Top Things to do in Medellin
The 10 Best Things to do in Medellin, Antioquia Department
Once infamous for dangerous gangs and drug activity, Medellin has been transformed. It’s now a vibrant destination for travelers seeking a culturally rich vacation. Medellin rises proudly from the belly of the Aburrá Valley, and its natural beauty makes a perfect setting for hiking, zip lining and horseback riding. Travel through lush jungle to Piedra de Penol, then climb the 740 steps to the top—a journey within a journey that rewards you with unforgettable views.
Restaurants in Medellin
1. Laguna de Guatape
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,567 reviews
Reviewed By sergioruiz5 - Monterrey, Mexico
This tour is a must if you visit Medellin, given that is at a 1hr distance and is a different type of town with an incredible view when you go to the top of the rock (650 steps approximately). I’ve never seen anything like this and with no doubts I’ll go back if I visit Colonia again.
2. Museo de Antioquia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,974 reviews
Reviewed By mjj754
Nice museum with Botero park right outside. You are supposed to start on the 3rd floor & work your way down, that way you start with all the Botero's since you have just come off the plaza.
3. Jardin Botanico de Medellin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,483 reviews
Reviewed By erichA9957PH
This is a good place to enjoy nature in the center of Medellin. The gardens have beautiful flora, and lots of wildlife also - really enjoyed watching the turtles in the lake. Also, the restaurant at the Jardin Botanico is quite good and is a great place for a lunch.
4. Parque Explora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,254 reviews
Reviewed By Noha11 - Medellin, Colombia
Great place to learn, have fun and spend a full day with the family. Yo can learn about science, latest scientific discoveries, Physics, music and even an aquarium! There are some fast food restaurants around if you want to make a quick stop to reload your energies and keep visiting!
5. Medellin Metrocable
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,632 reviews
Reviewed By bcnjd
Taking the metro cable to the Arvi park is a wonderful way to get a different view of the city and at the same time a nature experience out side the city riding above the trees Takes about 2-3 hours round trip depending on how much time you stay in the park Well worth the effort
6. El Castillo Museo y Jardines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 758 reviews
Valor ingreso: Adultos $12.000 COP Niños entre 3 y 11 años: $8.000 COP Estudiantes, presentando un carnet válido y vigente: $8.000 COP Parqueadero: Carros $6.000 Motos $3.000
Reviewed By offthecuff2010
Our favorite tourist destination in Medellin! An enchanting castle/ home, filled with antique treasures, baccarat chandeliers, Meissen vases, Ecuadorian and Colombian antique paintings! Beautiful grounds and overhead scarlet macaws and screeching parrots ! Entrance on the hour; no photography inside exhibits; breathtaking views! Highly recommend!
7. Parque Arvi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,036 reviews
Ecotourism Arvi Regional Park (Arvi Park), is located 30 km from the center of Medellin (Colombia) in the village of Santa Elena and the municipality of Guarne (Antioquia - Colombia). It is an open park developed on land for public use, created for the enjoyment of the local, national and international community, through the construction of organized tourism, consolidates a conservation strategy and promotion of the potentials and strengths of its cultural and environmental wealth and archaeological heritage, silletero tradition and entrepreneurship of its people, through a proposal for sustainable nature tourism.
Reviewed By AMVTX92 - Mequon, United States
We took the Gondola/metro cable to the park from Medellin. There was a market and we had a lovely time hiking around the park. Some areas were closed due to the Christmas holiday. But it was a lovely afternoon. Many places to stop for food and drink. There was not a park entrance fee. The hike is good for all ages but lots of hills.
8. Escaleras Electricas De La Comuna 13
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 501 reviews
Reviewed By dklayto - Rogers, United States
Wonderful guided tour today of Comuna 13 and El Centro including the Boltero sculptures. Fantastic story of urban gentrification and providing economic access where it otherwise would have been impossible.
9. Museum Pablo Escobar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 848 reviews
Get to know the profile of the historical Pablo Escobar Gaviria from the first source, to enjoy this as a great experience, open your mind and heart, free yourself from prejudice and allow a great message to come into your life so that it impacts your environment. The history that is already written, was lived in the flesh by Pablo Escobar and his family and that is what you will know directly. In the museum lie personal items of Pablo, through which his great passions are revealed.
Reviewed By dreamfinder
Don’t miss this tour in Medellin operated by the Escobar Familia and ask for the «El Cubano» tour guide. It includes several spots around the city and museum in a house owned by the family.
10. Plaza Botero
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4,855 reviews
Reviewed By 609ronw - Wilton Manors, United States
More than 20 sculptures by Fernando Botero adorn this plaza in the center of old Medellin. The plaza itself is very easy to reach via the Medellin Metro (line A) to Parque Berrio. Each sculpture depicts people and figures in large, exaggerated volume, which can represent political criticism or humor. When you are in Medellin you do not want to miss this, as well as a visit to the adjacent Museum of Antioquia where the artist donated a very large portion of his private collection and works.
