In this complete guide to visiting Medellín, discover my top tips for the best things to do in the city, overrated experiences, where to stay and how to stay safe.
Visiting Medellín should be on every traveller’s Colombia itinerary. The city boasts art, culture, interesting history and great hikes with brilliant views of the Aburrá Valley.
There are so many different activities to do here, making it a destination for all types of tourists, not just those who love the adventurous outdoors or cushty city breaks.
What’s more, Medellín is one of the best places to learn about Colombia’s infamous, most-troubled period of internal conflict and drug trafficking throughout the latter half of the 20th century and the early 2000s.
Read on for a complete guide to visiting Medellín. I’ve spent a lot of time in this vibrant city and have plenty of recommendations including off-the-beaten-track things to do.
Where is Medellín
Medellín is the capital city of the Antioquia Department located in central Colombia. The city lies in the Aburrá Valley, which itself sits within the central Andean region of the country.
It takes around 9 h to travel by road between Medellín and the capital city of Colombia, Bogotá, roughly 500 km to the south-east.
Although Medellín sits at an altitude of nearly 1,500 m, it has a year-round temperate climate, earning it the nickname ‘The City of Eternal Spring’. Despite the altitude, the city doesn’t experience extreme heat or cold like other parts of the country.
How to get to Medellín
Medellín is well connected and it’s easy to get here from domestic and international destinations.
Two airports serve the city: José María Córdova International, which is 20 km to the south-east, and Olaya Herrera Airport, which bisects the middle of the city.
José María Córdova is the larger of the two and major airlines such as Avianca and LATAM operate out of here. Domestic airlines, such as Satena, operate out of Olaya Herrera Airport.
Flights coming from abroad might have a connection in Bogotá before arriving in Medellín. If you’re new to flying, you can learn about connections and layovers in this guide.
There are direct bus services between Medellín and other major cities in Colombia including Bogotá, Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta. San Gil is another popular destination with bus services to Medellín, but these go via Bucaramanga.
Busbud and redBus are great for seeing your options, but then I recommend booking directly with the bus agency to avoid paying any commissions.
6 best things to do in Medellín
There’s a range of things to do in the city and it’s particularly good for those who like adventurous and cultural activities. Here are my top picks of the best things to do in Medellín.
1. Ride the cable cars
Starting with my favourite thing to do in Medellín, I can’t recommend enough spending a few hours cruising above the city in the scenic cable cars.
Interestingly, the cable cars in Medellín are part of the wider metro system and are not a tourist attraction. They help people living in the outer district on the steep hillsides get into the city centre.
However, as a tourist, you can enjoy them all the same. There are six cable car lines located throughout the city allowing you to explore many districts with a bird’s-eye view.
My favourite lines are:
- J, which has great views of the famous Comuna 13
- M, where the wide views of Medellín are brilliant
- L, which takes you up and out of the Aburrá Valley over the surrounding nature.
The cable moves surprisingly gently creating a relaxing experience and it almost feels like your cabin is floating rather than suspended.
Here’s my complete guide to Medellín’s cable cars with everything you need to know.
2. Hike
You can easily escape Medellín into the hillsides of the Aburrá Valley and tackle hiking trails with great views of the city. I’ve got an article dedicated to hiking in Medellín, but will outline some of my favourites next.
Mirador La Paloma
This is my favourite hike in Medellín. It’s an off-the-beaten-track adventure not well known to tourists, or locals for that matter, and you’ll likely find yourself on the trail all alone if you don’t go with others. But hey, you don’t need to be in a group to enjoy nature.
The route begins at the edge of one of Medellín’s wealthiest districts, Altos de Poblado, and the houses tell you all you need to know about the money in this area. As you begin to climb the hillside, the views change from posh houses to beautiful scenery.
What I love about this hike is the range of terrain: concrete road, forest and a rocky line up a steep hillside. After leaving the forest you have 180-degree views of the entire city from north to south for the rest of the hike.
The trek ends at a point known as Mirador La Paloma, or Dove Lookout. From here you can continue on to the town of Santa Elena for a few more hours and taxi it back to Medellín, or you can head down the way you came.
Here’s my full guide on hiking to Mirador La Paloma.
Cerro de Las Tres Cruces
Three Crosses Hill (Cerro de Las Tres Cruces) has to be Medellín’s most popular hike. The accessible trail, great views and outdoor gyms along the route draw crowds of locals and tourists alike.
But don’t let the crowds here fool you. While I’d say the trail is only moderately difficult, the underfoot is uneven and there are steepish sections which can catch you out.
However, the atmosphere at Cerro de Las Tres Cruces is really fun, especially the good vibes from all the locals who come to work out in the outdoor gyms.
If there’s one hike in Medellín you should do, I think it’s this one. You can get to the trailhead from areas such as Laureles-Estadio and El Poblado in 30 min and it only takes around 1 h to hike to the top.
Here’s my full guide to the Cerro de Las Tres Cruces hike.
Cerro Quitasol
This is an adventurous hike on the northern edge of Medellín with an interesting twist of history. At the top of the route you’ll find the remains of a small stone building built by the Niquia people, pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Aburrá Valley.
To get to the ruins, you follow a relatively steep trail up the hillside through a golden-brown pine forest and exposed sections. There are various spots along the route worth stopping at to enjoy the views.
There are a few trails on Cerro Quitasol and one of these takes you to the real summit of the mountain at 2,800 m. For most people, however, making it to the ruins is fun enough.
There are also different start points for this hike. You can begin in Bello, a district at Medellín’s northern edge, and walk through an urban area before getting to the trail. Or you can begin at the trailhead.
For more information about this hike, including the different start points, check out my guide to hiking Cerro Quitasol.
Cerro Volador
Cerro Volador is a green space located centrally in Medellín within walking distance from Laureles-Estadio. It’s a gentle hike to a panoramic viewpoint of the city which is also a popular spot with kite flyers.
A concrete road wraps around the hillside climbing steadily making this a good place to run or ride a bike too. But my top recommendation is to bring a packed lunch to enjoy while watching colourful kites fly.
There are a couple ways to climb Cerro Volador. You can take the concrete road which runs from the carpark at the base of the hill to the flight of steps just below the top, and then climb these steps.
Or you can start the climb via a long and steep flight of concrete steps from the other side of the base of the hill and join the concrete road later on.
For more information, read my guide to Cerro Volador in Medellín.
3. Botanical gardens
The Botanical gardens of Medellín are just a little bit further away from Laureles-Estadio than Cerro Volador, slightly out of walking distance, but easily accessible by bus or metro.
The gardens are home to an array of flora including orchids, cacti and massive palms. There’s some interesting fauna too such as turtles and chunky iguanas. In total there are over 4,500 species of flora and more than 1,000 animal species within the gardens.
I particularly like the tropical jungle section, where I felt like I’d left the city behind, and the Orchidarium, a huge beautiful wooden structure housing the orchids.
Medellín’s botanical gardens open Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 to 16:00. The gardens don’t open on Mondays. General entry is free to everyone, but you must pay 7,000 COP ($1.8 US) to enter the butterfly house and 5,000 COP ($1 US) to explore the prehistoric plants trail.
4. Stroll around Laureles-Estadio
I’d say Laureles-Estadio is Medellín’s most chic district. It’s a middle class area with niche bars and restaurants, outdoor exercise spaces, nice apartment blocks and clean streets. This is where I based myself in Medellín and where I recommend you do too.
Laureles is a great district for street photography too. Not only is it picturesque, but it’s also safe. Of course, you can never guarantee your safety anywhere, but I’ve walked around here at all hours without a worry, even with my digital camera.
It’s also an affordable area, despite being a nice part of the city. Budget travellers can find a typical menú del día (cheap set lunch menu), hostels and budget hotels.
I’ve included a few recommendations for accommodation in Laureles later in this guide, which you can jump to by clicking here.
5. Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture
Head into the city centre to visit the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture, the iconic black-and-white gothic revival building.
Here you can access a historical and photographic archive of Medellín, a library, an art gallery, the Rafael Uribe Uribe museum room and a terrace with city views.
The Palace of Culture was named after Rafael Victor Zenón Uribe Uribe (1859 – 1914), a prominent Colombian lawyer and general of the liberal party rebel army during Colombian civil wars in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Opened in 1937, it was the creation of Agustín Goovaerts (1885 – 1939), a Belgian architect responsible for several important buildings in Colombia.
Other notable Goovaerts works include the National Palace of Medellín, which today is a shopping centre, arguably one of the most beautiful in the world.
The Palace of Culture is designated a national monument and entry is free to everyone. It opens 8:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday and 8:00 – 16:30 Saturdays. The Palace is closed on Sundays.
6. Plaza Botero
Outside of the Palace of Culture is Plaza Botero, a square with over 20 bronze sculptures by Colombia’s most-famous artist, Fernando Botero (1932 – 2023).
Botero was a Colombian figurative artist and sculptor whose style, known as “Boterismo” (Boterism) depicts people in large, exaggerated ways. Messaging behind his works includes political criticism and humour.
Although I find Boterismo funny, it doesn’t strike me as anything special, despite Botero being Colombia’s most-lauded artist. Then again, I’m not much of an art critic…
Plaza Botero is an open square and you visit at any time. However, I don’t recommend being here after dark. Medellín city centre is a bit rough and just a couple of blocks away from Plaza Botero there’s a street which is a prostitution hotspot.
Where to stay in Medellín
These recommendations are based on personal experience or excellent ratings across major booking platforms. My preferred location is Laureles-Estadio for the quieter and safer streets.
- Hostal Paisa: a well-located budget hostel with all the amenities you need.
- CoNomad House: a shared living and coworking space with all amenities.
- Laureles Selection Suites: a comfortable rental apartment with all amenities.
- Stylish Loft: a chic one-bed studio with all amenities and coworking access.
Overrated things to do in Medellín
Not everything in Medellín tickles my fancy, and now I’ll talk about what I think is overrated. I’m not trying to convince you not to do any of these next things, but if you’re short on time, then I’d prioritise the experiences I mentioned earlier.
Medellín city centre
Aside from checking out the Palace of Culture and Plaza Botero, there’s not a lot else to see here. There’s the main commercial street, Bolívar, but this is just filled with your average high street shops and cafes.
Unlike other areas, such as Laureles, the city centre is pretty grimy too. The buildings are dirty and there’s a fair bit of rubbish lying about.
What I do like about the city centre, in particular Bolívar street, are all the street vendors selling a range of things from clothes to sweet delicacies. Also, the hustle and bustle is pretty good for street photography – just keep a close eye on your camera.
Pueblito Paisa
Around 25 min on the bus south of the city centre is an open-air museum called Pueblito Paisa, or Small Paisa Town. The museum is a replica of what colonial towns in this part of Colombia looked like in the 19th and early 20th century, which sounds pretty cool, right?
Well, I didn’t think so. The replica town is tiny, there’s just a handful of buildings, most of which you can’t even enter.
Worse is the sheer number of people. There’s just an overwhelming amount of tourists here and the whole experience feels like something out of Disneyland. Pueblito Paisa is so heavily geared towards tourism that I feel that its purpose of being a museum has been lost.
I’ve got an honest guide about my experience in Pueblito Paisa which will help you decide if it’s worth a visit. I’ve included information about other places to see genuine colonial architecture in Colombia.
El Poblado
Heading further south and you’ve got the district El Poblado, the most popular part of the city with tourists. Poblado is where the party pops and is full of clubs and bars, great if you love this kind of thing, but not so great if you don’t.
While there are museums, such as the Museo El Castillo (The Castle Museum) and cool street murals to look at, there’s nothing really adventurous going on in this part of the city.
Something else I’m not a fan of is all the drugs and prostitution. It’s surprising just how many prostitutes work in this area, particularly in Provenza, the block where the majority of the clubs and bars are located.
Again, I’m not one to judge if this is what you enjoy, but there really isn’t much going on for people who are into cultural and nature experiences.
Comuna 13
Comuna 13, officially called San Javier, is a district further north on the opposite side of the city to El Poblado. I’ve put it in the list of overrated things to do in Medellín, but this depends on how you visit. Let me explain.
Like Pueblito Paisa, Comuna 13 has been overrun by tourism. On any day there can be thousands and thousands of people crammed into just a few streets. Here’s a picture to show you what I mean.
Granted the views of Medellín are nice and the colourful murals cool to see, but Comuna 13 is a mega tourist trap.
However, heading to Comuna 13 can be a great experience if you go with a guided tour. Why do I say this? Well, the district of San Javier was once a murderous area controlled by drug traffickers and armed militias.
I think learning about this history and the positive transition the area has made in recent years from a local guide who lived through it is well worth it.
Here’s my guide to Comuna 13 which has a brief summary of its history, more information on why it’s popular and what you can do here.
Escobar tourism
It’s almost impossible to talk about Medellín and not mention Pablo Escobar (1949 – 1993). In fact, he was one of the drug traffickers who controlled Comuna 13.
Decades after his death, the former leader of the Medellín Cartel still captures the interest of many tourists, who engage in ‘Escobar tourism’.
These are guided tours to sites where Pablo Escobar lived, wreaked havoc and, ultimately, died. Along with the tours, there are also several museums dedicated to him. However, the majority of Colombians despise Pablo Escobar and his legacy, and frown upon Escobar tours.
Although I avoided Escobar tourism and recommend you do too, I can see where the interest in the man comes from. He was much more than just a drug trafficker and remains a divisive character.
On one hand, Pablo Escobar was a monster who committed atrocious crimes such as the bombing of Avianca Flight 203, which killed 110 innocent people. And throughout his reign of terror he was responsible for the murders of thousands of others.
On the other hand, Pablo Escobar used his wealth to develop some of Medellín’s most-impoverished neighbourhoods, building housing, parks, football stadiums, hospitals, schools, and churches. These acts earned him the nickname “Paisa Robin Hood”.
He was politically ambitious too, with liberal ideals, and was elected to congress in 1982. Although, some argue the real reason for his philanthropy and political pursuits was to help legitimise drug trafficking.
If you are genuinely interested in history and want to learn more about the turbulent period when the Medellín Cartel was at large, then I recommend avoiding tours which glorify Pablo Escobar. This is what most locals hate and want to disappear.
Instead visit sites with local historical guides who can give you wider insights into the impact of drug trafficking during these times or visit independently.
Is it safe to visit Medellín now?
Gone are the days of cartel control and indiscriminate hits on the streets. Today, Medellín is considered generally safe for tourists, especially districts such as Laureles-Estadio, El Poblado, Belen and Envigado.
However, petty crime, such as robbery and pickpocketing are still a risk, so it’s a good idea to stick to the well-known areas, especially after dark.
Scopolamine spiking
While Medellín is generally safe, a specific issue you need to know about is scopolamine spiking.
Also known as “devil’s breath” in the English-speaking world and “burundanga” in Colombia, scopolamine is a potent drug legitimately used to treat nausea, but criminally used to sedate and rob people.
The drug is a white, odourless powder (it looks like cocaine) and the effects of ingesting it vary. Along with leaving you unconscious, scopolamine can cause dizziness, memory loss, make you more susceptive to coercion and even kill you.
Scopolamine spiking has become a serious issue for tourists in Medellín. Foreign victims are almost always males who’ve met a local woman on a dating app, but sometimes on a night out.
After taking the woman back to their accommodation, she spikes them, often knocking the tourist out for hours, and steals their valuables.
Criminal gangs are involved in this racket too and some employ women to lure in tourists. In the worst cases, victims have been kidnapped and murdered by these gangs.
How to avoid being spiked with scopolamine
Being spiked with scopolamine can happen to anyone, but you can take measures to prevent it from happening to you in Medellín.
Avoid using dating apps. These are prime hunting grounds for criminals to meet unsuspecting victims looking for a holiday fling.
In fact, Hinge is no longer available in Colombia. And in 2024, Tinder’s parent company was called to an unprecedented meeting with the US embassy in Colombia over safety concerns.
I’ll just say it straight, don’t use dating apps in Colombia. In general, there’ve been too many tourists targeted by criminals through them.
Don’t leave your drink unattended on a night out or date with someone you’re getting to know. Scopolamine spiking usually happens over a drink, so keep a close eye on yours, especially in the main party areas such as Provenza in El Pobaldo.
Don’t go home with someone if they seem overly keen. If you’re looking for romance in Medellín, take some time to get to know the other person. If for any reason they seem too keen to get back to your accommodation and down to business, it could be because they’re planning to rob you.
If you’ve been targeted by criminals in Medellín, whatever the crime, head to the nearest police station to report it and seek any necessary medical help.
Cover your back
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When to visit Medellín
Medellín is a year-round destination thanks to the consistent temperate climate. Daytime temperatures can climb to highs of around 28°C and usually don’t get cooler than around 17°C.
The city does have two rainy periods, from April to May and from September to October. During these months there will be some rain which usually falls in short but intense downpours.
Getting around Medellín
The city has an excellent public transport including the metro, buses and taxis. The Medellín metro system can get you most places and at low cost as can buses. In fact some bus lines have been integrated into the metro system, making getting around the city even easier.
The most convenient way to use the metro and integrated bus lines is with a Civica card, a rechargeable transport card which acts like a debit card. When your credit gets low, you simply top the card up again at a metro station or via the Civica App (Android download / IOS download).
I’ve got a full article on how to get around Medellín as a tourist with everything you need to know about transport options in the city.
How long should you spend in Medellín?
I recommend spending at least five days in Medellín. This will give you enough time to do some of the hikes, ride the cable cars, check out a museum or two and have a night out, if that’s your thing.
You could see a fair bit of Medellín in just three days, but you’d have to be really selective of what you choose to do and be on the go every day.
Is Medellín English friendly?
In popular areas, such as Comuna 13 and Provenza, you can get by with just English. In these parts, locals working in hospitality and tourism are experienced interacting with foreigners and may need at least basic English to do their job.
However, the vast majority of people in Medellín, including transport workers, don’t speak English so having a basic level of Spanish is useful.
So, is visiting Medellín worth it?
Absolutely. Having also been to Cali, Bogota, Santa Marta and Cartagena, I’d say Medellín is the best of Colombia’s major cities. It’s a great blend of adventure, culture and history and you can find something new to do every day.
The other city in Colombia which I particularly recommend visiting for all the adventurous activities is San Gil in Santander. I’ve got a guide explaining your options for travelling between here and Medellín.
Medellín guides on A World Over:
- A Fun Itinerary for 5 Days in Medellín
- How to get Around Medellín as a Tourist: Medellín Transport Guide
- How to get From Medellín to San Gil: Your Options Explained
- Guide to the Fun Cable Cars in Medellín
- 4 of the Best Hikes in Medellín, Colombia
- Mirador la Paloma Hike Guide Medellín
- Cerro Volador: A Quick and Fun Medellín Hike
- Hike Guide to Cerro Quitasol in Bello, Medellín
- A Guide to Hiking Cerro de Las Tres Cruces in Medellín
- Why is Comuna 13 Famous in Medellín? Guide for Your Visit
- Is Pueblito Paisa Worth Visiting in Medellín?