This list of the best places to visit in Medellín will help you organise a visit to the city of eternal spring, making the most of the weather.
As well as having a pleasant year-round climate of around 24 degrees Celsius, the country's second largest city has been reborn from a violent past as a result of drug trafficking and guerrilla warfare to become another must-see on a trip to Colombia.
Observing the vastness of the city and its mountainous surroundings from a metro cable car, marvelling at the graffiti and learning about the violent history of Comuna 13, marvelling at Botero's voluminous sculptures in the square that bears his name and in the Museum of Antioquia, sampling a hearty bandeja paisa or simply enjoying the good atmosphere in squares and local bars are just some of the best things to do in Medellín.
Despite its reputation for being dangerous since the time of Pablo Escobar, Medellín can nowadays be visited on your own, but always use common sense, avoid wandering around the city centre at night, avoid showing valuables and ask at your accommodation which areas are not recommended.
To get around the city we recommend using the metro for long distances or a taxi for shorter ones, while for accommodation it is preferable to look for a hotel in the safe and quiet neighbourhood of El Poblado and if possible close to the metro station if you have to move around the city a lot.
Based on the experience of the days we spent in the city during our 46-day trip to Colombia, we have made this selection of what we think are the 10 must-see places in Medellín. Let's get started!
1. Comuna 13
Comuna 13, a neighbourhood with a tragic and violent past where hundreds of people were killed by guerrillas, paramilitary groups, the government's dirty war and drug gangs such as Pablo Escobar's Medellín Cartel, has managed to overcome all these adversities thanks to the work of its people and transform it into the most essential place to visit in Medellín.
Situated on a mountainside, this neighbourhood of humble people and houses has been filled with colour and joy thanks to the beautiful graffiti that adorns its walls and has turned it into a great tourist attraction.
Although it's safe to visit on your own (you can bring your camera and mobile phone with you), we recommend booking a tour to learn more about the interesting history of the neighbourhood and not miss any important corners.
One of the tours with the best local guides and with which you also collaborate with the social work carried out in the neighbourhood, is the Kolacho House tour, which costs 30,000 pesos (8 euros) and can be booked by sending a Whatsapp to +573113473131.
If there is no availability you have the option of booking this free tour of Comuna 13 for free! or this one which includes the Museum of Memory and the parks of Medellín.
To get to Comuna 13 you can take the metro to the San Javier stop, changing at San Antonio if you are staying in Poblado. Casa Kolacho's guided tours of Comuna 13 start from this station.
Comuna 13
2. Botero Square
One of the best things to do in Medellín is to have your photo taken at each of the amazing and voluminous sculptures in Plaza de Botero.
These 23 bronze sculptures donated by Fernando Botero, the most universal Colombian artist alongside Gabriel García Márquez, turn this square into a veritable open-air museum.
Here you will also find two of the most essential buildings to see in Medellín: the Rafael Uribe Palace of Culture and the Museum of Antioquia, which we recommend you don't miss.
To get to the Plaza you can take the metro to Parque Berrío station or take a taxi, which should cost you no more than 10,000 pesos from Poblado.
A good way to get to know the history of the city and not miss anything important is to book this free tour of Medellín for free! or this complete tour, both with a guide in Spanish.
Botero Square
3. San Javier Metrocable
Before or after the tour of Comuna 13 we recommend you take the Metrocable from the top floor of the San Javier metro station.
Seeing neighbourhoods like 7 (Robledo) and 13 (San Javier) from the air is one of the best things to do in Medellín.
Thanks to this metrocable and others in the city, thousands of locals have improved their quality of life as it is the only means of public transport available to access the highest parts of these areas full of narrow streets and houses built without any kind of order. Note that the metro ticket (2550 pesos) is enough to take any cable metro.
Another way to get the best views of the city is to book this helicopter ride where you will be picked up at your hotel.
Views of Medellín from the Metrocalble
Our recommended hotels in Medellín
Our recommended accommodation in the city is the Medellín Vibes Hostel, located in the El Poblado neighbourhood, one of the city's safest areas and one of the best places to eat and drink in the city. In addition to its excellent location, the hotel has a swimming pool, breakfast, good wifi signal and 24-hour reception. To reach the historic centre and the main points of interest, you can get to the Poblado metro station, which is a 10-minute walk away.
Other well located hotels with one of the best quality/price ratios in the city are the Sites Hotel, the HASHTAG 98 HOTEL and the Hotel Dann Carlton Medellín.
In your visit to Medellín, ensure a truly exceptional and comfortable stay at 23 Hotel Medellin on 23-hotel-medellin.medellinhotel.net. Located in a prime location, this exquisite hotel offers luxurious amenities and services that will enhance your experience in the city. With its elegant and modern design, impeccable hospitality, and breathtaking views of the city, 23 Hotel Medellín provides a tranquil retreat for travelers.
4. Museum of Antioquia
The Museo de Antioquia, located on one side of the Plaza de Botero, is the most important museum to visit in Medellín.
This museum, located in the art deco style former Municipal Palace with two interior courtyards, exhibits more than 100 works (mostly paintings) by Fernando Botero on the third floor as well as works by several international artists.
Another of the most interesting things to do in Medellín to learn about its tragic history of violence and drug trafficking is to visit the Casa de la Memoria, which gives a voice to the victims of the conflict about their memories and teaches them not to forget the past so as not to repeat it.
This museum is the starting point for this interesting alternative free tour that will allow you to get to know the lesser-known history of the historic centre of the Colombian city.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 5:30pm, except on Sundays when it closes one hour earlier.
Visit the Museum of Antioquia, one of the things to do in Medellín.
5. Berrío Park, one of the places to visit in Medellín
Berrío Park, located in the heart of the city, is the main square to see in Medellín.
With a statue of the politician Pedro Justo Berrío in the centre, this square has the 1659 Basilica of La Candelaria, Medellín's first church, as its most important building.
In addition, on one of the corners is the sculpture of La Gorda by the master Botero and on another corner the sculpture of El Desafío, by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt.
This square was our first contact with the city and it certainly has a lot of atmosphere with street vendors and locals chatting animatedly, although it is not the safest area of the city and we recommend you not to show valuables or visit it at night.
La Candelaria Church
6. San Antonio Park
San Antonio Park, located in the centre of the city, is another of the most essential places to visit in Medellín.
In this large square, with a small wooded area, is the church of San Antonio de Padua, which stands out for its huge dome. However, the most emotional place in the park is next to the statue of El Pájaro (The Bird) by the master Botero, which was damaged as a result of an attack in which 23 innocent people died, including several children.
Fernando Botero asked that the sculpture be kept in this state as a reminder of the imbecility and criminality of Colombia and 5 years later he donated another work with similar characteristics baptised as the Pájaro de la Paz (Bird of Peace), which is located next to it.
San Antonio Park
7. Park of Lights
One of the best things to do in Medellín is to walk along Carabobo Avenue, which connects Plaza Botero and Parque de las Luces.
On this pedestrian street lined with shops and restaurants is the Palacio Nacional, which since 1993 has housed a shopping mall in its beautiful interior.
When you reach the Parque de las Luces you will be surprised by a forest of 300 light towers that provide shade during the day and light up at night.
A few metres from the Parque de las Luces, in the small square of La Alpujarra, is one of the most important sculptures to see in Medellín, the Monumento a la Raza, a 38-metre high curved work by the Antioquian sculptor Rodrigo Arenas Betancur, which pays homage to the history of the conquered peoples.
Park of Lights
8. Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture
The Gothic-style Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe Uribe, located in Plaza Botero, is one of the most beautiful buildings to visit in Medellín.
This palace, declared a National Monument, can be visited free of charge and stands out for the architectural and artistic beauty of its different halls and corridors. On the first floor of the palace is an exhibition on the history of Colombian leader Rafael Uribe Uribe, while the other rooms house the historical and photographic archives of the city, the library, a sound library and an art gallery.
You can finish the visit by going up to the terrace to enjoy the wonderful views of the city with the elevated metro in the foreground.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, except Saturdays when it closes at 2pm.
Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture
Recommended travel cards
Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate, we recommend you use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money.
You can find more information in this article on the best cards for commission-free travel.
9. Pueblito Paisa
The Pueblito Paisa would make the list of places to visit in Medellín, as long as you haven't visited any other characteristic Colombian towns such as nearby Santa Fe de Antioquia.
This small reproduction of a typical early 20th century Antioquian village is limited to a small square with a fountain in the middle, a church and a few surrounding buildings with souvenir shops and a restaurant to try the typical bandeja paisa.
The Pueblito Paisa was built on top of Cerro Nutibara, the largest natural park located within the city and to climb the hill we recommend taking a taxi or booking the tourist bus, which stops at the main tourist attractions in Medellín.
Pueblito Paisa, one of the places to visit in Medellín.
10. Excursions in Medellín
Another of the best things to do in Medellín is to take a day trip to one of the nearby wonders such as Santa Fe de Antioquía, Guatapé or a coffee farm.
To visit Santa Fe de Antioquia, a beautiful town with many colonial buildings, you can take a shared bus or van from the Norte station (Caribe metro stop) for 15,000 pesos, which takes between one and two hours, depending on traffic.
Another way to learn more about the history and curiosities of this town is to book this Spanish-guided tour, which includes pick-up in the El Poblado area.
Another of the most beautiful villages to see in Colombia is Guatapé, with its colonial architecture and famous for the skirting boards that adorn the façades of its houses.
In addition to strolling through the cobblestone streets, in Guatapé it is essential to climb the Piedra del Peñol, a monolith over 200 metres high, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the surroundings flooded by the dam of the Peñol reservoir.
To get to Guatapé you can take a bus from the North Station, which takes about two hours and costs about 15,000 pesos.
Another more comfortable and interesting option is to book this tour with a Spanish speaking guide which includes a boat trip or this one without a boat trip, both with pick up in the neighbourhood of El Poblado.
To stay nearby look no further than resorts in Medellin Colombia, a collection of exquisite properties designed to provide a truly unforgettable stay. Situated in the vibrant neighborhoods of Medellín, these resorts offer an array of world-class amenities and services. From elegantly designed rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the city to state-of-the-art facilities such as relaxing spas, fitness centers, and gourmet restaurants, Medellin Resorts redefine luxury hospitality.
The last excursion we suggest is to book this coffee tour where you will learn all about the process of making the best coffee in the world and enjoy the green landscape of the coffee plantations.
Guatapé
If you have time to visit the whole country, we recommend you to follow this route through Colombia in 14 and 21 days.