Top 5 Things to Do in Medellín, Colombia

Traveling inland from Colombia’s coastal cities (with their endless summer heat), you’ll find welcome relief in “the city of eternal spring.” Medellín is a bustling city located in the Aburrá Valley, deep in the Andes mountain range. The location makes for stunning mountain views and a backdrop of tropical greenery throughout the city.
Once known for its violent past in the days of Pablo Escobar, Medellín has since transformed into a mix between a lively entrepreneurial city and a haven for the arts. As you navigate your way through the streets, or ride along the exceptional public transit system, you’ll be greeted by historical statues, cobblestone streets, and colorful murals everywhere you look.
We spent roughly three weeks in Medellín and have been itching for more ever since. There’s so much to do in the city – so here are some of our favorites!

1. Jardín Botánico de Medellín
This was our very favorite spot in Medellín. It’s an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of the busy Medellín streets. If you’re staying in El Poblado, just hop on the metro and ride roughly 30 minutes toward the Centro neighborhood. Admission to the park is free and you’ll enter into a 14 hectare sanctuary full of winding paths that lead you through various exhibits. The park is reportedly home to over 4,500 flower varieties and roughly 140 different bird species.
As you wander through the park you’ll encounter a butterfly exhibit, cactus garden, orchid collection, a pond full of ducks and turtles, and giant tree canopies.
It’s easy to spend an entire day at the gardens, so plan ahead for meals. There are three restaurants within the park, but we highly recommend packing your own food and having a picnic amongst the birds and iguanas. Note: As of 2023, the park is open from 9am-4pm and is closed on Mondays.

2. Walking Tours
As with any new city we go to, we were sure to hit up Medellín's free walking tours. We try to do these as soon as possible when we reach a new place as guides are often quick to give their insights on the best sites to see, their favorite places to eat, and areas to stay clear of. It also just provides a great background into the history of an area so that once you’re on your own you can be aware of what’s around you.
There’s a number of sites to book your tour from, but we recommend GetYourGuide, GuruWalk, and BeyondColombia Tours. Here you’ll find everything from food outings, to historical tours, to adventure day trips and pub crawls.
Our top tours:
The Communa 13 Street Art Tour with GetYourGuide: This tour takes about four hours to complete and takes you through an area of Medellín that has undergone a seemingly impossible transition. Once home to the highest murder rate in the city, public funding has allowed for infrastructure like outdoor escalators and cable cars, permitting increased access for its residents. While it's a slight tourist trap, it's well worth taking the time to get to know Medellín more personally.
The El Poblado District Walking Tour with GuruWalk: This tour takes about three hours as you’re guided through the streets of one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city. You’ll visit the major plazas, learn the history of the massive hotels and high-end apartment buildings lining the streets, take a closer look at some of the street art, and stop for a drink at a chic rooftop bar overlooking the city.
The Downtown Walking Tour with Beyond Colombia: This tour also takes about three hours and walks you through the streets of downtown Medellín. You’ll learn the history of drug trafficking in the city (in a respectful manner), and see the city’s progress as you stop for a bite to eat in one of markets and visit a number of plazas, including Plaza de Botero.

3. Eat out
If you’re traveling to Medellín from Europe or the United States, you’ll find that even the most exclusive restaurants are reasonably affordable, making it the perfect place to splurge on eating out! You can hop on a food tour to check out some of the most popular spots, or simply ask a local. We highly recommend having at least one rooftop dining experience in Medellín as the mountain views are incredible.
Read about our favorite spots in this article.

4. Cable Car System
Whether you do the Communa 13 tour or venture into the city’s public transit system on your own, the cable cars are a must-see attraction in Medellín. The city sits within the Aburrá Valley and is lined with mountains, many of which are home to various barrios. Medellín's metro system opened in 1995, running lengthwise through the valley, and is a major point of pride for citizens, meaning it stays exceptionally clean and runs smoothly. In the 2000s, cable systems were progressively added running up the hillsides. You can hop in any of these gondolas at many of the metro stations along the route and head up the mountainsides. (Note: You'll have to pay a little extra.) The view from the cable car makes the trip well worth it, even if you just ride them up and then straight back down.

5. Plaza Botero
If you haven’t heard of Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero, one quick Google search will show you all the definitive markings of his style. Directly outside the Museo de Antioquia in Medellín's Old Quarter stand twenty-three bronze sculptures of voluptuous people and animals, all donated by Botero himself. From the larger than life “gato” to his massive Roman soldier, Botero’s sculptures depict political criticism and humor. We highly recommend visiting the plaza as part of a tour, so you can understand the background of the statues from a guide.

Medellín is a dynamic city with a seemingly endless array of things to do – making it one of our favorite travel destinations yet! From its resilient history to its up-and-coming urban atmosphere, every corner of Medellín promises a vibrant tour through the past and present.
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