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Looking for the best things to do in Medellin? Then you’ve come to the right place. After living in Medellin for a bit, we have found the absolute best things to do, from hidden gems to popular attractions. Read about them below!
Medellin, Colombia is one of the most popular places to visit in Colombia. This rather infamous city was once a “no-go” zone, however, that side of the city is in the past. Now, Medellin is a vibrant city just waiting to be explored by visitors.
The city is filled with amazing things to see and do, world-class restaurants, incredible tours, and a population who are excited to show it all off to tourists.
With so much to see, planning your trip here can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this list of the absolute best things to do in Medellin so that you can make the most out of your limited time here!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE activity in Medellin is this food tour! You’ll enjoy plenty of delicious local food on this private tour. Check out the incredible reviews and book it here!
Tip: Reserve this tour early to guarantee your spot – it will book up!
Things to do in Medellin, Colombia
1. Day trip to Guatape
Guatape is a small resort town located not far from Medellin. It is well known as Colombia’s most colorful town – it is just beautiful! But besides the colorful streets, there is actually a lot to do and see in Guatape. From boat tours to climbing 742 steps up the infamous El Penol rock, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
The best way to visit Guatape is on a tour from Medellin for an organized day trip. While you can take the public bus, Guatape is about a 2-hour bus ride away, and between waiting for buses and getting to the stations, you’ll waste too much time.
This particular day trip to Guatape from Medellin offers great value at only $34 USD for a full-day tour. It includes roundtrip transportation from Medellin, a visit to El Penol Rock ($6 USD entrance fee extra), a guided tour of the city, a delicious local lunch, and a boat ride around the lake. This is honestly such a great deal for the amazing experience you get – just check out the thousands of 5-star reviews here!
Spots are limited, don’t miss out on this fantastic tour by securing your spot here!
2. Go on a Food Tour
The best food in Colombia is in Medellin, no doubt about it. There are so many different flavors and styles that you would need to live there to actually be able to taste them all. However, if you are only staying for a week or so, you just have to join a food tour! I even decided to join a food tour when I first moved to Medellin simply because I wanted to know what and where to eat!
This is the specific food tour I did and I can’t recommend it enough! You’ll get to taste the best traditional foods and drinks from Colombia and learn a bit more about their coffee from an expert guide. This 4-hour tour includes transportation, snacks, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and food tasting. You’ll taste foods such as chocolo arepas, Aguardiente (the traditional alcohol of Colombia that tastes horrible to me), butifarra, empanadas, and more.
We love that this tour is private, meaning only your group will participate. It runs during the evening, so you can use the food tour as your dinner – make sure you come hungry!
Your tour guide will accompany you and help you order the food and drinks, but their main goal will be to make you feel at home in every bar and restaurant. It’s by far one of the best things to do in Medellin!
Check out prices and availability for this private food tour here!
3. Go Paragliding
If you’re craving a little adventure while visiting Medellin, paragliding is the perfect activity!
Starting at $59 USD you can go paragliding with an experienced instructor and sore above the mountains surrounding Medellin. It’s so much fun and offers amazing views!
Sure, it is an adventure activity but it is also very scenic. Paragliding is easily one of the most popular things to do in Medellin and something you should really consider adding to your Medellin bucket list. I’ve been paragliding all over the world, but I think the views of Medellin definitely top the list as my favorite!
If you have a little more to spend, you can choose to do a paragliding experience over waterfalls! This tour takes you out of the city for a truly scenic experience. It costs around $149 USD per person and you can choose to add on a tour of Guatape as well. I never tried this tour, but I heard it was incredible! I’ve added it to my Medellin bucket list for next time.
Check availability for the city paragliding experience and the waterfall paragliding tour here!
4. Go on a Coffee Tour
Everybody knows that some of the best coffee beans in the world come from Colombia. They treasure their coffee, and they are experts in making you treasure it as well. I have to say it’s delicious, and even if you are not much of a coffee drinker, you will notice the special flavor of Colombian coffee.
There are many coffee bean plantations around so taking a coffee tour from Medellin is a no-brainer. My pick is this private coffee farm tour where you’ll learn everything about the process of growing and roasting coffee right from the owners. It’s incredible the amount of love they put into every step of the way, from planting the seeds to pouring the freshly brewed coffee into a cup.
This tour takes around 4 to 5 hours, and it includes transportation, snacks, coffee (of course!), and a guide. It runs at multiple departure times throughout the day and only costs $69 USD for a small group tour, or $99 USD for a private tour. From picking the beans yourself to learning how to make their traditional tintico, this tour will make you appreciate this product like never before – just look at all of the 5-star reviews here!
Secure your spot on your coffee tour here and don’t pay a cent until just before you leave!
5. Go on a Bicycle Tour of the City
A bike tour through Medellin can be a great way to get an introduction to the city.
If it’s your first time in Medellin, I highly recommend you book this half-day bike tour in Medellin, which costs only $26 USD per person. Your local guide will take you safely through the streets to all of the city’s main highlights and lesser-known places off the beaten path. You will also stop along the way for snacks, coffee, and beer of course!
We had so much fun on this tour and got to explore so much more than if we were walking. We also stopped by places that I never would have gone to had I been on my own. This is a great tour to get to know Medellin and its streets and the guide provided many recommendations on other places to visit during our time in Medellin.
This bike tour includes everything you need such as a guide, bike, helmet, and refreshments (some snacks and tea/coffee). If you’re not a first-timer in Medellin, then this tour is a great way to explore new places you probably didn’t know about before!
Check the availability of this popular city bike tour here!
6. Join a Comuna 13 Tour
No trip to Medellin is complete without a visit to Comuna 13. This neighborhood was once one of the most unsafe areas in all of Medellin, but today it is quite the opposite and boasts beautiful graffiti, views over the city, and a lively atmosphere.
Nowadays, Comuna 13 has been transformed and it’s a safe place for tourists to visit. The best way to enjoy Communa 13 is on a guided tour in Medellin. You will learn about the history of the area and check out some of the amazing street art. It’s the perfect way to see up close just how much Medellin has changed and how everything you’ve heard online might not be as true as you think.
This highly-rated walking tour costs only $21 USD and runs multiple times throughout the day. We love that this tour includes drone videos and photos of the experience, which make the perfect souvenir!
In all honesty, before joining a tour I was a little nervous about visiting. However, after a tour of the area, we actually returned on our own to explore some more. This area is definitely one of our favorite places to explore in Medellin and we know it will be yours too!
Book your Comuna 13 tour online here to get FREE 24-hour cancellation!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
7. Ride an ATV Through the Mountains
Beautiful mountains surround the city of Medellin, and the best way to see them (in my opinion) is by ATV!
On this private half-day quad tour, you will have the time of your life driving through the mountains with an expert guide. And since it’s a private tour, only your group will participate. We think this makes the experience more fun since there are fewer people on the trail and the tour feels super personalized.
During my stay in the city, I knew I needed to head out to explore the mountains, and doing this ATV tour was the most fun way to do it. The trails are perfect, with many hills, dirt roads, and magnificent views of the city. Plus, we covered a ton of ground and spent about 5 hours exploring!
It costs $170 USD which includes roundtrip transportation from Medellin, all the necessary gear and safety equipment, insurance, souvenir photos, and a traditional Colombian lunch at a trout farm.
This tour takes a total of 5 hours, and you can stop at any point to take pictures or simply rest and breathe in the mountain air. Our guide was so nice and fun and even took us past some really incredible waterfalls. I loved the tour and got to see a side of Medellin most don’t, which is the best way to travel!
If you’re ready to book your ATV mountain adventure, check availability here!
8. Learn the History of Pablo Escobar
This activity is one of the most popular tours in Medellin, but also the most controversial. Pablo Escobar was not a nice person and that’s important to remember. In fact, many people who live in Medellin have stories to tell about some of the terrible things that have affected them or someone they know.
For that reason, we have still never done a Pablo Escobar tour. However, those interested can certainly join a tour and learn from a local guide about his history and how it’s affected the country.
On this specific tour, you’ll learn about Pablo Escobar’s impact on the city and visit lots of places around Medellin significant to the drug trafficker – including his grave. The half-day tour has both a morning and afternoon departure for $86 USD. There is also an option to add on a visit to La Catedral, the vacation home where Pablo Escobar served his jail sentence for an extra charge.
This tour won’t be for everyone, but if you don’t learn from the past you’re doomed to repeat it, right?
Learn all about Pablo Escobar on this highly-rated tour, which you can book here!
9. Go Horseback Riding
If the ATVs are too extreme or you simply want a more tranquil experience, you can take this private half-day horseback riding tour through the mountains around Medellin instead. I personally have not done this tour as I am allergic to horses, but I wanted to mention it because my friends did this tour and absolutely loved it!
The best part is they offer different types of tours according to your experience level. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable, and my friends felt like they customized the entire ride for them. They are experienced riders, so they got to explore some pretty challenging trails during the 6.5 miles (10.4 kilometer) ride.
My friends also said the horses were lovely and calm, but the best part was the beautiful views of the countryside along the way. This private tour costs $106 USD per person (much cheaper than the ATV tour), and it includes transportation to and from the hotel.
Read all of the 5-star reviews and secure your spot here!
10. Visit La Ceja Nature Reserve
Ziplines and high-strung hammocks are not activities for everyone. But if you have an adventurous soul like mine, then you should not miss visiting the La Ceja Nature Reserve while in Medellin!
Imagine yourself just taking a nap on a hammock hung at 492 feet above the ground (or better, don’t if you suffer from vertigo). Enjoy the gorgeous surroundings and beautiful forest while chilling on one of these high-strung hammocks. Sounds like a story to tell your grandkids, right?
If you are up for the challenge, then the easiest way to visit is by booking this full-day private tour. Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Medellin and take you to La Ceja Nature Reserve, where you will hike to a beautiful waterfall, go ziplining, and test your nerves on one of these hanging hammocks.
For $199 USD, the tour includes transportation, a guide, all the activities mentioned before, and insurance. However, you have to take/buy your own food and drinks.
Check availability for this epic day of adventure here!
Related Read: For more detailed travel info, read our huge guide to visiting and traveling around Colombia!
Where to Stay in Medellin, Colombia
With so much to see in and around Medellin, chances are you’ll need a solid place to stay in this city so you can explore! And luckily, it’s one of the best places to see in all of South America.
However, picking the right area to stay in a big city can affect your experience, and Medellin is no different. For most people, safety in Medellin is the most important factor when deciding where to stay. Below are the best areas to stay in Medellin along with accommodation options for all budgets.
El Poblado
This vibrant upper-class neighborhood offers amazing nightlife, top restaurants with cuisine from all over the world, and a safe friendly atmosphere. The streets in El Poblado are safe to wander day and night providing you use some care when it’s really late.
This area is a perfect base to explore other parts of the city and the area I recommend staying in Medellin. It’s also the starting point for many of the best tours in Medellin and tours to Guatapé. Some places I recommend staying are:
Los Patios Hostel – A great budget option for backpackers. this hostel is famous in Medellin, and the place is beautiful. There’s a rooftop swimming pool, communal spaces, and a fun terrace. Rooms are themed according to different regions in the country which is a nice touch. While dorm beds aren’t the cheapest (starting at $30 USD), the reviews and standards are really good. You can also easily book on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
14 Urban Hotel – This medium-budget hotel is stunning and perfectly located in El Poblado. The rooms are spacious and modern, the staff is friendly, and the price includes a delicious breakfast. Plus, this hotel can cost as little as $93 USD a night when booked in advance.
Café Hotel Medellín – Cafe Hotel is your typical hotel and comes with everything you’d expect from classic hotel brands such as Hilton. The location is a little up the hill from the main restaurant and bar area of El Poblado, but this makes it much more of a quiet stay. It has a beautiful view and a rooftop jacuzzi which is perfect for relaxing after a long tour! Rooms start from $120 USD on Booking.com.
For luxury travelers, Elcielo Hotel & Restaurant is easily the best choice. Not only is it still affordable (starting at $319 USD), but the hotel comes with a fantastic location, luxurious rooms, a swimming pool, a spa and wellness center, a fitness center, and fantastic views of the city. It’s beautifully decorated, and the quality of the service and on-site food is superb. It’s a popular choice, so best to book this one ahead of time.
Laureles
Laureles is another upmarket neighborhood that’s a great area for tourists to stay. This area is where the stadium in Medellin is located, and it’s very similar to El Poblado. The reason I like Laureles is that it’s closer to downtown and more central so you don’t have to travel as far to visit many attractions in Medellin. Some places to stay in Laureles are:
The Wandering Paisa Backpackers Hostel is a top choice for backpackers in Laureles. It has a fantastic atmosphere perfect for meeting other travelers, a great location, and clean facilities. What more could you want? Plus, a bed in a shared dorm starts from just $11 USD a night. You can check availability and book on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Hotel Vivre – If you want a quiet and comfortable stay then Hotel Vivre will suit you. It’s right off the strip with lots of shops, bars, and restaurants nearby. The rooms here are modern and clean, and breakfast is included in the room rate (which begins at just $66 USD).
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Now, you should be completely ready to visit Medellin, Colombia. With all the amazing things to do in Medellin, I’m certain you’ll fall in love with the city (like we did!). In fact, after your first visit, I’m sure you’ll find yourself already planning your return trip (also like we did!)
If you found this blog helpful, be sure to read our other blogs about Colombia including a few related reads below:
Guide to the Old City in Cartagena