Let’s dive into the 25 Best Things to Do in Medellin Colombia, in 2024.
Medellin is one of Colombia’s gems. The city blends together steel skyscrapers, colorful pueblos, and green mountains.
All these are nestled in a valley inland known for its relaxed vibes, beautiful gardens, and fantastic nightlife. And the best thing is that it has tropical weather all year round.
The second-largest city in the country is also a hub of vibrant Paisa culture, boosted by plenty of incredible local cuisine, public sculptures, great museums, and fantastic street art.
There are also lots of bustling fruit markets, urban green spaces, and colorful neighborhoods.
Above all, it is a city that has undergone incredible changes over the last few decades.
Many would describe it as a place with an old soul yet such an energetic, creative, and young spirit. You will rarely miss any interesting things to do in Medellin Colombia. So, let’s dive in.
The Best Things to Do in Medellin Colombia
1. Shopping in Medellin
Shopping is one of the favorite things to do in Medellin Colombia.
The city boasts lots of shops that cater to the needs of different personalities. You could spend a morning jumping between small boutique shops offering locally designed clothes and big brands.
2. Jardin Botanico
The botanic gardens are one of the best things to do in Medellin. The city is an oasis of tranquility in the middle of a busy metropolis.
So, if you are free, you could spend your morning in this garden, discovering this large, green space with plenty of flowers and over 130 bird species.
3. Ride the Iconic Medellin Metrocable
The Metrocable is a symbol of the city. For locals, it is their way of life. In other words, the cable cars are the only way to access the hillside warriors because the streets are narrow and too steep for buses.
But for visitors, soaring above the rooftops on a cable is an affordable and fun way to get spectacular views of the city.
This cable car system has six lines that connect downtown Medellin in the Albura Valley basin.
4. Explore Comuna 13 with a Local Guide
The Comuna 13 commune is one of the most popular places in Medellin. Ironically, it was once considered one of the most dangerous places in the country.
The neighborhoods that make up this place have undergone lots of transformation in recent years.
Today, Columna 13 is well-known for large-scale murals and vibrant street art. Tracking through this open-air gallery is an experience on its own. You’ll learn several things about the past, including Medellin’s gang violence.
5. Eat Bandeja Paisa at Hacienda
Medellin is blessed in terms of food. Its food-focused section of the city offers a unique experience. But the most interesting one is eating Colombia’s national dish, Bandeja Paisa.
The food is a work of culinary art. It is even more intriguing when you consider the fact that these guys were able to cram so many flavors into one plate.
6. Plaza Botero
The heart of Medellin’s historic Old Quarter, Plaza Botero, is an interesting square in the city.
The place is blessed with several monumental pieces of architecture and important museums, but the plaza itself is a fantastic place to stroll.
7. Ohh and Ahh at the Museo de Antioquia
The Botero Plaza has lots of beautiful museums, but the most outstanding one is the Museum of Antioquia. It is among the first museums that were established in Antioquia. But more interesting is that it has the works of two of Medellin’s top artists, Botero and Pedro Nel Gomez. You will likely love Botero’s sculptures and paintings.
8. Stop by the Pace of Culture
Visiting the Pace of Culture is one of the most interesting things to do in Medellin Colombia.
The Rafael Uribe Palace of Culture is one of its kind in the city.
The building features black-and-white stonework and Gothic-style arches, acting as a natural venue for cultural programs and exhibitions staged by local governments.
The good thing is that the building is open to the public, including visitors.
9. Shoot the Breeze in Parque Berrio
Next to Berrio Park is an interesting center that is considered the nucleus of the city.
The whole area is a hive of activities at all hours of the day. This place is a favorite place for families and groups of friends to gather. Vendors, too, come to sell their items, while old men come to play checkers.
10. Visit Medellin’s Oldest Church
The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, behind Parque Berrio, is one of the historical sites.
While the city boasts lots of magnificent churches, this basilica is the oldest.
Roman Catholic parishioners have called the church home at the stone church since the 17th century.
11. Visit the Fruit Market
Antioquia is Colombia’s fruit source. This is the region where farmers come to the city to trade their tropical delights.
The best thing is that there are several fruit markets in the city, so you won’t miss places to explore.
One of our favorite markets is the Minorista, or Plaza Minorista Jose Maria Villa.
12. Hike in Parque Arvi
Located in a valley north-east of the city center and accessible from downtown through cable lines, the Parque Arvi is a breath of fresh air.
The best thing about this archaeological site is that it offers fantastic hiking and biking opportunities. You can explore much of the 56-mile walking trail in the park the whole day.
The marked paths range from strenuous hikes to easy strolls through wildflower groves.
13. Shop at the San Alejo Handicraft Market
If you are lucky enough to visit the city on the first Saturday of the month, make sure to visit the San Alejo Handicraft Market.
This place showcases lots of local crafts and food projects.
This tradition has been taking place for over three decades, and it offers items from over 400 artists, antique vendors, makers, and artisanal farmers.
14. Listen to Tango at Salon Malaga
Among the best things to do in Medellin Colombia is to spend a few hours at Salon Malaga.
This ancient piano bar features an old vibe in a wonderful atmosphere. Visitors will enjoy the live tango and salsa that are presented in the area.
15. Visit the Museo Casa de la Memoria
The Victim Assistance Program of Medellin City Hall is one of the unique institutions in the area that was designed to help locals reflect on and overcome hardships experienced in the 1980s and 2000s.
The city was a dangerous place in the 1990s, where several people lost their lives.
16. Smell Orchids at Medellin’s Oldest Marketplace
If you want to visit one of the oldest undercover markets in Medellin, the Pacita de Floerrz flower market is the place to be. The market features an interesting combination of flowers interspersed with butcher’s shops.
17. Self-guided Tour of the City by Metro
Medellin’s award-winning public transportation system offers one of the best ways to explore the city.
The good thing is that it is affordable.
Besides the Metrocable, the above-ground metro station platform offers fantastic views of different landmarks in the city.
18. Stroll Around Leavy Laureles
Visiting the most livable district of Laureles is also among the best things to do in Medellin Colombia. Surprisingly, it is one of Medellin’s hottest suburbs.
Once a working-class area, Laureles is now extremely leafy, with tons of dog parks and old-growth trees lining wide roads.
19. Attend one of Colombia’s Football Matches
Like some central and southern American countries, football is a way of life in Colombia.
So, one way of paying homage to the city is by attending one of the local matches.
20. Visit El Poblado
El Pablado is one of the most beautiful districts in the city.
The place is jammed with rivers, green parks, and edgy industrial buildings covered in plants. It is also among the wealthiest places in the city.
21. Take a Bike Tour
If you are a biking enthusiast, then why not bike around the city to explore its wonderful offerings?
All you need to do is follow an experienced guide and cycle around the city.
22. Castle Museum
One of the most interesting things to do in Medellin Colombia is to explore its natural heritage.
A visit to the Castle Museum is enough to make yourself feel a world away from city life.
The main reason is that the gothic-style residence is more like castles in France or even the Czech Republic.
23. Explore the Nightlife in the City
One of the best things to do in Medellin Colombia is to explore the nightlife.
The city is home to colorful rooftops, bars, and a buzzing atmosphere. If you are residing within the city, it will be fun to explore the nice cafes in the area.
24. Guatape Village and The Rock
This village and its famous rock are just an hour’s drive from the city.
One interesting thing about this colorful village is that it is surrounded by lakes and is situated close to the mountains.
25. Paragliding
To close our list of the best things to do in Medellin, Colombia, we recommend paragliding.
This activity is extremely popular amongst visitors who travel outside the city.
Final Words
There you have it. Essentially, there are endless things to do in Medellin Colombia, especially if you are the adventurous type.
We guarantee that you will enjoy most of the activities we have listed here. But if you are short on time, just pick a few from the above list that appeal to your test and see how it goes.
Also Read:
