Few cities have rewritten their narrative with quite such bold vision and dazzling ingenuity as Medellín. Just 20 years ago, if you told anyone that you were heading to Colombia’s second city, they would think you were crazy. And they had a point. In the 1990s, Medellín had a murder rate of 435 per 100,000 residents, incessant car bombings, kidnappings, and ruthless gang wars. Following the death of Pablo Escobar in 1993, followed by a series of inspired reforms ushered in by progressive mayor Sergio Fajardo, the city has been truly reborn from a society on the brink of collapse into a dynamic, creative, and safe city. Check out my recommended things to do in Medellin, the City of Eternal Spring.
10-Day Colombia Trip
Check out my 10-Day Colombia Trip Itinerary. I was fortunate to spend 5 nights in Cartagena and 4 nights in Medellin.
Cafe de la Cima
Colombia is one of the largest exporters of coffee. Check out my review of the Cafe de la Cima coffee plantation. Just outside of Medellin.
Full Day Guatape Tour with Penol Rock
No trip to Medellin, Colombia is complete without a Full Day Guatape Tour. Check out my in-depth review of this exciting full Day Guatape Tour with Penol Rock inclusion.
El Poblado Neighborhood
The El Poblado neighborhood (Comuna 14) will likely be your starting off point in Medellin. This is where you’ll find tourist-friendly hotels and accommodations. Besides great accommodations, you’ll find nightlife and plethora of fine dining restaurants, this place is friendly, welcoming, and just a great place to explore on your travels to Medellin in general! El Poblado is welcoming and a great place to explore on your travels to Medellin!
The metro system runs through a lot of El Poblado, making it a convenient way to get around the area. Even Though you have that option, you’ve also got the option of taking taxis or using transportation apps in case you want to avoid public transportation.
The El Poblado neighborhood is known for its boutique and luxury hotels, food and dining, shopping, and nightlife. From visiting different restaurants and discovering different malls and museums, El Poblado is a remarkable place to visit. Looking for some shopping? Check out the Santafé Mall. In the middle of the mall, there’s a giant space that’s decorated according to the current season or cultural events happening in the city. Another mall is El Tesoro Mall. This is a smaller mall. Good for chilling out and having a meal or a snack. Sometimes there are concerts for you to attend. Or, you can catch a movie at Cine Colombia in the mall.
Comuna 13 Tour
See the street art of Medellin’s Comuna 13 neighborhood with a local guide by booking a group tour. You’ll learn about how the neighborhood transformed itself from one of the most dangerous spots in the city to a thriving tourist attraction as you walk through the area. You’ll also check out all sorts of street art and get the chance to interact with local artists and snack vendors.
Jardín Botánico de Medellín
The Joaquin Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden of Medellín, more simply known as the Botanical Garden of Medellín, is a 14-hectare botanical garden in Medellín, Colombia. The botanical garden has 4,500 flowers and 139 recorded bird species.
Paragliding Adventure
Heading to Medellin for an adrenaline rush? Why not go on a paragliding adventure? Ruben Dario Montoya Vargas and his team, the owners of Paragliding Medellin, have over 30 years experience and have completed 9000+ successful flights all over Colombia without incident. He holds over a dozen certifications and is widely recognized in Colombia and Costa Rica as the father of paragliding.
Ruben Fly is internationally recognized as one of the most accomplished paragliding instructors in Colombia and the world, having received over 14 certificates and participated in several national competitions.
Dream Hammocks + Zipline + Waterfall
Live a full adventure day with the biggest zipline in Colombia, and the best hammocks activity in the region. Hanging at 150 meters tall. This tour with Ecoventure will take you to one of the most beautiful regions at just 1.5 hours from the city of Medellin where you will experience a landscape surrounded by huge mountains and waterfalls. Hike to the base of a giant waterfall. Afterwards, enjoy delicious traditional food and drinks. One of the most fun things to do in Medellin.
Plaza Botero
Plaza Botero, surrounded by the Museum of Antioquia, is a popular square in Medellin. Here you will find tons of restaurants and shops. This museum houses a large collection of works by its native Fernando Botero and Pedro Nel Gomez. Fernando Botero is known for his figures in exaggerated volumes, and very voluptuous. Or in modern times, “thicc” with two Cs. If you’re in Medellín and you want to spend some time in the company of a herd of bronze Boteros, you won’t find anywhere better than the 75,347-square-foot Plaza Botero.
Plaza Botero is located in the Old Quarter of Medellin, close to the Parque Berrio Metro Station in the center of the city. It’s a popular tourist destination, and can get a little crowded, so you might have to be patient if you want to get a clear shot of the sculptures. The tourists have also attracted plenty of local vendors selling souvenirs, soft drinks, and chewing gum. As noted by Atlas Obscura, pickpockets also frequent the plaza, so keep a firm grip on your wallet.
Coffee Farm
It’s no secret that Colombia is a huge exporter of coffee. My recommendation is to leave Medellin for a day and visit a nearby coffee farm. It’s nice to have a change of scenery after spending some time in the city. My recommendation is visiting Cafe de la Cima. It is an organic coffee farm villa located in the beautiful and picturesque Andes Mountains. In my opinion, visiting a coffee farm is one of the quintessential things to do in Medellin.
ATV Tour
Spend some time outdoors in the mountains that surround Medellin. Alongside a private guide, gear up for your quad adventure and hit various off-road trails during this fun adventure. Pass through small farms and open fields, then end your tour with a typical lunch at a local trout farm.
Memory House Museum
Museo Casa de la Memoria (House of Memory Museum) is a museum in Medellín dedicated to honoring the victims of urban conflict in Colombia. And it’s worth seeing this museum to better understand the history of the city of Medellin. The museum was created to contribute to the comprehension and overcoming of the armed conflict and the diverse kinds of violence of Medellín, Antioquia and Colombia.
Parque Explora
Parque Explora is an interactive science museum in Medellín, Colombia, loosely modeled after San Francisco’s Exploratorium. It houses South America’s largest freshwater aquarium, Explora Aquarium. A great place to spend some time. Especially if you’re traveling with kids!
Guatape Tour with Penol Rock
Escape the hustle and bustle of Medellin for an 8-hour exploration of the charming villages and gorgeous scenery found in the surrounding Colombian region of Antioquia. Explore the sprawling mansions and rural environment of El Retiro on the outskirts of Medellin. Guatape is such a cute town! With bright-colored buildings and little mom-and-pop shops, it’s the perfect place to visit!
Then visit El Peñol, a village that was displaced by the creation of the man-made lake Guatape, before climbing the 700+ stairs of the massive El Peñol Rock. You’ll also enjoy a lakeside lunch in Guatape (Zocalo Village) and pass through a series of quaint towns on your way back to the city.
El Castillo Museum and Gardens
El Castillo Museum and Gardens is a Colombian museum in the El Poblado district of Medellín. It offers permanent exhibitions of objects in porcelain and glass, stained glass, antiques, paintings, and sculptures, among other things. The permanent exhibit contains nine rooms and an outside garden.
Cooking Class
Take a break from city sightseeing and experience daily life in Medellín on a private market tour, followed by a cooking lesson in the home of a local. Browse fresh produce, pick up traditional recipes, and enjoy hands-on cooking practice, with tips and advice provided by your host. A great way to get immersed in the culture! After cooking, enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Bandeja paisa is one of the most popular dishes in the Antioquia region of Colombia. It was created by “campesinos,” people from the countryside.
It’s a nice filling meal, typically consisting of chorizo, pork belly, eggs sunny side up, pinto beans and plantains. Served with a slice of tomato and avocado. Delicious!
Overall, there are plenty of things to do in Medellin! You’ll have lots to keep you busy if you plan on staying here under a week. In recent years, there has been an influx in the number of digital nomads working abroad in Medellin. It has become quite the expat place to be.
Planning your trip to
Medellin, Colombia?
