What are the best things to do in Medellín?
Top picks in Medellín include Comuna 13 graffiti and escalators, Plaza Botero, Metrocable, Pueblito Paisa. See the full list and itinerary on this Medellín travel guide.
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Medellín Travel Guide
Things to do in Medellín — Explore Medellín
Photo: Daniel-1-1 · CC BY 3.0
Why visit Medellín
Let's just get it out of the way up front: throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Medellín was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world for its size, and had a highly disproportional homicide and kidnapping rate. It was the home of the drug lord Pablo Escobar and the so-called Medellín Cartel, who virtually took over the city during that time. Since his demise in the mid-1990s, the cartel was disbanded and the city rebounded tremendously. In 1991 there were 6,500 murders in the city, by 2009 the murder… (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)
Medellín is a stop in Colombia, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Comuna 13 graffiti and escalators, Plaza Botero, Metrocable instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 35–100 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal
Weather
From highland cool to tropical warmth
Experiences
Things to do in Medellín
1
Comuna 13 graffiti and escalators
2
Plaza Botero
3
Metrocable
4
Pueblito Paisa
5
Botanical Garden of Medellín
6
Museo de Antioquia
7
Guatapé and El Peñol day trip
8
Arví Park
Budget travel
Free things to do in Medellín
Plaza Botero
Botanical Garden of Medellín
Arví Park
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Medellín itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Comuna 13 graffiti and escalators
- Visit Plaza Botero
- Visit Metrocable
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Pueblito Paisa
- Visit Botanical Garden of Medellín
- Visit Museo de Antioquia
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Guatapé and El Peñol day trip
- Visit Arví Park
Budget
Medellín trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 35–100
per person / day
Luxury
USD 115–190+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Medellín, Colombia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Medellín
Estimated total (USD)
$1,935
≈ $968 per person · $276 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $70/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Medellín mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 35–100 · luxury 115–190+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Al Patio
Restaurant and bar. Overlooks town, great outdoors.
Mystic Restaurante
Nice skirt steak and other options here.
Milagros
Authentic Mexican food. Basic wine list.
El Pilon Guarceño
Nice lunch menu where you choose your main and sides along with rice. Also has a salad bar.
Bonuar
Great outdoors. Easy free parking
El Café de Otraparte
Next door to the museum. Open-air and open-minded café.
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Hotel Conquistadores
An affordable and safe hotel in the center of town. All the basic amenities, including broadcast TV, hot water, lock boxes. Restaurant on si
- $
Hotel Ayacucho Real
All the basic amenities including cable TV, hot water, mini stereo system in rooms. Pretty dingy.
Hotel San José
Probably the cheapest decent hotel in town. Despite the price, it is clean and safe. Cable TV, hot water, laundry on site.
Hotel Nutibara
The most traditional hotel in Medellín, now a tad rundown. Great architecture. Just across the street from Museo de Antioquia. Fax: +57 4 23
Hotel Egina Medellín
65 rooms, standard rooms, junior rooms and suites, all equipped with air-conditioning, mini-bar and Wi-Fi access. Facilities and services ar
Shopping
- El Tesoro Parque Comercial
- Oviedo centro comercial
- San Diego centro comercial
- Premium Plaza
- Monterrey
- Santa Fe centro comercial
Nightlife
- Academia de Baile el Último Café
- El Blue
- Circus
- Cuchitril Club-Bar
- Eslabon Prendido
- Palmaia
In pictures
Medellín gallery
Photos: Daniel-1-1, Jorge Gómez, laloking97, Edgar Jiménez from Porto, Portugal, Felipe Restrepo Acosta — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Medellín travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Medellín?
The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal.
How many days do I need in Medellín?
Plan at least 3 days in Medellín for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Medellín?
Popular stays in Medellín include Hotel Conquistadores, Hotel Ayacucho Real, Hotel San José. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Medellín cost?
On the ground in Medellín (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 35–100, and luxury about 115–190+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Medellín, Colombia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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