What are the best things to do in Medellin?
Medellin is one of the country’s most attractive cities, and for many it is undoubtedly one of the must-sees on a first visit to Colombia. The city of eternal spring has succeeded in changing its violent past, and is now recognized as a modern, dynamic city.
A visit to Medellin inevitably includes the must-sees, such as Comuna 13 and Plaza Botero… But we’ve listed all the things to see and do that we think are worth a visit to Medellin. It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there’s plenty to see around Medellin too.
Disclaimer: we apologize in advance for any grammatical or syntactic errors, as our native language is not English (we're a Colombian-French couple), so we hope you'll forgive us and still enjoy the information we share with you! Please note that all the information on our blog is based on our own experience, and is checked and updated regularly.
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Visit comuna 13
The BEst places to visit in Medellin
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Comuna 13 is a former sensitive neighborhood, which has used urban art as a weapon to break out of its spiral of violence and create a new reality for itself. Medellin’s recent urban and social transformation has encouraged this change.
Today, Comuna 13 has become a must-see when visiting Medellin. Graffiti towers trace the history of the district and highlight the two inseparable aspects of Comuna 13’s renaissance: urban planning and street art!
Comuna 13 is proof that thinking about urban planning can change lives. The creation of the cable car system has opened up the district, bringing residents closer to downtown Medellin, and the construction of public escalators has facilitated circulation within the district itself.
The walls of Comuna 13 have gradually been taken over by local artists, who have used them as an outlet to tell the story of Comuna 13, recounting key events in the district’s history and conveying messages of peace and hope for the future. They feature new talents in Medellin street art, as well as international artists.
From our point of view, going into comuna 13 without a guide is a serious mistake. Sure, you’ll see some street art, but you won’t know anything about the history of the district or the issues involved in its transformation, which is a real shame!
Take the Metro towards San Javier, then the 225-I or 228-I bus to Comuna 13.
Take a free walking tour
The BEst Things to do in Medellin
Free Walking Tours are an interesting way to discover cities, and can be a great way to visit Medellin if you speak Spanish or English. These tours allow you to discover the city center and its main points of interest.
These tours are often done in very large groups (up to 30 people), as the principle is that everyone gives what they want at the end of the tour, so the more people there are, the more the guide can expect to be paid at the end.
During the tour, which lasts between 3 and 4 hours, you’ll learn about Medellin’s history and culture. We absolutely wanted to try out the Free Walking Tour on our last trip to Colombia, but unfortunately the vagaries of travel meant we couldn’t take advantage of it!
That said, all the travelers we spoke to about it came back with the same feedback: these tours are great.
Visit the plaza Botero
The BEst places to visit in Medellin
In this square in the center of Medellin, you can admire 23 exceptional sculptures by the artist Fernando Botero, internationally renowned for the roundness of his works. The plaza Botero is literally an open-air museum that won’t leave you indifferent. In any case, we loved it! But then, we love Botero, so we’re not really objective..
The atmosphere in the plaza is calm and safe, which is not necessarily the case in the surrounding area of downtown Medellin, which is strangely one of the few areas in the city where you really have to be careful.
If you’d like to extend your cultural experience, you can also visit the Museo de Antioquia (Antioquia Museum ), opposite the Plaza, which boasts the world’s largest collection of Botero’s works. You’ll also find works by local artists that will give you a better understanding of the “paisa” culture (the name given to the region’s inhabitants)
Last but not least, the Palacio de la Cultura (Palace of Culture), which stands right in the middle of the square and looks like a Florentine cathedral, is a great place to enjoy a spectacular view of Medellin from its rooftop terrace!
Plaza Botero
- Price: Free
- How to get there: Calle 52 y Carrera 52 / Metro – Berrio station
Museum of Antioquia
- Opening hours: MON-SAT: 10am-5.30pm / SUN and holidays: 10am-2.30pm
- Price: $18.000 COP – minus 50% for students and over-60s
Take the metrocable
BEst Things to do in Medellin
During our visit to Moravia, we took a short trip for butter on the K line, to experience this means of transport that has connected the inhabitants of the outlying districts with the city center.
The metrocable is one of the keys to Medellin’s social transformation. It was the first city in the world to implement a gondola system as a means of public transport, and it forms an integral part of the city’s transport network (Metro, Metrobus, tramway…), which we’ll tell you about in an upcoming practical post on Medellin.
Taking the cable allows you to see the city from another perspective, to fly over it, but also to get a glimpse of the daily life of the people who use it every day and understand its importance.
Today, there are 4 cable car lines : H, J, K and L, or Cable Arvi, which is the most popular with tourists and takes you to Santa Elena’s Parc Arvi. Line J takes you to the electric escalators in comuna 13. The K line connects with the L line to take you to Parc Arvi.
- Fares: $2.500 COP for lines H, J and K / $11.500 COP for Cable Arvi, Cable H, J and K
- Timetables: MON-SAT: 4.30am-11pm and SUN: 9am-10pm
- Timetable for Line L or Cable Arvi: Tues-Sat: 9am-6pm and Sun: 8.30am-6pm
Memory House Museum
The BEst museums to visit in Medellin
The Memory House Museum is dedicated to the victims of the armed conflict that engulfed the city, like the whole of Colombia, in violence in years gone by. It’s a place of remembrance, providing an insight into the history of Medellin, its inhabitants and the events that left their mark on the city, as well as the reparation process and the elements that made Medellin’s transformation possible.
This is an impressive and emotionally-charged visit, and one of our must-sees. Some of the museum’s mediators were victims themselves, and the museum is also a place of reconciliation and reconstruction.
In addition to the permanent exhibition, temporary exhibits are organized on a regular basis. Admission to the museum is free, and the exhibits are available in several languages, including english.
- How to get there : Calle 51 #36-66, Parque Bicentenario / Tram station Bicentenario
- Opening hours: TUESDAY – FRIDAY : 9am – 7pm / SATURDAY – SUNDAY : 10am – 4pm
Visit Moravia
Visit MEDELLIN, NEIGHBORHOODS TO DISCOVER
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We were lucky enough to discover a little-known neighborhood during our last trip to Colombia. It’s Comuna 4, and more specifically the Moravia district. For a long time, Moravia was synonymous with shantytown, but not just any shantytown: a shantytown built on a huge open-air rubbish dump.
Today in Moravia, people are trying to get back on their feet and build something positive, helping each other and moving forward. The mountain of waste has become a green hill, where community gardening projects have been set up to promote environmental protection and social transformation in the neighborhood.
Hope is on the horizon, and William and all the gardeners of the Jarum cooperative are not about to let it slip away!
Visiting Medellin is of course about discovering the must-sees, but it’s also about making the effort to get away from the clichés. Discovering Moravia is therefore a must for any traveler wishing to better understand the city of Medellin, its evolution and its population.
Tango dancing in Medellin
The BEst places to go in Medellin
Strange as it may seem, tango is particularly popular in Medellin. It seems that interest in tango in Medellin began with the death of the famous Franco-Argentinian singer Carlos Gardel. It’s worth noting that Carlos Gardel died in a plane crash near the Paisan capital. Perhaps this explains why. In any case, today Medellin even has its own international tango festival, held every year in June.
So there’s quite a love affair between tango and Medellin, and many places bear witness to this. One example is the Casa Gardeliana, a small museum dedicated to Carlos Gardel and tango, with documents, photos and, of course, music. On the last Fridays of the month, you can attend small tango shows.
La Maison Gardeliana is located in the Manrique district, where tango has been practiced for many years. Today, the soufflé has died down a little, but one place that has stood the test of time is Café Alaska, where we recommend a visit to complete the tour. It’s one of the city’s most storied landmarks. Opened in 1942, this little bar bears witness to the passion for tango that this district has known.
These two places are part of the new community tourism proposals that the city of Medellin wants to encourage, but which remain a little unknown to foreign tourists for the moment.
CASA GARDELIANA
- How to get there: Cra. 45 #76-50/Metro: Sations Universidad or Hospital then take a cab
- Opening hours: MON-SAT : 9am-5pm
- Tango shows are held on the last Fridays of the month from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
CAFE ALASKA
- How to get there: Cra. 45 # 79 – 3 / Prefer cab
- Opening hours: from 11h
In the central district, for the less adventurous, but very much in keeping with the theme, there’s another traditional café dedicated to tango, the Salon Malaga, another city institution well worth a visit.
- Opening hours: MON-SAT: 7am-2am / SUN: 8am-12pm
- How to get there: Cra 51 #45-80 – San Antonio Station (Tram A or Metro B)
Enjoy Medellin’s markets
The BEst things to do in Medellin
Visiting a market place is always an interesting experience, because as well as being able to sample the variety of local produce, you can meet the locals and gain another insight into the city.
For example, you can visit the Placita de Florez, in the center of the city, which is part of Medellin’s cultural heritage. It was the first covered market built in Colombia. It’s a small, friendly and popular square that’s part of the new tourist plans that the city wants to promote. You’ll get a different view of the city and its inhabitants. You can also enjoy a typical local dish in one of the square’s restaurants.
Other options include La Minorista market square or Plaza América. As well as enjoying typical local fruit, you’ll find small restaurants where you can sample the region’s traditional dishes at very reasonable prices.
PARTICIPATE
Tourism is also about participating in the local economy, so when you come to enjoy a place like a maché where people work hard, the least you can do is buy a little something ;-).
Placita de Florez
- How to get there: Calle 50 / Tram – Bicentenario station
- Opening hours: MON-SAT: 6am-6pm and SUN: 6am-2pm
Plaza Minorista
- How to get there: Calle 55A #57-80 / Metro- Station Prado /Metroplus – Station Minorista
- Opening hours: MON-SAT: 4.30am-6pm and SUN: 4.30am-3pm
Plaza la América
- Opening hours: MON-DIM: 5am-6pm
- How to get there: Cl 45 79 A-100 Medellin / Metro Station Floresta
Paragliding over Medellin
Things to do in Medellin
Thrill-seekers will be delighted with this opportunity to paraglide over Medellin. Flights depart from a hill in the town of San Felix, just 45 minutes from Medellin. This option could be just the thing to introduce you to paragliding or to relive this extreme experience. We haven’t tried it out, but most of the reviews we’ve found are positive, and it looks promising!
Most agencies offer an option that includes transport to the site where the paragliding flight will take place, and this can be quite convenient. You’ll find several options for flight duration, as well as the option of renting a GoPro, or having a video and photos taken. These options are often added to the price of the flight.
Highly recommended local guide
Contact Jules to experiment paraglide over Medellin
Flower Festival
The BEst event to go in Medellin
The Feria de las flores de Medellin is another not-to-be-missed event in Colombia, and if you’re visiting Medellin in August, try to adapt your itinerary so you’re there at the right time!
It takes place every year at the beginning of August, and has been going on for 60 years. The idea behind the festival is to highlight the work of the flower-growing peasants in the region, known as “silleteros“. The highlight of the festival is the parade of over 500 silleteros, with their magnificent works made from flowers on wooden structures called silletas. These are the two main components of the festival.
This tradition originated in the village of Santa Elena, where flower-growing is the main activity. The Silleta was originally an instrument for transporting goods, and was used by Santa Elena farmers to transport their flowers for sale in Medellin.
If you’re in Colombia at this time of year, we urge you to experience this beautiful, colorful festival!
Further information: https: //www.feriadeflores.com/
Get in touch with a local guide
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Responsible tourism
Our loca partner in Medellin are comitted to make a difference in Colombia through social and ethically responsible tourism by converting tourism into a sustainable income for local people and by contributing to the protection of Colombia’s environmental and cultural diversity.
Where to stay in Medellin
Medellin
Hotel
574 hotel
A small hotel with a neat and pretty decor. It has very good reviews for cleanliness, service, breakfast and location. We think it could be good value for money
Laureles, Medellin
Appartement
Appartment Laureles Stadiuam
Really affordable apartments, super clean and perfectly located in the trendy new district of Laureles!
Laureles, Medellin
Appartement
Appart’Hotel Loma verde
For those looking for the comfort of a hotel and the convenience of having a kitchen and space in an apartment, Loma Verde offers beautiful, well-decorated apartments in a convenient location away from the noise of Poblado!
Laureles, Medellin
Appartement
Avanti apartments
Several apartments for 2 people in Laureles, Medellin’s trendy new district. Well-equipped, comfortable, conveniently located… what more could you ask for?
Medellin, Poblado
Hotel
Patio del mundo hotel
So let’s face it, we’re dreaming of spending a night there! May the gods of travel hear us! El Patio del mundo is a beautiful place to spend an exceptional moment… what else!
Medellin, Poblado
Hostal
Garden of Blues Hostel
Located in the El Poblado district, the Garden of Blues hostel is everything we love: a green space in the middle of the city. The whole place is dedicated to plants, and the atmosphere is just great!
Medellin, Poblado
Hostal
Yolo Hostal
Located in the El Poblado district, it’s one of Medellin’s best-selling hostals, but still gets rave reviews. Bonus: you can eat well on site.
Santa Elena
Finca
Forest house
Located in Santa Elena, it’s the perfect place to get away from it all! Carlos, the owner, will make you feel right at home, and you’ll never want to leave.
Santa Elena
Eco Lodge
Monte Helicon Ecolodge
Located in Vereda Piedra Gorda, the Monte Helicon eco-lodge is a little bubble of luxury in the middle of nature, with its spa and treatments, it’s the perfect place to relax and be pampered.
I’m back from 15 days in Medellín with a head full of memories and eyes full of stars
The success of this emotional trip is due in part to Tika Travel and Sara, the guide who accompanied me during my stay
In fact, from the very first contact I had, I was given rapid feedback with all the information I needed for the different excursions I wanted to do
I did the “Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour” in a very small group with a guide from Casa Kolacho (Julian), who showed us his neighborhood and all its history
With Tika I also visited Moravia’s garden, and I’d like to thank Sara who really made it possible for me to take this tour with its incredible history
The originally planned visit had to be cancelled, but Sara did everything she could to find a solution and I was able to see this fabulous garden
At the same time, I was able to keep in touch with Sara throughout my vacation to get all the information and tips I needed to be amazed
Medellín is a wonderful city with a warm and welcoming population
I really recommend this stopover to all travellers wishing to discover this beautiful country
Thank you Tika Travel, Thank you Sara and Thank you Medellín
MANU. B