Medellin offers visitors an excellent variety of options. A lively city set in a green valley full of art, culture, music, fun, and wonderful, friendly people. The city has been transformed over recent decades and has become an increasingly popular tourist destination.
Originally from the UK, I have lived in the city for 16 years and in this article I will select some of the best things to do in Medellin and explain why you should give them a go.
The Best Things To Do In Medellin
Experience Comuna 13
Once one of Medellin’s most dangerous neighborhoods, Comuna 13 has been transformed into a cultural center full of great music, art, and culture.
The first escalator network of such scale used as free public transport was built in the neighborhood around a decade ago. The escalators helped locals up and down the steep hills but also brought interested visitors from elsewhere in the city and around the world. The local community has really made the most of this opportunity and has led the transformation of the barrio.
Multilingual guides give visitors a guided tour through the neighborhood, telling the story of urban warfare and mass murder as paramilitaries, guerillas, gangs and the military fought for control. They then explain how the community stayed together, focusing on the role graffiti, dance and music has played in sending a message of peace and perseverance.
As you travel around the comuna you will see dozens of exceptional graffiti pieces, rappers improvising verses about visitors, break dances, and vendors offering local snacks. There are also some really nice bars offering artisan beers and excellent DJs. On top of all of that, you have an incredible view over the city and you can mix with very friendly locals who are keen to share their stories.
At the weekend many Colombians from elsewhere in the city also enjoy the fun, upbeat atmosphere in the comuna. It can be quite busy but for me, this really added to the buzz of the place. Go during the week for the art and stories or go at the weekend for the vibes. Definitely one of the best things to do in Medellin.
Take A Free Downtown Walking tour
The free walking tour around central Medellin is highly recommended and it was something my mum really enjoyed when she visited. After her day with the guide she was confident she knew about my city than I did.
There are daily tours available in both English and Spanish that begin at 9.30am. The very charismatic and knowledgeable guides take visitors around the downtown area of Medellin, telling the history of the city and the importance of key local landmarks.
El Centro is the heart of Medellin but it is an area that many tourists avoid or really fail to connect with. This tour helps rectify that, you get an incredible insight and it really is a fascinating experience. You pass through all of the key squares of the downtown area, and learn about churches and key buildings along the way.
The tour lasts around 3 hours and while it is officially free, a generous tip is expected and well-deserved. We gave 50,000 COP each (US$12) but it is of course up to you. This is one of the best things to do in Medellin early in your stay, to get a sense of the history and culture of the city center.
Eat Bandeja Paisa at Hacienda Junín
The bandeja paisa is the most important traditional meal in Medellin and the Antioquia region of the country. Combining indigenous and European favorites, the hearty meal dates back to the 1950s and was a favorite with agricultural workers looking to fuel up during a hard day’s work on the farm.
The huge plate includes beans, rice, ground meat, chicharon (fried pig skin), a fried egg, chorizo, arepa, plantain, avocado, and morcilla (similar to black pudding). Safe to say it is a significant meal and you might need to schedule a siesta to recover but it is also delicious and something you should try.
Hacienda Junin is an excellent option for class Medellin dishes. The restaurant is traditionally decorated and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Taking on a delicious bandeja paisa is one of the best things to do if you want to get a sense for local culinary traditions and flavors.
Paraglide High Above Medellin
Medellin is a great place to experience paragliding with elevated points around the city offering incredible views and excellent conditions most days.
You can paraglide from San Felix, less than 30 minutes from Medellin, Guatapé, two hours from the city but with crazy views, and Cocorna, a town around 90 minutes from Medellin with an array of fun activities.
Flights usually last around 20 minutes and you can purchase GoPro footage of the whole experience. The views are incredible and the flight is thrilling. Prices should start from around US$40 with packages also available including video and transfers. One of the best things to do in Medellin if you want some adventure and to see the spectacular Antioquia countryside.
Drink Cocktails in a Beautiful Rooftop Bar
Poblado is the most popular neighborhood with visitors and it is located on a hill within the valley. This means the tall hotels and hostels have spectacular views from the upper floors and this means amazing rooftop bars.
Envy is an excellent choice with incredible views and delicious cocktails. ENE on the corner of Provenza is superb with high-quality hookahs, great food, and once again amazing cocktails.
I am personally a big fan of Mosquito Rooftop and Jo&Joe Rooftop where DJ Kubha regularly plays the best afrobeat, hip hop, and dancehall mix.
Party in Provenza
While there are many areas to head to after some early evening cocktails, Provenza is a consistently strong option. Most of the street has been closed to cars and is now filled with bars, small restaurants, and some bigger clubs.
Made internationally famous by the Karol G song, the area is now the best option for a night out in Poblado. Teatro Victoria is a strong option with three floors dedicated to different music while Perro Negro is the best place for a bit of an intense underground reggaeton experience.
Visiting Provenza is one of the best things to do in Medellin if you want a wide range of fun, lively, modern clubs along a pretty, well maintained street in one of the safest areas of the city.
Climb Cerro Tres Cruces
This is a very popular option for Colombians looking for a physical challenge, amazing views and some fresh air at the weekend. The area covers 103.8 hectares and is located to the southwest of Medellin.
You can climb to the top in around 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the weather and your level of fitness. The total distance from the start of the trail to the summit and back again is 2.3km. At the top, there is public gym equipment and many will include this in their weekend fitness routine.
Run, Walk or Cycle the Sunday Ciclovia
Every Sunday morning the main street that runs from downtown, through Poblado, and along to Envigado is closed to traffic for locals to use for exercise. Thousands of people cycle, skate, run, jog, and walk their dogs along the route. It is a great chance to connect with the community, work out, and shake off a possible weekend hangover.
Along the route, there are dozens of stalls selling fruit, juices, sweet treats, bike products, dog snacks, and all sorts of other things. There are also ciclovias on Sunday around the Atanasio Girador stadium and on Avenida del Rio. One of the best things to do in Medellin if you want to enjoy the morning sun and get some exercise. I would recommend freshly squeezed orange juice just before Oviedo on Avenida Poblado.
Learn And Have Fun At Parque Explora
Parque Explora is the city’s interactive science museum and aquarium.
The aquarium is the biggest in South America with over 2,000 fish of 250 different species in a space over three floors. They also have an impressive vivarium as well as interactive spaces exploring the brain, music, time, and communication.
Parque Explora is close to Universidad Metro station and is open from 8.30am Tuesday to Friday and 10 am to 6.30 pm on the weekends and national holidays.
Parque Explora is perfect for a really fun and educational afternoon for adults and children alike. Definitely one of the best things to do in Medellin on a rainy afternoon.
Find Some Bargains in El Hueco
El Hueco, loosely translated to the hole or the hollow, is the central downtown shopping area of Medellin. They have a huge range of products such as clothes, jewelry, electronics, furniture, appliances, plates and many others.
This is generally where you will find the best prices and it is possible to haggle in many of the stores. There are thousands of small stores and all are offering the chance of a bargain. Be aware that most of the branded clothing is less than authentic although, given the prices, I imagine you would have guessed.
You can get a taxi to Parque de las Luces to get to El Hueco or take the metro to Cisneros or San Antonio station. The area has improved a lot over recent years but it is important to take care of pickpockets during the day and avoid the area completely when the sun goes down. One of the best things to do in Medellin if you are looking for a wide range of affordable gifts.
Explore Medellin’s Free Jardin Botanico
The botanical garden is an excellent place to spend a sunny afternoon in Medellin. Entrance is free and there is a lot of open green space to relax, enjoy a picnic, and read a book.
Within the garden, there is a tropical rainforest area, a desert garden, a palmetum, and a lagoon filled with fish. There is also a butterfly house where you can learn about different species in a space with hundreds of butterflies all around. There are also some really large iguanas wandering around greeting visitors and enjoying the grounds.
There is a very tasty and affordable restaurant cooking meat on the outdoor barbecue which is a delicious option for lunch. One of the best things to do in Medellin on a sunny afternoon if you want to have a lovely experience and save a few pesos.
Take Photos in the Central Plaza Botero
In the middle of the downtown area in front of the Antioquia Museum, Plaza Botero is a busy central square filled with 23 sculptures by one of the country’s most celebrated artists Fernando Botero.
Botero is internationally renowned for his sculptures and paintings which depict characters in large and exaggerated proportions. His art can be humorous, and playful and also provide satire and commentary on important figures.
The square also has an excellent view of the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture which is surrounded by tall, carefully topiaried trees and the passing metro line.
It is a great place to take some photos, admire the art, and enjoy the views. You can grab a coffee at the Antioquia Museum and watch people come and go. While it is busy and lively in the day, it can suddenly get quiet and fairly unsafe in the evening. I would avoid walking around downtown at night.
bounce Around At Summit Adventure Park
Located just across the river from Poblado metro station, Summit Adventure Park is the perfect option for children to have fun and burn off some excess energy.
The huge space includes over 3,000 meters of fun activities including trampolines, a ninja warrior assault course, a free fall area, rotating wipeout obstacles, giant airbags, dodgeball, climbing walls, zip wires, trampoline basketball, and many more activities.
One of the best things to do in Medellin for children looking to let off some steam or for energetic, fun-loving grown-ups.
Learn Some Salsa or Bachata Moves at DanceFree
Music is huge in Colombia and whenever you go out you will be immediately struck by the effortless style with which the locals move to a range of music.
While the locals will have the benefit of growing up with the music and learning from their parents, as a visitor you are going to have to put in the work. Fortunately, this can be a huge amount of fun and a great chance to meet new people.
Dancefree offers, as you may have guessed, free dance classes in Poblado. You can learn the quick-paced and expressive salsa or sultry and smooth bachata. The group also offers paid private classes and parties. One of the best things to do in Medellin before you head out to party in Poblado.
Enjoy A Wild Night On A chiva Party Bus
Chivas were once a useful but slightly uncomfortable way for Colombians to travel around and between rural villages. They are now more likely to be seen in major cities packed full of drunk people singing, dancing, and trying not to fall over as they wind through tight Colombian streets.
If you feel you can stomach it, chivas can be a lot of fun. With a loud sound system, flashing lights, and lots of excitable passengers, a night on chiva can be a real experience. One of the best things to do in Medellin if you want a popular local party experience and the idea of strong alcohol with tight corners doesn’t turn your stomach.
Learn And Reflect At Museo Casa de la Memoria
The House of Memory was created as an initiative to tell the stories of the victims of Colombia’s armed conflict and promote a dialogue to build a more peaceful future. The space focuses on acknowledging the past and ensuring the pain and chaos of the past are not repeated.
This is a very important, informative, and emotive experience that focuses on the stories of Colombians who became victims of the country’s violent past. One of the best things to do in Medellin if you want to learn about the city’s violent and difficult past in a really insightful and respectful way.
Get A Little taste of local Culture With A View At Pueblito Paisa
Pueblito Paisa offers a modern recreation of a classic paisa, the term used to describe the people and culture of Antioquia, a village from the late nineteenth century.
The square is located at the top of Cerro Nutibara, a hill that sits 80 meters above the city with excellent views. You can enjoy great traditional local food, and an excellent view of the surrounding mountains, and purchase local arts and crafts.
The architecture is that of a traditional Antioquia town with bright colors, a stone square, gardens, and a large fountain plus recreations of a church, a town hall, a school, and a barbershop. One of the best things to do in Medellin if you don’t have time to head to a real pueblo or if you just want some nice food with a great view.
Enjoy some Fine Art At The Museo de Antioquia
The Antioquia Museum is a space to enjoy some of Colombia’s finest art, pieces from around the world and reflect on some of the key themes in the history of the country.
The museum has dedicated space for the works of Fernando Botero and international art as well as permanent exhibitions on modernity, decolonization dialogue, intercultural exchange, and rethinking history. One of the best things to do in Medellin if you want to enjoy some traditional local art and culture.
Sample Local And International Falvors At Mercado del Rio
Mercado del Rio offers excellent variety, a lively atmosphere, music, and live performances.
There are 30 different restaurants offering food from around the world. Once a nineteenth-century soap factory, the space has been transformed into a buzzing culinary center for the city.
You will find traditional table service upstairs with market-style offerings on the ground floor, dessert stalls, and bars. One of the best things to do in Medellin if you want to sample some great food in a fun, lively atmosphere.
Shop And Have Fun At Santa Fe Mall
Another really nice mall in Poblado is Santa Fe, which is on Avenida Poblado towards Envigado. Once again, the mall has a good selection of stores over four floors with a cinema and restaurants.
The central plaza also has a roof that opens and automatically closes when rain is registered. During the city’s annual festival the Feria de las Flores, the central plaza of the mall has an amazing design made of flowers.
Not many people seem to have realized but also on the bottom floor of the car park there is a really fun karting track where you can race against friends.
Learn How To Make The Perfect Cup Of Coffee At a Work Shop
Colombia is known as one of the world’s coffee capitals. You can spend the afternoon learning about the process while preparing and sampling coffee with experienced baristas.
Avoeden Cave in Poblado offers a workshop for a small group of visitors in a stylishly decorated space full of modern art. You will learn all about and how to prepare espressos and cappuccinos from experienced local experts.
Take Some Great Photos At the Unusual Museo el Castillo
In Poblado amongst all of the modern apartment buildings you will find an unusual and impressive castle based upon designs from medieval Europe. In 1930 Jose Tobon Uribe commissioned the construction of his country residence, which he wanted to be built in the style of Valle del Loire in France.
The castle is filled with antiques and art from the early twentieth century with perfectly kept grounds and a beautiful view over the city. It is very unusual but an interesting place to spend the afternoon.
