What happens when a city transforms from a symbol of danger into a beacon of hope? The answer is Medellín. This Colombian metropolis has undergone a dramatic reinvention since the times of Escobar. Now, it attracts travelers and inspires urban planners worldwide.
But what makes Medellín so special? Set amidst stunning green hills, with rivers and waterfalls cascading down, Medellín offers a rich cultural and culinary scene, a buzzing nightlife, a pleasant spring-like climate year-round, and easy access to breathtaking nature and charming colonial towns.
Discover 17 unique experiences that showcase the real Medellín – from local favorites and hidden gems. Get inspired by the “City of Eternal Spring” and its resilient, creative inhabitants!
In the vibrant heart of Medellin lies La Candelaria, its historic center boasting a fusion of architectural styles from colonial to neoclassical. Here, amidst the bustling streets, you’ll discover the wide Botero square (Plaza Botero), home to beautiful sculptures by Colombia’s beloved artist, Fernando Botero.
Don’t miss the rooftop observation area of the Gothic Revival Palace of Culture for sweeping views of the surroundings. For a moment of tranquility and contemplation visit the majestic Metropolitana de Medellín cathedral with its intricate interior décor and stained glass windows. Take a leisurely break at Parque Berrio, indulge in the flavors of regional coffee, and continue your walk looking for amazing street art masterpieces.
Photo (mod.) by Reg Natarajan, CC BY 2.0, Plaza Botero, Medellín Old Town
Casa de la Memoria is a cultural center and museum dedicated to Medellin’s complex history, with a focus on the armed conflict involving guerrilla groups and paramilitaries. The museum showcases powerful narratives through multimedia installations, testimonies, and artifacts, teaching visitors about the impact of the armed conflict on local communities and the challenges faced by the people of Medellin. An interesting and unique place to see in Medellin.
Medellín offers high-class museums for all tastes. Check out these:
Exploring colorful Comuna 13, located on the hillsides overlooking the city, is one of the coolest things to do in Medellin. Comuna 13 used to be one of the most dangerous and violent areas of Medellin but has undergone an impressive transformation with the help of social programs, infrastructure projects, and grassroots community initiatives. Today it’s a vibrant and innovative neighbourhood with lots of street art and music. The colorful murals and graffiti you can find allover are symbols of social change, local identity, and creative resilience.
The famous outdoor escalators of Comuna 13 in Medellin contributed to significantly enhancing the lives of its residents by replacing a challenging 30-minute climb with a convenient 5-minute ride offering panoramic views of the neighborhood.
You can best learn about the encouraging history of Comune 13 from a local guide; free walking tours through Comuna 13 are available (see further below).
If you want to learn about normal life in the poorer parts of Medellin today, you may consider visiting Comuna 8 (Barrio Villa Hermosa) in the eastern hills, which is smaller and less known (hence less busy) than Comuna 13. Comuna 8 can be reached by cable car (Metrocable Line M) from the Miraflores station in Medellin. We recommend going with a local guide for safety and respect. La Sierra Tours offers good tours to Comuna 8.
Photo (mod.) by Edgar Jiménez, Comuna 13, CC BY-SA 2.0
There are quite a lot of interesting free walking tours through various parts of Medellin available, including the historical center and Comuna 13. It’s a great way to learn about the city’s past and present and meet other travelers. It’s customary to give a tip (propina) to your guide, if you are happy with the tour.
On Civitatis.com you can find a bunch of great free walking tours in Medellín that you can book right online. You’ll want to book at least two days ahead of time, though, because they’re very popular and tend to get booked up fast. Take a look at these cool tours!
Cable cars offer a fantastic bird’s-eye view of Medellín, revealing also contrasts between Colombian and, let’s say, European cities. In big European cities, it often feels like greenery is eradicated only to be artificially reintroduced in manicured parks. In Colombia, it seems as if nature graciously permits human settlement – but on its own terms. (In my opinion, this is how it should be…)
The cable car system Metrocable currently consists of 6 lines (H, J, K, L, M, P) connecting different parts of the city and intersecting with the Metro. The longest line is Line L between Santo Domingo Savio station and the Arvi Eco Park. Check out where the Metrocable stations are located in Medellin on Google Maps. An easily accessible and interesting line is the K line which starts at the Acevedo metro station.
Photo (mod.) by jkraft5, Medellin cable car
Medellín boasts a vibrant music scene, offering concerts and festivals year-round. Whether you’re drawn to the bohemian jazz clubs and lively tango bars nestled in the historical center and Laureles, or eager to learn the art of Salsa dancing in El Poblado, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
La Pascasia is an artsy and alternative cafe, restaurant and bar hosts live music events, poetry readings, and art exhibitions. It’s a great place to experience the local art scene end enjoy delicious food. Check out the Pascasia Website for events.
If you are looking for a contemplative experience, spend some time in the peaceful Botanical Garden of Medellin, admiring the wide variety of flowers and plants, watching the butterflies, doing walking meditations or reading a book by the lake. For us, the botanical garden is one of the top places to visit in Medellin on a sunny day.
Photo (mod.) by Jorge Láscar, Orchidarium, Medellin Botanical Garden, CC BY 2.0
Parque Arví is a beautiful natural reserve accessible by cable car from Medellin. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, including birdwatching, hiking, and biking. The park features diverse flora and fauna native to the region and provides an ideal escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, allowing you to reconnect with nature and enjoy breathtaking landscapes.
You can take the cable car Line K from the Metro Acevedo station in Medellin and then switch to cable car Line L at Santo Domingo Savio to get to the Arvi Park in Medellin. Make sure to check the opening hours before you go, for example on Google Maps.
Photo by jkraft5, Parque Arví Medellin, Canva Pro (mod.)
Translating to “Barefoot Park,” this green and shadowy urban oasis encourages visitors to kick off their shoes and walk barefoot on different textured surfaces such as sand, grass, and stone, providing a multifaceted tactile experience and sensory stimulation.
Medellin has a diverse gastronomical offer and you can find delicious food everywhere – from food stalls and local markets to traditional and innovative restaurants. You can explore the culinary scene on your own or join one of Medellin’s excellent street food tours.
If you like local markets and their hustle and buzzle, Plaza Minorista Market by the Medellin River (north east of Plaza Botero) is a great traditional address. Further down South by the river you will find Mercado del Rio, a vivid food court featuring nice restaurants.
The most typical dish of Medellin is the filling Bandeja Paisa which traditionally includes red beans, white rice, fried pork (chicharrón), ground beef, sausages (chorizo), fried egg, ripe plantain, avocado and arepa. Yes.
Mondongo’s in Laureles (view on Google Maps) is a great place for non-vegans to taste the famous Mondongo soup. (I didn’t know what it is made of before trying, so my rational brain didn’t prevent me from experiencing this culinary delight.)
Photo: Nicole Tarazona, CC BY 2.0, Bandeja Paisa (mod.)
There’s no shortage of things to do in Medellin at night. The city is home to an endless amount of bars, nightclubs, music venues, and everything else you need to spend a fun night out. If you are looking to meet other travelers, trendy El Poblado (around Parque Lleras) or upcoming Envigado may be your choice. For a more local experience you may try the neighborhoods Laureles and Estadio.
The lively Laureles neighborhood in Medellin offers a lot of local charm with its tree-lined streets, colorful murals, and green parks. It’s a great place for relaxedly strolling around the streets with breaks in cosy cafes or delicious local restaurants.
Photo by Travelhapp, view from Laureles at night
For the melancholic souls among us the San Pedro Cemetery with its museum is a fascinating place to visit in Medellin. You can stroll peacefully amidst beautifully crafted mausoleums and gravestones and learn about Medellin’s history through its notable figures. The cemetery is a great destination, if you are looking for more unusual things to do in Medellin.
Photo (mod.) by David Peña, San Pedro Cemetery Medellín, CC BY-SA 2.0
You can find several amazing rooftop bars to watch the sunset in El Poblado in Medellin, including the Ziruma Tiki Bar of the Los Patios Hostel (Google Maps), Viajero Rooftop (Google Maps), or NDN Rooftop Restaurant (Google Maps). We consider watching the sunset from a rooftop bar as a must-do in Medellin!
Check out more recommended Rooftop bars in Medellin by The Rooftop Guide.
Once a traditional zoo (Zoológico Santa Fe), Parque de la Conservación has transformed into an animal sanctuary and conservation park. Since 2020 it is dedicated to wildlife and biodiversity protection through research, ecosystem restoration, and animal welfare initiatives. In the serene setting of the park, you can encounter native animals like the spectacled bear, various species of monkeys, the capybara, macaws, and more. Many of the animals in the park were rescued from illegal animal trafficking.
Medellin offers a lot of opportunities for exciting day trips and interesting stopovers on the way to your next destination, be it Bogotá or the coffee triangle.
Between 30 minutes and 3 hours from the city, there is a sheer endless amount of activities, you can engage in – from paragliding, zip-lining and horseback riding to visiting colorful colonial towns and traditional coffee farms. Discover the best day trips from Medellín.
Here are some options where to stay in Medellin:
Laureles: Laureles is a beautiful, relaxed and walkable neighbourhood. There is a nice mix of pretty residential houses, hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants around Carrera 70, for example to the west of La 70 between Calle 44 and Circular 1. To us, Laureles feels much less touristy and more authentic than El Poblado.
Patio Bonito (El Poblado) & Envigado: El Poblado is the most touristy part of Medellin, but you will find calmer vibes in its sub-district Patio Bonito and neighbouring Envigado. In Patio Bonito and Envigado you can also find a great choice of cafes, bars and restaurants.
Rosales & Castellana (Bélen): If you have an eye for beauty in run-down facades, Bélen might be your neighbourhood. Belen is quite large and parts of it (like Las Playas) are still considered unsafe, especially at night. The sub-districts Los Rosales (close to Laureles) and La Castellana are considered safer and have gained popularity among the foreign community in recent years. La Castellana is close to the Metro station and features some nice restaurants and cafes.
Medellin is a great solo travel destination. It’s easy get to Medellin from other cities in Colombia by bus and it’s easy to move around the city or do interesting day trips with public transport, taxis and similar services. The accommodation offer is large, varied and affordable.
Is Medellín safe to visit? Safety in Medellin has improved tremendously since the ’90s! However, in any big Colombian city safety levels can vary depending on where exactly you are and when. You should apply some precautions, as always when traveling alone. For example, you should always book transport via an app like Uber, Didi, Cabify or InDrive to get around after dark, even for short distances (as the Colombians do).
Check out my Safety Tips for Solo Travelers in Colombia and Intro-Guide to Solo Travel in Colombia. According to reports, especially male solo travelers need to be cautious of romantic scams when using dating apps like Tinder. These apps may also be used for illegal sex trafficking. Read this Bloomberg article for background information.
Tours in Colombia often get cheaper the more people participate and activities in nature are better done in a group. If you are a woman traveling alone, join our Colombia Solo Female Travelers Facebook Group to find like-minded solo travelers near you.
Medellin is known as the city of eternal spring. That spring may feel like summer on some days with temperatures reaching approximately 28°C (82.4°F), but usually the average day temperature fluctuates around 23/24°C (73/75°F) and the average night time temperature around 18-20°C (64-68°F). The driest months in Medellin are typically January and February, July and August. Most rain normally falls in April, May, September, October and November.
Culture-wise Medellin is a great place to visit all year round with its many festivals, fairs and events. We love the book fair “Fiesta del Libro y la Cultura”, which is usually held around september.
Medellin is strategically located and well connected by public transport, so it’s easy to get to a lot of destinations in Colombia depending on how much time you are willing to spend in a bus. Here are some tips on interesting next destinations after Medellin:
Zona Cafetera (Coffee Triangle): The coffee triangle is a popular next stop after Medellin. Check out our recommendations on Things to do in Manizales, Armenia and Pereira, or Salento. Manizales can be reached in 4 hours by bus from Medellin (see Rome2Rio). To get from Medellin to Salento you can take the bus via Pereira (ca. 5 hours – see Rome2Rio).
Doradal & Rio Claro Nature Reserve: The Rio Claro Nature Reserve close to the town Doradal (4 hours by bus from Medellin) is a little magical paradise where you can do interesting outdoor activities like hiking, floating, kayaking, exploring caves, zip-lining, and more. Rio Claro means clear river and this is a very appropriate name. Doradal makes a great stop on your way between Medellín and Bogotá. From the main road it appears like a rather ugly town but if you walk a little inwards you will find what is known as “the Colombian Santorini”. (Legend says this picturesque neighbourhood was built by Pablo Escobar as a favor to his friends.)
Rio la Miel and Embalse Amaní in Norcasia: While this ecotourism paradise is a local favorite, it’s still little explored by international travelers. On the way to Bogotá, this is a great stop for 2-3 days to enjoy stunning views and engage in fun adventure and water activities. Read more about Rio la Miel and Embalse Amaní
Capurganá & Sapzurro (Caribbean Coast): Capurganá and Sapzurro are two little known Caribbean paradises right at the border with Panama. The easiest way to get there is by direct flight from Medellin, but it’s also possible to reach Capurgana by bus and ferry via Necoclí (see Rome2Rio). Read more about Capurganá and Sapzurro in our recommendations on Things to do in Chocó.
Bahía Solano or Nuqui (Pacific Coast): Bahia Solano and Nuqui are two stunning beach villages at the Pacific Coast of Colombia’s remote Choco region. They are great places for whale watching between July and October. There are direct flights from Medellin to both villages. Check out what you can do in Bahia Solano and Nuqui. Note: Currently Medellin is the only Colombian city offering direct flights to Bahia Solano, Nuqui and Capurganá. This may change though, so please double-check, in case it would be more convenient for you to fly from another city.
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Last Update: May 6, 2025
Title image: Powerful mural by an unknown artist in Medellín (photo by Travelhapp)
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