medellin travel guide

© Getty Images / EyeEm / Fabian Schmiedlechner

Situated in a narrow valley, Medellín packs the punch of a city twice its size. Its skyline reaches for the heavens, setting high-rise apartments and office buildings against a backdrop of jagged peaks in every direction. Its pleasant climate gives it its nickname – the City of Eternal Spring – and the moderate temperatures put a spring in the locals' steps, at work and at play. It's a bustling place of industry and commerce, especially in textile manufacturing and exported cut flowers. On weekends Medellín lets its hair down, its many nightclubs attracting the beautiful people.

Best Time to Visit

Best neighborhoods, leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real Medellín. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Museo Casa de la Memoria

This harrowing museum dedicated to the urban conflict in Medellín is a must-visit for travelers wanting to fully understand the city (and Colombia). There…

La Comuna 13

Once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Medellín, the Comuna 13, which clings to the mountainside above the San Javier metro station, has…

Museo de Antioquia

In the grand art deco Palacio Municipal, Colombia's second-oldest museum (Museo Nacional in Bogotá is the oldest) houses one of the country's most…

Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín

Set around a refurbished industrial building in Ciudad del Río, 'El MAMM' showcases changing exhibitions of contemporary art. The large new wing houses…

Monumento a la Raza

Rodrigo Arenas Betancur, Colombia's favorite designer of monuments, has a number of pieces around Medellín, but the most impressive work is this one in…

Casa Museo Pedro Nel Gómez

Located in the house where the artist lived and worked, this fine museum has an extensive collection of pieces by prolific local painter Pedro Nel Gómez …

Plazoleta de las Esculturas

This public space in front of the Museo de Antioquia is home to 23 large, curvaceous bronze sculptures by renowned local artist Fernando Botero, including…

El Cerro de Moravia

The densely populated neighborhood of Moravia was once Medellín's municipal rubbish dump with an open-air mountain of trash surrounded by a large shanty…

Top picks from our travel experts

Medellín's top free things to do are also the city's must-do activities.

A high-end mall with fashion outlets and a multiscreen cinema.

For some shopping or just to rub shoulders with Medellín high society, head to the upscale El Tesoro mall. It has a variety of European and American…

Parque Arví

Accessible by the fantastically scenic Metrocable Linea L from the Santo Domingo interchange (COP$4850 one way, 15 minutes), Parque Arví is a big chunk of…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Medellín is no small country town. When you need a break from this city of 2.5 million, there are easy day trips in every direction - here are the best.

Free Things to Do

From public art to dazzling parks to experiences only found in ‘The City of the Eternal Spring,’ here are the best free things to do in Medellín.

Plan with a local

Experience the real Colombia

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Latest stories from Medellín

Local Voices

Feb 13, 2023 • 7 min read

There’s much to love about Colombian cities Medellín and Bogotá. If you can’t visit both, consider the case for each by our two Colombia-based experts.

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The Complete Guide to Visiting Medellín

It was my first time visiting Medellín, Colombia. In fact, it was my first time in South America. Hearing so many wonderful things about the country of Colombia, I planned out a weeklong trip that started in Medellín first.

After spending three nights in what is known as the “city of eternal spring,” I wanted to share a bit about this city. A vast metropolis, Medellín seems to expand in every direction. As I made the descent down into the valley from the airport, it was hard to soak it all in. Towers upon towers sprawled across a lush, green city that climbed up the mountains. It was breathtaking.

Most of the time in Medellín was spent exploring El Poblado, the home base for most travelers visiting. The neighborhood is packed with bustling cafes, local boutiques, and top restaurants. One day was spent out in Guatapé, which was well worth the bus ride to soak in the views. The city is changing, at least from what the several locals shared with me. It became very apparent as to why it has started to become a traveler’s hotspot. 

With all of this in mind, I want to share some detailed thoughts on my time there. Each section below address the more common questions, what I loved about the city, and more. Take a look at what to know about visiting Medellín.

Safety in Medellín, Colombia

I am a firm believer in being transparent and I want to paint an accurate picture of my time in Medellín. Safety in Colombia is always the first question asked and for good reason. It wasn’t long ago that Medellín was the most dangerous city in the world with a violent past and drug-related problems. Today it is changing and there is a ton to love about the city, however, I walked away with mixed emotions on this. 

How I felt in Medellín was conflicted. I traveled with my male cousin and I would not consider traveling alone here as a female traveler (personally). At times I felt completely safe in Medellín and other times I was on edge, being incredibly cautious and considerate of my surroundings. Certain neighborhoods should not be entered after dark like Comuna 13 and you’ll find most travelers sticking to El Poblado. There were moments that felt tense as we would walk through certain streets to return to our hotel and then other moments where I could have been in San Francisco at a hipster cafe. 

How I felt in the city

We took a free walking tour in the center of town and it was one of the best things we did on the trip (I’d suggest doing this before anything else in Medellín.)  There is a phrase in Colombia called “no dar papaya.” Its literal translation is “do not give papaya”, which means do not put yourself in a position for someone to take advantage of you. Like walking alone, showing off valuables, and more. On our tour, our guide would let us know the level of “dar papaya” on a scale of 1-10, 10 being you need to be incredibly cautious. In some areas of the center of town, it was level 7 and others at level 2.

Those level 7 moments were the moments that were the most intense. I felt out of place, nervous, and acutely aware of my surroundings. Then that same night, we returned to a swanky hotel with a rooftop bar with drinks that rivaled a trendy cocktail bar in NYC. It was that day I grappled with the contrast more than ever. So much to love about this innovative city and yet so much to improve in terms of security. 

I am not an expert on safety and security, I can only offer up how I felt on this portion of the trip. I read a really interesting article by Skift this month titled “ Medellin’s Tourism Challenge: Telling the Right Story of Its Violent Past .” It’s worth a read and does a proper dive into the current climate with statistics, a look at the past, and more. The article covers the topic in depth, something I am not equipped to address. I hope this insight and my own story gives a portrait of the two realities that are present today. 

What to Know Before Visiting Medellín

Safety: The above section covers this more fully. I would recommend not to show off valuables, avoid walking alone at night and book accommodations that are in safe zones like El Poblado.

Transportation : The metro is the safest form of transportation. The metro is easy to use, just buy tickets before and enter the gates. Uber is also recommended or have your hotel call you a trusted taxi. 

Money : The local currency is the Colombian Peso. You will need to have cash on you for some vendors, so I would recommend pulling money out at a local ATM from a trusted bank. Most restaurants/cafes will accept a credit card as well. 

Travel Insurance:  I recommend having it. My preferred insurance is  World Nomads .

Amount of time : For Medelliín, you could spend three to four days pending on how many day trips. At least two full days are needed in the city.

What to Expect at Medellín Airport

With multiple direct flights landing at José María Córdova International Airport, it’s an easy city to reach. When you land, expect a small customs area and a baggage area. Make sure to fill out that customs form properly — it is in Spanish so ask a flight attendant to help if needed. On arrival, you’ll be confronted with drivers offering to give rides to Medellín. Please use the official taxi line or Uber (we took Uber) for a trusted driver. It’s about a 45 minute to an hour drive into Poblado area. 

On departure, security is pretty relaxed and like most major airports, the terminal is outfitted with amenities. If you’re flying domestically, the domestic terminal is rather minimal with a few cafes and shops. 

Medellín Weather

The weather in Medellín is different from the rest of Colombia due to its elevation. During the day it can get hot and humid and at night it will cool off. The winter months are cooler so be prepared for a light jacket and sweater.

Dress in Medellín is not like Cartagena. Walking around in flip flops and cut-off shorts is not recommended as you’ll stick out. The dress is very proper and rivals that of Manhattan. Men are typically in collared shirts and pants and the women dress incredibly well. I wish I had brought more pants + blouses for the dinners in Poblado especially. 

Where to Stay in Medellín 

The only neighborhood I can recommend with confidence is El Poblado. We had three nights here and it was the best base for being able to walk out at night for dinner and quick access to other sights in the city. Here are the top three hotels:

• Art Hotel : We had all three nights booked here. The rooms are basic but somewhat trendy at the same time. For the price point, I feel you get good value on the stay. With included breakfast on the rooftop, it’s a good base for visiting Medellín.
• Celestino Boutique Hotel : If you’re willing to spend a bit more, this is the boutique hotel I would opt for. It’s well located and is intimate with great design. 
• The Charlee Hotel : This is another great option in El Poblado as it has a ton of rooms and is centrally located. It comes up as the most recommended a hotel each time across guides and TripAdvisor. 

Things to Do in Medellín

• Take a free walking tour:  The best thing we did was a four-hour walking tour with Real City Tours . I would recommend doing this first on arrival and reserving. You’ll walk through a lot of the main sights in town as well, all while learning from a local about the history and present happenings in Medellín.
• Visit Museo Casa de La Memoria: This museum shares about the Colombian conflict from the viewpoint of the victims and more. It came recommended from our tour guide as an opportunity to learn more about the local history.
• Explore Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín : If you’re looking for modern art in the city, come here. 
• Take a day trip to Guatapé : One of the best days spent on a guided tour to Guatapé. I share all about the experience in full on this post.
• See the Fernando Botero Angulo sculptures : Head to Plaza Botero to see the famous sculptures. 
• Take a gondola ride: The gondola rides in Medellín are amazing for scenery. We opted to take the one over Comuna 13, didn’t get out and came back. You can take it up to Parque Arvi as well as an alternative. 
• Try local coffee : Pergamino in El Poblado is the place to go. The menu features a wide selection of roasts from local farms they source from.
• Enjoy the Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Gardens : One of the best spots that are completely free to visit is the botanical gardens. 
• Consider a Comuna 13 Tour : It’s hard to mention Medellín and not the name Pablo Escobar and Comuna 13. During the day, there are many free walking tours that explore this infamous neighborhood’s art scene. I would recommend a guided tour here during the light hours. We were going to join one and decided not to as it was too hot in the middle of the day. I would come earlier in the day.
• Head to Parque Lleras for Nightlife : If you’re in El Poblado, no doubt you’ll hear the music coming from this hotspot for salsa and more.

Best Restaurants in Medellín

• OCI.mde: This was our last meal in town and one of the favorites for a modern take on Colombian food. It’s upscale and the restaurant has a ton of energy. *Reserve in advance.
• Vaggart: This is the rooftop restaurant at the Art Hotel and the food was really good. It was more of a bar menu but loved it!
• Empanadas at the corner of Avenida Caraboobo and Calle 52 : These were my favorite, I can’t find the name on the map but if you’re headed to Plaza Botero, it is right there on the corner. 
• Burdo: Popular spot for both drinks and casual bites.
• El Tejadito : Come here for stuffed arepas, so delicious!
• Cerveceria Libre : For a local brewery, come here and try their beers on tap. The “passion” was my favorite. 
• La Bronco: Favorite cocktails were here and the food looked good as well.
• Coffee at: Pergamino, Rituales or Cafe Velvet.

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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!

These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you . If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here .

1. Book Your Flights

Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.

2. Book Your Accommodations

Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.

3. Book Your Tours & Experiences

Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.

4. Book Your Car

Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.

5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access

Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.

6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.

My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:

• World Nomads (best for all-around)
• Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)

Xx, Jessica

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14 Things to Do in Medellín (and the ONE thing NOT to do!)

Once considered one of the deadliest cities in the world, Medellín has undergone a transformation over the last fifteen years that has made it one of the most modern places in all of Colombia .

The city has become a lot safer, and there is a fantastic metro and cable car system that could rival the best in Europe. Medellín is filled with lots of parks, new buildings, libraries, restaurants, and a growing tech scene.

The city has changed a lot, and you can tell the residents are very proud of everything they’ve accomplished. There’s a palpable sense of possibility in Medellin. Optimism and excitement are in the air.

Medellin is one of the best destinations for remote workers and is now one of “it” cities in the world. Tourists swarm here, and foreigners ( especially young digital nomads ) are settling and retiring here in droves. It was the most cosmopolitan and international city I visited in Colombia.

I spent close to a total of three weeks in Medellín and lvoed my time there. Here is a list of my favorite things to do and see after spending so much time there:

Table of Contents

1. Explore the Numerous Parks and Plazas

2. wander parque arvi, 3. explore jardín botánico, 4. see a soccer match, 5. take a day trip to guatapé, 6. take a free walking tour, 7. tour comuna 13, 8. visit the museo de antioquia, 9. wander the cementerio museo de san pedro, 10. see the casa de la memoria, 11. visit the museo de arte moderno, 12. take a food tour, 13. visit a microbrewery, 14. visit comuna 8, finally, don’t do the escobar tour, where to eat in medellín, is medellín safe.

Medellín’s year-round temperate climate makes it a perfect place to spend a lot of time outdoors, where people are always lounging around and vendors are peddling food and drinks. Two must-visit parks are:

• Plaza Botero – Botero is a famous artist from Medellin known for his drawing and statues of oversized people. This plaza is home to 23 Botero sculptures and is always packed with people taking photos, street performers, and artists. Located in the Old Quarter, you’ll find a couple of museums in the square too.
• Parque Lleras – Located right in the center of Poblado, this park is full of people all day and night. There are street vendors, food sellers, musicians, and people drinking into the wee hours of the night. It’s a wonderful place to people-watch and one of the best places to have fun in the city!

The park spans 16,000 hectares (almost 40,000 acres) and includes trails that date back over 1,500 years. At the park entrance, you’ll find a small market where local vendors and farmers set up shop as well as trails to hike. Most hikes are relatively easy too.

Admission is free, though if you want to take a guided tour, it’s 60,000 COP (in Spanish only).

The botanical gardens, a quiet retreat from the noise and chaos of the city, hosts numerous events, concerts, and festivals throughout the year. It covers over 14 hectares (35 acres) and is home to around 4,500 flowers and some 139 different bird species.

There’s also a nice (if not overpriced) restaurant in the center called Restaurante In Situ if you feel like spending more time here relaxing and taking in the scene. There’s also a more casual eatery with local dishes called Del Bosque Restaurante Café nearby as well. The Gardens are open 9am-4pm daily.

Soccer is religion here, and if there are games when you’re visiting you should really try to see one. Medellín has two local teams: Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín. Supporters of each team occupy bleachers at opposing ends of the stadium since things tend to get rowdy and violent when they are near each other.

Ticket prices are 20,000-50,000 COP. For a guided group experience, you can also join a tour that includes tickets, a jersey, beer, face painting, and a bilingual guide who will share their love and knowledge of the sport. Joining a group is a great way to meet other travelers too!

The main attraction is El Peñol, a granite monolith with over 700 concrete stairs etched in its side. For a few thousand pesos, visitors can climb to the top for breathtaking 360-degree views of the region.

Guatapé is a long day trip from Medellín (hostels in the city organize trips throughout the week, or you can pre-book with a local tour company online . I recommend trying to spend at least a night here so you aren’t rushed and can enjoy the area a little more. If you do the day trip, it’s around 11 hours, and includes both Guatapé and El Peñol, lunch, and a cruise. Expect to pay around 122,000 COP.

Real City Walking Tours has a great free tour that will give you an informative introduction to the city. You’ll get a lot of information, and the guides are wonderful. It’s the best free walking tour in town. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

However, thanks to its street art (which was a reaction to heavy-handed police raids) there has been a huge influx of tourists. That has made part of the area safer and led to a rise in business and commerce. It’s really changed the fabric of the community. Local residents are even coming here now, figuring that if the tourists are going, it must be good!

You can visit by yourself or go on a tour (where a guide will explain the history of the area and the artists). There are a ton of companies offering tours here. Some of the better ones are:

• Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour – This four-hour tour runs daily at 10am and 3pm. Tickets are 90,000 COP per person.
• Zippy Tour – This tour lasts two and a half hours and runs every day at 10am, 2pm, and 4pm (no 4pm tours on Sundays). While technically free, don’t forget to tip your guide at the end!
• Medellín City Tours – Tours offered daily 9am and 2pm. Tickets are around 118,000 COP per person.

Founded in 1881, this interesting art museum is home to numerous pre-Colombian works as well as national and international works by famous artists (there are a bunch of Boteros here too) and a wide variety of photographs and sculptures. There are a lot of works by native muralist Pedro Nel Gómez as well. It was the second museum established in the entire country (and the first in the Antioquia region).

Cl. 52 #43, +57 4-251-3636, museodeantioquia.co. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5:30pm. Admission is 30,000 COP per person.

Built in 1842, this cemetery is also a museum where you can see the monuments and graves of many famous Colombians while learning about their lives and contributions. There’s a lot of large marble mausoleums and statues here. Keep an eye out for special events such as midnight tours and movie nights. The cemetery is small but it’s also close to the botanical gardens so you can do both one after the other.

Cra. 51 #68-68, +57 4-516-7650, cementeriosanpedro.org.co. Open daily 8am-5pm. Admission is free.

The Memory House Museum opened in 2012 and examines the history of armed conflict in Colombia, including all the conflicts with the drug cartels that plagued the city for decades. It sheds light on the struggles the people of Colombia have had to overcome to get where they are today. There are lots of multimedia displays, including photos, videos, and recordings from people who experienced the conflicts and massacres. It’s a very sobering and solemn place but it offers some important insights into the city and its people. Don’t miss it.

Parque Bicentenario, +57 4-520-2020, museocasadelamemoria.gov.co. Open Tuesday-Friday 9am-5:30pm and weekends 10am-3:30pm. Admission is free and includes a free audio guide. Guided tours are available on Tuesdays and Fridays (contact the museum for details).

The Museum of Modern Art, located in a refurbished industrial building, is an awesome work of art in itself. There’s a ton of open and exposed space, giving it a really charming feel. Many people have a love-hate relationship with modern art (it’s not my personal favorite, I admit) but even I enjoyed my visit here.

The collection is small, but there’s also a beautiful photography section on the bottom floor. Even if it’s not your thing, it’s worth spending a couple hours here to get a sense of the modern art scene in the city.

Cra. 44 #19a-100, +57 4-444-2622, elmamm.org. Open Tuesday-Friday 9am-7pm, on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 11am-6pm. Admission is 24,000 COP per person.

If you’re looking to taste a sample of what Medellín has to offer, there are a couple of food tour companies that can help. It’s a great way to get a taste for the local cuisine while learning about the country’s traditions in the process. There are plenty of options, including:

• Food Tour with Medellín City Tours – Choose to experience breakfast, lunch, or dinner on daily tours at 9am, 2pm, and 6pm. Tickets start from 176,000 COP.
• Street Food and Poblado Rooftop Tour with a Local – On this tour of the Poblado neighborhood, you’ll enjoy five street food snacks while learning about the area. Tours start at 129,000 COP.
• Coffee Tour With Tastings and Lunch – Visit D’arrieros Coffee Farm just outside the city to learn about the coffee production process and taste some of the farm’s coffee. You’ll get to take home a bag as well. Tours start at 195,000 COP and include round-trip transportation from Medellín.

If you find yourself parched after an afternoon of sampling the city’s delicious cuisine, consider taking a brewery or craft beer tour to quench your thirst. There is an up-and-coming craft beer scene in Colombia, and Medellín has dozens of breweries and microbreweries. These are some of the best places to try a local beer:

• 3 Cordilleras – Runs tours Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, offering five samples for 50,000 COP per person.
• OlBroder Cerveza Artesanal – A community-oriented brewery and taproom founded by two brothers. They focus on using local ingredients and regularly host live music and tasting events. Tastings are around 25,000-30,000 COP per person and advanced booking is required.
• 20 Mission Cerveza – Has great beer, tasty food, and is a fun place to hang out and meet people. They offer tours of the brewery and they also host music events and DJs. It’s super popular and one of the best places in town to grab a beer.

Much like Comuna 13, this area was one of the poorest in Medellín — and it still is. This district was really isolated until the city built a gondola from downtown, allowing people to get to work a lot more easily.

La Sierra runs a tour to teach people about the history of the area, and, unlike Comuna 13, it’s not overrun with tourists. It’s a small district and the tour doesn’t last long, but you get a much more authentic look at the city and its people and history than you do in Comuna 13 (where the focus is more on street art). I highly recommend it; it was one of the most insightful experiences I had in Medellín. Reservations are required.

The locals here are not fans of Pablo Escobar. His violent life and legacy caused untold amounts of harm to the city and its population, and while it’s always good to learn about the history of a destination, glorifying this is not something I want to support. You can learn about his life online in a way that doesn’t spit in the face of the locals, many of whom don’t even speak his name. Out of respect for them, I encourage you to skip the Escobar tour.  

• Restaurante Mondongo’s El Poblado – Traditional Colombian food in a relaxed atmosphere. Try the mondongo , a traditional tripe soup. It comes with a ton of side dishes (including giant avocados). Come early, as this place gets packed. Try to avoid the weekend. (Cl. 10 #38-38)
• Carmen – High-end gastronomy with some of the best food in all of Colombia. It’s expensive but worth it. It was the best splurge meal I had in the country. (Cra. 36 #10a-27)
• Mercado del Rio – An awesome food court offering all sorts of delicious food from dozens of vendors. There’s something for everyone here. (Cl. 24 #48-28)
• 20 Mission – A great microbrewery with delicious food too! Try the IPA. (Cl. 16 #43f-66)
• Pergamino Café – A chill café with some of the best coffee in town. I spent a lot of time working here. They make great breakfast food, BLTs, and empanadas. (Cra. 37 #8A-37)
• 37 Park – Another great bar and restaurant with a rustic outdoor garden. (Cra. 37 #8A – 4)
• Hatoviejo – This is one of the best places to get traditional Colombian food. It’s pricey when compared to some of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants you’ll find throughout town. (Cl. 16 #28-60)

“No dar papaya” is a common saying in Colombia, which translates as “don’t give papaya.” It means don’t give anyone the chance to steal your stuff by walking around and being flashy or reckless. You should be cautious here.

That means no walking around with your phone out, never keeping anything in your pockets (especially when on public transport), and always keeping hold of your bag. If you are eating out, keep your backpack on your lap or place your foot or a chair leg through your strap. It is very common for someone to try to do a bag swap (meaning they swap their empty bag for yours).

For more in-depth coverage of how to stay safe in Colombia, check out this post that answers some frequently asked questions and concerns.

Lastly, make sure to purchase good travel insurance before you go. I recommend SafetyWing if you’re on a budget and just need basic coverage and World Nomads if you want something more comprehensive.

I was never bored in Medellín . In a country full of hype, this hyped-up city is all that it’s cracked up to be. It has enough activities to fill weeks on end. Combined with the low cost of travel and living, it’s no wonder more and more people are visiting the city.

(And, while it’s easy to get lost in Gringoland here, try to get out of Poblado or Laureles and see the locals’ side of town. That’s where the magic of Medellín happens!)

Book Your Trip to Colombia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Two of my favorite places to stay are:

• The Wandering Paisa

If you’re looking for more places to stay, here are my favorite hostels in Medellín !

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Colombia? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Colombia for even more planning tips!

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Essential Medellin Travel Guide (Best Things to Do)

Updated on April 18th, 2024

What are the best things to do in Medellin, Colombia? Check out our list of what to do and how to spend a vacation in this travel guide.

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Posted in Colombia

Table of contents

• What to know about Medellin
• What about Medellin’s troubled past?
• Cost of travel in Medellin
• How many days do you need in Medellin?
• Weather and Climate in Medellin
• What to know about safety in Medellin
• Best things to do in Medellin (sights to see)
• Best places to stay in Medellin

Medellin is a travel destination we keep going back to, for a whole bunch of reasons! Maybe it’s the “eternal spring” climate, the tropical but not-too-hot weather, the lush surroundings and great Colombian culture. Maybe we can’t get enough of the food, cool things to do and nightlife!

Whether it’s your first time going to Medellin, or you’re back for another visit, check out this guide of the best things to do, as well as what to know before you go.

Let’s get into our full travel guide about Medellin!

What to know about Medellin

During our extensive travels in Colombia, from Bogota to Guatape and from Jardin to Cartagena , Medellin stands out as a city we want to keep coming back to.

We like to call Medellin one of the best cities for digital nomads because it’s safe, well-connected, comfortable and has favorable weather.

In several neighborhoods, you can mostly get around with English and some limited Spanish, although we always recommend to brush up on language skills for travel before going to Latin America!

What about Medellin’s troubled past?

Medellin was previously the center of a dark past in Colombia in regard to drug trade and cartels. It was known as the Murder Capital of the World and it would be an understatement to say that a lot of danger for all its residents took a toll from the 70s to the 90s.

We were able to learn about Medellin’s sad story in the Medellin Barrio Transformation Tour we took, and we recommend this for every visitor to the city.

Medellin was turned around to have an entirely new character and new identity in the 2000s. Public works like the connective metro system and Metrocable cars connected poorer areas to the downtown. Public spaces and green areas were developed. According to this article from the Telegraph UK, public transport is to thank for how the city took a 180-degree turn and transformed into a vacation hotspot.

Since the 2010s, Medellin is considered one of the best vacation and holiday destinations in South America, and the city just keeps getting better . When you visit, you’ll see all of the developments first-hand.

Just remember to do things like the Free City Walking Tour to be able to speak to a Medellin native who has seen the transformation first-hand and who can answer your questions. Then, of course, enjoy all the dining, entertainment and nightlife in El Poblado and Laureles!

Cost of travel in Medellin

Medellin is one of our top affordable places to travel , where a daily spend of less than what you’d spend at home will get you far. From the local food to accommodation, it’s probable that staying in Medellin a while will be good for your wallet if you’re coming from North America or Europe.

We typically like to travel in the off season to save money during travel , and that’s a great time to visit Medellin; however, visitors during holiday breaks and summer will also experience a “bang for their buck.”

I really like to reference the website Price of Travel when assessing how a city measures up to either my home city or other cities, before traveling there. Check out the page for Medellin .

If you choose to “eat like a local” in Medellin, you will spend only a few Dollars on street food, meals, groceries and public transport. If you prefer to spend the money you would at home, but go way farther with it, you’ll enjoy excellent meals at chic restaurants, cocktails at rooftop bars and great value when booking luxe hotels.

How many days do you need in Medellin?

I’ve been to Medellin in two ways: the first time, to visit Dan while he was traveling with Remote Year , and the second time, to live in Medellin for a month while working remotely. Having done both the “whirlwind” long weekend as well as the “slow travel” experience, there’s no right answer!

What I can say is that one day is not enough to see Medellin, and three days may be a good amount of time. The more time you have in Medellin, the more activities you can pack in and the more Medellin day trips (like Guatape !) you can consider.

The Medellin region is perfect for spending a good bit of time, and with the affordability and great travel value, I’d recommend spending as much time as you can! You can use this guide to see how many of these things you’d want to do and plan for.

Weather and Climate in Medellin

Medellin is a great place to visit all year round. The weather is always humid and warm, and the sun sets and rises at approximately the same hours all year long because of the city’s proximity to the Equator, relatively speaking. I like to check Time and Date to see when the sun will rise and set in a place to which I’m traveling. Here’s the page for Medellin .

Daily weather is typically in the low 70s all year, and in the 60s at night (Fahrenheit). Some seasons tend to be wetter and rainier than others, with April, May, October and November having the most rainfall. For more info on Medellin’s temperate tropical rainforest climate, visit this website .

What to know about safety in Medellin

Before leaving for your trip to Medellin, be sure to read our general guide to answer the question of, “ Is Medellin safe for travel? ”

In this list of tips, learn how you can stay clear of theft and petty crime during your trip. You can also see some of our photos of Medellin , as these show the variety of neighborhoods (there’s certainly a range).

Best things to do in Medellin (sights to see)

There are a LOT of things to do in Medellin, for every type of traveler. This guide is written mostly for solo travelers, backpackers and couples who like sightseeing and getting out to see all a city has to offer.

If you’re traveling with young kids or toddlers , head straight to our guide of the best family-friendly things to do in Medellin .

Reserve your spot in the Medellin Free Walking Tour

The Medellin Free Walking Tour is an incredible tour led by certified Medellin tour guides who are all locals. Our guide was incredible, and came from a theatrical background, so she was great at telling stories.

During this tour, which is run every day and multiple times per day with different guides, you will learn all about Medellin, starting with the history really far back. The walking tour is free, but it is expected that you will generously tip your guide in cash at the end! A suggested gratuity per person is close to $5-10 USD, in Pesos.

By the end, your guide will bring you to the future of Medellin and explain a vision for what’s to come, along with all the challenges.

Along the way, you’ll see lots of culture, local music, markets and more. It is a great way to be shown around during your first few days. You can see more of our photos at our review of the Medellin Free Walking Tour .

Similarly, if you have only one day in Medellin and want to see all the sights, we recommend this full-day private guided city highlights tour that’ll check all the boxes!

Take the Medellin Barrio Transformation Tour

The Medellin Barrio Transformation Tour , led by several operators, takes on lots of emotional information in describing how the city came from very dark days to the very forward-thinking times that the city now is experiencing.

Our guide was an incredible individual who told personal stories of how family members and friends were, against their will, involved in the violent conflicts started by the drug wars of the 1980s and 1990s. His stories were touching and really struck home for listeners.

We’d recommend this to anyone who wants to better understand the city’s years of conflict in detail and with a talented guide.

Hang out in the best neighborhood, El Poblado

El Poblado is the international, expat and traveler district where you will find leafy streets, taco shops, rooftop bars, trendy cafes, luxury hotels and hostels. There are a few supermarkets and convenience stores and everything is walkable. There some parks and markets, too!

El Poblado is where we, like most travelers, had our accommodation and spent most of our time when we weren’t on day trips or guided tours in other parts of the city. You’ll find a lot of the best restaurants in Medellin in this neighborhood. One amazing thing to do is to catch a sunset at any of the hotel rooftop bars (a lot of them have pools!), followed by an awesome dinner at any of the great eateries.

Catch the city view at Pueblito Paisa

This one’s a bit tourist-y: Pueblito Paisa is recreation of a traditional Colombian pueblo set atop a hill in the middle of the city. It is wildly popular among Colombian tourists and locals alike. Pueblito Paisa is Spanish for “little Paisa village,” and a “Paisa” is someone from the Medellin region.

but there are look-out points all around via paths through greenery. We didn’t stay too long, but had the best time on top of the museum, where we found 360-degree views of the Medellin valley.

Pueblito Paisa is a good opportunity to see what a small Colombian town looks like, unless you’ll have time on your trip to take any of the well-known Medellin day trips . If you have time in your itinerary to visit pueblos like Guatape, Santa Fe de Antioquia or El Retiro, you can skip this.

Check out our El Retiro travel guide and Santa Fe de Antioquia trip tips to learn more.

Visit the Jardin Botanico (Botanical Gardens)

The Medellin Botanical Garden is worth a trip if you’re looking for a big green space where you can see local regional flora and fauna. Admission is free, and on weekends, Medellin locals come here to lay in the grass and hang out!

Unlike other Botanical Gardens we’ve been to that aren’t as “interactive,” Medellin’s Jardin Botanico is like a big park scene that has pockets of cool cacti, palm trees, flowers and bamboo. You may even catch an iguana, or three!

If you go on a weekend, you may experience the small street fair and carnival with people selling all sorts of street food, children taking rides on small donkeys and performers, right outside the entrance.

Try Colombian coffee at the city’s best third-wave cafe, Pergamino

Pergamino came recommended to us by not one, but two friends. We knew we had to go (and then we went back, countless times).

We’ve visited coffee shops all over the world, and in other parts of Colombia, and we keep hearing (after all these years!) that Pergamino takes the #1 spot in Medellin. We once had a private behind-the-scenes mini-tour of Pergamino with the baristas and got to try a guandolo.

See it in my list of the best cafes in Medellin , in addition to others!

Try street food in Medellin

There’s so much street food to try in Medellin! You’ll find vendors near metro stations, and especially in Centro (Central Downtown Medellin). I’d be lying if I said I was an expert, so you can visit this Medellin Guru street food guide to learn a lot more.

Plus, a street food tour is an excellent way to learn about a city and find delicious snacks. This simple tour will get you around safely with a local guide who knows all the ins and outs.

Ride the Medellin Metrocable

Did you know that Medellin’s public transportation system includes cable cars? It even has three separate lines. Riding the cable cars is not expensive, and you can ride them to the end, and back, especially at sunset when the lighting is best.

The cable cars were built to connect poorer neighborhoods, always located at higher altitudes in the hills (AKA farther from the ‘rich’ city center in the valley) to the rest of the city and metro stations. The network is extensive and incredible, and from them, you can get cool photos from above. Just look at all my photos here!

Hike in Medellin’s nature reserve, Parque Arvi

Taking part of a day to go to Parque Arvi is a cool thing to do in Medellin! Parque Arvi is a nature reserve within the city limits and that’s why you can get there on public transportation. The park is a natural oasis, with hiking paths, little rivers, paved walkways, wooden bridges over streams and greenery as far as the eye can see.

I recommend checking out the park’s website to learn more about opening hours, admissions, food options and facilities.

Admire the statues in Plaza Botero

Plaza Botero is found in downtown and central Medellin near what you’d call a cluster of museums that comprise the cultural center of the city in a traditional way. Get ready to experience the glory of the big bronze Botero sculptures that are very “Colombian.”

You can probably get time at Plaza Botero on any walking route with Medellin’s Free Walking Tour, and if you take any other type of downtown walking tour whether with a guide or on your own, you’ll cross paths with it.

Botero’s work is undoubtedly fantastic. It’s unique, easy to recognize and aside from that, pretty funny.

Take the Comuna 13 Tour

Famous for its graffiti and colorful walls, Comuna 13 is another place to learn about the history of Medellin’s recent transformation through art and young culture.

Due to safety reasons, we do recommend going with a tour group and not going on your own. As with other neighborhoods that are traditionally lower in the economic spectrum, this ‘comuna’ is located up the hills of the valley, so there are good views to be had.

You can book a highly-rated Comuna 13 tour and learn a lot from a local guide.

Take an exotic fruits tour in Medellin’s city markets

We did an exotic fruits class in Medellin, and as two people who love fruit, this was memorable for us! Sure, you can look at fruits in a supermarket (like I recommend above), but isn’t it fun to learn about them from an expert Colombian guide in a real Colombian market?

Colombia is the top country in the world for “fruit biodiversity,” which is really special. A short activity like this one is delicious, informative, memorable and safe. It’s also one of the best things to do in Medellin with kids .

Wake up early for Ciclovia at Avenida El Poblado

As we mentioned above, get your running, biking or plain walking on Sunday mornings from 7am to 1pm at Medellin’s weekly Ciclovia. It’s a great reason to wake up early on a weekend!

Ciclovia is held to encourage public health and fitness among members of the city (and those who visit!) and it’s enlightening to see so many people excited about being outdoors and exercising. Bogota has a Ciclovia, too!

Along the way, stop (with cash) to get snacks from local vendors, see some musicians and more. Do watch out for traffic, but luckily there are Ciclovia staff people to help manage it. See more about it the Medellin.co website !

Take the Medellin Metro (Metro de Medellín)

This impressive metro system is really new, which makes it all the more special to see in action. It’s super affordable to ride, and rather safe as well (do watch your pockets, but nothing crazy ever happened to us).

The metro stations are usually one per neighborhood and along several main roads, and they go along with the shape of the valley. El Poblado has a metro station all the way at the bottom of the hill.

What we were told by various guides and locals is that Medellin locals are VERY proud of their metro, and you’ll see that it has barely any graffiti, litter or damage. It’s a symbol of how the city pushed into the future and out of dark times.

Visit el Museo Casa La Memoria (House of Memory Museum)

Museo Casa La Memoria was mentioned above with the Barrio Transformation Tour information. This is a museum that is not like others. Unique to its name, it’s the ‘house of memories.’ It serves to pay respect to the groups of people who lost their lives during Medellin’s years of conflict.

The museum, which is excellently done, also shows visitors how farmers, innocent people and families suffered during the years when drugs destroyed the country and its image.

Stop by Parque de las Luces (Park of Lights)

We were lucky to walk by this unique park, listed in Atlas Obscura , on our Medellin Free Walking Tour . The park its light installations are meant to represent a new future for the city.

You can also visit on your own (check out the TripAdvisor page to know some facts and see some reviews before you go).

We recommend going during the day if you are on your own without a tour group. The poles light up at night, but this is when the area gets dodgy and uncomfortable. It’s best to go as part of a walking tour or as a quick stop. Put your safety first.

Take to the skies with paragliding

Because of Medellin’s striking location in a valley, views are everywhere . What better way to see a new perspective than to do paragliding? This adrenaline junkie activity is a Medellin favorite and for several years now, has been one of the most popular adventures for travelers.

Pick some excursions near Medellin

The more we get to know Medellin, the more we appreciate all the day trips you can take outside the city! See this list of some great ones, and then visit our guide to the best day trips from Medellin for more information.

Santa Fe de Antioquia

Visit the charming Santa Fe de Antioquia , for experiencing a laid-back, not crowded, authentic and local-feeling whitewashe historic town.

Guatape itself is a colorful town, two hours from Medellin. You can walk through the town, have lunch or a drink on the city’s square, and look at the church and people-watch. Then, climb hundreds of steps up a massive monolithic rock. Check out our Guatape travel guide and also how to get to Guatape from Medellin .

Want to get straight to Guatape?

Book a one-day Guatape tour directly from Medellin and see what this giant rock is all about!

This beautiful multi-colored Colombian heritage town is best visited as an overnight trip; however, you can join a full-day private day tour. Jardin is a pueblo nestled in the green mountains with charming architecture and a slow pace of life. Check out our Jardin travel guide to see if it’ll fit in your itinerary.

Best places to stay in Medellin

Medellin has no shortage of places to stay, especially in El Poblado and in Laureles. You should have no problem getting a reservation at an apartment, apartment-hotel, hotel or hostel.

Casacol Apartment Hotels

Medellin is a place where you can have a comfortable accommodation experience at great value by staying in a Casacol apartment rental. Casacol has more than 20 serviced and amenity apartment buildings throughout Medellin, and you can stay for one night, like a hotel, or for a month or more, like an expat or long-term traveler.

We stayed at the Loma Verde building , which is located on a quiet street in El Poblado. It has a rooftop dipping pool, a gym, 24-hour security and rooms with kitchens, washer-dryers, desk space and helpful staff. It was one of the best stays we’ve had in all of South America.

Visit our full Casacol accommodation review to see more photos and details.

Backpacker hostel in Medellin

Having gone there ourselves to hang out at the bar, we recommend Casa Kiwi Hostel . It’s a big, conveniently-located hostel in El Poblado and is always popular. The property has kitchens on several floors and a rooftop deck where you can kick back with a beer and enjoy the views while meeting other travelers.

Check out more hostels in Medellin , as there are tons to choose from.

Digital nomad hostel in Medellin

If you’re on a trip where you need to get some work done and you’re looking for an affordable coworking space , look for the big Selina in El Poblado .

This is a good coworking space with a digital nomad community. You can get a day membership, week membership or month membership. There’s outdoor space like a sunny balcony, bean bag chairs, hot desks , phone booths for having calls and yoga classes on the patio. You can book a hostel bed or room on Hostelworld .

We recommend two hotels, Hotel Dann Carlton and Hotel Intercontinental Medellín, an IHG Hotel .

For more ideas, check out our guide to where to stay in Medellin . You can also go directly to Booking.com to start your search.

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Medellín Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do, and More

Looking for travel adventure, eats, and endless experience in a perfect urban mountain metropolis? Medellín, Colombia should be high on your list. Medellín is almost always between 63 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit. In Colombia, the weather is dictated by elevation rather than location. With its borders both above and below the equator, the country remains hot n’ steamy at sea-level Cartagena, cool on Bogotá’s plateau high in the Andes Mountains, and, not unlike the best of Goldilocks’ burglary, Medellín is juuust right, tucked into the Aburrá Valley under mountains that keep the warm air in and the rain out.

Where to Stay

What to eat, how to save money on your trip.

There are almost endless places to visit, view, and eat under the Medellín sun. Colorful homes line up next to colonial hotels, modern museums, and swanky hotels . Music adds spice to the air, as do grilling meats and the lights that splash across the evening. After you’re done with consumption, the city offers an abundance of urban retreats. Swim, hike, fly across the sky via this Manual guide.

(*Speaking of flying, a State Department Advisory warns that there is still a pandemic and it hasn’t missed Colombia. Like many places, however, new cases have dropped precipitously since the third wave of the pandemic has ebbed. Proof of COVID-19 is required for travel to the country.)

There are a number of wonderful neighborhoods to explore in Medellín. To find the best place to stay in is to choose between the various barrios, likely between the La Laureles and Poblado larger districts.

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With over 300 neighborhoods to choose from, visitors should start with the handful where most expats and visitors begin. These include, but are not limited to Central Laureles, Northeastern Laureles, Central Poblado, Lower Poblado, and La Florida, Poblado.

Marquee Medellín

Here’s all the Marquee has to offer: Panoramic views of the city, soothing dark brown walls under a warm light color scheme that brings out a stunning collision of modern chic and Old World charm in a snappy downstairs bar. On the rooftop is the requisite sleek outdoor swimming pool and view out over Medellín. And when you’re ready to feast, head to the Marquee Restaurant for a solid selection of Colombian chef-designed meals.

The Marquee is situated in the heart of Parque Lleras and the crowded, popular El Poblado neighborhood. International flights to Medellín land at José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), which is situated in the city of Rionegro, approximately 13.5 miles east of the Marquee Medellín.

Terra Biohotel

How about contributing a positive impact to your environmental stamp on Medellín in a hotel designed for comfort and sustainability ? The Terra Biohotel instituted an intelligent use of resources to create a pleasant environment where you and the planet can breathe more comfortably.

From lush vertical gardens to solar-powered heating, you won’t find a more eco-friendly hotel in Medellín. Ask for one of the upper-floor rooms, and you can look down from your balcony to the city’s spectacular spread. And head out from Terra to the tree-lined Conquistadores neighborhood, one of the Medellín city center’s greener spots, with iconic Nutibara Hill just a couple of blocks away. Terra Biohotel sits 15 miles east of the José María Córdova International Airport.

There are plenty of fruit and veggies , Paisa, food from the Antioquia region (of which Medellín is the capital), is heavy and laden with meats, sausage, beans, eggs, and rice. It’s not nearly as spicy as you’ll find food in Mexico to be and there’s also plenty of sweet to go along with the savory, combining to create a pleasant combo.

• “$” = budget-friendly or cheap
• “$$”= average
• “$$$”= expensive

At Carmen, you’ll get to try innovative Colombian cuisine in a lush setting lined with plants & trees. Accolade after accolade assures that gastronomes need to find their way to Carmen.

Run by an American-Colombian couple (both Cordon Bleu chefs), Carmen’s menu melds Colombian flavors with a strong Californian influence. Revel in innovative meat and flavor combos like tamarind pork belly or in fresh fish swimming in sweet sauce.

At Carmen, diners have various eating areas to choose from. An elegant, naturally lit dining room overlooks an open kitchen and greenery outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Step outside of this 1950s retro ambiance into the verdant garden to dine in the conservatory.

Best for lunch and dinner; $$$.

Browse the Menu

For a more Continental take on typical Colombian food in El Poblado, you can’t miss Ocio. Modern European influences give old school Colombian dishes new life. influences such as the amazing Chicharron.

Parisian trained chef Laura Londoño partners with her husband Santiago Arango to bring fresh-picked, slow-cooked delights like pork belly salad, beef braised for 12 hours, and irresistible ‘Tres Leches’ for dessert.

The cherry on top? There are 1980s tunes always overhead and a select wine and cocktail list in front to enjoy a meal with no pretense.

Best for dinner; $$.

The city abounds with parks, public spaces, cafes, libraries, museums, and walking the vibrant streets, much of it accessible by outdoor escalators and public cable cars . In the City of Eternal Spring, flowers have their own fairs, colors and art abound amidst a green space that leads up to forests dotted by small village life and surrounding nature reserves.

Enjoy the Café Culture

Though Colombia is the best place in the world to grow coffee , it was difficult to find a cup of Colombian coffee in Medellín a decade ago. Most of the country’s best coffee has been exported, so until a few years ago, most Colombians didn’t actually drink their own homegrown brew. This, however, is now changing for the better and you can find some fantastic local coffee in the city.

This couldn’t be more true than the endearing Café Aroma del Barrio. The heart of the infamous Comuna 13 neighborhood was once a no-go zone but now has turned into an artistic and entrepreneurial hub. Here at the Aroma del Barrio, the baristas here know how to whip up some of the best cappuccinos, limonada de coco (coconut limeade), and other quality coffee drinks Medellín has to offer. The tiny places numerous local and international visitors, a list which includes former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Explore Parque Arvi

Looking to fly in Medellín (or at least be carted up a steep green mountain flank)?

Parque Arvi is worth a visit to get the flavor of the outdoors surrounding the springtime city. Take the gondola right from the subway to the park’s entrance and get a wonderful vista of the city’s hills, descending valleys, and cityscape.

Parque Arvi spans 16,000 hectares and includes over 1,500-year-old trails. At the park entrance, you can stop in for supplies at a small market and use the place as a launching place for a self-guided or tour-guided walk. It costs 5,000 to 7,000 Colombian pesos ($1.50-$2.25) depending on the trail (most trails are 2-4km long).

Visit dozens of different bird and butterfly species along the way.

View the Park

First, a word: You do need to take care in Colombia as it is the gateway between two continents. This means opportunity for crime as people and goods flow through maybe the most biodiverse nation in the world. Medellín is like most other places: Be mindful of where you go, what you do, and where you stay.

That being said, saving money in Medellín is as easy as traveling there. The American dollar goes very far compared to Colombian pesos. Be mindful of that when deciding on where to spend your money. If you can have an incredible time and contribute to the local economy, all the better.

Experiences

Medellín is large, so you’ll find the need for transportation to many places. Taxis and semi-legal Uber rides will cost you, but when you get to your destination, there’s often plenty to be experienced around you. Save money by taking a walking tour of any of the neighborhoods. There’s no shortage of free or cheap tours.

Real City Walking Tours , for example, offers an excellent free tour and an informative introduction to the city. You’ll get a lot of good tips, and the guides are great people. Be sure to tip when the tour wraps up!

Selina Medellin sits in the heart of the hip Provenza neighborhood and is surrounded by culinary hotspots, buzzing bars, and authentic coffee shops. Selina Hostel is not the cheapest, but it is the perfect location from which to launch your Medellín adventure. There’s a range of accommodations options to suit every travel budget. Included are coworking space, a nice bar and cafe, a wellness area to practice yoga, and even a rooftop music studio.

This curated programming stretches into art, photography, and cooking alongside a melting pot of people from around the world. You can even dance away long evenings with local DJs spinning electronic music late into the night.

Vehicle Rentals

Localiza has some of the best deals as the most reputable local agency, renting cars for about $30/day. Others like Alamo and Enterprise are also available.

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It's the second-largest city in Spain and was initially founded by the Romans. With its awe-dropping art and architecture, it's an ideal travel destination for history lovers. While it’s a playground for artists and architects, Barcelona is also famous for its Catalonian dishes, colorful buildings, exciting nightlife, and beautiful beaches perfect for lounging the day away.

Iceland feels so far removed from the rest of Europe, and from our concepts of what the “ideal European vacation” looks like. But if you’re not seeking the stereotypical “ideal European vacation,” Iceland may be the destination you’ve been looking for.

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Home > Colombia > Medellin > Medellin Travel Guide

Medellin Travel Guide: An Instruction Manual for an Unforgettable Trip

Go Beyond the TripAdvisor Top 10

This post is part of Everything to Know Before Visiting Medellin , a collection of no-B.S., unique guides to an unforgettable stay in Colombia.

We made this atypical Medellin travel guide because we're tired of travel guides that tell us exactly what's "must do" but are really just rewrites of the TripAdvisor top 10.

Instead of telling you what to do, we're going to share with you what we think you should know about Medellin: what's where, what's unique, what's tasty, and what's nearby and worth checking out too.

We'll also make some specific recommendations, but those are more to give you an idea what's out there.

Try some things we recommend for sure, but also make your own discoveries. That's how we had our favorite experiences during our six months living in Medellin, and that's how you will too.

Ready? Listos?

Let's get into this Medellin travel guide.

Medellin Travel Guide Outline

• Before You Go – How to decide where to stay, and useful things to know before coming
• Things to Do – What's overrated and underrated, and our absolute favorites
• Food and Drink – How to stuff your face full of unforgettable goodness
• Medellin Getaways     – Hikes and towns near Medellin for fresh air, and a fresh perspective
• Elsewhere in Colombia  – Bogota, the Pacific Coast, and an epic trek
• Favorite Resources – Other online sources of Medellin tips

Before You Visit Medellin

Is medellin dangerous.

The parts of Medellin you're likely to visit are more dangerous than comparable areas in North America or Europe.

For instance, we heard no shortage of stories of friends and friends' friends and readers getting mugged, mostly when they were drunk and stumbling home alone, but even in broad daylight.

On the other hand, the vast majority of people we know and met, including many idiots who were asking for trouble, had no issues.

To stay safe, keep your valuables (including your phone) concealed in public, dress and act to blend in, heed locals' warnings about certain areas, and be extra careful at night. Common sense.

Where to Stay in Medellin

The mistake most newcomers make—we made it too—when trying to figure out where to stay in Medellin is to ask, "Should we stay in El Poblado or Laureles (or even Envigado)?"

Those districts are too huge. Your best bet is to find the barrio within one of those districts that's best for you.

Our guide of where to stay in Medellin ranks the city's top  barrios  in 12 criteria including food, safety, and affordability. That way, you can pick the ones that matter most to you and decide on the perfect place.

If you're too "busy" to go through that whole guide, here's a super-fast intro to the top 10 barrios we recommend you consider:

• Central Poblado: Most popular area for both tourists and long-term foreign residents. I sometimes almost forget I’m in Colombia when I’m in this part of town.
• Lower Poblado: More conveniently-located and low-key than Central Poblado. Still unmistakably Gringolandia.
• La Florida, Poblado: Swanky high-rise hotels and apartments, malls, and not much street-life.
• Central Laureles: Far from the metro, but full of cafés and eateries. It's where people who think El Poblado is "too gringo" go.
• La 70, Laureles: Closer to the metro than Central Laureles and more lively, for better and for worse.
• Northern Laureles: Laid-back, almost too laid-back, and well-to-do residential neighborhood.
• Central Envigado: Envigado’s small but happening “downtown” feels like you’re not in Medellin anymore, which was indeed the case not too long ago.
• El Dorado, Envigado: A true neighborhood feel, with row houses that have shops, bars, mini-markets, and other small businesses all along its narrow streets.
• Northern Envigado: Less street life than El Dorado, but a larger fine-dining / entertainment district, La Calle de la Buena Mesa.
• Downtown Medellin: On the rise and in the middle of the action. The most central for tourists during the day, but not the best at night.

Check out our Medellin neighborhood guide to decide which of these is best for what you're looking for.

Things to Know Before Coming to Medellin

Like everywhere, there are ups and downs to Medellin. And like everywhere, nobody tells you them before you get there.

Here are some of them—a quick cheat sheet of 10 good, bad, and fun things to know before coming to Medellin.

For all the details and twelve more things to know before coming to Medellin, see the full post .

Things to Do in Medellin

Our Top 10 Favorite Experiences

In the six months we lived in Medellin, we tried to see and experience everything. We gave the touristy things a go and explored all sorts of spots even locals had no idea about.

Of all our amazing (and not-so-amazing) adventures, these were our top 10 absolute favorites (in no particular order):

• Hiking Parque Arvi through the back door
• Forgetting Narcos and doing the Real City walking tour
• Gorging on as many menu del dias as we could all over the city
• Eating the most humongous piece of "mega-bacon" we've ever seen at  La Gloria de Gloria
• Heading for the hills to go hiking
• (This one's a secret)
• Escaping Medellin and visiting pueblos like Venecia , Jardin , and Jerico (NOT Guatape)
• Feeling like a superhero while paragliding
• Spending an afternoon checking out the highlights in Laureles
• Enjoying the best of El Poblado

For all the details on these amazing experiences, a handful more that just barely missed the list, and some things we recommend not to do, check our atypicial guide of things to do in Medellin .

Overrated and Underrated Medellin Attractions

We have the sometimes contentious opinion that some Medellin's "top" tourist attractions should be on the bottom of your to-do list.

They're not all terrible (except Pueblito Paisa). It's just that there are likely better ways to spend your time and money.

Here our favorite examples:

• Overrated:  Laureles, Parque Arvi, Pueblito Paisa, Uber, Poblado farmers market, Guatape
• Underrated:  Envigado, every other Medellin park, Cerro Pan de Azucar, taxis, Mercado Minorista, Jerico

Don't Overlook Envigado, Medellin's Version of Brooklyn

Located right next to the high-flying, rapidly-modernizing El Poblado district of Medellin, Envigado remains a hard-working, urban, unpretentious town that's yet to be swallowed up by globalism (or hipsters).

It's a pre-hipster Brooklyn.

We lived there for two amazing months. Here are some of our favorite things about it:

• The Neighborhood Feel: There aren't many "highlights" in Envigado, but it's a great place to wander. Kids play on the streets, old men sit on tables drinking guaro while watching life pass by, and crazy Christmas displays decorate the whole town in December. And nowhere did we feel safer.
• The Restaurants:  There's a fine-dining area called La Calle de la Buena Mesa, where you can pick where to eat based on your cravings that evening. In super neighborhoody El Dorado are some of our favorite spots like Pedacito de Amor and Pizzeria Burro . And there are La Gloria de Gloria and Trifasico with their enormous slabs of meat.
• Otraparte:  The coffee isn't that good and the WiFi sucks, but even so El Cafe de Otraparte is the cafe / hang out area we miss most about Medellin.

There's A LOT more than this, of course, which you can read all about in our comprehensive Envigado guide .

What Everybody Other Blogger Recommends for Medellin

When we moved to Medellin we read a lot of blog posts on what to do and see.

Then we had the idea of compiling all those recommendations into one.

Things quickly got out of hand.

By the end, we had consolidated tips from over fifty travel blog posts. The compilation is enormous and overwhelming, but maybe you'll find it helpful. 

Check it out .

Eating and Drinking in Medellin

Medellin's Best Restaurants for 20 Unique Occasions

We can't honestly tell you which are the "best restaurants in Medellin" because we haven't been to every one and tried every dish. Nobody has. But we can recommend some restaurants for specific occasions and cravings. For example:

• If you want to impress your partner with a romantic picnic in the park , go to In Situ
• If you need a rest, refresh, and refueling in Mercado Minorista (Medellin's city center produce market), go to Aqui Paro Lucho
• If you want Colombian cuisine with a modern, adventurous, and delicious twist , go to Alambique  (probably our favorite restaurant in Medellin)
• If you want to get high and/or eat really good gelato , go to  Nuovo Fiore

We have twenty recommendations in total. Check out our Medellin restaurant guide for all of them.

Medellin's Best Lunch Specials

Lunch is the best time to go out for food in Medellin. You can get high-quality, delicious meals including soup, a main course, a drink, and sometimes dessert for $3 to $6 USD. These specials are called menu del dias .

There are so many restaurants with menu del dias that it can be overwhelming, so Chris went a bit overboard to help you out. He went to over hundred places then made a list of his forty favorites.

See them all in his huge menu del dia guide .

The Best Colombian Coffee, Beer, Cheese, and Aguardiente

Are you sure your tastes aren't affected by branding and appearances?

And that's why do blind taste tests. In Medellin, we did some to determine who truly has the best coffee, beer, cheese and aguardiente in Colombia (or at least Medellin).

Here are the surprising blind taste test results:

• Best coffee : Rituales Cafe . Hands down. Read the full post here
• Best lager beer:  Heineken. Ugh. We can't believe it either. Read all about it here .
• Best Colombian cheese:  None. But if you force us, we'd take queso pera. Learn all about the weird Colombian cheeses here .
• Best aguardiente: Aguardiente is the local liquor and the best from our taste test (here) was Amarillo de Manzanares. More importantly, and regardless of which aguardiente brand you drink, read these nine surprising facts first.

An Intro to Colombian Drinks

You already know about Colombian coffee, but do you know what  viche ,  mazamorra , and  guarapo  are?

Here's a quick vocab lesson:

• Chicha : A fermented corn drink that was the locals' drink of choice before the Spanish came and screwed things up.
• Viche:  A home-brewed moonshine made from sugar cane that’s popular on Colombia’s Pacific Coast
• Chocolate Santafereño:  Hot chocolate with cheese inside.
• Limonada de Coco:  A hugely popular and super delicious and refreshing blend of coconut and lemonade.
• Mazamorra and Claro: Corn-infused milks that often come with your menu del dia (lunch special).
• Guarapo and Aguapanela : Drinks made from sugarcane. Guarapo is typically made by pressing the cane itself. Aguapanela is agua mixed with panela, unrefined cane sugar.

And there are even more Colombian drinks to know about. To see them all, where to get them, and how to drink them, check out our guide .

Medellin Getaways

Medellin Hikes

The quality and quantity of hikes near Medellin (many accessible by public transit!) was something we didn’t expect before coming. From waterfalls to caves to natural pyramids to Escobar’s old prison, whenever we ventured into the hills we were always rewarded for doing so. And every single time the views are incredible.

If you want to get some fresh air and develop a tight round tush the old-fashioned way (instead of artificially, like many women do in Medellin), we highly recommend it.

Some hikes are hard to find, so we've helped you out with a list of our favorite hikes in and around Medellin . For each hike, you’ll find a guide complete with directions, maps, and photos

Nearby Pueblos

Please, please, please don’t spend time in Medellin without visiting at least one of the nearby pueblos. It will completely change your understanding and perception of what Colombia and Antioquia is about.

And Guatape doesn’t count.

We went to a handful of pueblos and recommend them all highly, but there are plenty of others where you're sure to have an extraordinary travel story too. Here are the pueblos we wrote guides to:

• Jerico – A traditional town for religious pilgrammiges, it's now worth going to for an artisanal food pilgrimage, colorful sunsets, colorful waterfalls, colorful people, and colorful architecture. See what there's to do in Jerico , and what to eat on your own food pilgramage .
• Jardin  – Jardin is a bigger, lusher, and more tourist-friendly version of Jerico. Here are our favorite things we did there .
• Venecia – Venecia is for you if you don’t want to see any other tourists and/or plan to hike Cerro Tusa (the world’s largest natural pyramid). Read more here .
• Urrao  – The town itself wasn't our favorite, but it was cool for a couple of nights. Most importantly, it's close to the unbelievable and unforgettable Paramo del Sol. Check out these mind-boggling photos in our guide .

Elsewhere in Colombia

Paramo del Sol Trek

The trek to the Paramo del So is so mind-bogglingly cool that you forget to worry about how cold it can get (…well almost). Up at the highest point in Antioquia, there’s nowhere in the world with scenery like it. Read our guide here . Even if you don't like reading just go there for the amazing photos by our friend Oskar.

The Pacific Coast

Colombia's Pacific Coast was a no-go zone for a long time. It only very recently opened up for tourism again and started to appear on tourists’ radars. In other words, if you’re an adventure traveler now’s the time to go.

And from Medellin, it's an easy flight from the city center Olaya Herrera Airport .

Not knowing anything about it beforehand, we explored the Bahia Solano area for about a week. It turned out to be is a jungle, waterfall, and deserted beach paradise.

There’s so much to do that we couldn’t help but compile four different guides for the area:

• 15 travel tips for Colombia's Pacific Coast – Things you should be aware of, including how worried you should be about bugs and rain, what tour not to miss, and how not to miss your flight home.
• Where to stay around Bahia Solano – The pros and cons of all the options: remote beaches like Playa Mecana and Playa Cuevita, popular spots like El Valle and Playe El Almejal, or places in between like Playa Huina.
• El Valle travel guide –  Your extensive guide of to this small town El Valle that is so under-covered by tour guides and blogs that even Google Maps doesn’t show its streets.
• The Right Way to do the Cascada El Tigre tour – This is the only waterfall we've ever seen that falls right onto a beach. It's Chris' wet dream. And if you visit it the right way, you'll see a few more waterfalls and save some money.

You might assume Bogota isn’t worth visiting. It’s too big, busy, dangerous, and cold. That's what we thought.

We were wrong.

You might be as surprised as we were by what Colombia's capital has to offer. Check it out .

And once you've had enough of Bogota and are ready to return to Medellin, consider taking the bus and maybe stopping off somewhere along the way. We went to a town called Honda. It wasn't our favorite, but it was an experience nonetheless. Read all about how (and why) to bus between Bogota and Medellin, and what Honda's like, here .

Favorite Other Sites

Resources and communities that helped us discover many of the items on this Medellin travel guide.

• Catalyst Weekly  is the go-to resource to find out what foreigner-friendly events are going on while you’re in town.
• The Medellin Expats group on Facebook . It's full of lunatics, idiots, and self-promoters, but if you dig around you can find some truly helpful tips.
• Kinkaju Hikes and Adventures . Go on a hike, or a beer crawl, with a diverse and friendly group of people including local expats, local locals, and visitors.
• Tom Plan My Trip.  This guy went super deep with info to help you plan your trip to Colombia. You'll find lots of stuff we didn't bother to write because he already said it.
• Wikiloc.  It's the go-to app for finding and sharing hikes in Colombia. You'll have to pay $2.99 US to use it, but it's worth it.
• The Unconventional Route. That's us. Check out our extensive collection of Colombia-related advice here , ask us questions in the comments, or, if it's private, email us at info at theunconventionalroute.com.

How to Have an Awesome Medellin Trip

For all the ingredients you need to put together a magnificent Medellin trip— where to stay , what to do , what to eat , where else to visit in Colombia —see our Medellin Travel Manual.

Medellin Travel Manual

Our collection of blog posts that reveal the real Medellin.

And if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions to share with other readers, please share them in the comments!

Disclosure: Whenever possible, we use links that earn us a cut if you pay for stuff we recommend. It costs you nothing, so we'd be crazy not to. Read our affiliate policy .

13 thoughts on “Medellin Travel Guide: An Instruction Manual for an Unforgettable Trip”

You guys rock! Headed to Medellín. On Thursday, have done almost zero research, this post just made my day, and soon to be vacation! Thanks!

Nice list. Also lived in Medellin for six months, back in 2017…we have the same consensus on Pueblito Paisa. ( https://hippospit.com/2019/04/24/pueblito-paisa/ )

What did you think of Colombian cheese? I’m rather impressed that you bought 18 and did a blind taste test…once, when we were living in Envigado, the refrigeration for half of our local Carulla was out for a week. They never bothered to replace the dairy stock…many leaps of faith were made.

Also wrote a little something about safety in Botero Plaza a little while ago…in case anyone is reading and considering a visit. https://hippospit.com/2018/11/13/botero-plaza/ Be careful.

Thanks R. Your description of Pueblito Paisa is spot on. Keep up the good work!

I'd say that if anyone thinks that any description of any city encompasses the totality of reality, then they have never been to a city. There is no city that isn't variegated from places you shouldn't go to, to places that are perfectly safe…from boring to exciting, etc. I couldn't disagree more with the conclusion that one needs to quickly walk away from Plaza Botero to the metro because it's dangerous or unsavory. I guess unsavory is in the eye of the beholder, but please…cities have all sorts and varieties of people all over the place. Pointing out a transgender prostitute (perhaps not transgender at all – perhaps just a cross-dresser, and presuming that person is a prostitute seems rather judgmental.) So what? That's life in the big city, and they are hardly threatening one's security. I'd also like to point out that there is an ebb and flow over months/years as to what is happening in any particular area. What may have been a couple of years ago may be totally different today. That's also part of the danger of writing/reading reviews.

Hey Phil. I don't understand: Which pointing out of prostitutes and hurrying from Plaza Botero to the metro are you referring to? I don't believe we mentioned that on the site. Or are you using these as examples to illustrate common misperceptions about Medellin overall? I also hope we aren't giving the impression of claiming to completely explain and outline Medellin with our blog. Like you said, we can't, especially since every person's perception differs. We just want this blog to give readers the tools and motivation to explore with their own fresh and unbiased perspective, which seems to be what you believe in as well! Enjoy Medellin!

Congratulations, that's a really good post. I will add maybe having a chocolate con queso up in Las Palmas Viewpoint (Medellin).

Thanks for the suggestion, Mr. Moto!

one of the best recaps i've read on medellin! well done!

Thanks Stephanie. I'm worried it might start getting out of date. Please let us know of your discoveries and recommendations. Enjoy!

Why the f*ck would you recommend Heineken, are you nuts? Colombia has amazing domestics and for cheap. Pilsen, Club Columbia, Poker, Aguila, the list goes on. GTFO out of here with that mess.

Try a Colombian beer blind taste test, like we did. We included Heineken as an outsider and it was the clear winner. We didn't choose. Our palates did. I'm not proud of it.

And thanks for censoring your commment with the *.

Just visited Medellin, and I can say this was a pretty bad guide. Guatape is not overrated, and Medellin is safer than several U.S. cities. Trying to scare people is classic gringo behavior. Uber is also safer than some of the taxi services, even though it is technically illegal.

Fair enough. It's a bit long in the tooth. And the guide is my subjective opinion.

Don't know where you get the impression I'm trying to scare people.

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