CITY GUIDE MEDELLIN
The Andean metropolis of Medellín has written a new narrative since the troubled times of the eighties and nineties. Medellín is located in the Aburrá Valley of Antioquia, a central region of the Andes Mountains.
The city has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Once just known for its troubled past, it now stands as a vibrant municipality renowned for its innovation, culture and stunning landscapes.
Medellín is the second-largest city in Colombia and is famous for its fantastic weather all year round. The average temperature is 70f/24c and for this reason is widely known as the City of Eternal Spring.
Surrounded by mountains, Medellín is filled with beautiful green spaces that visitors can explore. The city is also very easy to walk and move around using public transportation.
Nowadays visitors discover world-class cultural institutions, a contemporary arts scene and great Colombian cuisine in a proud, progressive city that has taken strides toward innovation with a modern metro and cable car system that connects downtown with hillside barrios and beyond.
There is much more to Medellín than meets the eye. The warmth and generosity of its people makes visiting a pleasure.
To get in the local spirit, spend time in one of the many downtown parks during the day, then at night head to Parques Lleras and Poblado, where dancing and divine cocktails make for a contagious night out.
We work with and recommend booking flights with www.kiwi.com
Medellín is divided into six zones and within those zones are a further sixteen communas. These communas are then divided into barrios or neighborhoods, each with its own distinct flair and personality.
Upscale El Poblado or the neighboring Laureles for shopping, restaurants and rooftop bars. For a glimpse of the more authentic daily life of Paisa culture, head to Commune 13.
The once-dangerous neighborhood has undergone an enormous transformation and is now known for some of the best walking tours and street art in Medellín.
Climate
With an average year-round temperature of about 22c/72f, Medellín’s weather is a primary allure for both visitors and expats. The city’s mild climate comes from its high altitude, approximately 1,500m/4,900 feet above sea level. This tempers the tropical latitude that would otherwise ensure much hotter weather, such as the weather found in Cartagena.
This delightful climate makes Medellín one of the best places to be year-round. However, understanding the seasonal changes and knowing what to expect weather-wise during different times of the year can significantly enhance the experience of any visitor planning a trip to this beautiful city.
The dry season in Medellín occurs primarily during two periods, December to February and July to August. During these months, the city experiences less rainfall.
This makes it an ideal time for outdoor activities and exploring the city. The average temperature during the day hovers around 28c/82f with cooler evenings that can drop to around 16c/60f. The clearer skies and lower humidity levels make it generally more pleasant for sightseeing and partying.
Conversely, the rainy season spans April to May and September to November. During these months, Medellín sees an increase in precipitation, with occasional heavy showers, especially in the afternoons.
Despite the rain, temperatures remain mild, ranging from 18c/64f in the early mornings and late evenings to about 26c/79f) during the day.
The rain is tropical and comes in intense but short bursts, often clearing up quickly. This means that rarely will the rain ruin an entire day of your vacation.
Understanding these patterns can help you decide when to visit based on your weather preference and what you want to do in Medellín.
For more detailed information see here: Medellin Weather
Best things to do in Medellín
Explore the Numerous Parks and Plazas
Medellín’s year-round temperate climate makes it a perfect place to spend a lot of time outdoors.
Two parks well worth visiting are:
- Plaza Botero:
Botero is a renowned artist from Medellín famous for his paintings and statues of oversized people.
This plaza is home to twenty-three Botero sculptures and is always busy with people taking photos, street performers and artists.
Located in the Old Quarter, the Museo de Antioquia is there as well. -
Parque Lleras:
Situated in the center of Poblado, this park is bustling all day and night. There are street vendors, food sellers, musicians and people partying into the early hours.
It is a tremendous place to people-watch and one of the most enjoyable places to have fun in the city.
Ride the Comuna 13 escalators
Begin organizing your dream Colombian getaway right away by using our Plan My Trip page!
Once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Medellín, the Comuna 13, which clings to the mountainside above the San Javier metro station, has undergone an impressive transformation in recent times and is now considered safe to visit.
The focal point of a trip to the comuna is the area around the escaleras electricas, the outdoor escalators that provide access to homes in marginalized barrios that were formerly isolated from the city below.
To fully understand the violence and difficulties that have plagued the area and its impressive reformation, visit the comuna with a local Bnb Colombia Tours guide.
Comuna 13
Comuna 8
Much like Comuna 13, this area was one of the poorest in Medellín and indeed still is. This district was really isolated until the city built a cable car system from downtown, allowing people greater access to the city itself.
BnB Colombia Tours runs a tour to teach people about the history of the area, and unlike Comuna 13, it is not overrun with visitors.
This is a smaller barrio so you get a much more authentic look at the city and its people and history than you do in Comuna 13.
A highly recommended tour as it is a most insightful experience of Medellín.
Museo de Antioquia
Work by Botero
In the grand art deco Palacio Municipal, Colombia’s second-oldest museum houses one of the country’s most important art collections.
The permanent collection spans the 19th. century and contemporary Colombian art, as well as pre-Columbian pieces. The highlight is to be found on the third floor, where there are many sculptures and paintings by Medellín’s first son, Fernando Botero, as well as other artists.
There are wonderful Pedro Nel Gómez murals around the outside of the building.
Botero sculpture in the plaza
Casa de la Memoria
Skip the controversial Pablo Escobar tour and visit the Museo Casa Memoria instead. This museum beautifully and sensitively captures the stories and memories of the armed conflict.
Here they share stories of real people and it gives insight into what life was really like living in the most dangerous city in the world. You may notice that in general Colombians do not want to talk about the troubles, as they prefer to look forward.
So as a result it can be hard to exactly understand what the average Colombian has lived through. This museum brings that difficult past to life, so one can better understand the city and its people.
Admission is free and they run tours in English on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Museo de Arte Moderno
The Museum of Modern Art, located in a refurbished industrial building, is an awesome work of art in itself. With a lot of open and exposed space, it has a delightful feel to it.
Many people have a love-hate relationship with modern art, but even so, it is very interesting. The collection is small with a stunning photography section on the lower floor.
Catedral Metropolitana
The fortress-like Catedral Metropolitana at the northern end of Parque de Bolívar, six blocks northeast of Plaza Botero, claims to be the largest church in the world built entirely of bricks, having well over one million.
Not only the outside but also the rather dark interior is completely faced with bare brick. The cathedral was designed in the Neo-Romanesque style by French architect Émile Charles Carré. Construction started in 1875 but proceeded slowly and matters were not helped when the building was struck by a bolt of lightning in 1928, igniting a major fire.
The cathedral was finally inaugurated in 1931.
Jardín Botánico
The botanical gardens, a quiet retreat from the noise and chaos of the city, host numerous events, concerts and festivals throughout the year.
It covers 14 hectares/35 acres and is home to around 4,500 flowers and hundreds of different bird species.
There is also a good restaurant, Restaurante In Sitú, as well as a more casual eatery with traditional local dishes, Del Bosque Restaurante Café.
Jardín Botánico
Parque Arví
Parque Arví is a huge park and ecological nature reserve located on the outer rim of Medellín. It is home to many hiking trails, and waterfalls and there even is an archaeological site.
Plan on visiting at the weekend to explore Mercado Arví, a small farmers market that is a great place to shop or enjoy a locally made meal.
There are over forty stalls and it is a wonderful addition to a visit.
Of course, the number one thing to do at Parque Arví is hiking. There are over twelve different trails through the park including Trail of the Hill, Brooklet and Ancestral, with almost all of the trails rated as easy to moderate, but vary in length.
There are guided hikes available which you can book directly at the park. They are offered both in English and Spanish and leave every 30 minutes from 10 am to 4 pm.
You can also go mountain biking, and horseback riding and explore another nature reserve called Piedras Blancas.
Parque Arví
Excursions outside Medellín
There are several amazing pueblos to visit with a day trip from Medellín. Among these are Gautapé, Santa Fe de Antioquia, Pueblito Paisa, Jerico and Jardín.
For more details please see here: Guatape, Jerico and Jardin.
Gautapé
Pueblito Paisa
Start creating your dream Colombian adventure by using our Plan My Trip page now!
Golf Courses
Medellín has some spectacular golf courses, even more challenging playing at high altitudes.
More details here: Medellin Golf Courses
Places to stay
From the upscale and vibrant El Poblado to the relaxed and authentic charm of Laureles, these are the best areas to stay in Medellin.
- El Poblado:
Most foreign tourists prefer to stay in El Poblado, an upmarket neighborhood in the southeastern part of the city. This has the highest concentration of lodgings, including some cool boutique hotels and high-end hotels.
-
Laidback Laureles:
The Laureles neighborhood is increasingly popular as a place to stay. More relaxed than Poblado, there are good hotels, hostels and restaurants.
-
Milan:
Adjoining Poblado, Milan is chic and has smaller, modern hotels with good dining options.
As for its nightlife, El Poblado tends to be the epicenter. Medellin’s top nightclubs are concentrated in the Provenza area and Parque Lleras, where people mingle until all hours of the night.
More details here:
High-end Hotels
Four Star Hotels
Three Star Hotels
Gastronomy
Most of the outstanding restaurants in Medellín are located in El Poblado, the most preferred area to stay.
However, other areas like Laureles, La Candelaria and Comuna 13 also have tremendous restaurants.
Medellín fortunately is not limited just to traditional restaurants as there is also excellent international cuisine on offer.
BnB Colombia Tours has composed lists of a great selection of restaurants in Medellín, with recommendations for both local and international restaurants.
Best Cafes
Economical Restaurants
Fine Dining
Other Economical Restaurants
There are a handful of superstar chefs who have put Medellin on the culinary map. With innovative dishes, locally and responsibly sourced ingredients and Michelin-starred resumés, their offerings in the City of Eternal Spring have been a roaring success.
However, the beautiful thing about Medellin is that you can also find incredibly flavourful food on virtually any street corner.
For those who enjoy exploring new flavors, Medellín’s street food has to be tried. Local dishes are hearty and filling and evoke a comforting sense of home, which is always special when traveling.
Dancing
When it comes to salsa in Colombia, Cali is king, however, Medellín is not far behind. You cannot come to Medellín and not take at least partake in one salsa evening, especially as most bars in Poblado have free salsa and bachata classes.
Whatever night of the week you want to go out, there is a free class somewhere. Click here for Best Bars
Festivals
Feria de las Flores
The Feria de las Flores, a yearly festival in Medellín, is a vibrant celebration of color and culture.
Held every August, it showcases the region’s floral industry through the iconic Silleteros Parade, where locals display intricate floral arrangements.
The ten-day event offers various activities, including horse parades and live music, immersing attendees in Colombian heritage and community spirit.
Feria de las Flores
Flower Festival
Christmas Lights/Alumbrados Navideños
From late November through early January, millions of dazzling lights illuminate the Medellín River and major streets for the Christmas El Alumbrado festival.
This is an amazing holiday spectacle. Wander the festive neighborhoods enjoying the artistic light installations, Christmas markets, dance performances and the Parade of Myths and Legends.
Medellín is one of the most desirable cities to visit in South America. A winding descent from the mountains offers a first glance at the city’s beauty. Once in its depths, visitors are seduced by the Paisas’ passion for music and dance, as well as their sincere kindness and affection.
Then when night comes to the streets, dance to the beat of salsa, vallenato and reggaeton.
Like to create or customize a fantastico package tour of Colombia? Use our Plan My Trip page to start planning your dream Colombian vacation now!