Are you looking for a guide on what to do and where to go in Medellin? All your questions will be answered here.
Best Tips and Tours for your Trip to Medellin:
1. Medellin full day private city tour
2. Pablo Escobar and Comuna 13 tour (Private Tour)
3. Graffiti tour in Comuna 13
4. Private tour to Guatape town (including a visit to Pablo Escobar’s mansion)
5. Coffee tour (visit a plantation and become a coffee worker for one day!)
6. Go Paragliding in Medellin (one in a life time experience)
7. Book a Medellin food tour
Recommended Lodging and Hotels in Medellin:
1. Hotel Estelar Milla de Oro (High-End)
2. Leblon Suites Hotel (Mid-Range)
3. Hotel Loyds (Budget)
Book an airport private transfer to your hotel in Medellin
I am recommending you here the best things to do in Medellin, enough for a short stay in the city.
1. Discover Comuna 13
What is a Comuna
In Colombia, a comuna is a type of administrative division that encompasses certain neighborhoods or districts within a medium or large city. There are 16 comunas in Medellín and Comuna 13 is the one I will refer to here.
Comuna 13 in the Times of Pablo Escobar
During the 1980s, Pablo Escobar, a notorious drug kingpin who led the Medellin Cartel, recruited many of his underlings from impoverished and economically deprived areas. He capitalized on the allure of quick wealth through the cocaine trade
Comuna 13, a densely populated neighborhood home to around 160,000 residents, rapidly became the focal point of violence in the region.
Comuna 13 in Present Times
After a government intervention in 2002, it was possible to pacify the area and improve the appearance of this neighborhood. They built stairs, painted houses, and encouraged mural art, converting Comuna 13 in the largest outdoor urban art gallery in Colombia.
Book a Comuna 13 Graffiti tour of 2 and half hours to learn about its artistic, cultural, and political aspects. If offers break dance and rap show. At the end of the tour, you will be presented with a small Gourmet Coffee bag and ice cream.
If you prefer going with your party only and enjoy a flexible itinerary moving at your own pace, then Pablo & Comuna 13 private tour is for you.
2. Take the Metro Cable
The Cable Car System, also known as the Metrocable is the symbol of the city. It is an addition to the city’s metro system. It comprises of six lines which link the hilly areas of the city to the metro, providing better access to education and employment.
Take the Metro first in order to take the Metrocable. Better do it after 10:00 am or at sunset. Take lines K or L which lead to the beautiful Parque Arví. Each cabin has space for eight people. As long as you don’t leave the station, you can change cabins to continue or to return.
I don’t recommend taking the Metrocable if you tend to suffer from vertigo or altitude sickness. Medellin is at 4905 ft or 1495 m ASL.
3. Visit the Plaza Botero
This plaza is the iconic space of Medellin center. It houses 23 sculptures by late Colombian master Fernando Botero who donated them to his city. Both in painting and sculpture, he made figures that are robust and with exaggerated proportions.
Unfortunately in my recent visit last year I noticed that this place had changed a lot due to the large number of homeless people, beggars, street vendors and even prostitutes in the evenings who have taken over the square. I recommend visiting during the day. and with a guide. Do not go in the afternoon, as there is a lot of insecurity.
A better way to go around the city safely is with this full day private Medellin city tour. It will not only take you to Plaza Botero, Metro Cable, Comuna 13 but also to other nine attractions in Medellín.
4. Visit the Museo de Antioquia
A visit to this museum is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Medellin. It faces Plaza Botero and is next to a metro station.
The highlight of the museum is the third floor, where most of the artwork on display are sculptures and paintings by Botero. The paintings are amazing. People mostly gather to see “The Death of Pablo Escobar,” which depicts the demise of the famous drug lord. Additionally, the Museum also has a section dedicated to pre-Columbian Art, showcasing the indigenous culture of the region.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00 – 17:30
5. Take a Day Trip to Guatapé
Guatapé is a colonial town on the border of a lake, two hours from Medellin. It is famous for its colorful houses. Take a day trip from Medellin to Guatape and discover this charming spot .
You can also book a private tour to Guatapé, which includes the following: a climb to El Peñol, a giant rock which is the most stunning attraction in town. You’ll also cross the reservoir on a boat tour and visit Pablo Escobar’s former mansion, La Manuela; the town of Zócalos; and a charming church in Marinilla. The tour includes breakfast, lunch, travel insurance, transport, entrance fees, and round-trip transportation from Medellin.
6. Visit a Coffee Plantation
Colombian coffee is renowned for its excellent quality and distinctive flavor. It has been a vital industry in Colombia for over a century and is now the world’s third-largest coffee producer. The unique taste is attributed to Colombia’s ideal climate and geography, traditional farming methods, and the dedication of its farmers.
One of the best things to do in Medellin is to visit a local coffee farm with this top-rated Medellin Coffee Tour. Don the clothes of a traditional coffee worker (poncho and hat). Experience what a typical day of a coffee worker is like. Enjoy coffee tasting at the farm, as well as a delicious lunch.
7. Watch Medellin From Above
Ready for an adrenaline rush? Take flight over Medellin and see the city like never before!
Experience a tandem paraglide ride over the Medellin’s countryside for stunning landscapes. Fly with a certified and experienced guide for 15-20 minutes (depending on the weather). Enjoy from above the landscape, trees, birds, the wind on your face. Discover hidden details of the valley as you soar without an engine. No experience needed.
8. Sample Colombian Traditional Food
Traditional Colombian food is comforting and heavy. For example, Bandeja Paisa, the national dish, is considered to be one of the richest in calories in the world. It consists of rice accompanied by different types of meat such as fried pork, ground meat, sausages, fried plantains, avocado and on top of that, a fried egg.
Discover Medellin’s food scene on a half-day Medellin Food Tour. Choose breakfast, lunch or dinner and visit four popular local restaurants. Try traditional dishes like tripe stew, chicken stew or arepas. Visit off-the-beaten path restaurants that locals frequent and taste dishes that you might not otherwise try. Small group, limited to nine people.
Where to Stay in Medellin
The best place to stay in Medellin is El Poblado, which offers a high level of safety and a diverse range of amenities to suit every taste. With its trendy restaurants, bars, and cafes, as well as parks and high-end hotels, it’s no wonder that the majority of travelers choose to stay in El Poblado when visiting the city. All of the following hotels are well-located and close to main attractions.
HIGH-END HOTEL: Hotel Estelar Milla de Oro
This 5-star hotel is just one block from El Poblado Avenue. It offers a terraced hydromassage tub that overlooks Medellin. The Ocre restaurant serves Colombian and international dishes.
Book a stay at the Hotel Estelar Milla de Oro here
MID-RANGE HOTEL: Leblon Suites Hotel
The suites are decorated with wooden furnishings. Self-catering facilities include dining areas and fully-equipped kitchens. Oviedo and La Strada Shopping Malls are 1 km away.
Book a stay at the Leblon Suites Hotel here
BUDGET HOTEL: Hotel Loyds
This hotel is 5-minute walk from El Poblado Park and close to El Poblado Metro Station. There is a shopping center a-minute walk away from the hotel.
Book a stay at the Hotel Loyds here
Read more here: Where to stay in Medellin: The 5 Best Neighborhoods
When to Go to Medellin
Medellin boasts a comfortable climate with moderate temperatures, making it a great destination to visit at any time of the year. However, the optimal time to plan a trip is during the relatively dry season between December and February. Another good option would be the month of July, the driest month of the year.
Rainfall is a common occurrence throughout the year.
The average annual temperature is 22.2 °C or 71.96 °F.
Is Medellin Safe?
Medellin had a violent past due to the actions of drug lords and terrorism. However, in the last decades, it has evolved into a safer and more modern city, which has even been considered a model of order and well-being for cities around the world.
At present, it is generally considered a safe city, but as with any other big metropolis, it is important to keep awareness.
Some places in the center, such as Plaza Botero, can be unsafe in the evenings, and I advise you not to visit at those hours. I also advise you to visit Comuna 13 during the day and preferably on a guided tour.
For more information on Colombia check my posts about Bogota and Cartagena.
