Top 10 Things to do in Medellin, Colombia
Medellin is the most popular city in Colombia and a hotspot for digital nomads. Nestled in a valley, it has tropical weather year round and is known as the “city of eternal spring” (La Primavera Eterna). It’s also the mix of modern skyscrapers, green mountains and small pueblos that make this destination so special. No matter if you love partying all night long, hiking to waterfalls or exploring colorful towns, Medellin has something for everybody. In this blog post you will read about the best things to do in Medellin from a solo female traveler.
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10 things to do in Medellin
1. Explore Provenza
Provenza is a beautiful neighborhood full of green plants, parks and street art. It’s the most popular neighborhood in Medellin, where you will find Medellin’s best restaurants, cafes and clubs. Because most tourists are in this neighborhood, it’s also the most expensive one. Provenza is an area within Poblado in Medellin and a fun place to explore as a tourist.
Tip: This area is quite safe, but you need to be careful with pickpockets, especially on the main road. Don’t walk with your phone in your hand and if you have it in the pocket of your jeans, always keep a hand on it. If you’re going out at night, get a taxi or Uber to get home.
2. Visit the historic center
In the historic center of Medellin you will find the famous Plaza Botero, Museum of Antioquia and Palace of Culture. The Colombian artist Botero donated 23 sculptures, which makes this plaza the largest open-air exhibition in the world. His sculptures look quite amusing, because he gives them more volume.
3. Explore Comuna 13
Comuna 13 used to be the most dangerous neighborhood of Medellin. Today it is full of street art, hip hop dancers and tourists. The history of this neighborhood is really interesting, especially how it changed over the years. Tourists have been going there since 2016 when it was still not very safe. Today it is super safe and I would recommend you to go on a guided tour to learn about the history and the meaning of the graffiti.
If possible, try to visit Comuna 13 during the week to avoid the crowds. It starts getting busy around 11 AM, so arriving early in the morning allows you to experience this vibrant neighborhood with fewer people. When I lived in Medellín, I actually visited twice – once on a guided tour and once with friends to freely explore the streets. It’s such a fascinating place that I’d highly recommend visiting more than once!
4. Do a day trip to Guatape
Guatape is only about 1.5 h by bus from Medellin and one of the places you definitely shouldn’t miss. Guatape is next to a big lake in the mountains and the perfect getaway from the busy city life. It’s the most colorful town of Colombia with houses painted in bright colors with ornaments.
When you arrive in Guatape you should walk to the main square, where you will find an old church. On the weekends there is a small handicraft market.
El Penol
The Penol is a huge rock you can climb to see Guatape from above. It’s about 700 steps to the top, but it looks more challenging than it is. If you have the time, I would highly recommend you to hike to the top. The view you get from there is incredible.
Bus tour
A guided tour by bus is a good option to see a lot of different spots around the lake. Usually it costs between 20-25 USD for the day. It includes Colombian breakfast & lunch, plus you will get the chance to see three different towns around the lake, including Guatape. You can also hike up the Penol, from where you have an amazing view of the area. They will pick you up early in the morning and you should be back in Medellin by 6pm.
5. Castle Museum
In Poblado you will find a castle that makes you feel like you’re in France or Germany. The gothic-style residence was built in 1930 for a wealthy Colombian, who was in love with a German. Inside the castle you will find classic furniture, paintings, sculptures & more from different countries in Europe. You can only visit the museum on a guided tour, so make sure to check the schedule before you visit the museum. They have tours in English & Spanish every day. After visiting the museum you can walk through the beautiful castle garden and enjoy some coffee & cake from the castle.
6. El Jardin Botanico
The botanical garden, Joaquin Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden of Medellín, is a a 14-hectare botanical garden. The botanical garden has 4,500 flowers and 139 recorded bird species. It is the perfect place to escape the busy city life, have a picnic or a leisurely walk. It’s open from 9am – 4pm every day except Mondays.
If you’re in Medellín in August during the Feria de las Flores – one of the city’s biggest events – a visit to the Botanical Garden is a must. Every year, the garden hosts a special exhibition during the festival, featuring vibrant floral displays, delicious street food, and an artisan market. It’s truly the best time to experience this beautiful spot.
7. Explore other neighborhoods
If you want to see the real Medellin, you need to explore outside of Poblado. In general, you can draw a line where Poblado is on the map. Everything that is north (except Laureles) is a little sketchy and you should avoid those areas at night. Everything that is south of Poblado is generally safe.
Laureles
Laureles is comparable to Poblado, but less busy. Many digital nomads and expats that work remotely decide to live in Laureles, because it is more affordable and there are lots of good cafes and restaurants.
Envigado
Envigado also has a lot of cute cafes & restaurants, plus it’s not far from Provenza. You will find cheaper accommodation here and you’re not far from the busiest area of Medellin.
Sabaneta
Sabaneta felt the most authentic to me, because there aren’t many tourists or digital nomads. It’s safe to walk around in the evening and there are many good cafes & restaurants. Also, on the market in Sabaneta you can try Colombian food for a local price. It’s a little farther from Provenza, but definitely worth visiting.
In Sabaneta you can also do a little hike to a viewpoint, from where you have a really good view of the city. This is especially beautiful at night. Right next to the viewpoint is a restaurant that is always very busy. If you plan to have a dinner with view of the city make sure to make a reservation in advance.
8. Visit a viewpoint
There are countless viewpoints in Medellin, because the city is located in a valley. As mentioned before, there is a really beautiful viewpoint in Sabaneta you can visit to see the city. Next to the viewpoint is a restaurant, called La Sucursal Mirador Sabaneta, that is always very busy. The perfect spot for a Colombian dinner with a view.
9. Go paragliding
Medellin is a great spot to go paragliding for those of you who love adrenaline activities. You will start in the mountains outside of the city and get the most amazing view from the sky. Depending on your experience you can book a short flight of 15 minutes or a longer flight to see more of the area. When you book a tour they will pick you up in the city and drive you to the spot where you go paragliding.
10. Visit Parque Arvi
The Parque Arvi is a huge park outside of the city. The best way to get there is by cable car. Take the Medellín Metro to the Acevedo station (Line A). From Acevedo station, transfer to the Metrocable Line L to Santo Domingo station. At Santo Domingo station, transfer to the Metrocable Line K that goes directly to Parque Arví. The entire journey takes approximately 45-60 minutes and offers scenic views of the city and surrounding mountains. At first you will see the city and some slum areas and a few minutes later all you will see is green landscapes.
Keep in mind that the last cable car goes back at 6pm (double check with the staff when you arrive). You can get back to the city by taxi, but it will be more expensive and take longer.
There are countless hikes in Parque Arvi and it’s best to research which one you want to do before you get there. Hiking in Parque Ari is a great way to escape the city noise and be in a cooler environment, surrounded by trees.
Cafes, restaurants & clubs
Best cafes & restaurants in Medellin
- Pergamino (great coffee)
- Florez Food Garden (lunch & dinner)
- Cafe Velvet (great for working)
- Tres Trigos (amazing croissants)
- Kaime (vegan restaurant & bakery)
- Crepes & Waffles (Colombian chain)
Best bars & clubs in Medellin
- Mad Radio (house music)
- Vintrash (Reggaeton)
- La House (mixed)
- Salon Amador (electronic & techno)
- Perro Negro (Reggaeton)
- La Octava Bar (ball pit!)
- Berlin Bar (good beer)
Best rooftops
- Masaya hostel
- Los Patios hostel
- Viajero hostel
- NDN Rooftop (bar)
How much time do you need?
If you want to see most of the sights Medellin has to offer, I would recommend you to stay for 4-5 days in the city. I personally lived in Medellin for 3 months in 2023 and I can tell you, this city never gets boring!
Best time to go
Medellin is the city of eternal spring. That means you will have beautiful warm temperatures all year long. December – February are the months with the least amount of rain. To see the Feria de las Flores you should be in Medellin in August.
Where to stay
The most popular neighborhood in Medellin for travelers is Poblado. It’s the most expensive neighborhood, but also the one you will have the most fun. I can highly recommend Masaya Hostel, because they have a beautiful rooftop with pool & jacuzzi, but there are also many other good hostels and hotels.
How to get to Medellin
By plane
Medellin has two airports, Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) and Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH). The EOH airport is in the middle of the city and really small. You will most likely fly into MDE when you travel from other cities in Colombia or internationally. MDE is about 30min by Uber from Medellin. Once you arrive at the airport you can take a taxi, Uber or a shuttle bus.
By taxi/ Uber
You can take a taxi in Medellin, but it’s safer to take an Uber. With the app you can get an Uber within minutes or even schedule one before your trip. It’s the simplest and safest way to get to the city and will cost about 25 USD.
By shuttle bus
The shuttle bus will only cost you about 4 USD and is a good option if you’re traveling during the day. The buses leave every 15 min and will either take you to San Diego Mall or the city center. Make sure to ask the driver if he’s stopping at San Diego or Centro to confirm that you are taking the right shuttle bus. If you’re traveling at night, you should choose San Diego Mall.
Getting around in Medellin
Medellin is a big city with a population of 2.6 million people. When you explore El Poblado, you can reach everything by walking. Late in the night you should take a taxi instead of walking, even for short distances.
If you want to see other areas of the city like Comuna 13, you can take the train, use the local buses or get an Uber. Public transport during the day is safe, but you should watch out for pickpockets. Uber is incredibly cheap in Colombia and the fastest way to travel.
I would recommend you to avoid traveling during rush hour, because the roads and public transports get super busy at this time.
Cost of traveling in Medellin
Colombia in general is a really affordable destination and in Medellin it depends on the neighborhood. How much you will spend will of course depends on your accommodation, how much you eat out and activities. Getting an eSIM is the easiest and fastest way to get data in Colombia, however getting a SIM card in one of the stores is the cheapest option.
Medellin is absolutely safe enough for solo travelers, but there are general safety rules you should follow:
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Medellin is one of the coolest cities I have ever visited and I would highly recommend you to see it when you travel to Colombia. There are so many things to do, neighbourhoods to explore and day trips you can do to small towns and waterfalls. This city has something for everybody.
