• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Layer Culture

Latin America Travel & Culture Blog

  • Start Here
    • About
    • My Story
    • Travel Bible
  • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear
    • Dan’s Checklist
    • Medellin Tips
    • Culture Shock
    • Travel Safety
  • Destinations
    • Mexico
    • Colombia
    • Central America
    • South America
    • Jamaica
    • Brazil
  • Resources
    • Safety Gear
    • Learn Spanish
    • Travel Journals
    • Backpacking
    • Latin Culture
Home / Travel Guides

What to do in Medellin, Colombia

Travel Guides Last Updated · Jan 20th, 2023 · Daniel James

what to do in medellin botero plaza

Are you traveling to Colombia and wondering what to do in Medellin?

You’re in the right place… Let’s grab a coffee and take a look at the things you can do during your stay in the city of eternal spring.

With lots of fun to be had, Medellin is popular with backpackers and for some people, the city is one of the best cities to visit in Colombia.

Table of Contents

  • What to do in Medellin, Colombia
    • Arriving to Medellin
  • Medellin Typical Costs and Budget
    • Where is Medellin, Colombia: Map of Medellin
  • What to do in Medellin
    • Restaurant Hacienda
    • El Castillo Museum
    • Medellin Walking Tour
    • Metro Cable See Medellin From Above
    • Museo Casa Gardeliana
    • Arvi Park
    • Colombian Coffee Tasting
    • Eat Bunuelos
    • Guatape
    • Comuna 13
    • Berrio Park
    • Museum House of the Memory
    • Mi Viejo Pueblo
    • Free Things to do in Medellin
  • Medellin Travel Tips
    • Got Travel Insurance for Medellin?
  • What to do in Medellin

What to do in Medellin, Colombia

I first made a trip to Medellin after hearing about the exuberant lifestyle and how it’s one of the top places to visit in Colombia.

Meeting the right people is key to experiencing the many cultural things to do in Medellin and will give you access to the beauty of the city.

Arriving to Medellin

Depending on whether you are flying to Medellin or arriving by bus, you may find this info useful. Flying in from Miami is a breeze.

I arrived by plane direct from Bogotá with my backpack. I prefer to travel overland, but on my first trip, time was of the essence.

what to do in medellin rio negro airport
Taking the bus is the cheapest way to arrive to Medellin

José María Córdova Airport in Rionegro is the home of Viva Air Colombia – a budget airline serving most of the country.

Book early to get the bargain prices and try to avoid booking during Días Festivos (bank holidays) if you want to save money.

💡Smart Travel Tip
Use the local buses located outside the terminal to get into Medellin from the Airport; the cost is around 10,000COP per person.

Medellin Typical Costs and Budget

medellin travel budget
What’s your travel budget?

Cost Breakdown:

🇺🇸 1USD – 🇨🇴 3.8KCOP
My daily budget:
Up to 133K COP daily
Suggested budget:
70K-150K COP

Is it possible to travel to Medellin on a Budget? Of course 🙂

Below, I’ll share my best Medellin travel tips that can save your hard-earned cash so you can reserve it for more important things.

Medellin: Travel Basics
🛏️ Lodgings:
When deciding where to stay in Medellin, El Poblado has a great selection of hostels and hotels suited for all travelers. Expect to pay anything from 7-10USD for the most basic option. Also check out Laureles or even Envigado.
🍽️ Dining:
Medellin has different tons of Colombian food dishes to choose from. Whether it be local dishes (soups, meats, potatoes, and rice), international dining, or something more exotic; can all easily be found in El Poblado.
🚌 Transport:
With the sheer amount of people transport in Medellin is some of the most efficient in Colombia. You’ll find cable cars, taxis, buses, and the metro for getting around. You can get a Civica card to save money on tickets.
🎟️ Activities:
Fancy learning more about Coffee? Or maybe scaling the gigantic rock in Guatape. There are many tours for one person or more that can be found in Medellin. You can find tours starting from US$20

You’ll need at least a few days here to be able to settle and I get used to the city. There is far much more than meets the eye and I have found that the more you explore the city the more interesting it becomes.

Where is Medellin, Colombia: Map of Medellin

Medellin is known for many things but where is it located on the map? Take a look at the interactive map below to get a better idea.

Medellin is located in a valley that is known for favorable weather conditions. See the best time to visit Colombia to learn more.

🚗💨 Medellin has a reputation for very bad air quality so you may want to consider this if you have any respiratory issues.

What to do in Medellin

Now you’ve got an idea of what to expect in terms of cost and some general travel advice, let’s see what you can get up to in Medellin:

Restaurant Hacienda

When it comes to traditional food in Medellin you have tons of options. So when you want an authentic dining experience with local food prepared in a typical Antioquian style Hacienda will not disappoint.

hacienda restaurant medellin
Service at the Hacienda Restaurant in Medellin

This place gets very busy with locals (especially during lunchtime) so don’t expect super speedy service. Order a Limonada de Coco sit back and watch the waiters do their magic.

Expect a mountain of food, especially if you order the Bandeja Paisa one of the most populated dishes with visitors to Medellin.

Everything about the place is fantastic the decorations, the pleasant attentive waiters, and even the traditional clothing they wear.

El Castillo Museum

Dare I say this is a bit of a hidden gem in the city. This Medieval Gothic-style castle has a very interesting story.

el castillo museum and-gardens
El Castillo Museum is one of my favourite retreats

Here you can escape the city and explore the gardens. The castle offers a guided tour of the permanent exhibition displaying antique furniture, antiques, and paintings collected from around the world.

The guided tour inside is spoken in Spanish so be sure to brush up on your Spanish conversation before taking the tour here.

Otherwise, you can just sit and enjoy the beautiful fully well-pruned garden, along with the view of the valley.

Medellin Walking Tour

This tour is worth it; it is by far one of the best things to do in Medellin and one of the most fantastic walking tours I experienced.

what do-in medellin walking tour
What to see in Medellin – Free Art Galleries

Check-in with one of the hostels in Medellin I have mentioned to get information on the free walking tours.

Walking around, the city you’ll learn a lot more and see some of the most important, popular sites on offer.

Metro Cable See Medellin From Above

It’s safe to say that traffic can be quite hectic in Medellin, seriously.

Hence, why taking the Metro cable was one of the transportation experiences I enjoyed the most.

medellin what to do
One of the great things to do in Medellin

The metro cable transportation system is managed by the government, and it is a well-recognized regeneration initiative for urban settlements.

It offers tourists an insight into the barrios (neighborhoods) from an up-close and interesting perspective.

There are two major cable transport routes in Medellin; one of them provides access to the East of the valley and the other to the West.

I recommend this plan, and it’s actually one of my top things to do in Medellin. It’s perfect for having a whole view of the city and its people.

💡Smart Travel Tip
Get a Civica card to save money and time when using public transport. This works on the Metro, Metro Bus, Tram, and Cable cars.

Museo Casa Gardeliana

This landmark is a must for Tango lovers. It gives you the chance to get off the beaten track and explore a slice of Medellin’s musical history and deep connection with tango.

casa gardel medellin
Casa Gardel in Manrique

This is a great place to come if you are learning how to dance tango or, just want to see the Gardel statue which is located on the same block as the museum in the Manrique neighborhood.

⭐ Rating 4.3 | 📍 2 / 5 | 🏨 Nearby Hostels

Arvi Park

On my arrival to station Santa Domingo Savio, I took another cable car to Parque Arvi, one of the tourist attractions in Medellin.

arvi park medellin
Get yourself up to Arvi Park in Santa Elena

The car goes through the forest for about 15 minutes, and it was all breath-taking fun. I definitely have to go back there one day soon.

There’s a small token to be paid to access the park, but it’s worth it and even possible to hike without a guide showing you around.

Colombian Coffee Tasting

In Medellin, Juan Valdez is a popular coffee shop. Juan Valdez represents the heart and soul of the Colombian coffee growers.

You’ll find it’s a tad more expensive than others, and what originally drew me to this chain is the environment it creates for its customers.

coffee shops medellin
Macanas Coffee Shop located in EL Poblado

However, Juan Valdez does not serve the best coffee in Medellin (or Colombia). If you want higher-quality coffee, visit the places below:

  • Pergamino Coffee: Cra. 37 #8A-37
  • Macanas: Cra. 34 #7-100
  • Café Revolution: Cra. 73 #410
  • Café Vallejo Medellin: Carrera 74B #39B-126

Unfortunately Macanas is now closed due to parking restrictions in El Poblado making it difficult for customers to be able to easily pop-in.

I recommend you get yourself out to the sede (branch) in Jardín for a superior cup of coffee that will explode your taste buds.

Eat Bunuelos

Bunuelos are known as a Christmas treat but for many locals they are an evergreen treat that can be enjoyed all year round.

bunuelos sabaneta
Try Bunuelos in Sabaneta

These small and sometimes giant dough balls are filled with cheese and give your mouth a unique flavor explosion that is hard to replicate.

The special cheese used and the oil temperature is the key to getting everything right. Sabaneta is one of the best places to try Bunuelos so get on the metro and head to Parque Sabaneta to sample yours.

Guatape

Anyone visiting Medellin with a day to spare should consider visiting Guatape. A small town located around one hour from Medellin, which has various attractions including a giant rock.

el penol guatape
El Peñol in Guatape

You may have heard of El Peñol (the rock) located close to the town.

I have written a short guide explaining how to get from Medellin to Guatape by bus so you know exactly how to get there.

I’ve visited the town various times and it makes the perfect day out because you can escape the hustle and bustle of El Poblado or just the city itself, and connect yourself with a more rural setting.

You may be offered one of the many day trips from Medellin which offers round trip tours to Guatape but if you’re feeling adventurous I highly recommend you go solo via public transport.

⭐ Rating 4.5 | 📍 5 / 5 | 🏨 Nearby Hostels

Comuna 13

If this is not one of the best things to do in Medellin, it’s definitely one of the most sought after. A trip to one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world is at the top of the list of many travelers.

what to do in Medellin comuna 13
Still wondering what to do in Medellin?

I’ve listed this as one of the most unusual things to do in Medellin, partly because doing the Comuna 13 tour has become so popular.

Entire families’ lives have improved through the influx of people eager to learn more about the transformation of the neighborhood.

It’s worth noting that you can take the bus and visit the Comuna by yourself. This would be considered a self-guided tour of Comuna 13.

This is a great cultural experience to have if you have enough time to visit while in Medellin, just be prepared to use your feet for walking uphill.

Berrio Park

You can not visit Medellin without exploring the city center or downtown area for yourself. Get off at Berrio Park Metro station.

I recommend you do a day tour as it will give you a better insight, and you’d feel more at ease walking around with your camera gear.

is medellin safe
The centre of Medellin

Just like with the Pablo Escobar tour, this downtown area of the city is not usually recommended by locals, nor for the faint-hearted.

Meeting local people is among the unique features of visiting Medellin if you are interested in learning about Paisa culture. Here you’ll get a feel of some of the more local day-to-day things to do in Medellin.

Museum House of the Memory

The house of memory will give you insight into Colombia’s history.

The museum provides a historic overview of specific events from different cities and regions via audio guides of each display.

house of memory medellin
House of Memory

Inside you’ll also find maps and graphical displays (with English translations) that allow you to interact with the information. Expect rich clippings from newspapers and television.

The ‘Memory space’ which celebrates the lives of important and significant people in the community is a nice addition.

Carry some headphone with you as won’t be able to fully interact with the installation. However not to worry if you don’t, it is still worth a visit.

Mi Viejo Pueblo

if you’re looking for souvenirs this artisanal market is a hidden gem that can be found on the main Walking Street in downtown Medellin.

artisanal market medellin
Souvenirs @ Centro Artesanal Mi Viejo

You’ll find all sorts of gifts at reasonable prices and you can negotiate on bigger ticket items in many cases. The vendors are open to showing you their store and you can take pictures inside without any problems.

Free Things to do in Medellin

One other thing I love about Medellin is that there are so many things you can do, and in most cases, without even spending a cent.

  • Take a free walking tour and see almost 30 Graffiti murals in Ayacucho Street. From San Antonio Metro Station take the Tranvía to San Jose station. There you can enjoy some the best street art in Medellin.
  • If you’re into fitness, try the Cerro de las Tres Cruces hike. You’ll enjoy epic views of the city from above.
  • Visit Museo Cementerio San Pedro, its known for it’s monuments, mausoleums, graves and statues. Admission is free and it’s open from 7:30am to 5:30pm. There’s also special events and guided visits.
  • Go hiking in Envigado: Chorro de Campanas and Cuevas del Higuerón are most popular with visitors who travel to Medellin.

Would you be interested in Paragliding by any chance? You could even head out to San Félix and have the most incredible experience.

Medellin Travel Tips

Below are some of my best travel tips for Medellin.

Throughout this blog, I will always note little tricks and tips for South America that I feel can enhance your experience, or save you money.

travel the world get paid
View from Berrío Park Metro Station

I have spent months on end backpacking Colombia over the years and can help you gain new insights and knowledge on this country.

⤵️ Dan’s Travel Tips For Medellin:

  • Only use flip flops if you want to look and be treated like a tourist. It’s not common that locals use them, not even on Sundays.
  • Remember universal rules for safety in Medellin, especially downtown. Don’t walk with your phone out and try to look like a local.
  • Try Vegetarian Resto a vegan restaurant with guaranteed delicious food. It’s located in the Suramericana, close to Laureles-Estadio.
  • Uber and InDriver are highlighted as alternative taxi services.
  • Travel by Metro is quite easy. If you want to use it occasionally, buy a card for $5.100 and charge enough money for your travels. It’s cheap.
  • Although if you plan to use the Metro so often, it’s a good idea to have a personalized travel card. It’s free. Go to the Civica office in San Antonio, Itagüí, or Niquia Station with a copy of your passport and you can get the travel card which offers you a cheaper fare.
  • Visit Ciudad del Río, where you’ll find cultural venues Museo de Arte Moderno MAMM, a cinema, restaurants, and green spaces.
  • Spend a weekend in Jericó or Jardín. Just 2.5 hours from Medellín and best known for high-quality Colombian coffee and ecological hikes.
  • Be sure to visit Café Otraparte in Envigado, it’s not the best place for coffee but is quiet and perfect for hanging out with friends.
  • Mercado del Río is a cozy place with plenty of great food. It’s located just in front of Ciudad del Río, next to Industriales metro station.

See Top Rated Hostels on HostelWorld ➡️

Got Travel Insurance for Medellin?

travel insurance
🔒 World Nomads provides Travel Insurance

Designed by travelers, for travelers, World Nomads covers more than 150 adventure sports and activities so you can explore your boundaries.

What to do in Medellin

Without a doubt, a visit to Medellin was a great experience–from my arrival to checking into accommodation.

My time in Medellin is always memorable, filled with fun, excitement, and learning, and relationships I’ll never forget.

When you’re looking for things to do in Medellin, keep in mind that it’s possible to see most tourist attractions in just a few days.

If you’re looking for a quieter pace of life you can get yourself to Jericó in just a few hours for a more off-the-beaten-track experience.

I recommend extending your stay to get a good feel of the place and its people. So, with that said how many days in Medellin will you spend?

📌 Like this article? Pin it…

what to do in medellin
what to do in medellin
Missing something? Got tips, tricks & advice we can learn from?

💬 Leave a nice comment or let’s start a conversation below!

“Dear friend! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps me to keep traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”

Filed Under: Travel Guides Tagged With: Colombia, Medellin, South America

Daniel James

Helping thousands of people worldwide with independent travel in Latin America. Layer Culture means to dig deeper into the ideas, customs, and behavior of a group of people.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ed and Jenn Coleman says

    December 30, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    I was just researching Medellin the other day and it seems like a fascinating city. I particularly like all of the Botero statues around the city. While it’s amazing (and totally cool) that he would donate millions of dollars worth of statues to his home city the story of the exploded bird statue was what really touched my heart. Leaving the damaged statue up as a reminder of the 22 people who died from the blast is a touching memorial.

    Great idea about flying directly to Medellin. It seems logistically easier than overland travel and a smidgen safer as well.

  2. Carol says

    December 30, 2017 at 6:03 pm

    That would be so convenient to have cable cars take you to the Eastern part of Medellin, another to the Western part, and a third through Arvi Park. Using the civica card is a big bonus! Although I couldn’t quite appreciate what Mayorista was all about except for the fruits and vegetables. Is it a market?

    • Daniel G says

      December 31, 2017 at 12:36 am

      Carol, thanks for asking. The Mayorista is a huge wholesale market where you can find many different types of products and services (agriculturally speaking). It’s a very important platform for the city and is responsible for most of the produce arriving into Medellín and it’s surrounding area. I will update the article to reflect this later.

  3. NicoleAnderson|CampingforWomen says

    December 31, 2017 at 1:42 am

    What a delightful city to visit. I am hoping to explore that part of the world sometime soon. When i thought of Columbia, I used to think about Bogota. Now I think I would definitely like to see Medellin. This guide of things to do makes me feel comfortable to go there and experience the local culture, and of course I will be trying the local coffee.

  4. Archana Singh says

    December 31, 2017 at 8:48 am

    I am dying to visit Columbia and I always thought of visiting Bogota. But reading your post about Medellin, I am inspired to put it as well in my ‘places to visit’ list of 2018. Your tip to use the local buses located outside the terminal to get into a city is something I follow during my travels too.

  5. Paulina On the road says

    December 31, 2017 at 10:35 am

    Oh I would love to visit Columbia… I think so many things have changed in the last years. In university, where I as studying Latin American studies, Medellin was still considered one of the most dangerous cities…. Now I would love to explore!

  6. Raghav says

    December 31, 2017 at 11:23 am

    I know of Medellin because of Escobar and it’s definitely a city that has seen a lot of loss over decades, so reading this post and learning about how it is slowly turning into a wonderful and modern place, not to mention that simultaneously it is keeping its heritage and traditions alive, makes it quite the destination. A wonderful article that covers all aspects of the city and the perfect guide for a visit.

  7. Katie @ CreativeTravelGuide says

    January 2, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    I have never heard of Medelin but it looks great! Colombia has been on my bucket list for a very long time! I love the look of those cars! Pretty awesome!

  8. Bailey Mills says

    January 2, 2018 at 7:31 pm

    I have never been to Columbia but it’s definitely up there on my list! I would love to try visiting some of those awesome cafes. This is the perfect guide for a city to visit in Columbia if I make it there sometime soon, thanks!

  9. Bhushavali says

    January 3, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    Most innovative city? Now, that’s something intriguing! I’d love to visit the city myself!
    Arvi Park sounds totally my kinda place! I always take the Free Walking Tour in all cities. Its the best way to have an overview and its ‘free’!!! Haha!

Trackbacks

  1. Backpacking Colombia: The Ultimate Travel Guide says:
    September 14, 2018 at 8:11 pm

    […] are many things to do in Medellín. I have wrote a separate article with 6 things you can get involved with. Depending on […]

  2. The Best Hostels in Bogota - Amazing Places to Stay in Colombia says:
    October 3, 2018 at 9:19 am

    […] I was taken away by the amount of activities going on, so I extended my stay before heading up to Medellin. I created this list whilst looking for the best hostels Bogota has to […]

  3. What to do in Cartagena - Colombia's Ultimate Travel Guide says:
    October 9, 2018 at 2:56 pm

    […] I first landed in Cartagena from Medellín I had a feeling I was going to love the vibe. What’s more to love than culture and history […]

  4. A Guide to Backpacking in South America alone says:
    October 10, 2018 at 6:33 am

    […] Medellin, Colombia […]

  5. Best Cities For Celebrating Halloween – Rachel On Route says:
    October 16, 2018 at 11:56 am

    […] Daniel from  Layer Culture […]

  6. spectacular spring gardens around the world says:
    March 4, 2019 at 12:31 pm

    […] by the side of the University metro station. Strolling around the botanical gardens is one of the things to do in Medellin that are amongst the most popular in the city. Perfect for relaxing and escaping from the chaos. […]

  7. spectacular spring gardens around the world says:
    March 4, 2019 at 12:55 pm

    […] by the side of the University metro station. Strolling around the botanical gardens is one of the things to do in Medellin that are among the most popular in the city. Perfect for relaxing and escaping from the chaos. […]

Primary Sidebar

Meet Dan 👋🏽

south america travel with dan

After spending years on the road Dan is now offering to help you find your feet in Latin America; inspire you to learn Spanish and get you started on your adventures. Learn how to travel longer and stronger!

Yes Dan, help me!

Need something specific?

Recent Posts

  • Safest States in Mexico 2023 Guide
  • Is Punta Cana safe? 2023 Travel Guide
  • Is Guatemala safer than Mexico?
  • Tulum vs Cancun
  • Is San Luis Potosi safe? 2023 Guide

Footer

  • South America Safety
  • Connect with locals
  • Dan’s Travel Bible

Work with Dan

  • Be a Travelpreneur
  • About This Blog
  • Ask Me Anything

Travel Tips

  • South America Safety
  • Connect with locals
  • Dan’s Travel Bible

Get Inspired

  • South America Itinerary
  • Central America Safety
  • Solo Travel Tips

Learn Spanish

  • Learn Spanish Conversation
  • Become Fluent in Spanish
  • Top Places to Learn Spanish

© 2023 · Daniel James · Built on Genesis · See my site Policies

Layerculture is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com Other affiliate programs linking to other recommended products and services are also used.

This website uses cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
787 shares