Once labeled “The Most Dangerous City In The World” by Time magazine, Medellin has undergone a substantial tranformation and is quickly becoming a popular destination for tourists and expats alike. From it’s vibrant culture, modern offerings, inexpensive cost of living, and stunning natural scenery, it’s not hard to see why. In addition to improvements in public safety, there’s been a surge in urban development projects as well. And let’s not forget the year round great weather that’s dubbed Medellin as “The City of Eternal Spring”. I’ve put together a list of things you should do when visiting this beautiful city.
1. Mercado Del Tranvia (Tranvia Food Market)
This food market opened in October 2017 and has become very popular since opening its doors. There are 21 restaurants and bars in a warehouse located along the tranvía tramline of the metro system in the Buenos Aires neighborhood near El Centro. Here, you purchase food from the small restaurants and eat at any of the several small tables in the market. Food options include traditional Colombian dishes, hamburgers, Italian, Mexican, Peruvian, pizza, sandwiches, seafood, steaks, sushi, wings and so much more.
2. Plaza Botero
Fernando Botero is Medellin’s most famous artist, who is internationally renowned for his large, exaggerated sculptures, which can represent political criticism or humor, depending on the piece. Plaza Botero is surrounded by the Museum of Antioquia and the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture and contains 23 pieces of his artwork, many of which were previously housed in museums of Paris, New York, and Madrid. A perfect mix of art, culture and nature, it’s the perfect place for Colombians, tourists and travelers alike to come and admire the bronze creations from one of Colombia’s most famous artists.
3. Museo Antioquia (Museum of Antioquia)
This museum is the second oldest in Colombia and is located in Plaza Botero, near Berrio Metro station. Once the palace of Rafael Uribe Uribe, the Governor of Antioquia, this museum now houses a number of pieces from Fernando Botero, along with other world renowned artists. You can find more information on The Museo De Antioquia here. Entry is 5000 pesos and definitely worth checking out if you’re downtown.
4. Horse Back Riding Through The Mountains
Even though Medellin is a major metropolitan city, it is surrounded by beautiful mountainous country-side and small towns and villages. If you truly want to take in the culture of this beautiful country and city, take a stroll on horse back. I’d recommend Medellin City Services when you’re ready to give it a try.
5. Visit Santa Fe De Antioquia
Puebliando, or visiting the small towns, is something that not only foreign tourist can do, but many Colombians do as well. One such town to check out is Santa Fe De Antioquia. Located about an hour outside of Medellin by bus, this town with a warm climate and historic colonial architecture offers a change of pace to the bustling city of Medellin. With swimming pools, hiking, the 7th largest suspension bridge in the world, you’ll find lots to keep you busy. Check out my time in Santa Fe De Antioquia here.
6. Take A Salsa Class
Dancing is a big part of life in Colombia and salsa is a social dance. So what better way to take in some of the culture and connect with the locals through learning how to dance. There are several places to take classes, both group or private lessons, if your visiting Colombia. Some of our favorites include Dance Free, Salsa Classes Medellin, and Santo Baile.
7. Go Salsa Dancing
Whether you’re just learning or an experienced dancer, it’s time that you put your skills to work. Medellin offers a a variety of places to show off your moves, as well as, take in some culture. Here are a few of our favorites:
Son Havana Bar
Located in Laurales, this classic salsa club is known for it’s Cuban style of salsa. They play salsa all night long and the crowd consists of people of all different skill levels, from beginner to advance. Thursday and Saturday nights you’ll find live bands. The cover to get in is anywhere from 10,000 – 12,000 pesos.
Adrdess: Carrera 73, Av. San Juan #44-56
El Tibri
Located in Laurales, this Colombian style salsa bar is located underground and can get very hot, literally! The energy and dancing here is awesome, as you’ll see couples and social dancing taking place as well. Best of all, there’s no cover to get in!
Address: Calle 44b #70-03, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Address: Calle 53 #55, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.
8. Go Paragliding (Parapente)
The city of Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia and is located in the Aburra Valley in the Andes mountains. What’s this mean? There are breathtaking views of the city below from high above the mountains. This is an experience you truly won’t forget. You can read about our experience Paragliding in Medellin here.
9. Drink Aguardiente
Like rum in Cuba, whiskey in Scottland, and Tequila in Mexico, aguardiente is Colombia’s national liquor. It’s an anise, or licorice, flavored liqueur derived from sugar cane. Since the Spanish era, it’s maintained the status of the most popular alcoholic beverage in the Andean regions of Colombia. You can find this drink throughout Medellin and is usually taken as a shot and chased with water or beer.
10. Take A Stroll In Jardin Botanico
The Botanical gardens natural oasis in the center of Medellín sitting on about 34 acres (14 hectares) of land. The gardens contain more than 1,000 species of wildlife and 4,500 flowers. The ambiance here is definitely relaxed, as you’ll find families, students, tourist and more all taking in the beauty that the gardens have to offer. People often host weddings here and the many other events are held here as well, especially during The Festival of Flowers. It’s free to enter the gardens and you can find more information about Jardin Botanico here.
11. Parque Explora
Located across the street from Jardín Botánico is Parque Explora. In this interactive science museum, you’ll find over 300 interactive games and exhibits demonstrating a variety of things including the laws of physics, to perception, to communication. Parque Explora also features Latin America’s largest freshwater aquarium where you can see some of the strange creatures that call Colombia home. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect a science museum to be fun but I found this museum to be well worth the trip.
12. Comuna 13 / Grafitti Tour
Once labeled the most dangerous neighborhood in Medellin, Colombia due to it’s extremely high homicide rate, this neighborhood has undergone a dramatic transformation due to innovative urban regeneration, street art, and community solidarity. You can visit the Comuna and view the colorful story of the community’s difficult past, as well as, hope for a peaceful and prosperous future. The art and music you will encounter in this community have been used as a means of expressing discontent with the violence that once plagued in the community. Check out our visit to Comuna 13 with Medellin City Services.
13. Cafe (Coffee) Farm Tour
Colombia’s unique climate and diverse landscapes create perfect conditions for providing some of the worlds best coffee beans. Follow the life cycle of coffee production from the beginnings at bean selection to roasting and everything else you never knew about coffee. We would recommend Medellin City Services for this unique experience.
14. Try To Eat An Entire Bandeja Paisa
The origins of this dish originate from in the Andean state of Antiquia where field workers would consume this high calorie dish as a means of providing them with a full days worth of energy and nourishment to keep them going throughout the day. It comes with a ton of food including beans, pork, rice, ground beef, chacharron, fried egg, platano, sausage, arepa, avacado and lemon. Good luck!
15. Ride The Metro Cable To Santo Domingo Station
This cable propelled transport system is part of the Medellin metro system. It was designed to connect the poorer communities on the mountainside to the valley below. Journeys that may have taken hours can now take 20 – 30 minutes, opening up a variety of economic opportunities to those in formerly unreachable communities. It has been hailed as one of the most innovative and progressive pieces of urban development in Latin America and has also become a tourist attraction due to the sweeping views of the city you see while riding it. Take a ride up to Santo Domingo, a formerly dangerous neighborhood, which has been revitalized and transformed. Have a beer, a bite to eat and take in the views.
16. Go To A Soccer Game en Estadio
Colombians love soccer and the people in Medellin are passionate about their two teams, Nacional and Medellin. The overwhelming amount of people, however, are Nacional fans, as you’ll soon find out on game day when you see every one wearing green jerseys. Home game take place in the stadium in the Estadio neighborhood. Going to a match is a truly unforgettable experience as the energy in the stadium, and outside, is electric. Fans of both teams sit on opposite sides of the stadium chanting, shouting and singing in support of their respective team for the entire 90 minutes. Even if you’re not a soccer fan, you’re sure to enjoy the experience. Tickets can be purchased at the stadium and prices will vary based on where you sit but cost between $5 – $12 US Dollars.
17. Pueblito Paisa
Pueblito Paisa is a mock pueblo (town) built in the city atop Cerro Nutibarra, a small hill in the center of the valley. It offers terrific, near-360-degree views of the city. It’s also a great place to buy souvenirs for friends and family back home. It’s about a 20-minute walk up from the Industriales metro station, or you can take a taxi.
18. Visit Guatape
Located about a 2 hours bus ride from Medellin, Guatape is the perfect place to visit to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Guatape is a small town situated on the edge of a huge lake. The town itself contains colorful streets and buildings and tons of places to eat. You can also do a variety of extreme sports including kayaking, jet skis, mountain biking, flyboarding and more. You can also visit the surround smaller islands by speedboat or party boat. A one-way bus ticket to Guatapate costs about 12,000 pesos ($4 USD).
19. Climb La Piedra Del Penol in Guatape
If you’re up for it, this huge granite rock in Guatape has 740 concrete stairs that you can walk to the top. At the top, you’ll see spectacular 360 degree views of the area. If you’re really up for the challenge, you can skip the stairs and climb up the face of the giant the rock.
19. Festival Of Flowers
Every year in August, Medellin hosts the Feria de Las Flores, or Flower Festival. This week long festival attracts people from not only all over Colombia, but all over the world. The festival is highlighted by parades, music festivals and concerts, orchid competitions and many more events all over the city. The city of Medellin comes alive as they get to showcase their proud heritage, displaying the magnificent colors of the flowers that grown in and around the countryside. You’ll find a ton of activities to do if you’re in Medellin during this festival.
20. ATV Tours (Quatri Moto)
Given the rugged terrain of Medellin and its surrounding areas, it’s not surprising that there are great opportunities to ride around, explore, and take in breathtaking views on an ATV. Rides can last anywhere from a couple of hours up to four hours. Some will even include lunch. There are several tour companies, including Medellin Adventure Trails, that cater to locals and foreign tourists alike.
21. Parque Los Tamarindos
Some days in Medellin it can get hot. Really hot. What better way to cool down than in a water park. Parque Los Tamarinos is located about 2 hours bus ride from Medellin and has four large pools, a lazy river and three waterslides. It’s Colombia so some of the pools have music blaring and a guy with a microphone to keep you moving. There’s a cafeteria onsite where you can purchase local Colombian food as well. You won’t find any foreigners here but that adds to the experience. The facility is clean and well maintained and great if you have kids. You will need your ID or copy of your passport to enter.
22. Parque Arvi
Parque Arvi is one of the regions largest nature reserves, as well as, a Pre-Hispanic archeological site. To get here, you’ll have to take the cable car to Santo Domingo. Once you reach here, you’ll have to buy another ticket to take another cable car up to Parque Arvi. The cost in total is about 5000 pesos, or $1.50 USD. As soon as you step off the cable car you will immediately notice how refreshing the air is. Here you’ll find hiking trails, picnic areas, horseback riding, local restaurants and more. It’s truly a way to connect with nature and get away from the hustle and bussle of the city.
23. Visit Chorro Clarin
If you make your way up to Parque Arvi and you’re feeling adventurous, you can take the 20-25 minute walk downhill to Chorro Clarin. Chorro Clarin is part of the huge reserve of Parque Arvi and features beautiful scenery, streams and areas for relaxation, picnics, and hiking. I saw several groups who brought hammocks to relax in while they were there.
24. Eat Ajiaco
Ajiaco is a popular dish found in Colombia and pretty easy to find in Medellin. It’s a soup usually made with chicken, three varieties of potatoes, corn and the Galinsoga parviflora herb. It’s very delicious and definitely worth giving a try.
25. Check Out Parque Lleras Nightlife
It’s no secret that Colombians love to party. Parque Lleras is located in the upscale El Poblado neighborhood of Medellin and serves as a hub for nightlife in the city. Here you’ll find foreigners and locals packing the streets to check out hundreds of bars, restaurants, and dance clubs in the area. You can bar hop if that’s your thing, or settle in somewhere for some great music all night long.
26. Shop In El Hueco
El Hueco, or “the hole,” is a busy shopping center in downtown Medellin. It spans about 30 city blocks and is filled with thousands of small shops with goods ranging from clothes, shoes, toys, sports equipment, art supplies, furniture, lotions, jewelry, hair products, electronics and much more. Many of the products here have the cheapest prices in the city. You can also negotiate prices here so make sure your Spanish is up to par.
27. Visit La Minorista
La Minorista is the largest farmers market in all of Medellin. You’ll find endless types of fruits, vegetables and meats. It’s a great place to find many of the tropical fruits in Colombia as well. The market also contains more than just food. You can also find kitchen utensils and household goods, clothing, furniture, and electronics. There are also many small restaurants to dine in as well. There are now many fruit tours of La Minorista where you can have a guide take your around and provide information on the various fruits and vegetables you’ll encounter while here.
28. Museo de Arte Moderno Medellín
Located in the Ciudad del Rio neighborhood of El Poblado, the Museo de Arte Moderno (Modern Art Museum) is a visually striking, five story building taking up an entire city block. The museum houses three permanent exhibitions with a collection of works from Colombian artists. Many works provide a visual commentary into the social tensions and political issues that occurred in the region when they were created. Pieces range from paintings, to sculptures and even textile works. The museum also offers beautiful views of the city from its fifth floor terrace and a cafe to relax in afterwards.
29. Mercado Del Rio
Mercado del Rio is another popular food market in Medellin. Located in a huge warehouse space in El Poblado, there are over 50 restaurants to choose from. Given it’s proximity to businesses, it’s often packed during week during lunch and dinnertime with professionals from nearby office buildings. There are a variety of food options including sushi, burgers, Italian, Peruvian, pizza, vegan, mediterranean and much more to choose from. Prices will range anywhere from about 15,000 to over 40,000 pesos, with a few places offering “menu del dia” (menu of the day) lunch specials. You can visitMercado Del Rio online.
30. Metropolitan Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral is located in downtown, El Centro, neighborhood in Medellin. It holds the title of the largest oven-baked brick church in the world. It’s also considered the most important church in the city, as it’s the seat of the Archbishop of Medellín. Inside the church you’ll find many works of art, including paintings and sculptures by renowned artists. There’s also a small museum of religious art located in a room adjacent to the basilica.
31. Hike Cerros De Tres Cruces (Hill of Three Crosses)
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- Views from the top
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- Path to the top
32. Visit The Castle
Sooo there’s a castle in Medellin. Located on a hill in Poblado, this castle was once the home of a wealthy and extravagent businessman. Built in 1930 in medieval Gothic style, the castle sits on a scenic lot and was inspired in the French castles of Loire. Today, the caslte offers tours, temporary art exhibits, and a park for all to enjoy. The rooms in the castle have been reportedly maintained exactly as they originally were used. Inside you’ll also find porcelain and glass relics, stained glass, Gobelins tapestries, paintings and unique sculptures from different artistic expressions. The museum features art galleries that are used for concerts and to teach painting, dancing and piano lessons.
What are your favorite things to do in Medellin? Did I leave anything out? Tell us below in the comments.
Geron is an avid traveler, entreprenuer and mens style aficionado. He love’s mac and cheese, getting discounts, his momma, and a good whiskey, not particularly in that order. It’s alleged he lives in Miami, but no one really knows anymore.
Follow him on instagram at @geronp
