Mercado del Rio

If you’re looking for a cool, colourful spot to dine out, then the lively Mercado del Rio is definitely the place to go. Located near the MAMM, it has around fifty restaurants to pick from, serving delicious dishes from all around the world.

Unlike Medellín’s many other markets, this cavernous food hall only deals in snacks, drinks and sit-down meals. While there may not be any stands laden with fresh local products to peruse, there are more than enough food options to choose from. These range from paella and Peruvian ceviche to burgers, sushi and Colombian classics.

To top it all off, there is often a raucous atmosphere in the food court as crowds of young professionals pack out its tables for lunch and dinner. With tons of shared platters and tasty cocktails to try, dining here certainly makes for a fun experience.

14. Planetario de Medellin

For those interested in the stars, skies and space, the superb Planetario de Medellin lies right at the southwest corner of Jardin Botanico. Appropriately set alongside the Parque Explora science center, it has loads of interactive exhibitions and stargazing shows to enjoy.

Established in 1984, it now occupies a distinctive-looking building that is topped by a high-tech planetary dome. Full of amazing models of planets and engaging exhibits on the universe, the center provides a lot of information in a fun and accessible way.

The highlight though is of course watching one of its spellbinding shows in its on-site planetarium. These take you to the outer edges of the cosmos, to the sun and some of the celestial bodies that light up our night sky. A firm favorite with families, it also has English audio guides should you need one.

13. Centro Comercial Santafe

With so many stores located under one roof, you can easily spend all day exploring the chic, sleek Centro Comercial Santafe. At the massive mall, you can shop til you drop or stop for a meal or coffee. Numerous entertainment options are also on offer.

One of the largest shopping centers in all of Latin America, Santafe was first unveiled to the public in 2006. Across its five vast floors, you can now find around 450 shops and restaurants. These sell everything from accessories and appliances to sports clothes, high-end fashion products and home decor items. Big name brands here include Adidas, Nike and American Eagle among many others.

Other than Starbucks, KFC and McDonald’s, there are dozens of other dining options to choose from at its food court. For entertainment, you can play in its arcade, whizz around on go-karts or watch a film at its cinema complex. Thanks to its light and airy design and spacious layout, the mall is a very pleasant place to spend some time.

12. El Castillo Museo

Not all too far away from the shopping center is the enchanting El Castillo Museo and its gorgeous gardens. Situated twenty minutes drive south of El Centro, its lush, leafy grounds are a treat to explore with the grand castle making for some fantastic photos.

Part of the popular El Poblado neighborhood, it was built in 1930 to look like one of the Medieval Gothic castles found in France’s Loire Valley. For decades, the private residence hosted exclusive guests and events before becoming a museum in 1971.

Visitors can now admire its fine architecture and fairytale-like towers and take guided tours around its art-filled interior. After hearing about its history, you can head outside and snap some photos of its ornate facade, fountains and flowerbeds. Some statues and classic cars also line its paths which boast divine views over the castle and city.

11. Medellin Museum of Modern Art (MAMM)

Packed with interesting artworks and thought-provoking installations is the Medellin Museum of Modern Art. Also known as MAMM, its extensive collection of paintings, photos, sculptures and videos can be found in the Ciudad del Rio part of town.

Instantly recognizable, its series of box-like buildings are all jumbled together around what was once an old steel mill. An artwork in itself, the striking modern structure has roughly 2,000 modern and contemporary pieces to examine, many produced by local Colombian artists. Loads of the works across its five floors present the history, culture and politics of the country in a thoroughly creative way.

While we’re not usually huge fans of modern art museums, we did see quite a few art pieces and exhibitions that we really liked. The building and the views from its rooftop terrace also make MAMM well worth a visit in our view.

10. El Poblado

One of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods to stay in, visit and explore is the upscale El Poblado. Spread across the steep hills south of the center, its lovely shady streets are lined by lots of cool cafes, shops and restaurants. A favorite haunt of expats and backpackers, it is where many people base themselves during their time in Medellin.

First settled by the Spanish in 1616, this affluent part of the city is now characterized by tall apartment blocks and high-end hotels. Along its tree-lined avenues are plenty of stylish shopping centers, chic boutiques and hip coffee shops to check out. Aside from wandering along Calle 10, its bustling main boulevard, try some of the renowned Pergamino’s hot and cold drinks.

At night, the laidback neighborhood has a very lively feel as people pack out its bars and nightclubs. Very safe to stroll around at any time of day, El Poblado’s hilly streets also offer great views over the rest of Medellin and its surrounding mountains.

9. Parque Explora

Right next to Jardin Botanico is yet another of the city’s top tourist attractions: the fun, family-friendly Parque Explora. As well as all its exciting science exhibits, it has South America’s largest freshwater aquarium for you to explore.

Another eye-catching building, the four giant red cubes that house the museum stand out spectacularly against the city, trees and mountains around them. Inside, its roughly 300 interactive exhibits focus on everything from music and the media to technology, time and neuroscience. Very well-designed, it also has cool light installations and tall dinosaur models to snap selfies next to.

The real highlight though is its enormous aquarium which contains around 4,000 fish and animals from Colombia’s rivers, oceans and the rest of the Americas. Besides all the shoals of brightly colored fish, you can see axolotl, snakes and turtles here too.

8. Museo de Antioquia

If you want to see more incredible artwork, then make your way to Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia. Lying along one side of the town square, its galleries contain countless masterpieces by both Fernando Botero and Pedro Nel Gomez; two of the city and country’s most acclaimed artists.

The second-oldest museum in Colombia, its extensive collection now occupies what was once the city hall. Across its three sprawling floors are displayed pre-Columbian artifacts, ceramics, furniture and contemporary pieces.

The most arresting artworks however are undoubtedly Gomez’s amazing murals and the cute, chubby figures for which Botero is famed. His painting The Death of Pablo Escobar also attracts lots of attention as do his sculptures outside. It ended up being our favorite Medellin museum, thanks to these two artists, the vibrant square and the old building itself.

7. Parque Arvi

Offering all kinds of fun outdoor activities and fabulous viewpoints is the picturesque Parque Arvi. Both an ecological nature reserve and Pre-Hispanic archaeological site, its scenic reaches can be accessed via a stunning ride on the Medellin Metrocable.

Spread across the eastern slopes of Aburrá Valley, the park protects vast swathes of pristine forest. Amidst all its rolling hills and woods, visitors can hike and bike or see some of the crumbling buildings and paths left behind by indigenous people. Guided tours teach you more about their past and point out the area’s local fauna and flora.

Just as memorable is the Medellin Metrocable ride up to the expansive park. This is because the short, fifteen minute journey provides such panoramic views of the city down below. Once you alight, there is a small market selling souvenirs and snacks to wander around before entering the verdant forest.

6. Pueblito Paisa

To get a feel for what life in Antioquia used to be like, head to the pretty little replica village of Pueblito Paisa. Perched atop Cerro Nutibara, its charming church, museum and souvenir shops are clustered around a traditional town square. Be aware though that it’s quite a steep climb up the hill to the top!

Opened in 1977, the pretend pueblo takes you back in time to around the turn of the twentieth century. Aside from admiring its attractive architecture and small sculpture garden, its museum covers the city’s history in an interesting way. On show next to all its cool old historical photos and informative displays is a very detailed birdseye map of Medellin to inspect.

Although a bit of a tourist trap, the colourful square makes for some beautiful pictures when bathed in sunshine. There are also some nice traditional Colombian dishes and phenomenal views over Medellin to enjoy.

5. Jardin Botanico

Full of tropical flowers, trees and shrubs is the gorgeous Jardin Botanico just north of the center. An oasis of peace and calm, its paths, pond and plant-filled greenhouses are a delight to stroll around slowly.

Bordered by Parque Explora and the Planetário de Medellin, its landscaped grounds were once a private estate. Since the seventies, the gardens have been open to the public with their 4,500 or so plant species perfectly highlighting Columbia’s incredible biodiversity.

As well as spotting iguanas and turtles, there is a magical butterfly house and several tranquil outdoor cafes to stop by. Not to be missed too is its immense ‘Orchideorama’ which looks very impressive. Its one-of-a-kind wood meshwork canopy and towering tree-like structures cover a large collection of blooming orchids.

4. Trip to Guatape

When in Medellin, it is well worth taking a trip to the popular resort of Guatape, some two hours drive east of the city. Set alongside a lovely lake, it is known for its brightly painted buildings and blocks of brilliant street art. Many people also come to climb La Piedra del Peñol which looms dramatically above its cheery streets below.

Often called the most colourful town in Colombia, its tiny, traditional houses almost all feature eye-catching facades. Known as zocalos, these murals depict various beliefs, animals and other images connected to the community’s farming heritage. Scattered about too are some little local cafes and stalls selling handicrafts for you to check out.

Other than snapping some photos of its vivid bas-reliefs, there are relaxing boat rides to take around the reservoir. You can also clamber your way up the 750 narrow, steep steps to the top of the mighty monolith that overlooks the town. From atop La Piedra, there are outstanding views to be had of Guatape, the lake and islands far below.

3. Ride the Medellin Metrocable

For some of the best views imaginable over the city, make sure to go for a ride on the amazing Medellin Metrocable. Besides boasting breathtaking panoramas, all its aerial gondolas are a cheap, quick and convenient way to get around town.

Constructed across the city’s rolling hills, above all its informal settlements, the public transport system was unveiled in 2004. A creative solution to the region’s challenging topography, it now has six lines for visitors to explore. These help residents get back home each day and are an essential part of Medellin’s mass transit network.

Particularly popular places to head among tourists are Santo Domingo and Parque Arvi. Wherever you go though, you’re guaranteed spellbinding views over the barrios below and the massive mountain bowl in which Medellin lies. We couldn’t get enough of gazing out the window and spent most of each journey with our eyes glued to what was going on outside.

2. Plaza Botero

The heart and soul of life in town, the pretty Plaza Botero is lined by lots of attractive old buildings and several superb museums. The happening square is mostly known however for the 23 bronze statues donated by Botero that dot its leafy confines.

Lying right in the centre of the city’s Old Quarter, it was transformed in 2004 when the artist’s iconic artworks were installed there. Very rotund, his daring, distinctive figures include an oversized head, a plump dog and portly women. The largest is his hefty ‘The Horse’ sculpture with the famous ‘Roman Soldier’ also attracting lots of attention.

Before or after seeing the curvy statues, you can always visit the adjacent Museo de Antioquia or Palace of Culture. Although the square often contains food stalls, trinket sellers and street performers, the surrounding area does seem a bit dodgy. While we wouldn’t really recommend visiting at night, you shouldn’t have any problems during the daytime.

1. Comuna 13

Once one of the most dangerous parts of the city, Comuna 13 is now instead one of its most popular neighborhoods to visit. Loads of fun to explore, the hillside barrio is famed for its vibrant feel, fantastic views and phenomenal street art.

Having once suffered incredibly high rates of crime, drug use and violence, increased safety measures and the installation of huge outdoor escalators helped reintegrate it into the rest of Medellin. This and its colourful houses and murals have seen it slowly transform into a top tourist attraction. Despite this, the community still retains its own unique look and authentic feel.

As its warren of narrow streets, steps and escalators are quite confusing to navigate, many people choose to take tours around Comuna 13. Run by local residents, these take you to the best viewpoints and murals while providing more insight into its past. Our favorite part of Medellin by far, its super cool artworks, escalators and endless views over the barrio make it a must-visit in our eyes.

Best Time to Visit Medellin

Fittingly known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, Medellin is warm all year round with very few fluctuations in temperature. As it is surrounded by mountains, the evenings are usually cool and the days are often overcast.

Most people visit in either December and January or July and August with prices shooting up around these times as a result. While the former is technically summer in Colombia and the latter winter, temperatures always average around 23 to 24°C (73 to 75°F). They are also the driest periods of the year when sightseeing and strolling about all its pretty parks is best.

As the city is so beautifully decorated, Christmas and New Year’s are a magical time to visit. The crowds are higher, however, as Colombians enjoy their summer holidays and Europeans head here to escape the cold winter. July and August are its other peak season with massive events like its famous Festival of the Flowers also going on.

After this, Medellin is very quiet during Semana Santa and Easter as most people celebrate at home with their families. The strong downpours also keep tourists away with September to November being the other rainy season.

Map of Things to Do in Medellin, Colombia

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The Ultimate 3 Day Medellin Itinerary: Immersion Into The City Of Eternal Spring

From the fluttering heartbeats as our plane touched down, to the vibrant hues of city lights glittering beneath us, Medellin welcomed our little family with open arms.

As the famed “City of Eternal Spring,” Medellin is often celebrated for its perfect climate, breathtaking scenery, and its incredible transformation from a city that was once the epicenter of Colombia ‘s tumultuous past into a vibrant, cosmopolitan destination that’s bustling with creativity and innovation.

We’ve all read those travel articles packed with intriguing museums and pulsating nightlife, the kind of adult fun that Medellin is so often associated with.

And while there’s no denying the allure of such experiences, our journey was a tad bit different this time.

Our tiny bundle of joy, a curious and spirited 3-year-old, was accompanying us, transforming our usual travel itinerary into a unique adventure.

Since Medellin was our first city to visit in South America, we spent days researching, reading, and a little bit of winging it, to craft an itinerary that is perfect for family travelers.

In the span of three days, we were swept up in the city’s rich culture, history, delicious food, warm people, and, yes, even some exhilarating adventure.

We roamed around the art-infused neighborhood of Comuna 13, admired the works of Fernando Botero, and marveled at the city views from a Metrocable car.

We immersed ourselves in the city’s pulse and found family-friendly joy in places we’d never expected.

So, come along on our journey as we delve into our unforgettable three-day itinerary in Medellin.

We hope it will inspire your own family adventure in this beautiful city, giving you a taste of all the wonder and magic it holds, even when you’re traveling with a tiny human in tow.

Let’s explore the City of Eternal Spring together.

1. Day One In Medellin – Urban Exploration

As the first ray of sunlight seeped through our window, we knew it was the beginning of an exciting day in the city of Medellin.

A sense of anticipation filled our hearts as we embarked on our urban exploration.

Our day started in El Poblado , the city’s most touristic neighborhood.

The quaint charm of this area immediately won us over, with its blend of traditional architecture and modern elements.

Breakfast was a colorful affair at what became our favorite coffee shop lining the vibrant streets, where our little one was particularly fascinated by the exotic fruits adorning her plate.

Following our meal, we strolled leisurely through the neighborhood, its greenery providing a refreshing ambiance perfect for a family morning walk.

Our tot was easily entertained by the numerous local dogs being walked by their owners and the myriad of bird species flitting through the trees.

@togethertowhereve What to do in Mexellin, Colombia: here’s how we spent 4 days in Medellin on our family vacation! Comuna 13 tour, Parque Explora, Plaza Botero, Pueblito Paisa, Paragliding, Parque de los Pies Descalzos, Metrocabke ride…@togethertowherever #medellincolombia #visitmedellín #visitcolombia #colombiatravels #medellinitinerary #colombiafamilyvacation #familytrip #travelingfamilies #travelingwithkids #southamericatravels ♬ moon northernelg edit – nathaellabat

Embarking on a free walking tour in Medellin was one of the most enriching experiences of our trip.

Led by a knowledgeable local guide, we delved deep into the city’s history, culture, and hidden gems.

As we wandered through the vibrant streets, our guide shared captivating stories and anecdotes, shedding light on the city’s transformation and providing insights into the daily lives of its residents. 

We explored bustling markets , picturesque plazas, and colorful neighborhoods, immersing ourselves in the sights, sounds, and aromas of Medellin.

The free walking tour not only gave us a greater appreciation for the city’s past and present but also allowed us to connect with fellow travelers, creating lasting memories and friendships.

It was an authentic and immersive way to discover the soul of Medellin, and we highly recommend it to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this captivating city.

Plaza Botero

After a restful siesta, we stepped back out into the city, our sights set on Plaza Botero and the  Museum of Antioquia .

Here, we were greeted by 23 imposing bronze sculptures created by Colombia’s renowned artist Fernando Botero.

Our little one was captivated by the oversized art pieces, their exaggerated proportions sparking giggles and wonder as he darted around them, providing us with some truly memorable photo opportunities.

Parque de los Pies

From there, we made our way to the tranquil oasis of Parque de los Pies, which so very few travelers tend to visit.

This less-known park nestled in the heart of Medellin became a delightful surprise on our family adventure.

Our senses were immediately engulfed in serenity as we stepped foot into its bamboo forest.

The typically omnipresent city noise receded, replaced by the gentle rustling of bamboo leaves and the soft chirping of hidden birds.

Parque de los Pies, aptly translating to “Park of the Feet,” invites its visitors to remove their shoes and experience the park in the most grounded way possible.

As our feet pressed into the cool grass and our toddler squished her toes in the park’s sand area, we couldn’t help but share her contagious joy.

Here, visitors quietly nestled among the bamboo groves, their noses buried in books, while children created sandcastles and laughed freely.

We savored a picnic amidst this tranquil setting, the city’s clamor a distant murmur.

Our little one found joy in feeding the park’s resident pigeons and frolicking barefoot in the dedicated kid’s area.

It was, in its unique way, a sensory paradise that delighted and relaxed us, providing a much-needed respite from our urban exploration.

Laureles Neighborhood

As night fell, we made our way to Laureles, a residential neighborhood known for its authentic local dining scene.

In stark contrast to El Poblado’s cosmopolitan vibe, Laureles felt more like a typical Colombian neighborhood, making our dinner there feel like a true local experience.

We settled for a family-friendly restaurant offering a kid’s menu that had enough choices to please our sometimes picky eater.

With our child’s bedtime approaching, we ended the night early, promising more adventure to come the next day.

Despite the absence of the bustling nightlife that Medellin is known for, we found immense joy in our unique family exploration, watching our little one discover a new world with awe and wonder. 

2. Day Two In Medellin – Cultural Immersion

As the sun peeked over the horizon, we eagerly embarked on our second day of exploration, ready to immerse ourselves in Medellin’s rich culture and history.

Today’s itinerary took us on a journey through vibrant neighborhoods, significant landmarks, and unforgettable experiences.

Our morning began with a visit to Comuna 13, a neighborhood that has transformed itself from being one of the most dangerous neighborhoods into an inspiring symbol of resilience and creativity.

Once plagued by violence, Comuna 13 has undergone a remarkable revitalization, thanks in part to the colorful street art adorning its walls.

Anyone who has also visited Cartagena knows that this is a lot like the situation in the Getsemani neighborhood.

Guided by a local expert who took us on a graffiti tour , we discovered the stories and symbolism behind the murals, and our little one marveled at the larger-than-life characters that seemed to come alive before their eyes.

Walking through the streets of Comuna 13, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the community’s unwavering spirit.

Our toddler was fascinated by the vibrant colors and the music that resonated from small shops.

The  neighborhood’s transformation  serves as a testament to the power of art and community in healing wounds and rewriting the narrative of a place.

We even got a chance to try out some street food like empanadas and patacones followed by cold brew soda!

Pueblito Paisa

After a hearty Colombian lunch, we set off to explore  Pueblito Paisa , a charming replica of a traditional Antioquian village perched atop a hill.

This cultural gem allowed us to step back in time and experience the essence of Colombia’s rich history and architecture.

Our little one marveled at the miniature houses, cobblestone streets, and iconic white-washed church, pretending to be an explorer in a land frozen in time.

As we wandered through the village , we couldn’t resist the urge to indulge in some local treats and browse the handicrafts on display.

Our toddler’s face lit up as he picked out a colorful handmade toy, a tangible reminder of our time spent in this magical place.

As the afternoon waned, we embarked on a Metrocable ride, a truly unique experience that not only offered breathtaking views of the city but also showcased the importance of public transportation in Medellin .

Our little one’s eyes widened in wonder as we soared above the bustling streets, witnessing the city’s grandeur from a new perspective.

The Metrocable ride served as a reminder of Medellin’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, as the cable cars connect the once-neglected hillside neighborhoods to the rest of the city.

After our captivating cable car ride, we returned to the city center for a delightful dinner.

Medellin’s culinary scene offers something for everyone, and we found a family-friendly restaurant that catered to our toddler’s tastes while still allowing us to indulge in traditional Colombian flavors.

With hearts full of gratitude and memories of a day filled with cultural immersion, we retired for the night, eagerly anticipating the adventures that awaited us on our final day in Medellin.

3. Day Three In Medellin – Adventure And Science

As our Medellin adventure approached its final day, we were determined to make it a memorable one, filled with thrilling adventures and captivating experiences that would leave a lasting impression on our family.

Paragliding

We kicked off the day with an adrenaline-pumping activity that would surely be a highlight of our trip – paragliding.

With my heart racing in anticipation, I soared through the skies above Medellin, marveling at the breathtaking panoramic views of the city below.

Our little one watched from below wide-eyed, her giggles carried away by the wind, as I glided through the air, feeling an indescribable sense of freedom and exhilaration.

Only one of us participated in this activity, but they do offer it for children as well!

Botanical Garden

Next on the agenda: A visit to the botanical garden in Medellin. A tranquil escape into nature’s embrace.

This verdant oasis offers respite from the bustling city, inviting visitors to wander through lush gardens, enchanting forests, and vibrant flower displays.

As we strolled along the meandering pathways, our senses were awakened by the fragrant aromas, the vibrant colors of exotic blooms, and the gentle melodies of birdsong.

Our little one marveled at the diverse plant species, their curiosity piqued as they discovered hidden nooks and crannies, and encountered intriguing botanical wonders.

The botanical garden also offers educational exhibits, allowing us to deepen our understanding of Colombia’s rich biodiversity .

Whether you seek serenity, want to connect with nature, or simply wish to spend quality time as a family, the botanical garden in Medellin is a must-visit destination that promises beauty and tranquility at every turn.

Parque Explora

With our feet back on solid ground, we turned our attention to Parque Explora, a scientific and interactive playground that seamlessly blends education with entertainment.

This captivating science center offers a wealth of hands-on exhibits and engaging displays that both children and adults can enjoy.

Our little scientist-in-training was enthralled by the aquarium, where he got to witness colorful fish, graceful sea turtles, and even mesmerizing sharks up close.

We ventured into the vivarium, encountering fascinating reptiles and amphibians from the region, and our toddler’s curiosity blossomed as he learned about the wonders of nature.

The interactive physics room offered endless fun as we experimented with gravity, magnetism, and other scientific phenomena, fostering a sense of wonder and discovery within our little explorer.

It was just an absolute blast!

Modern Art Museum

A visit to the modern art museum in Medellin is a must on everyone’s itinerary, even when traveling with kids.

While some may question the compatibility of art and young children, this museum breaks those preconceptions.

The modern art exhibits showcase vibrant colors, imaginative shapes, and captivating installations that ignite the imagination of both children and adults alike.

The interactive displays and engaging activities designed specifically for young visitors make the museum an immersive and educational experience for the entire family.

It’s a chance for children to explore their creativity, ask questions, and develop an appreciation for art from an early age.

The modern art museum in Medellin proves that art is not only for grown-ups, but also a captivating and enriching adventure for young minds, making it an essential stop on any family’s itinerary.

El Poblado Neighborhood

As the day began to wind down, we returned to the vibrant neighborhood of El Poblado to savor our final evening in Medellin.

We strolled through the bustling streets, soaking in the lively atmosphere and embracing the city’s energy.

For our last dinner, we sought out a family-friendly restaurant that catered to all tastes.

We indulged in traditional Colombian cuisine, savoring every bite while reminiscing about the incredible experiences we had shared as a family throughout our time in Medellin.

As we walked back to our accommodations, hand in hand with our sleepy preschooler, we couldn’t help but reflect on the transformative journey we had embarked upon in this captivating city.

Medellin had woven its magic into our hearts, leaving us with cherished memories and a renewed sense of wonder.

We vowed to return someday, to discover even more of this vibrant metropolis and continue our family adventures.

With a tinge of bittersweetness, we bid Medellin farewell, knowing that our journey had forever changed us, instilling in us a deep appreciation for the beauty of travel and the joy of experiencing new horizons together as a family.

How to Spend 4 Days In Medellin?

1. guatape day trip.

If travelers find themselves with an extra day to spare in Medellin, there are still plenty of exciting and enriching experiences to be had.

On the fourth day, consider venturing out of the city center to explore the stunning natural landscapes that surround Medellin.

One option is to take a day trip to the picturesque town of Guatapé, known for its vibrant, colorful houses and the famous rock formation known as El Peñol.

Climbing the 740 steps to the top of El Peñol offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and rolling hills, providing a truly memorable experience.

But we really recommend spending a few days in Guatape to really experience everything there.

2. Santa Fe De Antioquia Day Trip

Another option for a day trip is to visit Santa Fe de Antioquia, a charming colonial town located about an hour away from Medellin.

Wander through its cobblestone streets, marvel at the well-preserved architecture, and soak up the historical ambiance.

Take a leisurely stroll along the Puente de Occidente, an impressive suspension bridge that spans the Cauca River, offering scenic views and photo opportunities.

3. Parque Arví

For those seeking more adventure, consider heading to Parque Arví, an expansive nature reserve located just outside the city.

Explore its hiking trails, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and enjoy the lush greenery that surrounds you.

The park also offers cultural and ecological activities, allowing you to learn more about the region’s flora, fauna, and indigenous heritage.

4. Additional Medellin Neighborhoods: Envigado Or Sabaneta

Alternatively, if you prefer to spend a relaxed day in the city, you can explore some of Medellin’s lesser-known neighborhoods, such as Envigado or Sabaneta.

These areas offer a more local and authentic experience, with vibrant markets, cozy cafes, and charming plazas to discover.

Here are our favorite travel resources that you can use to plan your trip:

• Our  Travel Insurance Recommendation
• What we  use to book hotels
• Travel  Gear and Products  You Might Need
• The Best Tours and Experiences

Practical Information For Visiting Medellin

Before embarking on your own Medellin adventure, it’s essential to have some practical information at hand to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Here are a few practical tips to help you make the most of your time in Medellin:

• Weather : Medellin is known as the City of Eternal Spring, thanks to its pleasant year-round climate. However, it’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before your trip to pack appropriate clothing and accessories.
• Transportation : Medellin has an efficient public transportation system, including the metro, buses, and taxis. The metro is a convenient and affordable way to navigate the city, and the Metrocable offers unique aerial views. Taxis are readily available but be sure to use official taxis or ride-sharing services for safety.
• Child-Friendly Facilities : Traveling with a young child requires some extra considerations. Fortunately, Medellin offers several child-friendly amenities such as parks, playgrounds, and family-friendly restaurants. Keep an eye out for establishments with designated kids’ menus and facilities to ensure a comfortable experience for your little one.
• Safety : Like any travel destination, it’s important to prioritize safety during your visit to Medellin. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas, and take precautions to safeguard your belongings. It’s advisable to avoid displaying expensive items and to stay informed about any safety recommendations from local authorities or your accommodation.
• Language : While Spanish is the official language in Medellin, you’ll find that many locals, especially in tourist areas, have some level of English proficiency. However, having a few basic Spanish phrases and a translation app can come in handy for communication and immersing yourself in the local culture.
• What To Wear In Medellin : It’s best to dress to blend in with locals in Medellin. This means, no beach attire. Instead jeans and a nice shirt will do for most places. Stylish but comfortable shoes are a good idea, but you don’t want to be too flashy.

By keeping these practical tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on a remarkable journey through Medellin, creating beautiful memories with your loved ones as you explore this captivating city.

How Does Cali Travel Experience Compare To Medellin?

When it comes to Cali vs. Medellin comparison , both cities offer unique travel experiences.

Cali is known for its vibrant salsa dancing scene and rich cultural heritage, while Medellin boasts stunning views from its cable cars and a thriving art and music scene.

Ultimately, the travel experience depends on the individual preferences.

Is Medellin Or Bogota More Fun?

Both Medellin and Bogota have their own unique charms, and the definition of “fun” can vary from person to person.

Medellin is known for its vibrant street art, lively neighborhoods, and innovative urban projects, while Bogota offers a rich historical and cultural scene, including world-class museums and colonial architecture.

The choice between the two depends on your personal preferences and interests.

Should I Choose Cartagena Or Medellin For A Family Trip?

If you are curious to know whether to spend more time in Cartagena or Medellin on your Colombia itinerary, we have you covered.

Cartagena vs. Medellin offer distinct experiences, making it a tough decision.

Cartagena is renowned for its enchanting colonial architecture, romantic ambiance, and picturesque old town, which attracts visitors from around the world.

On the other hand, Medellin showcases a blend of modernity and cultural heritage, offering a dynamic urban environment, scenic landscapes, and a vibrant arts scene.

The choice depends on your preferences.

Get Started With Planning Your Own Medellín Itinerary

As we bid farewell to the vibrant city of Medellin, we reflect upon the incredible journey we embarked upon as a family.

Medellin proved to be a destination that caters to the needs and interests of travelers of all ages, offering a multitude of experiences that allowed us to create beautiful memories together.

While three days in Medellin provided us with a taste of the city’s diverse attractions and immersive experiences, we can’t help but wish for more time.

Medellin has so much to offer, and extending your stay would allow you to delve deeper into its culture, explore more neighborhoods, and savor the culinary delights that the city has to offer.

However, if you’re limited on time, three days can still provide you with a fulfilling and memorable experience.

As we venture back home, we carry with us the vibrant spirit and warmth of Medellin, inspired to continue exploring the world with our little one, embracing new cultures, and nurturing the sense of wonder that travel instills.

Medellin, thank you for the unforgettable moments and the gift of togetherness. We will cherish these memories for a lifetime.

Taiss Nowrouzi

Taiss Nowrouzi is a writer, photographer, and social media influencer with a passion for dance on the side. Taiss has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from San Diego State University. After over a decade in the hotel business, including five years in the management, she left the corporate world to pursue a life of a digital nomad.

Family Travel Planning Resources

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🎒  Our Must-Have Travel Essentials  

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Hi! We’re Rob and Taiss. We set off to live a life in as many places as possible. To actually live in locations around the world long enough to get to know the locals, the culture, and the food, not just a taste of it.

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Home » South America » Colombia » 3 Days in Medellín Itinerary – How to explore Medellín, Colombia in 3 days

3 Days in Medellín Itinerary – How to explore Medellín, Colombia in 3 days

Medellín, Colombia, is rightly one of the most popular places in Colombia. To make the most of your trip, let’s discover the best things to see in Medellín in 3 days.

Back in the 90s, Medellín was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Since then, the tide has turned. The metropolis is regarded as one of South America’s showcase cities and should not be missing from any Colombia itinerary.

So let’s dive into the city on this Medellín 3 days itinerary and discover the top things to see in the “City of Eternal Spring.”

What to find out in this post

• 1 Medellín Facts
• 2 3 Days in Medellín Itinerary
• 3.1 Pueblito Paisa (Cerro de Nutibara)
• 3.2 La Candelaria
• 3.3 Plaza de Cisneros
• 3.4 Parque San Antonio
• 3.5 Parque Berrío
• 3.6 Plaza Botero
• 3.7 Museo de Antioquia
• 3.8 Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe
• 3.9 Optional: Catedral Metropolitana – Medellín’s Cathedral
• 4.1 Medellín Botanical Garden
• 4.2 Mercado del Rio
• 4.3 Comuna 13
• 5.1 Metro Cable
• 5.2 Parque Arví
• 5.3 Laureles Neighborhood
• 5.4 El Poblado Neighborhood
• 6.1 Museo Casa de la Memoria
• 6.2 The Castle Museum – Museo El Castillo
• 6.3 Try the regional dishes.
• 6.4 Join a Free Walking Tour
• 6.5 Day Trips from Medellín
• 7.1 The best budget accommodation in Medellín
• 7.2 The best Hotel in Medellín
• 7.3 The right accommodation not included?
• 8 Best time to travel to Medellín, Colombia
• 9.1 Getting to Medellín by plane
• 9.2 Getting to Medellín by bus
• 10.1 Public Transport
• 10.2 Metro Cable
• 10.4 By Foot
• 11 Where is Medellin
• 12.1 About the AuthorVicki

Medellín Facts

• Capital of the region (Departamento) Antioquia
• The second largest city in Colombia (about 2.6 million inhabitants)
• Nickname: City of Eternal Spring
• Named the Most Innovative City in the World in 2012 (by the Wall Street Journal)
• The inhabitants of the region call themselves Paisa

MEDELLÍN INFO BOX

Where to stay in Medellin: Hotel Brana (4-Star Hotel with pool in Laureles) or Casa Egos Pop (Comfortable hostel in Laureles with private rooms)

The most popular activities & tours in Medellin

Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour

Pablo Escobar Tour

Day Trip to Guatape

Coffee Tour

Paragliding Adventure in Medellin

Street food Tour

Getting there: Make sure to check for the best flight deals on Flight comparison-Sites like Skyscanner Bustickets for South America can be found at Busbud .

Transport: Bus, Metro, Tramvia, or Taxi

Want to rent a car? You can find great deals on RentalCars .

Need travel insurance? Well-insured with one of the world’s most popular travel insurers for travelers: AXA Travel .

Medellin Must-Have: Colombia Travel Guide

3 Days in Medellín Itinerary

Medellín in 3 days – Day 1

Pueblito paisa (cerro de nutibara).

Opening Hours Pueblito Paisa: 09 am – 09 pm

Entrance Fee Pueblito Paisa: free of charge

Want to combine a fantastic vantage point over the rooftops of Medellin with a glimpse of the region’s wonderful traditional architecture? Then a visit to Pueblito Paisa is probably just what you need.

At this site, you’ll find a 20th-century recreation of a traditional village from Colombia’s Antioquia region. Stroll through the colorful alleys of the small village, take photos, discover the souvenir stalls, or enjoy a hot coffee or Colombian snack.

A photo of the “ Medellín ” sign in front of the small square in the center of the village is a real highlight for many visitors.

The small tourist village is located on the Cerro de Nutibara, after an ascent of about 80 meters in altitude. For those who want to spend more time in nature, the Cerro de Nutibara offers several hiking trails and a cultural park.

To reach the Pueblito Paisa, take a cab to the top or walk up a stairway from the bottom of the hill. The way up is slightly strenuous but quite doable for a person of average fitness.

La Candelaria

La Candelaria is located in the center of Medellín. You should plan a visit here, especially during the day, when the streets are safe. In addition to the already mentioned Plaza de Botero and the Antioquia Museum, this part of the city is also home to Parque San Antonio, Parque Berrío, the Candelaria Church, and Plaza de Cisneros.

Stroll through the streets of the city center and be surprised by the atmosphere so different from other neighborhoods in the city.

Fun Fact: The name La Candelaria comes from the Virgin of Candelaria figure from the Canary Islands in Spain.

Plaza de Cisneros

Let’s move on to another of the city’s plazas, Plaza de Cisneros, or “Lights Park” (Spanish: Parque de las Luces ). It is named after the Cuban engineer Francisco Javier Cisneros, who worked on the historic Antioquia railroad.

The project, with approximately 300 24-meter high light columns, is intended to serve the rejuvenation of the city and is primarily designed as an art project.

Parque San Antonio

Parque San Antonio is, contrary to its name, not a park but a historic square of Medellín. Today, this plaza is a popular and lively part of the city, where you can spot children playing, lemonade vendors, and many locals.

Unfortunately, the history of the plaza is not quite as vibrant as it may seem today. As you enter the plaza, you’ll spot the two bird statues by famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

The first statue was placed as the “Bird of Peace” when it originally opened in the mid-90s. Only a year later, both the bird statue and 23 passersby were killed in a bomb attack here.

An identical sculpture was placed next to the remains of the destroyed bird in 2000 to serve as a “tribute to stupidity” and a symbol of peace.

Extra tip: The Plaza is popular not only with visitors but also with pickpockets. So keep an eye on your bag during your visit.

Parque Berrío

Parque Berrío is arguably the city’s most prominent square for many locals and is considered a meeting point and reference point for popular spots around the center.

From here, you also have a view of the Candelaria Church, the oldest church in the city.

The plaza has a long history and was used as a marketplace and place for political announcements as early as the 17th century.

Plaza Botero

Opening Hours Plaza Botero: 24 hrs

Entrance Fee Plaza Botero: free of charge

When you visit Colombia, you can’t help but hear about the artist Fernando Botero . The Colombian sculptor and painter’s artwork can be found almost everywhere in the country. In his birthplace, Medellin, a whole square is dedicated to the artist.

Numerous bronze statues of Botero are on the Plaza Botero. Stroll through the large square and discover the impressive and entertaining works of art.

Fun Fact: If you think you can only find the artist’s unique statues in Colombia, you’re wrong. There are statues of this Colombian artist in both my adopted home of Barcelona and my hometown of Goslar, Germany .

Museo de Antioquia

Opening Hours Museo de Antioquia: Mon – Sat: 10 am – 5.30 pm

Entrance Fee Museo de Antioquia: For foreign visitors: 24.000 COP (ca. 5 €/$ 5) 

If you haven’t had enough of the Colombian artist after Plaza de Botero, or if you’re also interested in his paintings after seeing his imaginative statues, this is the museum for you.

Fun Fact: Did you know that there is also another Botero Museum in the capital of Colombia? It’s one of the most fascinating museums in Bogotá and is home to even more of his unique art creations.

Fernando Botero has a whole floor dedicated to him in this art museum. In addition, you will also find works of art and information about many other artists and art styles.

The main goal of the exhibition is to show the history of the Antioquia region immortalized in works of art.

Although we are honestly not art museum fans, we really liked the museum and can definitely recommend it. However, I doubt whether I would call it an absolute must-see in Medellin.

Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe

Opening Hours Palacio de la Cultura: Mon – Fri: 08 am – 5 pm; Sat: 08 am – 2 pm

Entrance Fee Palacio de la Cultura: free of charge

This eye-catching palace, located in the middle of Plaza de Botero in the heart of downtown Medellín, is the headquarters of the Antioquia Institute of Culture and Heritage.

Even though the impressive architecture of the vast building is already impressive from the outside, a look inside is also worthwhile. In addition to some events such as concerts and the like, it houses Medellín’s Historical Archive and various exhibitions on the life and work of its namesake, Rafael Uribe.

Inside the palace, you can find a small art gallery, a sound gallery, a documentation center for music, and more.

Optional: Catedral Metropolitana – Medellín’s Cathedral

Opening Hours Catedral Metropolitana: Mon – Fri: 07 – 08 am; 10 – 11 am; 6 – 7 pm; Sat + Sun: 07 – 08 am; 10 – 11 am; 12 – 13 pm; 6 – 7 pm

Entrance Fee Catedral Metropolitana: free of charge

Anyone interested in places of worship should not miss Medellín’s cathedral, the Catedral Metropolitana. With an impressive size of around 5,000 m², it is considered the largest adobe building in the world.

The impressive building was completed in the early 1930s. Today, it’s difficult to imagine Medellin’s cityscape without it.

Things to do in Medellín in 3 days – Day 2

Medellín botanical garden.

Opening Hours Botanical Gardens: Tue – Sun: 09 am – 04 pm

Entrance Fee Botanical Gardens: free of charge

The Botanical Garden of Medellín turned out to be a pleasant surprise for us. It’s a perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Discover tropical plants, cacti, and other flora as you wander through the park. We especially liked the pond, where you can spot a variety of ducks, turtles, and fish.

If you’re lucky, you might spot one of the giant iguanas roaming freely in the park.

Mercado del Rio

Opening Hours Mercado del Rio: Sun – Tue: 08 am – 10 pm; Tue + Thu: 08 am – 11 pm; Fri + Sat: 08 am – 00 am

Entrance Fee Mercado del Rio: free of charge

I once read a quote somewhere that the best way to get to know a city is to visit a local market. A great option for this is the Mercado del Rio (Engl. “ River Market “) in Medellín.

With more than 30 different restaurants, bars, and cafes, you can definitely find something for all tastes here, whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, a drink, or a small snack between meals.

Indulge in Medellín’s delicacies and dishes and discover the local scene.

Even though the market itself is still relatively new (it opened in 2016), the building dates back to the 19th century and used to be a soap factory.

Opening Hours Comuna 13: 24 hours

Entrance Fee Comuna 13: free of charge

Tour Comuna 13: Free-Walking-Tour on-site or make a reservation online at GetYourGuide

Today, Comuna 13 is one of the city’s most impressive neighborhoods. But not too long ago, Medellín’s 13th municipality was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world.

Stroll through Comuna 13 and be enchanted by the impressive street art and murals. I highly recommend taking a graffiti tour to learn about the background of the different art pieces and the neighborhood itself.

Such a tour lasts about 2 – 4 hours and supplies you with interesting information that makes the artworks seem even more impressive. Many tours also include a cable car ride to experience the remarkable neighborhood from above.

Extra tip: I recommend the afternoon tour. This way, you can discover the neighborhood in daylight and enjoy the view over Medellín in the dark.

During the 90s and early 2000s, many innocent people who had settled in illegal settlements in this area over the years lost their lives due to guerrilla organizations and military operations. However, starting in 2006, a large sum of money was invested in this neighborhood.

Especially the construction of the cable car and escalators helped the neighborhood to improve its connection to other parts of the city and, thus, the infrastructure of Comuna 13.

Medellín Itinerary – Day 3

Metro cable.

Medellín is simply enormous – and not only in the figurative sense. Nestled between mountains, it is always worthwhile to experience the mighty city from above.

The Metro cable, the cable car of Medellín, carries you far above the city’s roofs and allows you to experience a fascinating view of Medellín.

You can quickly pay for the ride with your regular metro card by recharging your card at any station.

Extra tip: A ride on the Metro cable can be perfectly combined with a visit to Comuna 13 or Parque Arví (see next point).

Parque Arví

Opening Hours Parque Arví: Tue – Sun: 09 am – 06 pm

Entrance Fee Parque Arví: Foreign visitors: 50.000 COP (ca. 10 €/$ 10.5)

Costs of Getting there by Metro cable: Depending on the starting point, approx. 6-7 €/ $ 6.5-7.5 (round trip)

It’s hard to believe, but this park with more than 1,760 hectares of forest is located in Medellin’s urban area – even though you’ll probably end up feeling like you’re in the middle of pure nature while hiking here.

Within the park, there are several trails you can follow: From 1½ hours to several hours of hiking.

While it is possible to do the first easy hike on your own, for safety reasons, the longer trails may only be entered with a guide.

Long trails of beautiful nature await you in the park, providing a nice break from the usually bustling city of Medellín.

To reach the park, you can take the metro cable (cable car). It will take you on an impressive ride over the rooftops of the city and the treetops of the park. Enjoy the views!

Laureles Neighborhood

Laureles is one of the two most popular neighborhoods among visitors. While El Poblado is quite international and modern, Laurels captivates its visitors with lush greenery.

Numerous delicious restaurants and cafes await you here. Suppose you haven’t chosen Laureles as your base. In that case, it’s worth visiting for a delicious Colombian coffee (e.g., at La Civeta y el Elefante Café or Délmuri Café) or a delicious meal (e.g., at Vegarden).

Another popular attraction in Laureles is Primer Parque de Laureles, a popular park surrounded by numerous bars and restaurants. If you’re in the mood to meet other travelers or digital nomads, you’ll certainly find them here.

We spent a few weeks in this neighborhood. We totally liked it here; a bit off the beaten tourist path. The greenery here and the tranquil atmosphere really won us over.

El Poblado Neighborhood

Chances are you are staying in the Laureles or El Poblado neighborhood. Depending on which area your accommodation is located in, it is worth visiting the respective other one.

El Poblado is a very international neighborhood with many nightlife options, restaurants, bars, clubs, and cafes. Stroll through the streets and discover some cool places.

One of the most popular places in the neighborhood is the hippie café Pergamino. While I have to admit that the coffee here is seriously delicious, I found the hype around the bar a bit over the top, to be honest. There are also many other decent cafes in the area where you don’t have to wait in line for 15 minutes to order.

For many, a visit to a rooftop bar is simply part of a stay in El Poblado. Especially popular are the Envy Bar and the Mosquito Rooftop Bar.

More time? More Things to do in Medellín

If you have a little bit more time or want to mix up things a little, feel free to add some of the following items to your itinerary.

Museo Casa de la Memoria

Opening Hours Museum: Tue-Fri: 09 am – 5 pm; Sat+Sun: 10 am – 3:30 pm

Entrance Fee Museum: free of charge

You’ve probably heard about Medellin’s terrible past. Due to Pablo Escobar, in the 90s, the Colombian city became one of the most dangerous and feared cities in the world.

The museum “ House of Memories ” is about the past. There is plenty of information about Colombia’s history and the commemoration of thousands of deaths that the armed conflicts in Medellin have claimed over the years.

Important: Not all information in the museum is available in English.

The Castle Museum – Museo El Castillo

Opening Hours Castle Museum: Mon-Fri: 09 am – 5 pm; Sat+Sun: 10 am – 5 pm

Entrance Fee Castle Museum: 20.000 COP (ca. 4 €/$ 4.3)/ only gardens: 17.000 COP (ca. 3,40 €/$ 4)

Already starting to miss European castles during your visit to South America? Then you should plan a visit to Medellin’s Castle Museum.

Although, to be honest, the castle doesn’t quite fit into the city’s backdrop, a visit here is enough to make you forget where you are. Stroll through the idyllic garden of the castle, located in the El Poblado neighborhood, or visit the glass, antiques, and porcelain exhibition inside the castle.

Try the regional dishes.

Besides the typical Colombian dishes, the Antioquia region is known for its delicious cuisine. To dive even deeper into the region’s culture, it is worth trying a few of the typical dishes.

Bandeja Paisa

Bandeja Paisa is THE dish of the Antioquia region. It is considered an actual must-try plate for all visitors to the region. However, you should bring an appetite when trying it because the Paisa plate, as it can be translated, is quite a mouthful.

This dish comes with two different types of sausage, ground beef, red beans, rice, a piece of avocado, chicharrón, arepa (see next item), fried plantain, and a fried egg.

Arepa Paisa

Arepas can be found and enjoyed all around Colombia. These are flatbreads made from corn or flour. While they tend to be dry, they can be found in any style: stuffed, as a side dish, or just plain and simple.

If you ask a Colombian about a typical breakfast in their country, you will most likely get calentado (in English: “ warmed up “) as an answer.

This is a popular breakfast dish from the Andean region made with beans, rice, egg, South American chorizo, and chicharrón.

Fun Fact: The dish is traditionally made with leftovers from the previous day. And for breakfast, the rice and beans are reheated – which is how the dish got its name.

Colombian Coffee

Coffee fans know that some of the best coffee in the world has its roots in Colombia. So when you visit this diverse country, don’t miss out on a full-bodied Colombian coffee.

Medellin is a great place to do so. That’s because numerous cafes and coffee roasters are here waiting to hand you a memorable cup of Colombian tradition.

Extra tip: Unfortunately, not all coffee is the same here. While Colombia is home to some of the best coffees, people here also like to drink the typical instant coffee. The best coffee can be found in cafes that specialize in quality coffee.

Join a Free Walking Tour

A city tour is a great way to get to know a new place, socialize with other travelers, and get exciting information about your destination. So why not join a free walking tour?

As the name suggests, these tours are completely free. However, you should leave a generous tip because that’s what the guides live on.

Day Trips from Medellín

Not only Medellín itself but also the surroundings of the city are well worth a visit. From beautiful coffee fields to picturesque small towns, you can really find it all here.

Two of the most popular day trips are Guatapé , with its famous giant rock, and El Jardín, an idyllic little village with colorful classic Colombian architecture.

Where to stay in Medellín

Most visitors to Medellín stay in either the El Poblado or Laureles neighborhood. These two neighborhoods are considered very safe and offer plenty of options for their visitors.

Personally, I’m not too much of a fan of El Poblado, so I recommend staying in Laureles. However, if you are looking to party and meet fellow travelers, El Poblado might be a better option for you after all.

The best budget accommodation in Medellín

Casa egos pop.

This accommodation certainly sweetened our stay with plenty of space to work or just chill in the hammock after a long day. This accommodation awaits you in a very local part of the gateway to Laureles, with lots of great restaurants, bars, and cafes in the neighborhood. The owners are always available to help and advise you, and the three cats and the little dog in the accommodation are ready for a little cuddle session.

Check further info, prices, and availability of Casa Egos Pop

The best Hotel in Medellín

Hotel brana.

This 4-star hotel in Laureles leaves little to be desired. With private rooms and a pool, the hotel invites its guests to one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city. The room rate also includes a delicious breakfast. Hotel guests especially appreciate the hotel’s excellent location, cleanliness, and good service.

Check further info, prices, and availability of Hotel Brana

The right accommodation not included?

>> Check all accommodations in Medellín

Best time to travel to Medellín, Colombia

As Medellin’s nickname, “ The City of Eternal Spring ,” suggests, Medellin can be easily visited at any time of the year. Temperatures are spring-like warm all year round and fluctuate only slightly.

The rainy season in Medellin is between April and May and October and November. The primary tourist season for Medellin is December to March.

How to get to Medellin

Getting to medellín by plane.

If Medellin is the only/first stop of your trip, you will most likely arrive by plane. There are several connections from the US and Europe to the Colombian city.

To find a good deal on your flight to Medellin, it is worth looking for good flights early (ideally at least six weeks before departure). For this purpose, I definitely recommend a flight comparison site like Skyscanner.com .

From Medellin airport to the city center

Medellin’s international airport (José María Córdova Airport) is located about 45 minutes’ drive from the center of Medellin. You have several options to get there. The cheapest is the airport bus. However, for two or more people, it is worth taking a taxi.

The price of the cab is negotiated before boarding (expect to pay about $ 20). The cabs leaving from the airport are usually safe. Many of the drivers also speak English.

Getting to Medellín by bus

If you are already in Colombia or South America, it is worthwhile to travel by long-distance bus. South America has various providers. You can buy your ticket directly at the bus terminal (best at least one day in advance) or book online via Busbud .

Extra tip: Be sure to read the reviews of the bus company online before booking to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Medellín Transport

There are several ways to get around the big city of Medellin. In this section, we will briefly introduce you to the different means of transportation in Medellin.

Public Transport

Medellin’s public transportation network is the pride of its inhabitants and is very well developed. Several options will take you from A to B and almost every corner of the metropolis.

The options available to you are:

• Metrobus (Metroplús)
• Metrocable (cable car)

Most public transportation can be used with a standard rechargeable ticket. You can get these at almost every stop at the ticket machine (often also usable in English).

The navigation is quite simple and similar to other big cities worldwide. You can check current fares on the official website here .

Since Medellín is located in the mountains, it can sometimes be rather challenging to get from A to B by regular means of transportation. That’s why Medellin introduced an innovative cable car system a few years ago.

For many visitors, the ride on the so-called Metro Cable is an absolute must to enjoy the view over the city’s rooftops. Medellin’s cable car can also be used with the regular ticket.

If you like, you can also use the good old cab for a ride. Especially for the trip to and from the airport, a taxi can be worthwhile. In the city itself, you don’t need a cab. Especially in the sometimes somewhat chaotic city traffic, you might be faster with public transport.

If you still don’t want to miss out on a ride in a cab, make sure it is a reputable taxi. Another option is to use the cab app Uber. Except for the way to and from the airport, you can use Uber without any problems.

While some of the Medellin attractions from this list are a bit further out and, therefore, can only be visited by transportation, you can also see some of the attractions on foot.

If you like walking, this will allow you to discover even more great places in the area.

Where is Medellin

Medellín is located in the lower northwest of Colombia, about 500 km from the border with Panama. The city is located in the Aburrá Valley in the South American Andes in the Antioquia region.

FAQ about traveling to Medellín

Medellin, Colombia, is a big city with a lot to discover. It is recommended to stay at least three to five days in the town to see the main sights.

Surprisingly, Medellin has become one of the safest cities in South America in recent years. Due to many investments, the image of the city has completely changed since the 90s.

Depending on the travel standard, the Colombian city of Medellín can be considered quite affordable. You can expect around $ 30-40 per day per person during your trip.

The tap water in Medellin, Colombia, is of excellent quality and safe to drink.

In addition to several native sublanguages, Spanish is spoken in Medellin, as in the rest of Colombia.

Interested in Colombia?

About the Author Vicki

Hi, we are Vicki & Eduardo, an international travel couple on a mission to help you save money for priceless travel experience. Follow us through the miracles of this world and you will be rewarded with a bunch of practical travel tips.

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Top 20 Things to Do in Medellin You Absolutely Can’t Miss

The exciting and vibrant city of Medellin has undergone an incredible transformation in recent years, shedding its turbulent past to become one of Colombia’s fastest-growing and most captivating destinations.

To say that there are a lot of things to do in Medellin would be quite an understatement, as there is such a diverse mix of historical sites, cultural experiences, and eclectic neighborhoods to pack into your trip.

I’ve selected all of the best places to see in Medellin and some of my favorite experiences to create this guide. If you want a little more detail about how to plan your visit, my itinerary for 3 days in Medellin has all the need-to-know information.

Keep scrolling to uncover where to go and what to do in Medellin.

* Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. *

Table of Contents

Are you planning a last-minute trip to Medellin?

If your trip is coming up soon and you still haven’t booked anything, we have you covered! Below you can find our top picks when it comes to hotels, tours, getting around, and more.

Best Tours and Experiences in Medellin

• Day trip to Guatape El Peñol (top-rated day trip from Medellin you absolutely can’t miss)
• Comuna 13 History & Graffiti Tour (must-have tour to learn about Medellin’s transformation)
• The Real Pablo Escobar Tour (a controversial but popular tour that takes you through the life of Colombia’s most notorious drug lord)
• Coffee Tour with Tastings (for coffee lovers, a tour of Medellin’s coffee farms is a must-do)

Best Places to Stay in Medellin

• Hotel San Fernando Plaza (most popular 5-star hotel with outdoor pool in El Poblado)
• The Charlee Hotel (luxury boutique hotel with pool, spa, and prime location in El Poblado)
• Sites Hotel (great-mid-range option with rooftop pool in El Poblado)
• Hotel Bolivariana Plaza (budget-friendly hotel near Parque de Laureles)

Can’t speak Spanish very well?  As people in Medellin (and in Colombia in general) don’t really speak English, our best tip is to download Spanish on Google Translate so you can use it offline! Trust us, you’re going to need it.

Best Things to Do in Medellin

1. tour the historic center on a free walking tour.

Although this round-up of things to do in Medellin is in no particular order, I’m kicking this list off with an activity that I think is a great introduction to the city.

You’ll find a number of free walking tours in operation in the El Centro district of Medellin, which is also known as the historic center. I definitely recommend joining one to get your bearings when you arrive.

If you’re anything like me, you might still feel a little skeptical about your safety in Medellin despite huge improvements over the last number of years. Opting for a guided tour when you first touchdown will help to settle some of your nerves and put you at ease.

Not only that, but you’ll also get a fantastic overview of Medellin’s history and culture while stopping by some of the center’s top sights, such as Plaza Botero, Parque de las Luces, and Los Pies Descalzos.

I recommend going with Beyond Colombia , a great organization that offers free walking tours and also supports local initiatives in Medellin.

2. Visit the Museum of Antioquia

If you’re exploring El Centro, you can’t miss the Museum of Antioquia , Medellin’s best-known art museum.

Fernando Botero, the acclaimed local artist and sculptor, and his extraordinary works are the focal point of the museum, as is the case for the square, which is even named after the Medellin native.

The Museum of Antioquia is set over four floors, and you’ll also find pieces by Pedro Nel Gomez, among other Colombian artists, presented throughout the permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The museum is huge, so I would suggest giving yourself at least 2 hours to explore. Plus, the entrance fee is only 24,000 COP ($6 US), which makes it a great value for money.

3. Walk around Plaza Botero

Plaza Botero feels like a continuation of the Museum de Antioquia, as this lively square is somewhat of an open-air display for Botero’s quirky sculptures. In fact, you’ll find 23 sculptures dotted around Plaza Botero that were donated by Botero himself.

Though many visitors flock here for the art, people have also been coming to Plaza Botero to catch a glimpse at the remarkable Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture, an eye-catching Gothic structure.

After you’ve checked Botero’s work and the Cultural Center off your list, pop over to one of the many local vendors and sample some street food or pick up your souvenirs.

You’ll probably notice that Plaza Botero has a heavy police presence, but pickpocketing can still be an issue in the area, so make sure to keep an eye on all your belongings.

4. Check out the National Palace Mall

Prior to our visit, I had never even heard of the National Palace Mall, and it turned out to be one of the coolest spots we came across during our time in Medellin.

Simply put, it’s an elegant and incredibly impressive mall that’s totally worth visiting even if you have no intention of doing any shopping!

The mall is comprised of floors of shops positioned along endless arched balconies overlooking the cafes set on the ground floor. 

To be perfectly honest, the stores mostly stock replicas of branded attire and shoes, which are quite a juxtaposition to the regal architecture of the building.

That being said, you won’t regret stopping by for a look, and you might enjoy checking out the art gallery hidden on the third floor.

5. Go street art hunting in Comuna 13

Comuna 13 is indisputably among the best places to go in Medellin, and somewhere you just can’t cut out of your Medellin itinerary .

Anyone familiar with the history of Medellin might recognize the name of this neighborhood as it became riddled with gang violence and drug cartels during the 1980s and 1990s.

Once you set foot in Comuna 13, you’ll have a tough time believing this was once considered the world’s most dangerous neighborhood in the most dangerous city! It’s changed immeasurably over the years and is now home to spectacular street art and busy bars and eateries.

This tour takes you to all of the best spots in the area while giving you an understanding of the terror faced by residents not so long ago. It also includes a trip on Medellin’s cable car, where you’ll catch some staggering vistas.

6. Join the Real Pablo Escobar Tour

Even if you know very little about Medellin, you’re likely familiar with the infamous cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar.

I had heard from fellow travelers that the Real Pablo Escobar Tour was a must when in Medellin. Although I knew a little about him before visiting, I had no idea how much pain and devastation he brought to the city, which is why I think this guided trip is so worthwhile.

The tour takes you to some of the spots relating to Escobar’s life and his reign of terror, including his grave, a former safe house, and an abandoned mansion. The guide also does its best to dispel any myths surrounding the notorious figure.

I was blown away by how educational and insightful this tour was, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about a darker side of Medellin’s history.

7. Explore the Botanical Garden of Medellín

The next addition to this breakdown of the best things to do in Medellin couldn’t be more different from the previous must-do activity.

Our visit to the Botanical Garden of Medellin ended up being one of my favorite experiences of our time in the city. Despite its popularity and how busy it was when we visited, it really felt like a hidden oasis that was a complete contrast to the packed Medellin streets.

Over 2,000 trees, 4,500 flowers, and almost 140 bird species make up the botanical gardens, and that’s all before mentioning the area’s resident iguanas and the magical butterfly house.

Entry to these blooming gardens is free of charge, and getting here is super easy, thanks to its proximity to the Universidad metro station.

8. Ride the cable car to Parque Arvi

I mentioned earlier that Medellin is set amongst mountainous terrains, and the best way to take advantage of the stunning landscapes that it brings with it is to hop on a cable car up to Parque Avrí.

Parque Arvi is a hillside ecotourism park and a fabulous spot for a day trip, as it’s filled with scenic hiking trails and often hosts local markets. We didn’t have time to explore the park in depth, but we ensured we made time to take the gondola ride to the entrance.

This activity in itself is popular with visitors and is a great way to get a glimpse of the magical scenery from Parque Arvi if you’re on a time crunch. 

We took the A and K metro lines to Santo Domingo station (the K line is a cable car), and then we changed to another cable car (line L) to go up even further to Parque Arvi. 

As if the views from the city gondola weren’t enough, we were also treated to breathtaking vistas of the city’s valley and mountains once we got out at the top.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even opt to hike one of the trails in the park, and I assure you it’ll be worth the climb. But if not, there are also plenty of cozy spots to sit down and take in the natural beauty surrounding you.

9. Cafe hop in El Poblado

El Poblado is perhaps the most sought-after neighborhood in Medellin. This area is all about upscale restaurants, chic hotels, and swanky bars, but it’s also where many of the city’s finest coffee shops are found.

Considering how tasty the coffee is and how stylish the cafes are, spending a morning or afternoon here is easily one of the best things to do in Medellin.

We went to quite a few spots during our visit, but there were definitely a few that we took a particular liking to.

Pergamino Cafe was one such place. From the food and the setting to the baristas, this coffee shop ticked all the boxes. Cafe Velvet is another must-try, with its cozy atmosphere and delicious pastries.

10. Shop at Mercado del Río

If you’re feeling a little hungry but have no idea what kind of food you’re in the mood for, you can be pretty much guaranteed to find something at Mercado del Río that tickles your fancy.

The best way of describing Mercado del Río is as a boujee food court, where everything and anything you could possibly crave is on offer, from local Colombian grub to the likes of sushi, pizza, and tacos. 

After you’ve filled up on your pick of different cuisines, pop over to some of the dessert stalls and finish off your meal with something sweet. Keep your eyes peeled for the flan or the waffles, both of which were amazing.

There are over 50 vendors here, so no matter how fussy you are, rest assured that you’ll be spoiled for choice.

11. Take a day trip to Guatapé and climb El Peñol

Medellin could keep you busy for days on end, but some of my favorite experiences during our 2 weeks in Colombia were actually outside of the city. Our day trip to Guatapé was for sure one of the highlights of our trip for me. 

Guatapé is a little resort town just under two hours outside of Medellin, and it’s where the iconic El Peñol lies.

El Peñol is a huge natural rock formation that towers over the surrounding manmade reservoir. A slightly tiring 740 steps will take you to the summit for dazzling views.

This is a true Colombian bucket list activity, and there are plenty of other things to do in Guatapé while you’re here. These include wandering through the colorful town center or taking a boat tour past the remnants of a former vacation home that belonged to Pablo Escobar. 

Getting to Guatapé by bus is quite straightforward. Head to the Terminal Norte bus station and down to booth number 14 to make your own way there, or join a guided tour that takes care of the planning for you.

12. Take a coffee plantation tour

I’d be lying if I said that the prospect of indulging in fresh Colombian coffee on the daily wasn’t a big part of why I was drawn to this country. 

We decided to go all in and jump on a coffee plantation tour , which turned out to be super interesting and a lot of fun, too. 

We spent a morning learning the ins and outs of Colombia’s renowned coffee culture, from witnessing the various processes the beans go through to how to prepare each brew correctly. Our guide really brought the experience to life, allowing us to don traditional hats and ponchos!

After a busy few hours out on the coffee farm, the tour wrapped up with a coffee tasting and a hearty lunch.

13. Explore Pueblito Paisa

Pueblito Paisa is among the most visited and quirkiest tourist attractions in Medellin.

In short, Pueblito Paisa is a replica of a typical local village, filled with colorful buildings, a quaint church, and even a little cobblestone square.

The cute town is just one of the reasons this spot attracts so many tourists, though, as it’s also a superb viewpoint over Medellin.

If you can, time your visit during sunset, as you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the city in daylight and after the sun goes down and the bright lights come to life.

The easiest option is to catch an Uber or taxi to the top of the hill, but if you’re feeling fit and energetic, you can also hike up from the nearest metro station. It takes around 20-30 minutes to reach the top.

14. Explore El Castillo Museum and Gardens

Walking through the El Castillo Museum and the surrounding grounds had me feeling like I was living in a real-life fairytale. This splendid European-inspired castle is just a few years short of its 100th birthday and was transformed into a museum during the 1970s. 

The permanent exhibition houses a ton of antiques and treasures, mostly consisting of paintings, sculptures, and porcelain, but it’s the gardens that steal the show. Every corner of the grounds is kept in immaculate condition, and you could easily spend an hour admiring the architecture.

Entry to the gardens costs 20,000 COP ($5 US), while 24,000 ($6 US) will give you access to both the museum and the grounds.

15. See the Casa de la Memoria Museum

As upbeat and full of life as Medellin is today, it’s important to understand the hardship that locals lived through for years and how the city bounced back.

One of the most gut-wrenching but informative things to do in Medellin is to stop by the Casa de la Memoria Museum . 

This exhibit uses videos, photos, and artifacts to depict what the city was like during and after Escobar’s reign and pays tributes to the countless victims who lost their lives to drug-related violence.

It’s certainly a heavy and sobering experience, but one that I don’t think you should miss out on if you have time on your hands.

There’s no entry fee to the museum, and you’ll be given a free audio guide on arrival.

16. Explore the Laureles neighborhood

El Poblado is the go-to district for most tourists, and for good reason, but its more eclectic and hip counterpart, Laureles, has recently been dubbed the world’s coolest neighborhood.

Laureles has a much more local feel to it and is generally frequented more by the likes of digital nomads than vacationers. It’s not quite as affluent as El Poblado, but this trendy part of town has a growing collection of cafes, restaurants, and bars.

If you’re in the area, consider checking out Rituales for a quick brew or the locally-loved Mondongo’s for classic Colombian fare. Make sure you arrive hungry, as you’ll want to sample a little bit of everything here.

17. Visit the Medellín Modern Art Museum

Moving back over to El Pablado, this time, we’re heading to the Medellín Modern Art Museum .

This place was truly a feast for the eyes, and each and every piece inside was so unique and thought-provoking. I wouldn’t typically be an art connoisseur by any means, but I loved checking out the 3D paintings, quirky sculptures, and funky installations.

Most of the works are accompanied by English descriptions, which makes understanding the background or message behind each piece much easier, as many of them relate to Colombian history and culture.

Tickets go for 16,500 COP ($4 US) each, though they’re often available for a discounted price if you purchase them online.

18. Join a street food tour

Discover some dreamy Colombian bites through this guided street food tour, during which you’ll munch on five different street foods over the course of three flavor-filled hours.

This particular outing takes place along the streets of El Poblado, where your local guide will take you to some of the area’s best-loved street vendors to try a myriad of local favorites. Also included is a visit to a picture-perfect rooftop to snap some stellar Insta-worthy photos.

Before the tour wraps up, your guide will fill you in on some other spots in the neighborhood to add to your list, from the most happening bars to the hidden gems offering the finest bandeja paisa and ajiaco.

If you’re based in El Pablado for the duration of your stay, this tour is also a fantastic way to get a feel for the neighborhood, as it typically doubles as a walking tour.

19. Visit Parque Explora

Parque Explora is a huge science museum and is rightfully amongst the best things to do in Medellin for kids or on a rainy day.

It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to Parque Explora, as there are dozens of exhibitions based on everything from dinosaurs to the solar system. Many of the displays are interactive or feature hands-on experiments, making for a fun-filled visit for all ages.

Even if you’re not keen on spending a couple of hours going between the exhibits, you should stop in and check out the massive freshwater aquarium inside, which happens to be the largest in South America.

The park is also right by the Botanical Gardens, so many people combine these two spots when they’re here.

A ticket will set you back 48,000 COP ($12 US), and reduced fees are often in place for families. There’s also a planetarium onsite, which requires an additional fee of 31,000 COP ($8 US) per person.

20. Go paragliding in the Colombian Andes

Any adventure-seekers reading this will be glad to know that Medellin also has something to offer visitors seeking out an adrenaline-fueled excursion.

Paragliding over the Andes is something you’ll never forget. Between the thrill of soaring above the mountains and the remarkable scenery, there’s nothing quite like it.

Your flight will set off just 45 minutes from Medellin, and this tour includes round-trip transportation, so there’s no need to worry about getting to and from the starting point. 

Once you arrive, you’ll be introduced to your instructor and given a rundown of the safety requirements. Shortly after, you’ll take to the skies for a spine-tingling tandem flight over spots like the Garcia Barrage and El Quitasol Hill. 

Needless to say, it can get pretty chilly when you’re gliding above the Andes, so it’s a good idea to layer up before you get started.

Where to Stay in Medellin

Medellin has many different neighborhoods but when it comes to the best places to stay, I’d recommend either El Poblado or Laureles.

El Poblado is the most popular neighborhood for tourists and with good reason. It’s a trendy, upscale area that boasts a ton of restaurants, cafes, and nightlife options. Many Airbnb rentals and hotels can be found here, though you’ll find it to be one of the more expensive areas in Medellin.

Laureles is the cooler and quirkier cousin of El Poblado. It’s a bit more local, but still has plenty of restaurants and bars to keep you entertained. Accommodation here tends to be slightly cheaper than El Poblado, making it a great option for those traveling on a budget.

Check out my top hotel recommendations below, with options for every budget and travel style.

• Luxury |  Elcielo Hotel & Restaurant  – A swanky boutique hotel in the heart of El Pobaldo, Elcielo Hotel & Restaurant is brimming with top-class amenities, including a chic pool area, a spa, and a fantastic restaurant.
• Mid-range |  Sites Hotel  – With stylish rooms, a rooftop sun deck, and a convenient location, Sites Hotel in El Poblado is the ideal place to rest and recharge. They also offer apartments if you prefer to do your own cooking.
• Budget |  Hotel Bh El Poblado  – You don’t have to break the bank to find a sophisticated hotel that’s close to everywhere you need to be. Hotel bh El Poblado features sleek rooms, a well-equipped fitness center, and an onsite restaurant.

Planning a trip to Colombia?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Colombia. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

• The Ultimate 2 Weeks in Colombia Itinerary
• 3 Days in Cartagena: The Perfect Cartagena Itinerary for First-Timers
• 18 Best Things to Do in Cartagena You Can’t Miss
• Where to Stay in Cartagena: 6 Best Areas & Hotels
• How to Spend 3 Days in Bogota: The Ultimate Bogota Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Bogota: 5 Best Areas & Hotels
• 10 Unmissable Things to Do in Salento, Colombia (+ Tips for Visiting)
• 3 Days in Medellin: The Perfect Medellin Itinerary for First Timers
• Top 20 Things to Do in Medellin You Absolutely Can’t Miss
• 13 Best Things to Do in Guatape, Colombia
• Luxury Glamping in Guatape: Bosko Hotel Review

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The Definitive Guide of Things to See and Do in Medellin, Colombia

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Medellín, Colombia is much more than what you see on the show Narcos , while this city was once a place where no tourist would come, it has evolved into one of the hottest tourist destinations in all of South America. And it’s for a good reason: there are a lot of awesome things to do in Medellin, Colombia!

I’ve lived in Medellin on and off for a number of years now. It’s my home away from home. Here’s a list of things I think everyone should see and do in Medellin, and also one thing that tourists should definitely NOT do .

This list is directed at the short-term visitor, to provide them with a complete and varied view of where to start in Medellin, but if you plan to stick around for the long-term, there are tons of events and activities to keep you busy here.

These things to do in Medellin are in no particular order, so if you’re looking for something a little more organized and structured, then check out my article on 3 days in Medellin .

On to my definitive guide of things to do in Medellín, Colombia… Since this is such a comprehensive list, I’ve also included a Top 10 wrap-up at the end.

Table of Contents

Visit plaza botero.

• Museo de Antioquia

Downtown Walking Tour

Plaza de san antonio, drink colombian coffee, wander around jardin botanico, learn something at parque explore, planetario de medellin, take in the view at pueblito paisa, eat at mercado del rio, museo de arte moderno, ride the metro cable, find nature at parque arvi, eat bunuelos, go salsa dancing, medellin tours, visit a castle, visit the 3 cordilleras brewery, parque lleras nightlife, try to finish the bandeja paisa, parque de los pies descalzos, museo de agua, explore envigado, eat empanadas envigadenas, casa museo otraparte, parque de las luces, soccer game in estadio, drink aguardiente, attend the flower festival, metropolitan cathedral, get lost in el hueco, la minorista, santafe mall, visit a nearby pueblo, pablo escobar tours, my top 10 things to do in medellin, where to stay in medellin.

Plaza Botero is perhaps the most emblematic of all of Medellin’s tourist attractions and is beloved not only by Medellin but throughout all of Antioquia (the regional department or state).

Fernando Botero is Medellin’s most famous artist, who is internationally renowned for his plump or fat figures.

Plaza Botero is full of larger-than-life statues and is a free attraction in the city center. The lovely Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture sits on the square, along with Medellin’s famous metro (another source of pride), and Coltejer Tower looming above.

Right along Plaza Botero is the Museo de Antioquia , the most important and significant museum in Medellin . Inside you will find a large collection of Botero’s most famous paintings along with a number of his sculptures.

The museum also holds exhibits from a number of international artists, early art from the conquest of the Americas, and other important cultural attractions.

The museum has a modest entry fee but is absolutely worth doing while you are downtown, and it is without a doubt, the best of the many museums in Medellin.

Read More: The Best Museums in Medellin

Speaking of downtown, the free Medellin walking tour (in English) put on by Real City Tours is one of the best things to do in Medellin for new arrivals . The tour itself is free , but they ask for a donation at the end, whatever you want to pay.

Downtown Medellin can be a bit rough and intimidating, especially for new visitors who usually stay in nicer neighborhoods like Poblado or Laureles . So the walking tour is an excellent introduction to get your bearings.

The walking tour is about four hours long and takes you through some of the highlights (and lowlights) of Medellin’s tumultuous history as well as passing through some of the main downtown Medellin attractions ranging from Alpujarra, Parque Berrio, Plaza Botero, and more.

I only wish I would’ve taken the tour as soon as I arrived on my first visit to Medellin — it is best to do this on your first full day in Medellin. 

Read more about the other Medellin tours that I recommend, like the incredible barrio transformation tour and the exotic Colombian fruits tour .

If you’d rather explore it on your own, be sure to check out my comprehensive guide to the Medellin Centro which covers all the highlights of the walking tour and plenty more that they don’t, including places to go, where to eat, and drink, safety, and much more.

This free tour is a great way to get a feel of the city from a local perspective because honestly, this city is best explored like a local and by understanding the story of Medellin. If you don’t know anyone in Medellin, I’d recommend contacting this company to have a local Colombian plan your trip. I’ve organized a 5% discount with them for all my readers.

Read More: Free Downtown Medellin Walking Tour

Be sure to visit Plaza de San Antonio, an expansive public plaza located on the southern end of the downtown core, and directly adjacent to the station that connects the two metro lines.

While the plaza itself is nice, the real reason to come here is to see the Botero statue that was blown up.

In 1995, 22 pounds of dynamite were stuffed into the bird statue before a large concert took place. It was detonated in the midst of the festivities and killed 30 people and injured 200 or more .

The bomb was attributed to the terrorist group FARC which was unleashing chaos on the local residents.

Botero asked that they leave the statue in San Antonio as a reminder of the violent history that has plagued this city. A new bird sits beside the old bombed-out shell, as a vision of Medellin’s peaceful future.

Ah yes, the world-famous Colombian coffee . No visit here would be complete without savoring some of the local coffee.

Colombians themselves most commonly drink tinto — small cups of instant coffee loaded with sugar — while the majority of the best coffee is exported abroad.

BUT, coffee culture has been on the rise here and a number of local chains and independent coffeehouses have sprouted up.

The most well-known is most certainly Juan Valdez, which is worth going to. But I’d also recommend checking out El Pergamino in Poblado , or Rituales in Laureles for a more indy coffee scene.

I’d highly recommend doing a coffee cupping here in town as well to learn more about the precious bean we all know and love.

Read More: The Best Coffee in Medellin, Colombia

The Botanical Gardens are located north of El Centro, in an area known fittingly as Zona Norte .

This space isn’t massive, but it’s the size of at least a dozen city blocks — a small green refuge in a big bustling city.

I love wandering around the little lake and looking for birds or iguanas , going to the small butterfly house, or just wandering beneath the towering roof of the orchid exhibit.

For those craving a little zen and tranquility, Jardin Botanico is one of the best in Medellin. Oh, and it’s 100% free!

Parque Explora is an interactive science museum located just beside the Jardin Botanico. Now, I know some people might think a science museum would be boring, but Medellin does museums really well .

As I said, the museum focuses on fun and interactivity, so they’ve got hands-on activities that demonstrate everything from physics to neuroscience, to communication and perception itself.

It’s fun to feel like a kid again and wander through the exhibits .

They also have a sizable aquarium and a terrarium with some of the strange creatures that inhabit this tropical country. The golden poison dart frogs are quite cool, the most poisonous frogs in the world and which come from Colombia.

The Planetario de Medellin is located directly adjacent to Parque Explora and the Botanical Garden and makes for an excellent addition to a busy day in Zona Norte.

It is administered by Parque Explora, which means the focus is on interactivity with education. Here you’re not just reading about the gravitational pull between planets or the Coriolis effect, but seeing how it works in an interactive way.

The highlight, of course, is the theater located under the massive dome. The movies will take you on an immersive journey through space.

There are also special events held here on occasion, like when they had the Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon show here, which was really cool! Keep your eyes open for things like that.

Pueblito Paisa is a mock pueblo (town) like you would find in the countryside, but located in the heart of Medellin atop Cerro Nutibara.

The “village” itself is quaint and somewhat interesting. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs for friends and family.

But the real attraction for me is taking in the 360 views of the city, right from the center.

You can see the downtown cluster, the sprawling neighborhood of Belen, or the many glistening towers of Poblado and beyond.

I’d recommend coming here at around 5 pm so you can take in the city during the daylight, catch a (hopefully) beautiful sunset over the mountains, and then watch as the twinkling lights emerge.

Fun fact: there are a series of concrete slides that will take you down off the top of the hill. Find them, it’s fun!

There’s an amazing  gastronomic dining destination here known as Mercado del Rio.

It’s a massive warehouse in Ciudad del Rio that has been converted into a mid to upscale food court (for lack of a better word).

This place was a pioneer within Colombia but has since spawned competitive offshoots in Medellin like the Mercado del Tranvia (small, but still very cool) in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Medellin or the new market in Bogota .

The Mercado del Rio was modeled on places like the Chelsea Market in Manhattan, a place where patrons can come and choose from nearly 50 different restaurant stalls.

Nowhere else can you find such a great variety of eats under one roof. Indeed, it can actually be difficult trying to decide on just one thing.

The Modern Art Museum of Medellin (or El MAMM) is at the heart of the urban renewal and renovation taking place in Ciudad del Rio.

It is partially housed in an old warehouse that has since been expanded upon with a massive modern structure connecting at the back.

El MAMM houses an impressive collection of modern art , including work by the notable artist Deborah Arango, and a frequent rotation of temporary exhibits.

The terraces on the upper floors of the museum are awesome for the view.

The museum also frequently hosts open-air movie nights and other events on its premises. Slip around back for a coffee at Ganso & Castor. If you’re here on the last Friday of the month, entrance is free!

The famous Medellin Metro Cable… It was built as an integrated part of Medellin’s metro system in order to provide public transport to the poorer communities that live along Medellin’s upper reaches.

It is among the most innovative and progressive pieces of urban development (many cities in Latin America have been turning to Medellin as a model) and has inadvertently become a major tourist attraction as well.

For just the price of your metro ticket, you can board the gondolas that will take you to the upper reaches of Medellin.

Hope off at Santo Domingo and take in one of the greatest views of Medellin.

While this neighborhood was once among the most dangerous , it has been revived by this infrastructure investment.

You don’t need to worry about walking around during the daytime in the immediate vicinity of the metro station, it’s quite safe .

From the Santo Domingo station, you can board another gondola cable car (the ticket is apart from the metro) and head deep in Parque Arvi, a large nature reserve that sits on the high slopes above Medellin.

Here you will find ample hiking trails and activities like horseback riding, or you’ll find picnic areas, or streams to wander along.

It’s an incredible way to link nature to the accessibility of the city through public transport. Another one of Medellin’s innovations.

If the temperatures are too hot in the valley, you can head up here to escape the heat and reconnect with nature.

No foreign travel experience is complete without trying some of the local eats. Bunuelos are fried little bread balls with cheese mixed into the dough that is absolutely delectable .

You’ll find bunuelos all over town, but the trick is finding them fresh.

They’ve got to be recently fried so you get that crunchy warm goodness, and not reheated which will make them lose their appeal.

While Medellin is predominantly a reggaeton city, salsa is also quite popular among those who love to dance.

I’m not much of a dancer, but I’ve given salsa dancing a try a few times, and it’s a blast. Medellin has a few really popular salsa clubs , so if you’re going to go, make it one of these three:

• Son Havana, located near Laureles
• El Tibiri, located along 70 near Estadio
• El Eslabon Prendido, located in El Centro

Any of these locations is sure to be hopping on a Friday night and you’ll see some pretty impressive moves.

Medellin is also a great place to take salsa lessons if you’re keen to learn, rather than flailing about.

While I generally prefer to explore a city on my own, it’s hard to deny the appeal of certain organized tours where everything is taken care of for you and you get a much quicker insight and understanding of local customs, culture, and history.

If you’re uncertain about your ability to travel independently or just want to maximize your time in this incredible city, then taking a guided tour or activity is hard to beat.

Check out some more of the awesome tours you can do in Medellin here .

No list of Medellin would complete without arepas , of course. The arepa (while also common in Venezuela and Panama ) goes hand in hand with Colombia.

The arepa is a thick little corn tortilla that is toasted up and eaten at almost any time of day.

It’s the typical breakfast of locals, toasted and served with butter and cheese. But it can also be topped with pretty much anything imaginable.

You can scramble some eggs and ham and throw it on top, with rice, or whatever you want.

A number of restaurants, like J&C, specialize in arepas with whatever fixings you desire.

I wasn’t a huge fan of arepas at first, but have grown to love them. I eat them almost every day.

Arepas are a staple of Colombian food but don’t miss my more complete guide to what to eat in Colombia here .

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El Castillo, the Castle, is located high on the hill above Poblado… Yes, there is a castle in Medellin , oddly enough.

It was once the extravagant home of a wealthy businessman but has since been turned into a museum or park for the masses to enjoy.

The interior of the castle itself is quite interesting — a peek at a different time (and socioeconomic status).

But the best part here is the lovely gardens and a sweeping view of the city.

El Castillo is a great place to go on a date, or bring a picnic lunch and just hang out.

You might even catch sight of the macaws that make their rounds through Medellin — they were released by the zoo once upon a time, but have adapted to life in the city. They aren’t actually native to Medellin.

Similar to the coffee culture, beer culture is a relatively new phenomenon here as well. Most of the national brews are the typical watered-down beer like Budweiser, but a number of breweries have been making in-roads both in Medellin and in Bogota.

The best in Medellin, in my opinion, is 3 Cordilleras, they’ve got about five craft beers which are sold throughout many bars in town.

But the most fun is to visit the actual brewery near Industriales during one of their Thursday – Saturday night open houses.

For about $10 you get five beers, live music (usually rock ‘n roll), and a commemorative glass (or you can return it for a few pesos back). It’s always a great time at the urban warehouse.

They even give tours of the brewery if you get there early. Another runner-up is the 20Mission Brewery near the edge of Ciudad del Rio and Manila — also pretty cool.

Read More:  Visiting the 3 Cordilleras Brewery

Paisas (the name given to locals) love to party, that is undeniable. Parque Lleras lies at the center of El Poblado , the most upscale and elegant neighborhood in town, and it serves as the heart of nightlife here in Medellin.

Let’s just say that this is one of the top things to do in Medellin at night on a given weekend because thousands of people pack the streets every weekend to patronize the hundreds of bars in the area.

There are clubs on top of clubs and the whole scene is pretty wild. Even if nightlife isn’t your thing, it’s still a place that you should check out at least once during your visit to Medellín.

Just don’t be that traveler who never leaves El Poblado , there’s much more to this city. There are a lot of gringos out and about here, so if you want a more local nightlife scene, head to La 70 or 33.

If there is one dish you must eat at least once, it’s the Bandeja Paisa (the Paisa platter). It’s a massive plate of food, with a ton of meat (sorry, vegetarians!) and is emblematic of the region.

On your plate, you’ll find chorizo, ground beef, morcilla (blood sausage), chicharron, fried egg, beans, rice, and more.

If you get the full platter, it’s definitely a challenge to polish off everything . You’ll probably just want to go back to your hotel for a nap.

Look for Donde Dario (in Belen), Hatoviejo (various locations), or El Canasto del Balcon (in Envigado ), for a really good plate.

The Barefoot Park as it is known in English is a cool urban space where water features are aplenty, and placed alongside sandboxes (where you are meant to walk barefoot, hence the name), and greenery like towering bamboo.

The space is incredibly popular with families , as the children use it as a personal water park on hot afternoons.

But it’s also just a great place to relax, grab a bite to eat, or a fresh fruit juice and enjoy the day.

Medellin has become famous for public spaces like this.

Continuing walking to the west and you will encounter the incredible Parques del Rio, which is a pedestrian-friendly area that bridges both sides of the Medellin River, connecting downtown to Los Conquistadores.

The highway used to run here, at the level of the park, but tunnels were excavated to place traffic below ground, making more room for the people.

Yes, the water museum, it’s a pretty off-the-beaten-track place and not something that would immediately sound interesting, but as I’ve mentioned, Medellin does museums very well.

The Museo de Agua, located near Alpujarra and Barefoot Park is no exception.

The museum focuses on how water formed on planet earth and gave birth to life on earth, the importance of water, and environmental conservation, as well as shows where Medellín gets its water and where it comes from.

There are a number of exhibits that showcase the many different ecological zones of Colombia (from the paramo to the Amazon) which provide a great overview for future travels within Colombia.

It’s a cool museum, you should give it a chance, even if it’s just for a rainy day escape. Expect to spend about an hour here. Make a stop at the nearby de los Andes coffee shop or at the popular chain Tostao.

Envigado is Medellin’s little neighbor to the south. They used to be fully separated cities within the valley but have since melded together as the population swelled.

Envigado gives you a nice little taste of the typical small town , with the central square where old men hang out sipping Tinto and feeding the birds below the big white church.

The area is somewhat more laid back than Medellín itself and many locals and foreigners alike prefer living in Envigado for that reason.

Read More: The Best Neighborhoods in Medellin

Toward the north end of Envigado, you’ll also find an upscale dining area known as Jardines, where you can explore some of the most famous regional restaurants like La Doctora or El Trifasico, where the former President of Colombia himself goes to eat whenever he is in town.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Envigado

Empanadas are those delicious fried pockets of meat, rice, or potatoes that you can see being sold on every street corner.

The empanada of choice here are the empanadas envigadenas, ie from Envigado , which became famous locally for being so good.

I usually get empanadas at least once a week, it seems. Though be careful, they aren’t the healthiest things ( usually the tastiest things aren’t ).

You also can’t go wrong with the pasteles de pollo (meat pies) that they sell around town, there are both fried and baked versions. Personally, I prefer the baked ones.

Casa Museo Otraparte, located in Envigado near Jardines, is the former home of an important Colombian writer and philosopher known as Fernando Gonzalez.

While the museum itself might be of limited interest to foreign visitors, the idyllic gardens are another great retreat.

The on-site coffee shop is one of the best in town . They also host many cultural events ranging from movie nights to lectures on art, music, and more.

It’s a great space and it’s totally free. This was where I went to the free coffee cupping that I mentioned earlier.

There is a new modern library constructed just adjacent to the garden which offers an amazing rooftop terrace.

Though ajiaco is originally from Bogota , it is still popular and easy to find here in Medellin.

Ajiaco is like the local version of chicken soup with a few varieties of potato, a chunk of corn on the cob, and capers mixed in.

I love ajiaco, it’s one of the best foods in Colombia, I think.

Also known as Plaza Cisneros, the Park of Lights is another one of Medellin’s innovative public spaces.

It is located directly across from the government administrative center of Alpujarra, and was once a crime-infested and dangerous part of town , rampant with drug use and prostitution as soon as darkness fell.

The government decided to turn the lights on literally by installing tons of artistic light towers that light up and change colors throughout the night.

While the effect is obviously best enjoyed at night, it’s still a cool place to walk through during the daytime.

Look up and take a picture.

Colombians LOVE soccer. Well, I guess pretty much everyone loves soccer except for us Americans .

Attending a raucous game at the stadium is an unforgettable experience as you see the fans giving it everything they’ve got for 90-minutes while players run back and forth across the field passing the ball and almost nothing happens (but that’s soccer for you, ha).

There are two teams in Medellin, Atletico Nacional and DIM (just known as Medellin). The teams are rivals, so you’re either a fan of one or the other.

Nacional is the most popular (and more successful) of the two .

Any game is fun to attend, but you can be sure of a super intense game if the two play against one another, known as a superclasico .

Sit along the sidelines if you want a more normal experience, or sit behind the goals if you want to be part of the intense experience with the super fans .

Aguardiente literally translated means firewater and it is the local drink of choice here in Medellín.

It’s an anis-based drink, giving it the flavor of black licorice, ouzo, or Jagermeister.

Locals will buy a bottle (or two) of Aguardiente Antioqueno and sit around all night doing little shots .

I’m not a fan of black licorice, so it’s not my thing. But it’s fun to go out with the locals.

You can get either Tapa Azul or Tapa Roja — the blue top is without sugar and thus supposedly won’t give you as bad of a hangover. It’s pretty much the cheapest drink in town besides the $1 beers.

The Feria de las Flores happens only once a year, every August, but it’s an event that is so important and emblematic of Medellin, that you can’t miss it if you’re in town then .

The Silleteros, the flower carriers, create massive arrangements of flowers in all sorts of designs and styles. The artistic flower creations are mounted on a heavy wood display and then strapped to their backs as they parade these heavy things around town.

The streets pack with people who come to see this once-a-year event, and it is pretty cool to see, certainly unique to Medellin. Although you feel sorry for the little men and women under the crushing weight of these flowers, marching under the hot Colombian sun.

At the heart of downtown, you’ll find the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is the largest oven-baked brick church in the world, purportedly. While the church exterior isn’t opulent, it is an imposing church, and it sits on the edge of yet another beautiful urban plaza.

Directly south of the Cathedral, I’d recommend taking a stroll along the famous Junin Street , a pedestrian-only shopping area that has become so emblematic of Medellin that “juninear” became a local verb that means window shopping.

Along Junin be sure to stop at Astor Reposteria for the best bakery in town. The chocolate cake is absolutely incredible. You’ll thank me later.

Also, if you happen to be here on the first Saturday of the month, there is a massive and awesome open-air market with all sorts of handmade goods, antiques, art, crafts, edibles, and more. It is the biggest and best of this type of market, so be sure to head to Plaza Bolivar if you’re here on one of those Saturdays.

El Hueco translates as “the hole” and it is a busy market located in the center of downtown, just south of Plaza Botero.

Here you will find a series of city blocks that have been taken over by a ton of vendors selling all manner of goods from their little carts. Here you’ll find clothes, shoes, hats, and all sorts of things.

Supposedly the market began as intrepid vendors left the sidewalk and set up shop in the street, effectively closing it off to traffic. Once one person did it, everybody followed suit, effectively creating a large pedestrian-only shopping area.

As you walk among the stalls you’ll hear the locals repeatedly saying “a la orden” (at your service) and inviting you to take a look at what they are selling.

You can get really cheap prices here, even cheaper if you’re open to haggling. Stop in at the nearby Hare Krishna restaurant for an awesome vegetarian lunch.

La Minorista is the largest public market in all of Medellin. It is housed principally in a massive warehouse where you will find every type of food, fruit, veggie, and meat imaginable, as the interesting smells intermingle.

But the market also expands into other adjacent buildings where you will find everything from household goods, to animals for sale, to furniture, to electronics.

They’ve truly got everything here in La Minorista.

Prices can be incredibly cheap here if you know what you’re doing.

Mostly it’s just a place so very different from anything you’ll ever see back home, and it makes for a fun adventure. Come here on a weekday or Saturday (downtown can be especially lonely on Sundays) and you’re bound to see a bustling and interesting place.

This is the best place to see the huge selection and variety of exotic Colombian fruits that are available.

Medellin is a city of contrasts. Nothing could be more different from La Minorista, than the Santafe Mall, a luxurious and upscale shopping destination located near the Golden Mile — Medellin’s most upscale strip of real estate.

I’m not a big fan of malls, generally speaking, but t he locals here truly love malls , so you would be missing out on an important part of Medellin by not going. Indeed, there seem to be more malls here (all of them packed) than in any other place I’ve been.

The popularity of malls here can also be attributed to insecurity, as it is one of the few places where locals can go and let their guard down against violence, robbery, theft, etc. It is a place where families go for the entire day, a place where the kids play, shopping is done (sometimes, mostly it is just a place to be ), entertainment is had, and good food is eaten. 

As I said, I wouldn’t normally recommend a mall in a travel guide, but going will give you important insight into everything that locals have had to endure as a result of drug violence and rebel activity. 

Plus Santafe is a massive complex with hundreds of stores and is among the most impressive malls I’ve ever seen. Incredibly, the central courtyard actually has a retractable roof for those sunny days in the City of Eternal Spring .

Down south in Envigado and Sabaneta you can also find two equally massive malls, Viva Envigado and Mayorca which are both impressive in their own right.

I suppose this isn’t something to do in Medellin since I’m telling you to leave, but any visit to Medellin should include a day trip (or weekend trip!) to one of the many beautiful pueblos that surround it.

It’s something that many locals partake in as well on the weekends.

My two favorite nearby pueblos are Santa Fe de Antioquia and Guatape.

Santa Fe de Antioquia is located to the west, through one of the longest tunnels in South America, and features beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. It is considerably hotter than Medellin though, so keep that in mind.

Guatape is located in the opposite direction, up in the slightly cooler mountains, east of Medellin.

Here you’ll find the towering rock monolith known as La Piedra del Penol, which you can hike up the 800 or so stairs to the top. There’s also a massive lake on the grounds, a colorful little town, and lots of activities to do here.

Both are fun, but Santa Fe is more hot weather and hanging out by the pool and Guatape is interesting activities and beautiful views. I prefer Guatape, personally.

And finally, the ONE thing you should NOT DO while in Medellin … Please, don’t patronize the Pablo Escobar tours here.

With the influx of Western tourists who only know Colombia for cocaine and Pablo Escobar, a number of businesses have cropped up catering to these tourists.

They tend to glorify Pablo and take you to visit things like his grave, the house where he was killed, etc. One tour will take you to visit Pablo’s brother, who was complicit in Pablo’s crimes, so you can have coffee with him and take selfies.

Let’s talk about Pablo Escobar… Remember, he was a terrorist who nearly destroyed Medellin, killing thousands of people in the process, and throwing the reputation of an entire country into the gutter (even until today).

For most Colombians, Pablo Escobar is a figure as hated as Osama bin Laden, someone who has done incalculable damage to the country. The only Colombians that idolize Pablo are the poorest and most uneducated among them (or those making money selling shirts, souvenirs, or tours to visitors).

Pablo is not just some rebel gangster like Al Capone or Michael Corleone. We aren’t talking about prohibition-era hijinks or Hollywood movies.

Many Colombians still live with painful memories of the bombs and bloodshed left by him.

I went into more detail about why you shouldn’t patronize these Medellin Pablo Escobar tours in a follow-up article, so check that out if you need more convincing. Honestly, you can learn more by reading a book, talking with locals who lived during that time, and visiting some of the locales on your own — and all without rubbing salt in the wound of locals or patronizing people trying to make money off his infamy.

Rather than a Pablo Escobar tour, check out some of these other Medellin tours instead…

So there you have it, my definitive guide to what to do in Medellin, Colombia. I hope it proves helpful to you during your stay in Medellin, an absolutely incredible city that I love living in, although there are a few  things I hate about Colombia .

In order to boil this big list down into something more manageable for short visits, here is my top 10 guide… Or be sure to check out my itinerary for 3 days in Medellin which will give you a better idea of how to combine everything together.

• Free Downtown Walking Tour
• Dance Salsa at Eslabon Prendido, El Tibiri, or Son Havana
• Take the Cable Car to Santo Domingo and Parque Arvi
• Stroll through the Jardin Botanico in Zona Norte
• Catch Sunset from Pueblito Paisa
• Take in the chaos of the Minorista Market
• Go on the Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour
• Visit the MAMM (Medellin’s Museum of Modern Art)
• Head up to visit El Castillo

Now that you’ve decided on coming to visit this city, you are probably wondering where to stay in Medellin … There are a few main neighborhoods where most travelers stay and each one has a different sort of character or vibe. The most popular tend to be Poblado, Estadio, Laureles , and Envigado .

If you want to stay in the more upscale Poblado, my #1 pick is Los Patios Hostal Boutique in the Manila sector.

I’m particularly fond of Laureles , and my #1 pick there is Backpackers Inn Medellin near the Primer Parque. Be sure not to miss out on my comprehensive guide to the best Medellin hostels , which are also mapped out below for your convenience…

Traveling to Medellin soon?

Book your lodging on Booking.com now to save, or if you plan to stay longer, I highly recommend looking for a place on Airbnb . And don’t forget to purchase travel insurance for Colombia that will help protect you against illness, injury, and theft. I recommend World Nomads or SafetyWing which are both made for backpackers or digital nomads, and provide great coverage at an affordable price.

Read Next: Guide to Traveling to Colombia

Colombia Travel Tips

Important tips and resources for planning an amazing trip to Colombia, based on my years of traveling and living in Colombia.

Colombia Trip Planning

• Lonely Planet Colombia
• Momondo Flight Search
• ViaHero Itinerary Planning
• Booking.com
• SafetyWing Travel Insurance
• Get Your Guide Tours

Instructions

• Book a cheap fligh t to Colombia with Momondo , or better yet, start travel hacking so you can fly for free. Traveling between major cities is much better by flying, trust me.
• Plan a rough itinerary and how long you will spend at each destination. Use an itinerary planning service for custom recommendations and pick up Lonely Planet Colombia .
• Work a little every day to teach yourself Spanish , you'll want to know as much as possible before you arrive.
• Book cheap accommodation in advance, at least for the first destinations -- For hostels use: Booking , for cheap hotels use: Hotels.com , for apartments use: Airbnb .
• Reserve your on the ground tours and activities through Get Your Guide .
• Purchase travel insurance for Colombia with SafetyWing to protect yourself from illness, injury, and theft while in Colombia. VERY important. And be sure to read my article: " Is Colombia Safe? " for my honest opinion and safety tips.
• Sign up for my free emails about planning a better trip to Colombia, and be sure to check out my comprehensive guide about traveling to Colombia .
• Learn more money-saving tricks with my top budget travel tips .
• Put together your Colombia packing list .
• Enjoy this incredible country!

I hope this helped you plan your travels in Colombia! I know it can be a struggle to find accurate and on the ground information when traveling to a new place like Colombia, which is why I started writing so extensively about it!

If you have any questions about Colombia, budget travel, or anything else shoot me an email at [email protected].

(I love getting questions! That is how I get ideas for my blog posts and what to write about!)

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Did you find this helpful?

Please let me know with a comment on the blog below or reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram. Feel free to share a photo on Instagram with the #desktodirtbag hashtag once you put this into action!

If you enjoyed this post about things to do in Medellin, please take a moment to share it on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. Thanks!

Tips to Book Your Trip Now & Save Money

Book Your Flight Book a cheap flight with Momondo , they’re my favorite search engine. Or better yet, start travel hacking so you can fly for free. Another great search engine is Skyscanner .

Book Your Accommodation Book cheap accommodation in advance. For hostels I recommend HostelWorld , for hotels I use Booking.com or Hotels.com , and for apartments or longer stays, I use Airbnb . I like to check reviews on TripAdvisor prior to reserving.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance This is easy to overlook but SO important. It will help protect yourself from illness, injury, and theft while traveling. VERY important. And be sure to read my article about international travel insurance for more details

• SafetyWing (best for digital nomads)
• World Nomads (most comprehensive)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my budget travel resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list all the ones I use and recommend to save money when I’m on the road.

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Comments 41

Love your content! I’m new in Medellin, and look forward to trying out as many of your recommendations as I can! Thanks for doing it! 🙂

I liked the list until I read that “we tend to glorify” Pablo Escobar. It couldn’t be farther from the truth, and if you took the time to actually make a list of places to visit in Medellin, you should also be part of the change. If there are tours about Pablo Escobar, it’s not because we’re glorifying him, it’s quite the opposite. Sadly there are still many tourists who come here just looking for that and SOME people just take advantage of the opportunity. I’m glad you suggested that people shouldn’t do that because it’s just disrespectful and ignorant. But you should also know that we don’t deny our history, but we for sure are not glorifying a killer.

I wrote “they tend to glorify,” and the ‘they’ in this sentence refers to the Pablo Escobar tours, not Colombians, just to clarify, if you read that in another way. I stand by my comment that virtually all tours marketing themselves as “Pablo Escobar tours” are grabbing onto that fame/infamy and glorifying him, based on everything I’ve heard. To contrast that, there are reputable tours that focus on Medellin and Colombian history, which grapple with he who shall not be named, and in no way glorify him, indeed their focus is more on dismissing that very notion. But they also don’t market themselves as a “Pablo Escobar tour” — I’ve honestly never heard of a tour marketing itself as such that is *not* glorifying him and his memory. Read my article on Pablo Escobar tours to get a better idea of my stance — I’m a big fan of learning history, but that specific type of tour is not the way to do it.

Hola Ryan, You covered this very well and in great detail. We have lived here for a year now after trying Western Panama after 3.5 years.

In case your readers are not aware Easy Taxi is now Cabify. They merged and only the Cabify app works. We have not had much success here in Medellin with Uber. Elsewhere yes.

Cheers! John and Susan

Thanks, yeah, it is Cabify these days. I use Uber quite a bit here and it works pretty well, along with Beat which is like a cheaper version of Uber, but with Beat I usually need to wait a little longer for a vehicle.

Hi Ryan Thanks a ton for sharing your article on Medellin. We will be meeting with our family there in a month (4 kids and 6 adults), so we are exploring places to stay and visit since we are a big crowd on a budget, and all your suggestions are on my list. Much appreciated!

Good stuff, better than a lot of articles but a couple of things to note: 1) Algarabia café is closed now – I’d sub in Achiote Bistro (as much as I don’t want to give away this secret – also has some of the best deserts I may have ever had in my life) 2) Tinto in my experience has never been characterized as surgery instant coffee but rather another name for Americano – I’m on my seventh city in 6 weeks in Colombia and everywhere a Tinto is an americano…

Biggest reinforcements: 1) Museo de Antioquia – Modern Art section beats the modern art museum I think plus Fernando Botero collection is jaw-dropping 2) NO Escobar tours – you said all the reasons why.

Thanks, for the mention here about Algarabia, I’ve updated other articles like the one on Laureles or the best coffee in Medellin but forgot that I’d mentioned it here (updated now). To clarify, tinto is indeed black coffee whether instant or filtered coffee, but is only an Americano if it is espresso with hot water (same here as everywhere else). That being said, the vast majority of locals dump in one or two packets of sugar into their tintos. That’s also one way to immediately note the quality of the coffee shop or cafeteria you’re in, whether they bring a small bundle of sugar packets with the tinto, which is not a good sign…

Hi Ryan, super helpful! Question: How do you get around from place to place? Is there a bus on each corner or is a cab reasonably cheap? Thanks!

Hey Jay — cabs are everywhere and quite cheap, if you have a SIM card, grab Easy Taxi (or Uber). I generally get around by buses though, they are super cheap (like 60 cents) and will take you everywhere you need to go, but you’ll need to ask which buses to take. For things right on the main drag, you can’t go wrong with the Metro system. I’m working on a new sort of “logistics” guide to Medellin that should be publishing soon — stay tuned!

The best way to get around Medellin is by motorcycle (only if you are able to ride one of course). It is quick, better than anything else to avoid traffic congestion, and easy to park everywhere. Also if you are riding a motorcycle I would recommend other places like Las palmas viewpoint, or San Felix Viewpoint where you can do Paragliding over the city of Medellin.

I’d only really recommend that to experienced riders though. Drivers in Medellin are terrible and can be very unpredictable. I took motorcycle classes for the first time in my life here in Medellin, and while I survived (haha), I’ve seen SO many accidents with motos. I wouldn’t recommend it to inexperienced riders, that’s for sure.

Super helpful Ryan, thanks for putting this together!! Can’t wait to go to Medellin in a couple of weeks and stay in Laureles ;D

Enjoy your time here! It’s an awesome place. I’m down in Envigado exploring these parts now…

Thank you for this informative article. My husband and I are considering a trip to Colombia this summer and have a question. We would be bringing our two kids (ages 8 and 13). They are pretty good travelers. It sounds like there are a lot of things to do in and around Medellin that they would enjoy, but would the average tourist parent feel uneasy taking transit to the sights? Also, are you aware of any other Columbia travel bloggers who are parents?

I guess it would really depend on how much adventure travel or travel you’ve done with them in developing countries before. If you’ve traveled to Latin America before, then you’re probably already familiar with how things are here in Colombia. There isn’t anything here in Colombia that feels different or scarier really than traveling in Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, etc. There are elements of being street smart, not opening yourself up to being a victim, etc. In terms of actual danger to the kids, I don’t think there is any (they definitely shouldn’t be handling money, cameras, cellphones, etc while on the streets of big cities here), so the real targets would be the parents in terms of perceiving you guys as having something worth stealing…

I’m not personally aware of any family travel bloggers that have written about Colombia, but I’m sure they are out there. I just don’t really follow other travel bloggers, really. I’d love to hear about your trip if you come to Colombia.

Great article. Just came back from a visit to Medellin. I could relate to a lot of what Ryan writes in this article.

Awesome to hear! Hope you had a great time… I just returned back to Medellin recently.

Medellin city is full of danger, While Prof.Dr. Ramo Gencay was dancing salsa, He was kidnapped and killed by bandits at December 6, 2018 . He had two children.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/where-is-ramo-sfu-professor-disappeared-in-colombia-1.4215900 https://www.nsnews.com/news/north-vancouver-man-reported-missing-in-colombia-1.23535903

Yeah, I’ve been following this story for a few weeks… Terrible news. One should always be on alert here, especially when it comes to the nightlife here.

Do you have to buy a metro ticket every time you get on or is there a day pass type fare?

I believe you have to get a tarjeta civica now if you want a multi-ride fare…

Great article. I have not been in this city for many years now. I will be taking my family there for the holidays and it was great to read how much it has changed. I am Colombian and my family lived there during Pablo Escobar era (I was a kid), and thank you for pointing out those tours and advising people not to do them. A lot of people think that he was a hero but in reality he hurt this beautiful city so much.

Great article, really comprehensive and interesting! I’ve made a note of all these places (and food) for when I visit next month. Interesting about the Pablo Escobar thing – I had some friends recommend doing this tour, but I thought it didn’t seem quite right. I need better friends. It sounds amazing how they’re really transformed the city since the 80s-90s. Very excited about visiting. Thanks again! 🙂

Thank you for this Article, SPECIALLY the Don’t patronized Pablo! I am a Proud “paisa” living in the US, I really appreciate that! Great article, I needed ideas since I’m taking some friends to Medallo during the summer 2018.

Glad to hear that the article was helpful! Enjoy the return to the homeland. I just left Medellin a week ago and had a great time, as always.

Thanks for a great article Ryan! I’ve just arrived and this has been a huge help in figuring out what to see (and not..) while in town.

Hi Ryan, Thank you for the article. To visit the majority of this list how many days you think it could take? Also any city tour company that you know or recommend? Thank you.

I’d give it at least 4-5 busy days of sightseeing, although you would probably be better served by a week. I don’t have any city tour company recommendations, beyond the free walking tour mentioned. Hope you have a good trip.

Plan on visiting in June.. Your info should help me get the most out of a week stay.

What about nightlife?

Parque Lleras is the center for night life, which is located in Poblado. The two other big areas are La Setenta (near Estadio) and 33 (between Laureles and Belen). Lleras is the biggest scene. I don’t have many specific reqs there, but we enjoyed going to Blue. I’m more familiar with the Laureles area, so both 70 and 33. See my detailed article about Laureles for nightlife stuff too .

Thanks Ryan, awesome list. I came to Medellin without much prep and have seen so much more than I expected by following your recommendations. A really useful article which is quite rare on the Internet. Great job.

Awesome, so glad to hear Andres. Hope you had a most excellent time in Medellin.

Hey Ryan, Thanks for the information. I am planning my first trip to Colombia and wanted to get your thought if we should visit Medellin or Bogata. We do have some friends in Pereira that we want to visit. Let me know what you think.

Depends on what you’re looking for, but if you can only visit one, I’d personally pick Medellin over Bogota. But if you want more of the big cosmopolitan city and high Andes culture, then Bogota is your best bet.

What are your recommendations in terms of transportation around the city? Also, are there visitor’s kiosks anywhere where individual travelers can get information about bus lines and such? Many thanks!

The Medellin metro system works great, in my article on Laureles I talk quite a bit about transportation and getting around, including the buses, so be sure to check that out.

I think this is a nice article.. except i don’t agree on the Pablo Escobar thing.. I’m not a drug-user nor a drug-tourist and still this tour gave me a lot of information about the TRUE story… I can imagine there are some touroperators that are just telling the netflix-story people want to listen to. But don’t be judgemental about all the tours if you haven’t done one yourself. If at any place in the world you should take a tour with more information about this criminal then I think you should do it here. Or do you think people should stop visiting Auschwitz too because people try to make money on bad things that happened there? Offcourse they take you to his houses, the tour would be really weird if they walked around in parque arvi and just told the story knowing Medellin is full of proof of what he has done..?

Don’t you think the real place to avoid should be Parque Lleras? this is the real tourist trap..

I think that an Auschwitz visit is totally appropriate. The difference here would be if foreigners were going on a “Hitler Tour” following the success of a wildly successful Netflix series about Hitler’s life, where they get to take selfies with Hitler’s grave or the tour culminates in coffee and cookies with Hitler’s brother, or one of the leaders of the Nazi party like Himmler (aka someone who was complicit and instrumental in the horrors unleashed), where they again take big smiley selfies with him and get to ask him inane questions in broken German about their wacky war criminal adventures with Hitler back in the day.

But even so, that would be different, because most of the people targeted by Hitler fled Germany for Israel, the US, and elsewhere, and aren’t still living in the place where it all happened and are then confronted daily with foreign tourists flocking to the city to patronize these tours so they can walk in the footsteps of Hitler, leave things on his grave, meet his henchmen, and buy t-shirts with Hitler’s face on the front.

There’s no perfect analogy for these Pablo Escobar tours, because virtually no one glamorizes war criminals but there is plenty of glamour for drug kingpins.

In my opinion, Medellin should have a memorial or museum (like Hacienda Napoles) in the city where tourists can visit and learn more without going on a tour. The fact is that most Colombians (except the poor who idolize him and the agencies and operators peddling Pablo tours) would agree that foreigners patronizing these tours is kind of a slap in the face. You can learn a lot more from a book, talking to locals who lived through that period, and yes, even visiting the sites yourself if you deem it important to your understanding, and you can do all that without rubbing salt in the wound of locals or lining the pockets of tour operators making money off his infamy.

Excellent resource. I visited Medellin about 3 years ago and very much enjoyed the city. Plaza Botero is an extraordinary park–considering it has several sculptures on display from a world-class artist and is totally free! My ride on the cable cars was also a highlight.

Thanks! Yeah, there is so much to see and do in Medellin, it is truly an incredible city, often overlooked by many international travelers.

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11 must-see places and things to do in Medellín, Colombia

• Post author: Charlotte Hoareau
• Post published: May 14, 2024
• Post category: Travel inspiration / Trip itineraries & destination discoveries
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Located in the Aburrá Valley of the Andes Mountains, Medellín is a vibrant and colorful city that has changed a lot in the past years. Nowadays, it’s largely considered one of Colombia’s top destinations for travelers and digital nomads.

Last December, I traveled to Colombia with my boyfriend. We landed in the “City of Eternal Spring” for the first time, ready to discover its main attractions and vibrant nightlife.

We stayed in Medellín for less than a week before heading to Santa Marta and the Tayrona National Park , but I was able to visit quite a bit. 

Here’s a quick overview of Medellín and 11 things to do and see, plus 1 bonus activity for you to enjoy nearby.

Overview of visiting Medellín

With a population of around 4 million people (just a bit less than Montreal), Medellín is the 2 nd -largest city in Colombia after Bogotá and the capital of the department of Antioquia.

For a long time, Medellín was believed to be one of the most violent cities in the world. Its bad reputation mainly comes from its association with drug cartels and the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar.

This reputation hasn’t completely disappeared, but Medellín is nothing like it used to be. The city is now celebrated for its spirit of innovation and resilience! 

Overall, Medellín is now widely regarded as an affordable, beautiful city with a nice climate, attracting travelers and digital nomads from all over the world. 

Kevin, one of Flytrippers’ co-founders, also loved his month there back in 2017.

Medellín is also one of the many destinations in Colombia where you can get many free nights in nice hotels with the welcome bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card .

My experience in Medellín

You should definitely add Medellín to your travel bucket list. I found the people friendly (almost no one speaks English), the metro is great (especially the cable cars), and the food is tasty. 

My boyfriend and I arrived late at night, so we could admire the city lights on our Uber ride to our accommodation. 

If you’re Canadian, there is a dedicated kiosk at the border when you arrive in Colombia, where you must pay a new special reciprocity tax of 190,000 COP (~ C$80). This is a direct response to the tax imposed by the Canadian government on Colombians visiting the country. This tax can be paid by credit card (or in Colombian Pesos).

According to the official travel rules and entry requirements , proof of onward travel may be required, so we booked one. If, like us, you don’t want to take any chances, you can book a plane ticket that can be canceled free of charge within 24 hours on most U.S. airlines, and then cancel it within the following 24 hours. That’s completely free and much better than paying a service that charges you for that.

Like in any country, you can get a cheap eSIM like airalo (Andrew, Flytrippers’ other co-founder used airalo in Colombia in 2023) or get a really cheap local SIM card (I recommend Claro ). Both require having an unlocked phone but almost all new-ish phones are now.

In terms of safety, everyone was so afraid that I would get kidnapped in Colombia (literally), but, of course, nothing happened to me. The fact that I wasn’t solo traveling in this country really made me feel safer. 

That being said, a couple of travelers I met had their phone stolen at knife-point in the afternoon in Bogotá. So even if you feel safe, it is important to remain cautious and attentive in this country, more than in Canada obviously. 

Here are 11 things to do in Medellín.

1. El Poblado

El Poblado is the main upscale district in Medellín. It is pretty calm during the week, but can get wild on the weekends!

There are many restaurants, nightclubs, rooftop bars, and patios in all the streets around Parque Lleras .

In the area, you can also admire the colorful street art and visit the Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín (MAMM).

I went to many cafés in El Poblado. Plenty of them have good wi-fi for working, and the coffee is also excellent (as expected in Colombia). 

If you’re a coffee lover, El Poblado is a great place to join a coffee tour to visit local coffee farms and learn about the coffee-making process.

2. Laureles

Laureles is less frequented by visitors than El Poblado, yet it still has lots of cool places to go out and cafés to work from.

It’s a nice neighborhood and easy to explore on foot. Before lunch, we started with a long walk in Parque de Laureles. 

You can also visit the stunning Jardín Botánico de Medellín and the Mercado de Laureles .

In this neighborhood, you’ll find plenty of dance classes to learn how to salsa , bachata , or tango ! 

3. Plaza Botero

In the heart of La Candelaria , one of the city’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods lies Plaza Botero .

This square is known for its large bronze sculptures made by the famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero, originally from Medellín. I find his style truly unique. 

His sculptures depict voluptuous figures and animals. It’s one of the city’s most popular attractions.

4. Museo de Antioquia

Only a short distance from Plaza Botero, there is the Museo de Antioquia , an art museum with an extensive collection including both local artists as well as international masterpieces.

The most famous painting you’ll see there is Fernando Botero’s “The Death of Pablo Escobar” ( La Muerte de Pablo Escobar ). 

This painting depicts the dramatic, highly publicized killing of the Colombian drug lord in 1993.

5. Parque Arví

Parque Arví is perfect for nature lovers who enjoy hiking and picnics away from the city’s noise.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Corporación Parque Arví (@parquearvi)

Another element that makes this ecological nature reserve so special is getting there. You can hop on the Metrocable , a cable car that takes you up into the mountains and gives you amazing views of the park’s surroundings (more about this Metrocable below).

6. Free walking tour

Real City Tours and Beyond Colombia offer free walking tours to learn more about this incredible city.

Travelers from around the world come to Medellín hoping to do a Pablo Escobar tour , but, just so you know, this is quite controversial. Many locals disapprove of these tours because they tend to glorify criminal conduct.

7. Comuna 13

Comuna 13 used to be the most dangerous area in the city, but that was before! 

Residents have made significant efforts to transform it into a colorful and welcoming neighborhood, and it’s now one of the most visited districts in all of Medellín.

I highly recommend a tour with a local guide to learn more about the incredible story of this area. Learning more about the difficult yet hopeful history of this neighborhood was truly inspiring.

We explored art galleries, rode the iconic escalators ( escaleras eléctricas ), purchased souvenirs, admired unique views, and treated ourselves to delicious Colombian cuisine. 

I can honestly say that this was the highlight of my stay in Medellín. 

Don’t forget to try a Colombian Michelada! It’s a refreshing beer-based cocktail perfect for hot days, and many people sell it in Comuna 13.

8. Pub crawl

You want to party with other travelers like yourself? Join a pub crawl . There are lots of those in Medellín.

It’s a great and fun way to meet other travelers. 

The commune of El Poblado is, without a doubt, the place to be if you love to party.

9. Language exchange 

There are not many English-speaking Colombians, even in the more touristy places, so it is really a great city to learn Spanish. 

Language exchanges are great events to attend if you want to practice and learn.

It also gives you a unique insight into the local culture that you wouldn’t get if you stuck to only the popular attractions.

10. Cable car

Except for the line that goes to Parque Arví (line L), Medellín’s cable cars weren’t designed for travelers. 

They were designed as part of a social transformation initiative to transport locals who live high up in the mountains, far from the city center.

Still, I suggest you hop on to see the beauty of this city from above. We took the J and H lines, and the views were just breathtaking.

11. Pool day

Like most travelers, sadly I didn’t really know about travel rewards before joining the Flytrippers team, so I wasn’t able to take advantage of a pool day at a free hotel to relax a bit after busy days exploring the city.

The Four Points by Sheraton Medellin Hotel is in a great location in El Poblado and costs just 10,200 points per night (51,000 points for 5 nights).

The current welcome bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card gives you 53,000 points (or 106,000 points if your companion takes advantage of it too).

In addition to the pool, the hotel has a jacuzzi, sauna, and Turkish hammam. 

If you want another option, the Fairfield by Marriott Medellin Sabaneta requires even fewer points and is just outside Medellín in a smaller city known for its vibrant weekend activities.

Bonus: Guatapé

Guatapé is located in the countryside, only 79 kilometers from Medellín, so it’s perfect for a weekend city escape. 

Its nickname is the “Town of Zócalos” because locals decorate the façades of their homes with colorful bas-relief details called zócalos .

The most iconic thing to do in Guatapé is, without a doubt, to climb the El Peñón de Guatapé . This huge granite rock formation, also called “El Peñol” or “La Piedra”, is 200 meters tall (656 feet).

I spent a weekend in Guatapé in January 2024. I will write a detailed article about my experience very soon !

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The city of Medellín is now a top destination for travelers. Super colorful and dynamic, this city is a must on your itinerary if you’re going to Colombia. I went there this winter and definitely recommend these places in the city.

What would you like to know about things to do in Medellin, Colombia? Tell us in the comments below.

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2 Days in Medellin Itinerary: The Best of Colombia’s Second City

Food, coffee, street art, markets, galleries, history and amazing city views: Medellin has it all and then some. This is undoubtedly one of the best cities in South America.

With as little as one or two days in Medellin you can experience the best of this mesmerising city – just be prepared to wake up early!

Read on for a detailed, tailor-made two day itinerary for one my favourite places in Colombia .

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Is 2 days in Medellin enough?

To be completely honest, two days is pushing it. Medellin is a huge city that’s very spread out, with lots of different neighbourhoods.

There are enough things to do in Medellin to keep you busy for a week or more. I spent a full three weeks in the city and still didn’t get to see everything.

Knowing that not everyone has the luxury of time, I’ve tried to condense my favourite parts of Medellin into a practical short itinerary. But know that with just 48 hours in Medellin, you’ll inevitably have to make a few sacrifices.

This itinerary focuses on El Centro (the historic district) and includes parts of San Javier ( Comuna 13 ), El Poblado and Laureles. There is one major omission: Parque Arvi.

If you have an extra morning or afternoon in Medellin, try to find time to visit this green space to experience the walking trails and waterfalls. It’s very beautiful, as is the Metrocable ride over the hills and valleys to get there.

Where to stay in Medellin

If you only have 48 hours in Medellin, you’ll want to stay somewhere central to avoid losing too much time to transportation.

I recommend the Laureles neighbourhood, which has connections to both El Centro and El Poblado. There are dozens of great restaurants, cafes and bars in this district. The northern part of Laureles is especially convenient because it’s close to the metro line (with the closest station being Estadio).

El Poblado is another great option, especially if you’re looking to experience Medellin nightlife.

The Wandering Paisa

• Laureles district
• Dorms & doubles

• El Poblado district
• Doubles & singles

Quinta Ladera

• Doubles & suites

Factory Lofts

• Self-contained doubles

Check out this list of awesome Airbnbs in Medellin for apartment rentals in Laureles, El Poblado and beyond.

How to get from Medellin Airport to the city

Medellin’s international airport, José María Córdova, is located 20-25km from the centre of the city or around 45-60 minutes by road.

Taxis are available, but for ease, I recommend you pre-book an airport transfer to your hotel. My preferred provider Impulse Travel offers 24/7 transfers to any hotel in Medellin starting from $25.

Someone will be there to meet you at arrivals, and since payment is made online before you go, you don’t need to worry about having pesos on you.

Alternatively, the airport bus ‘busetas’ runs every 15 minutes 24/7 and costs around 10,000 COP. The buses depart from outside gates 2A and 2B. Tickets can be bought from the driver using cash. The bus stops at San Diego Mall before continuing to Hotel Nutibara in the centre. From there, you’ll need to walk or take a taxi the rest of the way to your accommodation.

How to move around Medellin

Medellin has a top-notch public transport system that makes it easy and affordable to get around the city. During the day, you can travel virtually anywhere using the interconnected metro rail and Metrocable (gondola) system.

A single metro fare currently costs 2,750 COP (around 70 US cents). You can save money by picking up a free rechargeable Civica card, currently available to buy at several metro stations including Itagüí, San Antonio and San Javier (bring your passport). You can top up your card at the station or at these locations around the city .

Civica fares are slightly cheaper (2,430 COP), but the main advantage is not having to queue for a single ticket, which can take a very long time during peak hour. It’s best to avoid the metro altogether between 5pm and 7pm Monday to Friday as it’s very crowded.

After dark, you should stick to using taxis and avoid walking or using the metro. I recommend downloading a taxi app such as Cabify or inDriver.

Day one in Medellin: El Centro & El Poblado

Get the perfect introduction to medellin on the free walking tour.

My number one thing to do in Medellin – and one of the best things you can do in Colombia as a whole – is join the Free Walking Tour hosted by Real City Tours.

Everyone who takes this tour raves about the knowledgeable guides and I’m no different. In my case, I have Caro to thank for giving me the best introduction to Medellin possible.

The itinerary focuses on downtown (El Centro) and traverses the city’s major streets, parks and plazas, including the Square of Lights, National Palace, Botero Square, Berrio Park, Junin pedestrian street, and Bolivar Park. Along the way, you’ll pick up tons of information about the city’s history and transformation along with practical travel tips – including what it means to ‘not offer papaya’ whilst in Colombia.

Tours depart Monday to Saturday at 9.30am from Alpujarra metro station. Average duration is 3.5-4 hours. Online reservations for the Free Walking Tour are essential – book here , and don’t forget to confirm your place by following the instructions on the website.

If your first day in Medellin is a Sunday or a holiday when the free tours don’t operate – or even if you just prefer a one-on-one tour – this private 5-hour city tour covers a similar itinerary with a few additions and includes hotel transfers.

Bandeja Paisa for lunch at Hacienda

After a long morning on foot, it’s time to recharge the batteries with a hearty Colombian feast. Bandeja Paisa (‘Paisa platter’, Paisa being the name for people from this region) is the country’s national dish and it has its roots in Medellin and the coffee farms of Antioquia Department.

The traditional worker’s lunch (or breakfast) is essentially a heavy medley of beans, blood sausage, chorizo and chicharrón (deep-fried pork rind) served alongside rice, arepas, and topped off with fresh avocado and a fried egg. If it sounds like a heart attack on a plate, that’s because it kind of is. But heck, it’s totally worth it.

Everyone has their own opinion on who serves the best Bandeja Paisa in Medellin. Personally, I really love the finca-to-table version served at Hacienda. Their Juna branch near Parque Berrio is convenient to reach from the end-point of the Free Walking Tour, and it has a lovely open-air dining veranda where you can sit in the fresh air.

With a side of Patacones (plantain fritters), one portion of Bandeja Paisa is enough for two people, or you can opt for a single-serve ‘Mini Bandeja’. Order a glass of icy cold lemonade to wash it down.

The Museum of Antioquia

With a full belly and a full heart, briefly return to Plaza Botero (a key stop on the Free Walking Tour) so reexamine any of the 23 Botero sculptures that caught your eye first time around. The bulging forms might hit a little closer to home now that you have the first Bandeja Paisa under your belt!

The Museum of Antioquia (Museo de Antioquia) is my top choice of museum in Medellin and opens directly onto the plaza. Budget around 45-60 minutes to stroll through the permanent exhibitions of Botero and Pedro Nel Gómez paintings. The museum’s Mona-Lisa-moment is standing in front of Botero’s ‘Death of Pablo Escobar’ (1999), which depicts the infamous gangster’s demise on Medellin’s rooftops.

The museum is open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday. Entrance costs around 18,000 COP. If you’re planning to visit Medellin in high season, you may want to pre-purchase a skip the line ticket to save time.

Before departing El Centro, take a moment to duck into the Rafael Uribe Palace of Culture (also on Plaza Botero). On your way to Parque Berrio metro station, pop back to Berrio Plaza for the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, Medellin’s oldest church.

A great view of the church facade over the treetops can be found from the station platform.

Spend the afternoon cafe-hopping in El Poblado

Ride the metro A line south to Poblado station and set about exploring one of Medellin’s most vibrant districts by foot. El Poblado is a cornucopia of coffee shops, street art and hip bars. Sample Colombian specialty at Pergamino ahead of an early dinner at Carmen .

Optional: Sunset at Pueblito Paisa

Party on at one of the bars near Park Lleras in El Poblado, or if you have the energy, take a 20-minute taxi ride across the river to the top of Nutibara Hill. As well as astonishing sunset city views, you can see the cute Pueblito Paisa lit up at twilight.

Pueblito Paisa is a model Antioquian pueblo or small town with a central square and colourful facades built using materials salvaged from a real pueblo near Guatape. As one of the most popular attractions in Medellin, it’s very touristy and can be overcrowded, but it’s a nice spot nonetheless especially at blue hour.

Grab a quick drink or a late-night snack at one of the bars before heading back to your accommodation by taxi. The park closes at 9pm.

Day two in Medellin: Markets, street art & barrios

Wake up early for the plaza minorista fruit market.

The Plaza Minorista José María Villa is one of Medellin’s many vibrant fruit markets where you can taste the tropical delights Antioquia Department (AKA Colombia’s Fruit Bowl) is so famous for.

It kicks off bright and early at 4.30am daily; I recommend arriving by 9am to see the most plentiful array of produce and experience the full-throttle energy that grips the market in the morning trading hours.

The multi-storey market hall houses more than 3,000 stalls. You can find all kinds of Colombian fruits here, from the slimy to the spiky, including maracuyá, zapote, mangosteen, curuba, avocados as big as your head, and much more.

Take the stairs to the upper concourse to peer over the balcony onto the market floor. Before you depart, grab a juice from one of the stalls – the fruit combo of your choice blended fresh to order over milk or ice – but save breakfast for the next stop.

Breakfast at Placita de Florez

Take a taxi or bus 3.5km to Bombona district and the Placita de Flórez, your second market of the day. The oldest covered market in Medellin (it first opened in 1891), it’s not quite as atmospheric or photogenic as the Minorista, but it’s still very much worth a visit.

After a quick lap of the ground level to admire the fresh-cut orchids and bouquets, head downstairs for the star attraction: A delicious breakfast of arepas de chócolo , sweet corn arepas served with a slab of soft, salty queso cheese on top. These babies are life-changing and this particular shop sells some of the best in the city.

Memory House Museum

Staying in the Bombona district, walk 5 minutes east to the Memory House Museum (Museo Casa de la Memoria). Founded in 2006 by the Victim Assistance Program of Medellin City Hall, this is a unique space created for local people and outsiders to reflect on Medellin’s history of gang violence and armed conflict.

You need at least an hour to read the moving first-hand accounts and watch the interactive displays. It’s beautifully curated and not at all in-your-face; though sombre, it will deepen your understanding of modern-day Medellin and prepare you for your afternoon to come.

The museum is open from 9am Tuesday to Friday and from 10am on weekends (closed Mondays). If you have time, a stroll around Bicentenario Park along the Santa Barbara stream behind the museum is a nice way to end your visit.

Lunch in Laureles

Take a bus or taxi back across the river to Laureles, one of Medellin’s leafy suburban districts. As well as beautiful churches and parks, you’ll find a surplus of outdoor restaurants in this area serving up Menu del Día or Menu of the Day specials.

A fixed price lunch normally includes a cold drink, a soup or salad, a hearty main meal and a small dessert for around 15,000 COP (3.80 USD). Naturalia Café (vegetarian), Saludpan and Achiote Bistro are all fine choices.

Comuna 13 street art tour with a local guide

After lunch, it’s time to head up into the hills and visit Medellin’s most iconic barrio , San Javier – better known as Comuna 13 .

It’s essential to visit with a local guide both for practical reasons and to make the most of your time. This private Comuna 13 tour starts at 2pm and includes hotel pick-up. Rendezvous with your driver and guide somewhere in Lareles.

To get to Comuna 13, you’ll be riding the iconic Metrocable cable car over the Alburra Valley. Soak up the views from the gondola window as you zip along the scenic J Line to San Javier.

Once a violent city, Comuna 13 is now a symbol of the ‘new Medellin’ and a powerful reminder of the country’s social transformation . Your guide will lead you to the most poignant murals and the most scenic viewpoints, accessed via the famous escaleras electricas (outdoor escalators).

As with the Free Walking Tour, a local guide is invaluable for adding context and colour to your experience. You’ll hear personal (often heart-wrenching) personal tales, and get a chance to stop and speak with other people who call Comuna 13 home.

Optional: End your 2 days in Medellin by listening to live tango at Salon Malaga

The tour wraps up at around 7pm. Request a transfer back to your accommodation or if you’re still buzzing from your epic day, get dropped off on Calle 51 in La Candelaria for one more truly unforgettable Medellin experience.

A Medellin institution since 1957, Salón Málaga is one of the city’s last remaining traditional piano bars. It beats even the best Medellin nightclubs any day if you ask me. Find a seat amongst the vintage jukeboxes and listen to the smooth sounds of live tango or salsa over a shot of anise-flavoured Aguardiente .

If you feel like cutting a rug, mix it with the locals who love to dance the night away here (until closing time, around 11pm, anyway).

Take a taxi back to your accommodation and say “goodnight” to Medellin one last time.

Colombia trip essentials

Here are some of the websites and services I recommend for planning a trip to Colombia. Remember to check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.

FLIGHTS: Find affordable flights to Colombia using the Skyscanner website .

VISAS: Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa or a Health Declaration form for Colombia and apply for your documents online.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip to Colombia with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Book a safe and reliable private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Medellin , Bogota or Cartagena (prices start from $18 per group).

ESIM FOR COLOMBIA: Stay connected during your trip – pre-purchase an eSIM for Colombia and get online as soon as you arrive without having to visit a phone shop.

CAR HIRE: Use the Discover Cars website to compare prices and features across all the major car rental companies.

ACCOMMODATION: Find the best Colombia hotel deals on Booking.com .

CITY TOURS & DAY TRIPS: Browse the Viator website to find the best day trips, city tours, Colombian cooking experiences and more.

Further reading for Medellin & Colombia

• 30 best things to do in Medellin , your travel bucket list
• Best markets in Medellin , Colombian fruit, flowers and more
• 30 authentic Colombian souvenirs , the best things to by in Colombia
• Visiting Medellin’s Comuna 13 , things to know before you go
• Things to do in Colombia , your ultimate Colombia bucket list
• Guide to Jerico , Colombia’s loveliest pueblo
• El Despertar Hotel , Jerico’s best accommodation
• Guide to Jardin , Colombia’s most colourful small town
• Colombian coffee tour , from bean to cup in Concordia
• 20+ things to do in Bogota , Colombia’s capital on the fly
• Colombian cooking class , in the kitchen in Bogota
• 30 best places to visit in Colombia , the ultimate bucket list

For anyone planning to follow this itinerary, DO NOT get the metro to PLAZA MINORISTA FRUIT MARKET. Although the metro is safe and easy to use, the walk to the market from Plado is NOT safe. We had to jump in a taxi, the driver telling us it was a really bad area and ended up skipping the market and heading straight to plaza botero

Thank you Sinead for the information!

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20 amazing places to visit in Colombia

Posted: 9 November 2023 | Last updated: 9 November 2023

Rock of Guatapé

Ciudad Perdida

Tayrona National Park

Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

Las Lajas Sanctuary

La Guajira Peninsula

Caño cristales.

Tatacoa Desert

Villa de Leyva

San Agustín Archeological Park

Cocora Valley

Rosario Islands

Providencia

Coffee Triangle

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The Best Places to Retire in Latin America

Consider relocating to Central or South America for retirement.

Best Places to Retire in Latin America

Getty Images

You can use your U.S. dollars in Ecuador, and towns in the Andes have crisp, comfortable weather.

Key Takeaways

• Latin America’s close proximity to the United States makes it a convenient place for U.S. retirees to live part-time or full-time.
• Mexico is one of the most popular destinations for U.S. expats.
• Other countries in Central and South America offer beautiful weather and an affordable cost of living.
• Many of the best places to retire in Latin America have large expat communities where English is readily spoken.

There is good reason why Latin America beckons so many U.S. retirees. Head south, and you’ll find a collection of countries with vibrant communities, beautiful beaches and an affordable cost of living .

Not all countries in Central and South America are equally appropriate for American retirees, though, and people should carefully consider the local language, climate, health care and culture before making a permanent commitment.

“Latin American culture is quite different from American culture,” says Jean-François Harvey, founder and managing partner at Harvey Law Group, an immigration law firm that specializes in citizenship by investment.

Visiting a country is key to determining if it’s a good fit for you. But don’t simply visit as a tourist. “We often tell clients to go (talk to) a local,” Harvey says. In many cases, sitting down with a resident over coffee can be the best way to learn what living there entails.

Listed in alphabetical order, here are some countries to consider when planning your Latin American retirement:

Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the native language. That, along with its natural beauty and tax-friendly policies, makes it popular with U.S. retirees.

“It’s the Caribbean at a fraction of the cost of brand-name Caribbean islands, like Turks and Caicos or the Bahamas,” said Sophia Titley, senior editor for the website Live and Invest Overseas, in an email.

Chris Atkins, CEO and owner of Central America Fishing, cautions that while Belize has many positive attributes, it is not known for excellent health care. “Belize is great if everything is working fine,” he says. But if you need ongoing medical care, other countries may be better suited to your needs.

To be eligible for Belize’s Qualified Retirement Program, you’ll need to be at least 40 and have a retirement income of $2,000 per month or $24,000 per year coming from a source outside of Belize.

Colombia is a country that often gets a bad rap but has cities that are easy to live in, says Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living, a source for guidance on the ways to live, work, retire, travel and invest overseas. “Medellin, in particular, provides a truly cosmopolitan escape,” she notes. “It's a clean, green city with lots of trees and lots of neighborhoods where expats can settle in comfortably.”

The city is close to the equator but located at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The result is weather that feels like spring in Colorado year-round, according to Stevens.

“There is a big range of lifestyle opportunities, from metropolises to euro-chic cultural hot spots to colorful Spanish-colonial cities to traditional villages,” Titley said. The country also has good health care and a low cost of living. Obtaining a retirement visa is a straightforward process with a minimal income requirement.

Costa Rica topped the 2024 Global Retirement Index from International Living. The publication noted its biodiversity, excellent health care and affordable cost of living as attractive features for retirees.

Atkins has lived in Costa Rica for 20 years. He moved to the country permanently after visiting in college and now arranges travel packages for those who want to experience Costa Rica for themselves. “A lot of clients come down here and then buy properties,” he says, noting that many people fall in love with the country’s beauty and relaxed lifestyle.

“You can live on the beach, (but) the beach is going to be hot,” Atkins says. He and his family live in the capital of San Jose where temperatures range from the 60s in the winter to the 80s in the summer. While expats can get by with English in some Latin American countries, Atkins recommends those moving to Costa Rica learn Spanish.

The country offers temporary residency to retirees who can prove they have a “ lifetime pension issued by a competent authority,” according to the Costa Rican Embassy website. That retirement income must equal at least $1,000 per month.

You can use your U.S. dollars in Ecuador , which makes this South American country an easy place to live. It offers great value, and Stevens says the communities of Cuenca and Cotacachi are home to many American retirees, which can help ease the transition to a new country.

Towns in the Andes have crisp, comfortable weather, and retirees can comfortably live on $1,900 a month, according to Stevens.

Ecuador offers a temporary visa to retirees who can prove they have the financial means to support themselves. That amount can change, but Immigration Advice Service, a global law firm, reports the required income is presently $1,275 per month.

It’s not surprising so many Americans retire to Mexico . The country is “remarkably cosmopolitan” and offers diverse climates and communities, Stevens says.

If hot and steamy weather suits you, head to Caribbean coastal communities in Yucatán. Or, for dryer beach escapes, try the Pacific coast. More temperate weather can be found in the colonial highlands where towns like San Miguel de Allende are so popular with expats that you can get by without knowing much Spanish, according to Stevens.

Mexico does offer retirement visas to those who have a certain level of income or assets. Those levels differ depending on whether you are seeking temporary or permanent residency, but in both cases, the amounts are significantly higher than what is required by some other countries on this list.

As an alternative to residency, Mexico offers a six-month tourist visa. This can be a good option for someone who wants to split their time between the U.S. and Latin America, Stevens says.

With what is arguably the best retirement visa program in the world, Panama is a haven for numerous U.S. and Canadian retirees. Only $1,000 a month income is necessary to secure residency in the county, and you’ll also get additional perks such as discounted tickets. Panama uses the U.S. dollar so there is no need to worry about currency exchanges.

“It’s a tax haven,” Titley said. “You could have no local tax burden in Panama , depending on where your income is sourced.”

Beyond that, the country offers beautiful Pacific and Caribbean coasts, solid infrastructure, and easy access to and from the United States. The mountain town of Boquete is especially popular with American expats.

“Roatán is an under-the-radar Caribbean escape people may not know,” Stevens says. As an island off the coast of Honduras , she says it feels like “a world apart.” She describes it as having a laid-back Caribbean vibe that is less touristy than someplace such as the Bahamas.

As a result of its time as a British colony, English is widely spoken in Roatán, and the island offers excellent diving, fishing and snorkeling opportunities. “The beaches look like postcards,” with palm trees, powder-white sand and turquoise water, according to Stevens. “And while it's not the least-expensive spot … it's still great value when compared to someplace like the Turks and Caicos,” she says.

You’ll need to obtain a residency from Honduras in order to retire in Roatán. That requires proof of monthly income of at least $1,500 from a verifiable source such as Social Security.

The South American country of Uruguay is another of Titley’s top choices for those looking to retire in Latin America. “It’s safe, affordable and offers plenty to see and do,” she said. “It has an interesting culture that revolves around soccer, barbecue, the beach and mate (tea).”

Regionally, it offers a high standard of living and is politically stable. Its long Atlantic coastline allows for beach access from cities such as Montevideo and Punta del Este.

The country offers a visa and permanent residency to those who can demonstrate they have independent means to support themselves financially. That requires having a monthly retirement income of at least $1,500, according to Investment Migration Insider, which serves the migration industry.

Can Expats Get Social Security?

Maryalene LaPonsie March 27, 2024

Tags: retirement , moving , baby boomers , aging

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Chilean actor alex araya found dead in colombia after tinder date with two women.

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A Chilean actor was found dead inside his Airbnb vacation rental in Colombia and his family is looking for answers after he was last seen alive with two women he met on Tinder.

The naked body of Alex Araya, 42, was discovered lying face down in bed inside the Medellín rental by a cleaner on June 7, according to the Chilean news publication La Tercera .

The actor’s family later learned of his death in the news and have been trying to piece together what happened since then, his brother Eduardo Araya told the outlet.

The night before he was found dead, Alex had met up with two women from the dating app Tinder, according to his brother.

Video captured Alex and both women entering the rental at around 11:30 p.m. on June 6. Two hours later, the two women walk out without him, according to the footage.

The pair allegedly left with his credit cards and phone, which they used to pay for Uber rides, gas station purchases, groceries and jewelry, Eduardo told the local outlet.

He’s convinced the women aren’t the only people involved in his brother’s untimely death and believes they are part of a larger gang targeting tourists.

“There are more people involved,” he said in Spanish. “They were part of a group dedicated to doing these things.”

Alex’s cause of death has not yet been released, but Eduardo believes he was drugged — possibly with burundanga, also known as scopolamine, an odorless, tasteless drug which can cause a person to lose consciousness for up to 24 hours or more. Larger doses, however, can be deadly.

He had no visible signs of trauma and his body was found in a similar condition to other tourists who have been killed in the area.

Alex is the 29th tourist to die in Medellín just this year.

The US State Department has issued a level three travel advisory for Colombia, recommending Americans reconsider traveling to the country amid frequent crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping.

Earlier this month, the department warned of an increase in reports of drug-involved robberies in which the suspects often use dating apps to find their newest victims.

“One of the most popular methods to target unsuspecting individuals is through online dating applications.  Individuals match with dates and there is an agreement to meet,” the US Embassy in Bogota said.  “This meeting can either initially start in a public place or at the residence/hotel of the victim.  Eventually, a sedative is introduced to the victim, leaving them disoriented and sedated so they are easily robbed. “

The embassy warned of the same pattern in January after eight Americans died suspiciously in Medellín between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31.

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Subscriber only, travel | 10 emerging foodie destinations worth traveling for, this year, it’s time to let your tastebuds do the talking..

It’s kind of like devouring a delicious plate of sushi: wrapping up one amazing vacation always leaves you wanting more. But with such a big world to see – and so little time in which to see it – where should you book your next trip?

This year, it’s time to let your tastebuds do the talking. Read on to learn why foodies around the globe are flocking to these emerging travel destinations. How many of these spots have you visited?

1. Tbilisi, Georgia

Cobblestoned Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is bursting with history – and by the time you leave, you’ll be bursting with satisfying Georgian dishes. Here, you can learn the art of eating khinkali, twisted dumplings filled with meat and broth, or enjoy crisp tomatoes and cucumbers paired with one of Georgia’s many varieties of cheese. Whatever you do, don’t forget to try khachapuri, a boat-shaped dish traditionally filled with cheese and egg, before you have to say goodbye.

2. Oaxaca, Mexico

If you want to eat well, visit Oaxaca: From street vendors to world-class restaurants, this city has so much to offer. Make sure to try at least one of Oaxaca’s seven moles, or thick chili-based sauces, which can take days to prepare. Then, try some of Oaxaca’s most unique dishes, including huitlacoche, a corn fungus similar to a mushroom, and chapulines, a crunchy snack made from deep-fried grasshoppers.

Wash everything down with tejate, a thick drink made from toasted maize and cacao. And for dessert, don’t miss paletas, frosty ice popsicles made from fresh fruit.

3. Medellín, Colombia

Visit Medellín, and you’ll understand why Colombian food is well worth booking that flight. In Medellín, your day starts with buñuelos, fried dough balls that are best enjoyed with a steaming mug of hot chocolate or coffee. Spend the day seeing the sights and devouring plenty of empanadas along the way.

At day’s end, dig into bandeja paisa, a traditional dish that includes a broad array of ingredients. Chorizo, a fried egg, plantain, chicharrón, arepa, avocado, beef, rice and beans are all served together for a hearty meal that hits the spot after a long day of traveling.

4. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Take a hiking tour through Slovenia, and you’ll be rewarded with sights of snow-capped mountains, hidden waterfalls and pristine lakes – but best of all, you’ll get to end every day with a different take on a hearty traditional stew. And if hiking isn’t really your thing, head to charming Ljubljana to sample all those dishes and more.

Obara, golaž and pohorski pisker are just a few of the savory, saucy stews waiting for you to soak them up with a crusty loaf of bread. For dessert, don’t miss potica, a sweet, festive cake that can be filled with ground walnuts, poppy seeds or even Nutella.

5. Havana, Cuba

No trip to Havana would be complete without enjoying ropa vieja, a dish of tender, shredded steak stewed in tomato sauce with peppers and onions and often served with rice and plantains. This dish is a perfect example of why Cuban food is sought out by so many.

Pair your ropa vieja with one of the many iconic Cuban cocktails out there, like the mojito – a Havana classic. Both can be enjoyed at Doña Eutemia, recently named one of the best restaurants and an “Old Havana stalwart” by CultureTrip .

6. Cape Town, South Africa

Visiting Cape Town? Don’t miss the chance to order a Gatsby, a huge sandwich stuffed with french fries, meat and vegetables. If you’ve still got room left over, seek out boerewors, a spiral-shaped mince sausage, best enjoyed with a cold glass of beer.

After all that, think you’re full? It won’t be difficult to find an appetite for dessert if you spot anyone selling koeksister on your way home. These sticky-sweet pastries made out of fried dough are completely irresistible.

7. Bologna, Italy

Bologna is the place to go to enjoy some of the most beloved examples of Italian food in their original cultural context. Try tagliatelle al ragù, and you’ll never think about spaghetti bolognese the same way again. And don’t stop there: lasagna verde, tortellini and gramigna are just three more must-try pasta dishes no visitor to Bologna can overlook. Buon appetito!

8. Tel Aviv, Israel

Before you head out to explore Tel Aviv, start your day with shakshuka, a dish of poached eggs in a spicy tomato and pepper stew with parsley and feta cheese sprinkled on top. As the day heats up, cool down with a sweet treat from Anita Gelato – if you’re lucky enough to stop by when their halva flavor is available, you might just be taking a pint back to your hotel room.

Towards sunset, head to Jaffa for dinner at The Old Man and the Sea, a legendary seafood restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean. You’ll get to enjoy a spread of almost two dozen different little salads included with dinner: the perfect way to sample hummus, tahini, pickled vegetables and other classic Middle Eastern dishes.

9. Osaka, Japan

If you’re craving street food, head to Osaka to see why this city is more than worthy of the nickname The Nation’s Kitchen. There, you can eat your way through the Dotonbori, Shinsekai and Kitashinchi districts, sampling favorites like takoyaki – fried dough balls with octopus – and kushikatsu, or deep-fried meat and veggie skewers. Be warned: you will be thinking about these tasty fried treats for years to come.

10. Porto, Portugal

Whether you’re looking for a satisfying lunch to carry you through an intense afternoon of port tasting, in desperate need of a hangover cure or just curious to discover what might be the world’s most indulgent sandwich, francesinha won’t let you down.

This sandwich, originally from Porto, typically includes multiple different types of meat – sausage, linguiça, steak and ham – drenched in a spicy seafood sauce and melted cheese. Just for good measure, it’s also topped with a fried egg and served with fries.

Final thoughts

Is your stomach rumbling yet? The dishes named in this article are just a taste of the many innovative celebrations of local cuisines that you can expect at any of these destinations. So if you’re hungry for more, don’t overlook these destinations when planning your next trip – because sometimes, there’s no better way to experience a new place than by tucking in your metaphorical bib and diving in.

Kristen Wood is a photographer, writer, world traveler, and creator of the blog. Foodventures Abroad , where food and travel intertwine. She is also the author of Vegetarian Family Cookbook, Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook, and Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners. Her work has been featured in various online and print publications, including Tasting Table, Forbes, Martha Stewart, NBC and more.

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