Top Things to do in Medellin
What to do and see in Medellin, Antioquia Department: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. Museo del Agua EPM
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Museo del Agua EPM is a space where science, technology and art come together through an interactive and scenic proposal that transcend the traditional tours by close and sensorial experiences around water.
4. Planetario de Medellin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 457 reviews
5. 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.
6. 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!
7. 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
8. 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!
9. Rio Claro Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 311 reviews
Reviewed By 676alexj
SERVICE: I don´t know why so many people complain about the service.... I was very satisfied with the staff, especially David from reception is a super helpful, patient and polite guy who helped with every question I had (speaks very good english) FOOD: Not high class, but absolutely ok. I am vegetarian and for each meal I got a veggie soup and an extra little side dish like cooked eggplants, fried zuccinis, mushrooms, etc. Plus they have a really great variety of salads (one of the bests I have seen in Colombia) and you can go to the buffet a second time and get more :-) ROOMS: I was super happy with my room. I stayed in the El refugio, which I can absolutely recommand to people who don`t mind having a few little animals like insects or bugs in the room. After dinner, I loved sitting at the "open" = no window and listening to the sounds of the nature, reading a book at candle light and then falling asleep. I had no towels in the room, I asked the housekeeping ladies and I got them. At the entrance I was able to pick my room (I didn`t have a reservation), the lady showed me a map and all possibilities including rates. I chose a room at the very end (casa 1, room 9). I wanted to be as far away as possible from the restaurant and acitvity area. I didn't mind the 10 minute walk from the restaurant and the stairs at all. I paid 140.000 COP, which after all, is an acceptable price for a room with a very great view, private bathroom, all meals included. ACTIVITIES (in my opinion, rates are quite cheap for what you get): I did the cave, which was very intersting and exciting. Be prepared to get wet. You will have to swim at some parts. And bring a flashlight, it is dark! I skipped the rafting, it looked quiet boring, the river is slow and not very deep. I did rafting and canyoning in Europe (I think this can not be compared). Instead I rented a tube and walked up the river for about an hour and then I enjoyed a quiet and relaxing 1,5 hour ride with sounds of birds :-), I absolutely loved it! --> I went directly after breakfast before the day visitors arrive and my 2 companions and I had the river almost to ourselves. I skipped Ziplining as well. Much better and longer lines f.ex. in Costa Rica WHAT ELSE: I took the bus from Guatape to Rio Claro. You don't have to go back all the way to Medellin. Take the bus direction Medellin (leaves Guatape at least every hour) and change to one of the big buses in Marinilla. On the road from Medellin to Bogota (road 60) there is a small bus terminal with 3 offices (one is Coonorte) where you can buy your ticket (20.000 COP). From there it takes about 2 hours. Tell the driver to stop at reserva natural rio claro. Do not forget to mention the complete name, otherwise they might let you out further on the street and you have to walk back.... I left my big backpack at the check-in office at the entrance and just took my small one with things for 2 nights (you don't need much, its warm all the time. In case you have forgotten something you can always go back, its only 15 minutes from the restaurant). In total it is about half an hour to walk to the rooms of El Refugio, so I wouldn't want to carry all my stuff there.... AVOID weekends and puentes! I think it can get really crowded with Colombians from Medellin with kids. I was there Monday to Wednesday and there were not many people. The bus to Bogota took a lot more than 5 hours.... 7,5 hour...the road is ok, but only one lane and a lot of big and slow trucks plus some road construction....usual colombian problem.... AFTER ALL: I loved this place! It is great to have a few days very close to nature, birds, swim (the river has just the right temperature), relax, read, walk along the river (the further you go the less people you meet, at the end we were all by ourselves, sooo peaceful), enjoy the sounds of the woods, no WIFI....
10. Parque Norte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 244 reviews
Is North Park A Space culture and citizen , here is welcome joy and respect . There are 160,000 m2 of Entertainment & nature : In addition you can find the largest urban lake Directors of Latin America. We scammers 25 Mechanical Distributed in four themed attractions squares.
Reviewed By Supercords - Lehi, United States
I gave this very Colombian amusement park 5 stars because I was there (twice!) at the end of the year when the Christmas light shows are going. Best Christmas light display I've seen anywhere in the world!! Not to be missed. So it's pretty amazing that it's FREE to get into the park to see the lights in the evening. You can follow the path around the lake and see all the sights. There are places to eat, drink, and shop. Tons of photo ops. I actually arrived at 3 pm (when the park opened) and paid for a 10 ride pass. Later I would discover that there aren't even 10 decent rides in the park, but it's cheaper than paying 7,000 COP per ride. Oh, and you only have until 6 pm to use your ride tickets. Still, I didn't regret my purchase. The water ride is the best in the park. Two giant drops guaranteed to get you soaked. I did the pirate ship that does 360s and makes the blood rush to your head. Why do I do that to myself?!?! Skipped the one that jolts you around like a series of car crashes. The El Aguila zip line ride isn't half bad. The jungle cruise is not up to Disney levels by a long shot. Almost comical how bad it is. Had a great time in the bumper cars. Never gets old. Rode down the giant slide. Skip the jerky 4D experience. Kids will have more fun than adults. There are a bunch of rides just for them. Nothing fancy here. No real thrill rides. More about killing off an afternoon with some fun and Colombian culture. I did the botanical garden in the morning, then Parque Explora, and then Parque Norte all in the same day. They are all right next to each other.
