Once considered the most dangerous city in the world, Medellín has developed over the last few decades into a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis with a unique charm that welcomes its visitors with open arms. Situated in the green valleys of the Andes, Medellín is the second largest city in Colombia with over 2.5 million people. Today it stands not only for its eventful past but also for remarkable change and progress.
Today, Medellín is a hub for creatives and artists, but also for companies and start-ups. The city is constantly evolving and stands for innovation like no other city in Colombia.
Best things to do in Medellin
The “city of eternal spring” has an incredible amount to offer tourists. In addition to the Centro and the infamous Comuna 13, Medellín also has a very distinctive and varied nightlife.
Free walking tour through the center of Medellín
To get a first overview of Medellín as a city and to better understand the city, a free walking tour through the Centro is a good idea. In my opinion, this tour offers the perfect introduction to a stay in Medellín. During the approximately 3‑hour tour, you will not only discover many sights such as the Plaza Botero, with the chubby figures of the famous artist Fernando Botero or the Parque Bolivar, but you will also learn an incredible amount about the history and development of the city over the past decades.
During the day, the Centro can also be explored on your own, but at night the center is considered too dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Even among the locals, the center still has a bad reputation and is avoided by many.
Comuna 13 Medellin
Comuna 13, officially: Comuna Nº 13 San Javier, in Medellín is not only known for its street art, but also for its eventful history and its remarkable transformation. For a long time, Comuna 13 was considered the most dangerous part of the city, characterized by violence and conflict caused by the drug cartels.
Today, the colorful neighborhood is a symbol of change that has become a popular tourist destination in the city. A stroll through the narrow streets provides fascinating insights into the local culture and the lives of the inhabitants. In Comuna 13, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant street art: there are impressive graffiti artworks to marvel at, young dancers showing off their skills to hip hop beats and delicious street food.
Another well-known highlight of Comuna 13 is the famous escalator that connects the steep slopes of the neighborhood. It is the largest open-air escalator in the world, making it easier for residents to get to their homes. During the ride, you get a great view of the surrounding area and impressive graffiti.
You can easily visit Comuna 13 on your own during the day. However, I first visited the district as part of a guided free walking graffiti tour and then strolled through the narrow alleyways and the district on my own. On a guided tour through Comuna 13, you learn a lot more about the history and transformation of the district and about the positive changes and the community thanks to the guides, who have generally all grown up in the district.
Market Plaza Minorista José Maria Villa
The Plaza Minorista in Medellín is a huge, covered market that perfectly reflects the local food culture. Here you can find fresh food such as fruit and vegetables, local specialties and a variety of dishes to feast on. Food tours are also offered to the market, where you can learn about and taste a wide variety of fruit and vegetables — definitely worth the experience.
El Poblado
El Poblado is a very hip, young district and the heart of modern Medellín. It combines the best aspects of an urban lifestyle with first-class restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.
El Poblado is home to a variety of first-class restaurants and hip cafés. The choice is huge, from international specialties to traditional Colombian dishes. The gastronomic scene in El Poblado really leaves nothing to be desired.
But El Poblado is not only known for its great gastronomic selection, the nightlife in El Poblado is also legendary. The streets are lined with trendy bars, clubs and lounges where people dance and party until the early hours of the morning. Whether you are looking for a cool rooftop bar with a view of the city, a hip club with electronic music or a cozy pub for relaxed conversations — El Poblado has something for everyone.
Cerro Nutibara & Pueblito Paisa
The Cerro Nutibara in Medellín is an approximately 80m high hill southwest of the city center and a popular vantage point. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city skyline and is particularly recommended at sunset, provided the weather is good. The hill is also home to the “Pueblito Paisa”, a reconstructed traditional village with a museum.
Parque Aví
Parque Arvi in Medellín is an impressive nature park that will delight nature lovers. With hiking trails, picturesque viewpoints and dense forests, it offers a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here you can enjoy the fresh air, marvel at the diverse flora and fauna and visit traditional markets. Parque Arvi is also a popular destination for activities such as mountain biking and ziplining. The park can be reached by cable car from Santo Domingo metro station.
Botanical Garden
Not far from the center of Medellín lies the city’s green oasis — the botanical garden. Here you can escape the heat of the city and the hustle and bustle and relax among the different plant species while discovering the diverse flora of Colombia. Admission is free and the botanical garden can be visited daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
Day Trip to Guatapé & the Piedra del Peñol
The vacation resort of Guatapé is located around 2 hours from Medellín on the banks of an artificial reservoir. The town’s colorfully painted and ornately decorated houses are particularly worth seeing. A trip to Guatapé is a perfect day trip from Medellín. Bear in mind that many Colombians come here at the weekend and it can get quite crowded. If you want a quieter experience, you should go to Guatapé during the week.
Piedra del Peñol
The 200-metre-high granite rock towers near the reservoir. 659 steps lead upwards along a wide gap in the rock. Once you reach the top, you are treated to a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and the reservoir.
All information and tips on Guatapé and Piedra del Peñol
The best restaurants & cafés in Medellín El Poblado
Medellín offers a huge selection of restaurants that are known for their diverse cuisine and culinary richness. The El Poblado district in particular leaves nothing to be desired and is THE scene and gastro district. From upscale international cuisine to traditional Colombian dishes, there is a wide selection for every taste and budget. Medellín leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to gastronomic diversity.
AMA Restaurant
The AMA Restaurant in El Poblado is a small but fine restaurant with a large selection of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.
El Botánico
El Botánico in Medellín not only impresses with its creative cuisine, but also with its interior. The restaurant’s design is reminiscent of a chic, urban greenhouse with industrial charm. In keeping with the interior design concept, the chef also develops cocktails and dishes based on exotic herbs and ingredients.
The restaurant is characterized by its unique blend of local and international flavours. The dishes are prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients and lovingly presented. With a diverse drinks menu ranging from refreshing cocktails to hand-picked wines, El Botanico is the ideal place to enjoy delicious food in a charming setting.
Alambique
The Alambique restaurant and café is a real highlight in Medellín. The ambience and interior of the restaurant is impressive across the board. With lots of bookshelves, antique furniture, old armchairs and plants in between, the restaurant becomes a cozy living room in vintage style. But the food is also impressive. It serves upscale Latin American cuisine and the menu also offers well-made and creative cocktails. The restaurant is usually very busy and reservations should be made in advance. In the afternoon, you have a better chance of getting one of the popular seats for lunch, even without a reservation.
Café Zorba
If you are looking for the best pizza in Medellín, you will find it at Café Zorba. Excellent wood-fired pizzas, salads and delicious desserts are served in a relaxed atmosphere.
Hija Mia Coffee
The Hija Mia Café is a beautiful boho-style café and is very busy at any time of day. You can come here at any time of day, whether for breakfast or an afternoon coffee. There are delicious breakfast options as well as salads, bowls and tasty dishes for lunch or dinner.
Where to stay in Medellín
Those who have the choice are spoiled for choice. In Medellín there are countless accommodation options to suit every budget and every requirement. The El Poblado district is particularly popular with travelers. Here there is a large selection of luxurious hotels, boutique hotels and cozy hostels. El Poblado is also a good starting point for sightseeing in Medellín. From here you can easily take the metro to other parts of the city such as Comuna 13 or the historic center.
An alternative and also very popular tourist district is Laureales, which is located in the northwest of Medellín.
Hostels
There are plenty of hostels in Medellín and El Poblado. The two most popular hostels in the city are Los Patios, Viajero Hostel and Masaya Hostel. All three are very modern, the beds in the dorms have curtains for more privacy and they all have a pool. However, as the hostels are also very popular, they are often fully booked in advance. So if you want to stay here, you should book early or get a bit lucky.
Book accommodation here: Los Patios*
Book your accommodation here: Viajero Hostel*
Book your accommodation here: Masaya Medellín*
Casa Clandestina
As I was too late even for the hostels mentioned above, I ended up at Casa Clandestina by chance. And I have to say I really liked it here. The guesthouse has several rooms, some with their own bathroom, while others share one. The kitchen is also shared and can be used. This gives it a slight hostel feel but with significantly more privacy. The Casa is run by a young European-Colombian couple who are happy to help you with lots of tips and advice.
Book accommodation here: Casa Clandestina*
Further accommodation
Nothing listed or not available? Then simply look directly for suitable accommodation in Medellín at booking.com*.
How to get to Medellín
By plane
José María Córdova International Airport is located around 45 minutes outside of Medellín. It is served by flights from many domestic cities such as Cartagena and Bogotá. However, many international connections also land here daily. Both from Europe and the USA. From the airport, you can take a cab, Uber or a shuttle service into the city.
By bus
The bus network in Colombia is very well developed and Medellín can also be reached by bus from many other cities. There are even bus connections from more distant cities such as Bogotá, Salento or Cartagena.
Getting around in Medellin
Medellín has invested heavily in public transport in recent years and therefore has an efficient public transport system that includes the city’s metro and cable cars. These means of transportation make it very easy, quick and inexpensive to get around Medellín.
You have to buy a card for the metro on site, which you can then top up with credit and use for your journeys.
Costs of Traveling Medellín
The costs in Medellín can vary greatly and individually. However, you should assume an average cost per day of around €55 — €120 depending on the accommodation category chosen and the activities planned.
- Hostel: 18- 30€ / night
- Cocktail: approx. 4 €
- Excursions/ activities: approx. 20€ — 50€ per person
- Hotel: 40 — 150€/ day
- Airport transfer: 15–25 €
- Metro ride: 0,65 €
Best time to visit Medellín
The city of eternal spring has a very constant, pleasant climate. It doesn’t usually get too hot, cools down a little at night and it rains regularly. The best time to visit Medellín is from December to March and from June to August, when the weather is pleasant and dry. The rainy seasons from April to May and September to November should be avoided, as there can be increased and more extensive rainfall.
My conclusion about Medellín:
Medellín really is an impressive city in many respects. It is incredible how the city has changed over the last few years, but also how diverse, multifaceted and large the city is. On the one hand, there is the hip, very western and rich El Poblado district where the well-heeled Colombians party in the clubs with the backpackers of the world. On the other hand, there is the historic center, which is still far too dangerous to go there at night and yet provides so much insight into history during the day. And on every corner you meet hopeful people who look to the future with visionary ideas and will continue to move the city forward. Medellín really is a melting pot of tradition and modernity, of history and the future, and I am sure that Medellín still has an exciting future ahead of it.
