Medellin is one of the most charming cities in Colombia. Due to its cool culture, laid-back vibes (lots of good parties!), warm climate, and low cost of visiting, there is no doubt why that is the case.
I spent a week exploring Medellín, and what surprised me most was how much there is to do beyond El Poblado. You can hike to viewpoints overlooking the city, ride the Metrocable into the mountains, learn salsa with locals, visit coffee farms, and take an easy day trip to colorful Guatapé.
If it's your first visit, I'd spend at least 3–4 days here, which should give you enough time to explore the city while leaving one day for Guatapé. Here are the best things to do in Medellín based on my time there.
Map of Medellin's Attractions
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Arvi Park |
|---|---|
| ☀️ Great Half-Day Hike: | Hill of Three Crosses |
| 💎 Hidden Gem: | Dancefree Workshop |
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | Sarper comida casera |
10 Best Things to Do in Medellin
1. Check out the City (Day and Night)
- 📍 Location: El Poblado [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 28,000 COP (~8 USD)
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "No one parties like Colombians, so be sure to go explore the city's nightlife!"
Medellin is full of fun things to do, both during the day and night. Most of the time, tourists will often be concentrated around El Poblado area, and I often do not like recommending touristy places, but El Poblado has the unique charm that always makes me come back to it. You will find plenty of hipster cafes, delicious restaurants, and wine bars to unwind in. However, do not expect an authentic experience out of this area though.
Botero Park and the Museum of Antioquia are also worth visiting if you are interested in art and the masterpiece collection of Fernando Botero. There is a fun vibe to his work that will even make the art skeptic smile when they see one of his works.
If you are in Medellin on Friday, do not forget to go out and explore the vibrant nightlife of the city and see what it has to offer. There are countless places you can go, but one of my favorite places to enjoy a couple of local craft beers is the Cerveceria 3 Cordilleras.
- Los Patios Hostel (Budget)
- 574 Hotel (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Hotel Dann Carlton Medellín (High-End)
- Guatape Tour, Piedra del Peñol Including a Boat Tour, Breakfast and Lunch (10 to 11 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour and Street Food (3 hours)
- Day Trip To Guatape: Boat Ride and Lunch Included (10 to 11 hours)
I did not have a single clue who they were but they seemed happy when I told them I was from Thailand. 😂
Cervecería 3 Cordilleras is a brewery with its own taproom. It currently opens Thursday to Saturday from 6 PM to 2 AM and often hosts events and live music. Check their current schedule before you go, as events and cover charges can change.
Where to Stay in Medellin?
2. Hike the Hill of Three Crosses trail
- 📍 Location: Hill of Three Crosses [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is one of the best viewpoints here, and it is pretty easy and accessible. You can easily get an Uber here and back."
Medellin is surrounded by hills and mountains, which makes it a great place to go hiking as well. One of the easier but rewarding hikes is the trail that goes up the Hill of Three Crosses. Allow around 1–2 hours for the hike, depending on your pace and how long you spend at the viewpoint.
You can get there easily with a ride-hailing app from El Poblado. The journey usually takes around 10–30 minutes depending on traffic. There have been reports of robberies around the trail, especially after dark, so I recommend doing the hike during daylight hours.
The trail begins from this trailhead and it is pretty straightforward, with a halfway point at an opening with a giant tree. Once you have reached the top, you will find an outdoor gym, a fruit vendor, and a grand view of the city.
3. Learn Salsa for Free with the Locals
- 📍 Location: Dancefree Workshop [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "The best part was meeting people and making friends while dancing, not just learning the steps."
You have not really seen Medellin if you have not experienced the famous salsa culture here. There are plenty of places that provide a clueless tourist like myself with a basic course in salsa, but wouldn't it be better if you were being taught by a stranger in a salsa bar for free?
If you want to try salsa while you are in Medellín, check out Dancefree in El Poblado. They currently run free group dance classes on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 PM to 9:30 PM, covering dances like salsa and bachata. It's also a fun place to meet other travelers and locals, especially if you are traveling solo.
Most locals are very friendly and will often help you along the way as you stumble around the dance floor. It's also a great place to meet local people and make friends as well, so be sure to dance away your night in Medellin! Schedules can change, so I recommend checking Dancefree's latest timetable before you go.
4. Taste the Real Colombian Coffee at a Local Coffee Farm
- 📍 Location: Coffee Tour Comapny [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I’m a total coffee snob, so seeing how Medellín’s coffee is made and even picking some myself is my jam!"
Antioquia is one of Colombia's major coffee-producing regions, and there are several working coffee farms that you can visit on a half-day trip from Medellín. It's a great way to see how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed before finally tasting it at the source.
The tour often consists of transportation to the private plantation, where you will be able to see how coffee beans are picked, learn about the process of preparing coffee beans, and get to try some of the finest coffee in the world. If you are a coffee snob like me, you must not miss this.
5. Stroll Around Arví Park
- 📍 Location: Arvi Park [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Check the operating schedule for Metrocable Line L before you go, as the line closes for maintenance on one weekday and generally stops running in the early evening."
A little tamer than the Hill of the Three Crosses, Arvi Park is a nature reserve and a pre-Hispanic archaeological site known for its wildflowers, butterflies, and hiking trails. It is the perfect place for you to immerse yourself in the stunning nature surrounding Medellin.
Some of the trails around Parque Arví can be difficult to follow, so stop by the visitor center when you arrive and ask about the current trail conditions and guided-walk options before setting off.
To get to Arvi Park, you will have to take a metro, get off at Acevedo station, and take the Metrocable (cable car) Line K to Santo Domingo station before transferring to Line L.
For alternative hiking info: How to Hike to Parque Arvi and the Metrocable via the Back Door.
6. Walk around the Santo Domingo Metro Cable Station
- 📍 Location: Santo Domingo Station [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I felt fine while I was there, even though I’d heard people say the area could be dangerous."
On your way back from Parque Arví, you can get off at Santo Domingo Station and spend a little time exploring the area around the station. It feels completely different from El Poblado, and the elevated location gives you some fantastic views over Medellín and the neighborhoods covering the surrounding hillsides.
There are many cafes and restaurants around the Santo Domingo station with a stunning viewpoint of the district and the view below it. Some reports have claimed that this area is still dangerous, although I had no problem here. So, keep your backpack secured and avoid being here at night.
7. Go Picnic, Read a Book, and Relax at the Jardín Botanico Park
- 📍 Location: Jardín Botanico Park [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9:30 AM–4 PM; weekends and holidays, 9 AM–4 PM
- 💰 Entry Fee: Free
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If Medellín feels too hectic, head to Jardín Botánico for some peace and quiet."
If you are looking for a place to get away from it all and you just want to be in a quiet area, away from the craziness of Medellin, surrounded by nature, there is no better place to be than the spacious and peaceful Jardín Botanico Park.
One of the highlights of the park is the large architectural wooden structure, depicting several types of plants found inside, where you can have a nice picnic, read a book with a nice cup of coffee, and unwind from all the hustle and bustle of Medellin.
To get there, you can take the metro and get off at the Universidad Metro station, and you should see the park from the platform. The garden is usually closed on Mondays, but opening hours can change for special events, so check before visiting.
8. Try all the "Menu del Dia"
- 📍 Location: Sarper comida casera [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I always order the menu del día whenever I go into a local restaurant. They are always delicious, well-portioned, and affordable."
One of the cheapest and most delicious ways to devour your way through Medellin is to order "Menu del Dia" or "Menu of the Day" for lunch, which is commonly served in many restaurants around the city.
A menú del día is essentially an inexpensive set lunch, usually consisting of soup, a main dish with rice, meat and sides, and a drink for one fixed price. It's one of the easiest ways to eat cheaply while traveling around Medellín and a great way to try everyday Colombian food.
If you want to dive even deeper into the amazing local cuisine in Medellin, you can also opt-in for a food tour instead. The local guide will take you to all the best places to eat that you might have missed.
For highly detailed information on menu del dia in Medellin, visit: The Best Menu del Dia Lunches in Medellin, Colombia.
9. Get your Coffee Fix at Café Quindío Vía Primavera
- 📍 Location: Café Quindío Vía Primavera [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Colombian coffees are legendary, and Café Quindío Vía Primavera is where I often get my coffee fix. They also do plantation tours if you are interested."
One of the cafes I often frequented when I was in Medellin was Café Quindío Vía Primavera. They serve the most delicious latte in town, together with a crispy almond croissant, making it one of my favorite places to go during my morning routine. They also offer a limited tour of their coffee plantation if you are interested in a more unique coffee experience, but it's a bit pricier than all the other tours around.
10. Climb up the La Piedra in Guatape (El Peñón de Guatapé)
- 📍 Location: Guatape [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is a great day trip to take from Medellín. The climb is pretty challenging, but the view sure makes up for it."
Guatape is a beautiful colonial town located around 80 km east of Medellin. It is a perfect destination for a day trip from Medellin if you are interested in seeing one of the most colorful pueblos out there.
One of the highlights is La Piedra (Stone of El Peñol), a 10-story-high rock that had fallen to Earth millions of years ago. You can climb its 740 steps to the top, and you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the man-made lake below.
To get to Guatape, you will have to take a metro to the Caribe Station, where you will be able to buy the bus ticket to Guatape at the Terminal del Norte bus station. It should cost you no more than 35,000~ COP and will take around 2 hours to get there.
For a more convenient trip, I highly recommend that you go on one of the day trip tours available in Medellin. To find day trips to join, check out: A Day Trip From Medellin to Guatape + Boat Tour
11. Watch Narcos While You Are There (Extra)
- 📍 Location: Casa Museo Pablo Escobar [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I did this while I was in Medellín, and boy was it an immersive experience. 😉"
Last but not least, if you have not watched the famous Netflix series Narcos (Seasons 1 and 2), do so while you are in Medellin for an extra immersion. 😁
I always feel that it is necessary for us to learn the history of a place we are visiting so that we can see where the locals are coming from and how far they have come. Given that Narcos is not exactly historically accurate, look at it for what it is: entertainment based on true locations, and you won't have to imagine what it's like to be there, because you are already there.
Also, if you want to see some of the real places featured in the Narcos show in Medellín, I highly recommend you go on one of these Pablo Escobar Tours to really immerse yourself in the city.
Colombia Travel Video
When to Go to Medellin?
The best time to visit Medellín is generally from mid-December to February or from June to August, when rainfall tends to be lower. Thanks to the city's elevation, temperatures remain pleasant throughout the year, usually hovering around 16–26°C, although rain is possible at any time.
December is an especially lively time to visit thanks to Medellín's famous Christmas lights, but it is also a busy period. If you are traveling around Christmas or New Year, I recommend booking your accommodation in advance.
How to Get to Medellin?
Medellín's main international airport is José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), located outside the city near Rionegro. There are direct flights from major Colombian cities as well as several international destinations in the Americas and Madrid.
For domestic flights, compare current fares from airlines such as Avianca, LATAM, and JetSMART, as routes and prices change frequently. To look for the cheapest flights available, browse through both Skyscanner and Expedia to find the best deal possible.
You can also take overland buses from big cities like Bogota or Cali to Medellin. For bus schedules and prices, you can use Busbud.com to find the best time for your itinerary.
How to Get Around Medellin?
Medellín has one of the best public transportation systems in Colombia, and I found the Metro and Metrocable to be the easiest ways to travel between many of the places in this guide.
The Metro is especially useful for attractions near Lines A and B, while the connected Metrocable lines can take you into Medellín's hillside neighborhoods and all the way towards Parque Arví.
For places that aren't convenient to reach by Metro, ride-hailing apps like Uber are another easy option. I especially recommend using them at night rather than walking long distances through unfamiliar neighborhoods.
For short-term visitors: Look for the Cívica Eventual card, which is designed for occasional users and tourists.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Colombia?
Claro is one of the largest mobile networks in Colombia and is a good option if you prefer a physical local SIM. Prepaid data packages are relatively inexpensive, but prices and data allowances change frequently, so I recommend checking the latest packages when you arrive.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Daily Budget
This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
Is Medellin Safe?
Medellín is much safer than its reputation from decades ago might suggest, but travelers should still take precautions, especially at night. Petty theft is a concern in crowded areas, while robberies and drugging incidents involving foreign visitors have also been reported.
Avoid walking alone on quiet streets after dark, keep expensive phones and cameras out of sight when you are not using them, and consider using a ride-hailing app or registered taxi when traveling at night.
Be particularly cautious when using dating apps or meeting strangers. Do not leave drinks unattended or accept food and drinks from people you do not know, and be careful about inviting strangers back to your accommodation.
Here's one tip to rule them all: if the locals don't do it, why should you? You won't find many locals walking on a quiet street alone at night.
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2 Comments
What about safety for women? Would a woman be able to travel it alone?
Hi Lieze,
The precaution applies to all genders. It's very safe in the city during the day, especially in the tourist area. At night, the party area is fine to walk around but avoid walking around quiet streets. Also, stick to Uber for taxis, they are cheaper and no need to negotiate prices :). My friend (She's Argentinian) traveled around Colombia alone and she didn't have any problem with it except a few catcalls which happen in many big cities around the world.
I hope this helps a bit and hope you will have a great time in Medellin!