Top 10: Things to Do in Medellín
The magic of salsa dancing, bustling local markets, incredible food… Just 20 years ago, very few people would have predicted that Medellín, Colombia would become such a popular tourist destination. Today, tourists and digital nomads alike travel in large numbers to experience the rich culture, friendly hospitality and wonderful scenery that this Colombian paradise has to offer.
There are countless things to do in Medellín. Whether you want to learn more about the city’s troubled history and dealings with Pablo Escobar, enjoy the City of Eternal Spring’s year-round great weather or dive into the local culture—Medellín has something for everyone. Today at Civitatis, we’re going to talk about our favourite things to do, so that you can make the most of your trip, hit the hot spots, and maybe discover some hidden gems. ¡Vamos!
The Best Things to Do in Medellín
- Embark on a Free Walking Tour
- Go on a Day Trip to Guatapé + Boat Ride
- Explore Comuna 13
- Savour Colombia’s Famous Coffee
- Discover Colombia’s Famous Cuisine
- See Medellín from the Sky
- Wander Around El Poblado
- Go to a Football Match
- Experience Medellin’s Nightlife
- Take a Day Trip to the Los Saltos Eco Park
1. Embark on a Free Walking Tour
The best way to dig your heels into Medellín is by teaming up with a local and setting off on a guided tour of the city. To get a taste of the city, check out this free tour of the Medellín, which will bring you around the most important sites, including Plaza de las Luces, the Palace of Culture and the National Palace over the course of two and a half hours.
For a deeper dive into the city, this Medellín Bus Tour will bring you on a more extensive tour of the city, moving from location to location aboard a comfortable tourist bus.
2. Go on a Day Trip to Guatapé + Boat Ride
This is the most popular day trip from Medellín, and for good reason. This local town is just 80 kilometres (40 miles) from Medellín, and is best known for the wondrous Peñón de Guatapé—a giant rock formation over 200 metres (650 ft) tall, which can be climbed via its 708 steps to the top.
On this Day Trip to Guatapé, you’ll summit the rock accompanied by an expert guide, and also enjoy a tour of the colourful colonial town of Guatapé—one of the most beautiful in the country.
3. Explore Comuna 13
In the 1980s and 1990s, Comuna 13 was one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in the city, and on the planet. Built on a steep hillside, this once deeply troubled barrio has become one of the city’s most vibrant, known especially for its eye-grabbing street art, which you can check out as part of this Comuna 13 Street Art Tour, or this Comuna 13 Helicopter Ride.
For a deeper insight into this barrio’s troubled past, see it as part of this Pablo Escobar Tour of Medellín, which will also pass through Barrio Pablo Escobar, as well as his former home and burial site.
4. Savour Colombia’s Famous Coffee
One of our favourite parts about visiting Colombia is getting to drink lots of incredible coffee, which is available all over the country. However, if you’re big into your coffee, you’ll be delighted to know that Antioquia (the region of which Medellín is part) is home to a huge amount of coffee plantations, which offer tours and tastings. On this Medellín Coffee Tour, you’ll make your way to a coffee plantation San Sebastián de Palmitas, and learn from an expert guide all about the farming and production process, before enjoying a delicious tasting.
5. Discover Colombia’s Famous Cuisine
Sticking to the world of food & drink, Medellín is one of the epicentres of Colombia’s underrated cuisine. While Mexico and Peru are the Latin American cuisines which receive the most love on a global scale, Colombian food has just recently begun to be recognised for its quality.
In Medellín, you’ll find everything from amazing, simple street food to boojee restaurants. On this Medellín Street Food Tour, a local, English-speaking guide will bring you around some of the city’s best local vendors, to try irresistible arepas, empanadas, tequeños (cheese sticks) and traditional Colombian hot dogs. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a cool drink!
For a more unique experience, check out this Electric Bike Food Tour, during which you’ll get to casually pedal around the city, discovering the best culinary options available at some of the most popular barrios in Medellín along the way.
6. See Medellín from the Sky
This next entry isn’t for the faint of heart. For thrill seekers among you, jumping up onto a paraglider and flying over the city might just be the best thing you do in Medellín. On this Paragliding in Medellín activity, put on protective gear and soar above the city for 15 minutes, seeing Medellín’s spectacular colourful streets, and its mountainous green environs.
For a slightly less extreme, but equally as beautiful experience, consider going on this helicopter ride of the city! Take to the skies and see Aburrá Valley, Parque Norte, the botanical gardens and more of the city’s highlights from a truly unique perspective.
You can also get great views of the city’s Metrocable, the cable car systems which are used to access the hillside barrios.
7. Wander Around El Poblado
Known as the ‘New Centre of Medellín’, El Poblado was the first colonial settlement in the city. Today it’s one of the most popular barrios amongst tourists and locals alike, for its high quality restaurants, local bars, street art and much more. This area also boasts wonderful natural spaces, including Parque De La Presidenta and Parque Lleras, both of which are wonderful places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some greenery! See it all for yourself accompanied by an expert guide on this El Pobaldo Free Tour!
8. Go to a Football Match
Going to a football (soccer) match in Medellín is truly a once-in-a lifetime experience, whether you’re a big fan of ‘the beautiful game’ or not. For many, this city produces the best football atmospheres in the world. The city’s two main teams are Deportivo Independiente Medellin (referred to by locals as Medellín) and Atletico Nacional (commonly referred to as Nacional), each of which play in the Estadio Atanasio Girardot stadium in the city.
The best way to enjoy a football match is to go as part of this Medellín Football Tour. On this activity, you’ll go to a home game accompanied by a local guide, and also enjoy a stadium tour and a drink.
9. Experience Medellin’s Nightlife
Another thing for which Medellín is well known is having a good party. The city’s nightlife is truly something that you must experience for yourself if you choose to visit. The aforementioned El Poblado is home to Parque Lleras, which is one of the busiest nightlife spots, home to a wide variety of restaurants, bars and clubs. Feel the vibes for yourself on this Medellín Rooftop Bar Crawl, and make some new friends as you explore the city’s best terraces.
10. Take a Day Trip to the Los Saltos Eco Park
Another entry for the more active amongst you, just a short way outside of Medellín is the beautiful Los Altos Ecopark. This wonderfully lush jungle area is about 90 minutes outside of the city, and an amazing place to hike, zipline and enjoy views of the surrounding landscapes and the Salto Buey waterfalls. Visit it for yourself as part of this Hiking and Zipline Trip to Los Saltos from Medellín.
There you have it! Those are our top 10 things to do in Medellín. It’s a truly wonderful city to visit, with lots of exciting things to do and see. If you’re making the trip, be sure to check out more activities in Medellín with Civitatis. ¡Buen viaje!
