13+ Things to do in Medellin, Colombia

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Medellín on the Map

Medellín 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.

The city located in a valley that is known for favourable weather conditions, but I still suggest you learn the best times to visit before booking.

Arriving to Medellín

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

If you’re backpacking Colombia, book early to get the best prices and 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 Medellín from the Airport; the cost is around 10,000COP per person.

Medellín Typical Costs and Budget

Cost Breakdown:

🇺🇸 1USD — 🇨🇴 4,255COP
My daily budget:
Up to 200KCOP
Suggested budget:
100K-150KCOP/$25-35US

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

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

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.

Things to do in Medellín

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 Medellín:

1. Restaurant Hacienda

When it comes to traditional food in Medellín, 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.

This place can get very busy with locals (especially during lunchtime) so don’t expect a super speedy service. Just be sure to order a Limonada de Coco sit back and watch the waiters work their magic in true Medellín style.

Eating here you can expect a mountain of food, especially if you order the Bandeja Paisa one of the most popular dishes with visitors to Medellín.

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

2. 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.

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.

3. Medellín Walking Tour

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

You can check with one of the many hotels or hostels in Medellín 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.

4. Metro Cable See Medellín From Above

Traffic can get very hectic in Medellín. Hence, why taking the Metro cable was one of the transportation experiences I enjoyed the most.

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 (neighbourhoods) from an up-close and interesting perspective.

There are two major cable transport routes in Medellín; 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 Medellín. 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.

5. 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 Medellín’s musical history and deep connection with tango.

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 neighbourhood.

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

6. 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.

The car goes through the forest for about 15 minutes, and it was all breathtaking 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.

7. Colombian Coffee Tasting

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

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

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

8. Eat Bunuelos

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

These small and sometimes giant dough balls are filled with cheese and give your mouth a unique flavor explosion that is difficult 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 Buñuelos so get on the metro and head to Parque Sabaneta to sample yours.

9. Guatape

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

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 Medellín 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 | 🏨 See Nearby Hostels

10. 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.

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.

11. Berrio Park

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

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

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

Here you’ll get a feel of some of the more local day-to-day things to do in Medellín.

Meeting local people is among the unique features of visiting Medellín if you are interested in learning about Paisa culture and you also have Plaza Botero which is just a few footsteps away from the station.

12. 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.

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.

13. 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 Medellín.

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 Medellín

One other thing I love about Medellín is that there are so many things you can do without even spending a cent. You’ll just need to get a Metro Pass.

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

Medellín Travel Tips

⤵️ Dan’s Travel Tips For Medellín:

Things to do in Medellín

When you’re looking for things to do in Medellin, keep in mind that it’s possible to see most tourist attractions within the space of 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 much 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 Medellín will you spend?

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Did I miss something? Got tips, tricks or advice I can learn from?

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👉🏽 Did you enjoy this guide? Feel free to buy me a coffee to say thanks!