Things to Do in Medellin

Medellin is known as the "City of Eternal Spring" due to its perfect weather. There are several parks & plazas to welcome you and allow you to enjoy the sunshine along with having fresh juice from a street food vendor.

Ensure that you have learned the history of the city to appreciate how far it's come. The city is adorned with a lot of museums to educate people and give knowledge about its history. In addition, there are several things to explore, like authentic markets and neighborhoods. Moreover, you will find several restaurants, cafes, and bars here. Besides, you can go to clubs to enjoy salsa dancing. So, dig into the article to know about the top things to do in Medellin.

Things to do in Medellin, Colombia:

You can enjoy a coffee on the terrace of a chic sky bar in the morning or walk among towering skyscrapers. Then, fly in a gondola over traditional villages by afternoon.

Things to Do in Medellin:

Museo de Antioquia:

In earlier days, this was a city Hall which has turned into a museum. Here, you will find a huge collection of works by Fernando Botero, who is one of the most popular artists in Colombia.

As this artist was born in this city, he patronized this museum by donating multiple works of his. The guides recommend the visitors watch the earlier works of his first which are kept on the top floor. Then, you need to make your way down to see his evolution of him as an artist.

You will also get to see other works of international artists in the museum. Moreover, you will get an audio guide to learn more about the works of the artists. In addition, a small cafe and courtyard are there where you can spend time.

El Poblado:

This district is home to green parks, rivers, and edgy industrial buildings. It is considered a wealthy area in the town where foreigners generally hang out. That's why it is not the most authentic place but a safer place.

A main road has split the town. On one side, the area is quieter at night. Whereas the other side is more 'Family Friendly.' Tourists need to walk for around twenty minutes to explore the district properly. You should know that the time is sufficient to explore the colorful neighborhood with its beautiful art & the palatable foods of the restaurants.

Explore the Numerous Parks and Plazas:

Due to the climate throughout the year, Medellin remains a perfect place for those who want to spend a lot of time outdoors. Here, you can see vendors peddling food & drinks and people lounging around. These are the two parks which you must visit after coming here.

Plaza Botero: — A famous artist of Medellin named Botero is renowned for his drawing and statues of oversized people. Containing 23 Botero sculptures, this plaza always brings traffic and remains packed with people taking photos, street performers, and artists. The park is located in the Old Quarter, and tourists can see some museums in the square.

Parque Lleras: — The location of the park is the center of Poblado, where you can see people all day and night. If you plan to come here, you can see food sellers, street foods, musicians, and those drinking into the wee hours of the night. If you want to add fun elements to your trip, then don't forget to come here.

Take a Day Trip to Guatapé:

If you are looking for a famous day-trip destination, you must come here. This one is a very colorful village located on a lake's edge. It will take around two hours from Medellin to reach here. Tourists can take a speedboat or party boat to take tours of the surrounding area. If you are one of the backpackers who are willing to spend one or two nights, you will definitely enjoy it. El Peñol is a granite monolith that has more than 700 concrete stairs. Climbing all the stairs to the top enables you to enjoy an excellent 360-degree view of the region.

See the Casa de la Memoria:

While it was opened in 2012, it has examined the history of armed conflict in Colombia. This museum especially illustrates the struggles of Columbians who have overcome to get to the present situation. Although this one is a solemn place, tourists can enjoy several important insights here.

Wander Parque Arvi:

The park is situated in the mountains near the town. You need to just take the gondola right from the subway to the park's entrance. During this ride, you can enjoy a few mind-grabbing views of the valley. The park is expanded by 16,000 hectares; including trails that date back more than 1,500 years. When you are going to enter this park, you can see a small market and hiking trails. If you are willing to visit, taking a guided tour is essential, and you need to pay 5,000-7,000 COP ($1.50-2.25 USD) for this tour. But you should always remember that the cost depends on the trial. Generally, the trails are 2-4 km long.

The park is on the edge of Medellin. If you ride a cable car, it will take you over to the slum areas and the city. In this ecological park, you will be able to see greenery landscapes and green forests. After entering the Parque Arvi, you will find around fifty different hiking trails to choose from.

Paragliding in Medellin, Colombia

You can now enjoy paragliding in the city to make your trip more adventurous. It is one of the most fun things to do in Medellin; mainly the town's an outside part, within the mountains. Based on the experience, you can choose a short flight of 15 minutes to see the surrounding area. If necessary, you are also capable of opting for a longer flight to enjoy the stunning landscape of the surrounding area.

Visit the Museums:

This town is home to creative things, so the presence of several museums can let you learn a lot about the nation's history & culture.

These are a few must-sees museums in Medellin:

Memory House Museum: Here, you can see the shades of earlier Colombian wars and conflicts.

Parque Explora: It is a very interactive science museum where you can see South America's largest freshwater aquarium.

Museo de Antioquia: This is an art museum that includes several works of Botero.

Museo de Arte Moderno: It is one of the modern art museums which are located in a refurbished industrial building.

Nightlife in Medellin, Colombia: Enjoying the nightlife in the town can give you the best feeling. Medellin is famous for its colorful bars, rooftops, and buzzing atmosphere. You can find several areas in the town that serve as great cafes during the day. Names of some such places include:-

• Berlin Bar

• La Octava Bar (ball pit!)

• Vintrash

• Rooftops (tourists can get the best views at Los Patios Hostel and Envy Rooftop)

• Parque Lleras: This Park is surrounded by bars and nightclubs like Envy Rooftop and Woka Lounge.

If you want, you can participate in the traditional Chivas (party buses) in the country. During this time, the buses usually play loud music and have flashing lights, carry people through streets and stop at bars along the way.

Shopping:

You can spend your morning by jumping between a few large brands & small boutique shops which sell unique prints and local designs.

These are a few great places for shipping:

• Makeno (135 Colombian designers)

• Ocho43

• Santa Fe Mall

• Carrera 37 (many shops here)

See a Soccer Match:

Futbol or soccer is a religion here, and you must try to watch the match. There are two local teams in Medellin: Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellin. The price of tickets remains under 40,000 COP (below $12.50).

Take a Free Walking Tour:

Among the top things to do in Medellin, this is the one. If you have a real city walking tour, you will get informative instructions about the city. Taking a free walking tour, you can get a clear idea of the place, whereas you can ask a local expert to get answers to your questions.

Best Cafes and Restaurants in Medellin:

The country has many mouthwatering plates like Arepas indicating bread made from corn and Bandeja. In this regard, you should know that the Bandeja is a dish containing beans, rice, plantain, and avocado and people take this as their breakfast. While there are many local delicacies, you will find several top-class restaurants in Medellin.

These are the names of a few of them:

• Kai Restaurant (Great vegetarian food)
  

• Zorba Pizza (The best Pizza in Town!)

• Apilados de Autor (cheap healthy brunch)

• Helecho Vegan Sushi

• Pergamino (good coffee)

• Bread Factory (Swiss bakery)

• Betty Bowls

Hija Mia Nomada (great brunch)

• Arte Dolce (best ice cream)

• Alambique (best aesthetics)

• Azai Praia Lovers

• Mercado Del Río (food court)

How Much Does Medellin Cost?

You should know that this one is a cost-effective city. So, if you are looking for a reasonably priced option for staying, Medellin is a great choice. However, if you are planning to stay in El Poblado, you need to pay a bit more.

Budget:

• Hotels: 15 – 150 USD / night

• Hostels: 7 – 60 USD / night

• Price per meal: 5 – 15 USD

• Entrances: 2 – 15 USD

• Transport: 2 – 20 USD

How to Visit Medellin:

It is one of the larger towns in Colombia and has strong connections with other towns in Colombia, like Bogota or Cartagena.

By Bus:

If you want to get there in the most sustainable way, you should travel by bus. Buses basically take less than nine hours to reach Medellin from Bogota. It costs between 20-30 USD.

By Plane:

If you are tight on time, you can opt for internal flights. For instance, if you want to come here from Bogota by plane, you need to pay between 50-150 USD, and the journey needs one hour.

Remember that it will take some additional time for security and check-in. Therefore, in such cases, you can choose an overnight bus to save money on a night's accommodation.

Best Time to Visit Medellin:

Due to the tropical-warm climate near the Andes, there remains mind-blowing weather in the city throughout the year. That's why this city is called 'La Primavera Eterna' (the eternal spring).

Here, you can get the opportunity to experience cooler nights and a fair amount of rain(only for some hours at night).

You should visit here between December and March. Otherwise, you can plan a tour during fun festivals like the Festival of Flowers in August. It is a very big festival that can draw thousands of Colombians from all over the nation. Therefore, if you want to visit there during that time, you should book a trip in advance.

Safety in Medellin, Colombia:

The term 'No dar papaya' or 'don't give papaya' is a very popular saying in the country, but it has no connection with fruits. It actually means that you should not allow anyone to scam you. Although the city has been safe till now, people still have the intention to take advantage. Therefore, it is essential to remain alert.

For instance:

• You must stay in places where more police are available.

• If you travel in busy areas, you must keep your bags secure because pickpocketing is common.

• You must put your leg or arm through your items when sitting down. It prevents others from swiping bags from under the table.

• Never put your phone or wallet in your back pocket.

• Ensure that you leave valuable items in your locked-up hotel room

• You must not go down quiet roads late at night.

• You should always trust your intuition.

The bottom line:

You should know that Medellin is not such a city that has an old center or typical "tourist sites." But the city can provide a great window into Colombian culture. So, to learn more about its recent history, you should visit the place. Many people think that this city is safer than the capital Bogota.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the top attractions to visit in Medellin?

These are the top attractions to visit in Medellin:

• Medellin Metrocable

• Laguna de Guatape

• Museum Pablo Escobar

• Parque Explora

• Escaleras Electricas De La Comuna 13

Q. What are the most popular things to do in Medellin with children?

These are the most popular things to do in Medellin with children:

• MedellinDayTrips

• Tour Guides Medellín

• Camantours

• The Andes Adventure

• Super Tours Medellin

Q. Is three days enough in Medellin?

It is necessary to make at least a three to five-day plan to explore Medellin.