Formerly considered one of the most dangerous places in Colombia, Medellin has undergone a remarkable urban transformation, emerging as a favorite travel destination for solo travelers and inspiring city planning projects worldwide.
Set amidst stunning green hills with clear rivers and waterfalls, Medellin features a rich cultural and culinary offer, a vibrant nightlife, a pleasant climate all year round, and easy escapes into nature. A lot of interesting culture and nature destinations are located within easy reach from Medellin offering a plethora of activities, including everything from paragliding to hikes through otherwordly valleys.
Below we’ve listed our recommendations of cool things to do in and near Medellin, including top attractions, hidden gems and some insider tips.
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
The Museum of Antioquia (Museo de Antioquia), one of Medellin’s top attractions, houses an impressive Botero collection and offers a great initiation to the works of this iconic Colombian artist. You’ll also find an extensive collection from pre-Columbian to contemporary art.
Other museums worth seeing include the Medellin Modern Art Museum (MAMM), El Castillo Museum (located in a gothic-style castle with a beautiful park), and Parque Explora (an aquarium and interactive science museum).
Casa Gardeliana is a museum dedicated to the iconic tango singer Carlos Gardel, and a great place to visit if you want to delve into the world of tango and Argentine culture. It is located in the historic neighborhood of Manrique.
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.
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
Both professional and amateur guides offer interesting free walking tours through various parts of Medellin, including the historical center and Comuna 13. It’s a great way to learn about the city’s past and present and meet other solo travelers. It’s customary to give a tip (propina) to your guide, if you are happy with the tour. The amount is up to you, but as a rough orientation, you could consider around 20,000 COP for a 3 hour tour.
Check out GuruWalk to find free walking tours in Medellin led by passionate professional and amateur tour guides. The free walking tour offered by Real City Tours has been receiving consistently great ratings over the years and is considered one of the best free walking tours in South America by travelers.
Cable cars are a great way to explore Medellin from above. In these cable cars you may have some interesting insights on how Colombian cities are different from European ones in terms of the role of nature…
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 line is the K line which starts at the Acevedo metro station.
Photo (mod.) by jkraft5, Medellin cable car
Medellin 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. Even though Google Maps lists La Pascasia as “temporarily closed” as of early 2024, there are occasional events (see Website).
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 (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.
The paragliding spots San Felix and Rionegro are easily accessible from Medellin. Newbies may take a tandem flight with a professional instructor to enjoy the incredible experience of flying like a bird. (Just remember to wear a warm jumper or jacket since it gets chilly in the air.)
Photo by Travelhapp, Paragliding near Medellin
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.)
Medellin 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
Medellin is a great place to learn about Colombian coffee and its cultivation. Antioquia is an important coffee producing region and you can visit coffee farms close to Medellin to learn more about the process – and do tastings! Recommendable coffee farms (fincas, haciendas) close to Medellin include Capilla de Rosario Café (view on Google Maps) and La Casa Grande Coffee Hacienda (view website).
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.
When hiking in the hills around Medellin you can discover crystal clear little rivers and enjoy amazing views of the city and its natural surroundings. Cerro El Volador and Cerro de las Tres Cruces are popular destinations. There are several beautiful ecological trails and parks in the hills of Envigado (for example, Sendero Ecológico Arenales, Parque El Salado).
When hiking in the hills around Medellin it’s better to go with a guide and/or a group of people.
Photo by Travelhapp, View of Medellin from Envigado
The following attractions are located in the surroundings of Medellin and work both as day trips from Medellin, and as stopovers on the way to another destination.
The colorful lake town Guatapé and the impressive monolith Piedra del Peñol are top attractions near Medellin and very easy to visit for solo travelers. It takes about 2 hours by bus to get from Medellin to Guatapé. Read our recommendations for your solo trip to Guatapé and Piedra del Peñol. While Guatapé makes an easy day trip from Medellin, you could also consider spending the night in this romantic town, if you plan to travel on to San Rafael and San Carlos (see below).
Photo by Travelhapp, view from Piedra del Peñol in Guatapé
From Guatapé, it’s not far to San Rafael and San Carlos, two hidden gems offering a range of exciting water activities such as tubing, swimming, canyoning, and rappelling in a pristine natural setting. Nestled between San Rafael and San Carlos is the Vanadurga Yoga Ashram, a unique yoga retreat immersed in lush vegetation (view on Google Maps).
Another interesting thing to do in San Rafael is visiting a cacao farm and doing a cocoa tour with chocolate tastings.
Around Medellin you will find several charming colonial towns that are well worth visiting and easy to reach in a day trip from Medellin. Among them are El Retiro (1 hour by bus) Santa Fe de Antioquia (1,5 hours by bus), Fredonia (1,5 hours by bus) and Jardin (3 hours by bus). These towns also feature stunning natural surroundings!
Photo (mod.) by Kamilo Kardona, Santa Fe de Antioquia, CC BY-SA 3.0
In the Los Saltos Ecopark (Salto del Buey Nature Reserve) near La Ceja, you can find more than 10 waterfalls, including Salto del Buey, one of Colombia’s highest waterfalls. The reserve offers a wide range of outdoor and adventure activities including wildlife spotting, birdwatching, canopying, climbing and hiking. Try the zipline hammocks that are spanned across a canyon and a waterfall! If you are looking for adventurous things to do near Medellin, Ecoparque Los Saltos is the place to go!
To get to Salto Del Buey, take the bus towards Abejorral at 6:20 AM from Terminal de Transporte del Norte in Medellín and tell the bus driver to drop you off at Fonda La Aguacatala (ca. 1,5 hours drive, see Rome2Rio). From there, it’s a 25 minute walk to the entrance of the Ecopark. You can also arrange a pick-up service with the Ecopark at +57 350 736 5053. To get back to Medellin you can catch the bus at 4PM at Fonda La Aguacatala. (Please check current bus time tables before you go.)
If you don’t have the time to take the 5-hour bus ride to Salento to visit Valle del Cocora with its wax palm trees, Bosque De Palma De Cera “La Samaria” is a great alternative. The bus to nearby Salamina from Medellin takes only 3 hours. The wax palm forest (which is said to feature even taller palms than Valle del Cocora) is located near the little village of San Felix (view on Google Maps). Both Salamina and San Felix are worth visiting on their own and great places to spend a night.
Thanks to shows like Narcos, Medellin has become a kind of dark tourism destination, attracting visitors curious about exploring places connected to drug lord Pablo Escobar. While there are Escobar tours in Medellin, many tour guides are not very keen on leading them since they still have traumatic memories connected to that time.
Imagine seeing your neighbor’s teenage boy playing soccer in the streets and finding them dead when you return from school… (True memory of a befriended guide.) If you are asking any guide about Escobar, be aware of this and ask empathetically and with caution. Nothing is less appropriate than Narcos-inspired sensationalism.
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 services like Uber. The accommodation offer is large, varied and affordable.
Regarding safety, the usual travel safety precautions apply. Check out our Safety Tips for Solo Travelers in Colombia and Solo Travel Guide (including tips for solo female travelers). According to some reports, especially male solo travelers need to be a bit cautious of romantic scams when using dating apps.
Tours in Colombia often get cheaper the more people participate and activities in nature are better done in a group. Join our Colombia Solo Travelers Facebook Group to find other solo travelers near you that share your interests.
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.)
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.
Last Update: November 14, 2024
Image Credit: Title image on top by Reg Natarajan, CC BY 2.0 (mod.)
Read more:
Colombia Travel Inspirations: Top Attractions and Hidden Gems
Colombia Travel Tips: General Information and Travel Advice for Solo Travelers
Colombia Slow Travel Itineraries: Discover Colombia by bus and overland
Best Places to Visit in Colombia: Ideal Bases for Solo Travelers