What to do and see in Medellin, Antioquia Department: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups

December 10, 2021 Almeta Stockton

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

Loma del Escobero, Medellin 053840 Colombia
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,567 reviews

Laguna de Guatape

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

Calle 52 #52-43, Medellin Colombia +57 4 2513636 http://www.museodeantioquia.co/
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,974 reviews

Museo de Antioquia

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. Planetario de Medellin

Carrera 52 71-117, Medellin 050003 Colombia +57 4 5272222 [email protected] http://www.planetariomedellin.org
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 457 reviews

Planetario de Medellin

4. Jardin Botanico de Medellin

Calle 73 51d 14 Carrera 52 # 73-298, Medellin 050010 Colombia +57 4 4445500 [email protected] http://www.botanicomedellin.org
Excellent
53%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,483 reviews

Jardin Botanico de Medellin

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.

5. Parque Explora

Carrera 52 73-75 Al frente de la Estación Universidad del Metro., Medellin 050003 Colombia +57 4 5168300 [email protected] http://www.parqueexplora.org
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,254 reviews

Parque Explora

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!

6. Medellin Metrocable

Medellin Colombia +57 4 4449598 http://www.metrodemedellin.gov.co
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,632 reviews

Medellin Metrocable

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

7. El Castillo Museo y Jardines

Carrera 9 32 269 Loma de Los Balsos, El Poblado, Medellin 050014 Colombia +57 4 2660900 [email protected] http://www.museoelcastillo.org
Excellent
59%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 758 reviews

El Castillo Museo y Jardines

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!

8. Rio Claro Valley

Medellin Colombia +57 4 2688855 http://www.rioclaroelrefugio.com/index.html
Excellent
58%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 311 reviews

Rio Claro Valley

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....

9. Centro Comercial Santafe

Sur 170 Carrera 43a 7 Avenida El Poblado, Medellin 050021 Colombia +57 4 4600737 [email protected] http://www.santafemedellin.com
Excellent
60%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 468 reviews

Centro Comercial Santafe

¡More than a Shopping Center, we want to be your world! You can find all you are looking for about entertainment, food court, stores and service.

Reviewed By 609ronw - Wilton Manors, United States

Santafe is located on Poblado Avenue. With its four floors (five if you consider the lower level, mostly of cars and parking) you are sure to find almost anything you may possibly want and all at a very good price. During our visit we also visited Centro Comercial Tesoro, which has more "designer" stores and higher prices. We preferred Santafe as it has many mid-level clothing and accessories that we are more customed to. If the walk is too much to reach Santafe (and to Tesoro it is 10 times higher) take a taxi which are very inexpensive in Medellin - I think our most expensive taxi fare was $4.

10. El Tesoro Parque Comercial

Carrera 25a 1 45, Medellin 050022 Colombia +57 4 3211010 http://www.eltesoro.com.co
Excellent
67%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 384 reviews

El Tesoro Parque Comercial

Reviewed By molamark - Fort Lauderdale, United States

El Tesoro is a delight to just walk aroud and window shop . They have good restaurants on every level . We recommend The Liberia Nacional for books in Spanish and Colombian Periodicals . Oscar is the best . The Todo Fresa and Crepes and wafles are los here

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