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City in Colombia
Photo: DAIRO CORREA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Medellín is the second largest city in Colombia. It has 2.62 million residents (2024) and is the capital of the department of Antioquia. It's set in a valley running south to north and just a one-hour flight from Bogotá. For international travelers, Medellín is perhaps most famous for the Antioquia Museum, with its extensive collection of Botero paintings inside and Botero sculptures outside on its main plaza. The city is also known for its perfect climate with its nickname "city of the eternal spring".
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A collection of contemporary art including many pieces, paintings and sculptures of Fernando Botero, one of the most important sculptors in the world. The Plaza Botero holds several large sculptures just in front of the museum and is free of charge.
Represents the merge of six collections: Visual Arts, Natural Science, University History, Galileo Interactive Room, Human Being and Anthropology. The attraction for foreigners is the Anthropology Collection which has the largest number in Colombia of pre-Columbian ceramic pieces, with near 20,000 objects. It's in Bloque 15 of the University's main campus.
Was local writer also known as The Philosopher from somewhere else or Otraparte which gives name to the home. A good opportunity to see an old traditional home with gardens, personal belongings and know more about his legacy. M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM. Cra 43A # 27A Sur - 11 Avenida Fernando González (in the nearby town of Envigado), phone +57 4 276 1415 or 335 2501. The closest Metro station is Envigado then take a cab or bus, the walk is almost 2 km mostly uphill.
Shows artwork by this local artist. M-Sa 9AM - 5PM. Sundays and Holidays 10AM - 4PM. Not near the Metro, closest stations are Prado or Hospital.
A 'please touch museum', great for kids. Tu-F 8AM- 5:30PM, Sa Su 11AM-5:30PM. Closed Mondays (or Tuesdays after a holiday Monday). Cra 57 # 42-139, located on Parque de los Piés Descalzos and next door to the Plaza Mayor convention center. Phone +57 4 380 6950. Metro station Alpujarra or Cisneros.
A large display of everyday use articles crafted by natives from all over the country. Tools, textiles, bijouterie, pottery, little boats, small tents. Cra 81, No. 52B-120. The museum is off the beaten path, closest Metro station is Floresta but the walk is over 1 km.
Park of wishes
Near Antioquia's University, has an Indian context, beautifully imbued with the planetarium and large display of science experiments. You can find free open air movies and discussions with film directors Saturdays at 7PM. Metro station Universidad.
o de la luz - Plaza of Light
In the heart of the city, it borders some beautiful buildings from the 1920s, the EPM library, and a sector that was full of drugs and poverty many years ago, but is now a place to visit and have a great time. Metro station Alpujarra.
Botanical Gardens
Mid-size gardens with a vast collection of orchids and many tropical flowers, plants and trees and a beautiful lake. Unfortunately no information is provided on the plants except for their name - thus, bring a smartphone for lookup up information on Wikipedia if you are botanically curious. The covered area for display of flowers is an architectural marvel. The annual orchid exhibit every August is world class. Closed for one or two days each month for private events - check their website. Also has a purportedly good restaurant.
Zoologico Santa Fe
Around 1,000 animals are displayed here.
There are two cable car extensions of the Metro: For the line K take a metro train to Acevedo station and from there take the Metrocable up to Santo Domingo for a nice view over the city. The cablecar is included in your metroticket. Go during the day and walk around to see what working-class people live like. The area at the top sees tourists so there are little stands set up and people selling empanadas and other things. You can stop at a little bar and have a beer. Don't stray too far or off the beaten path in this neighborhood, though. For those so inclined, there are young people that give tours waiting at the top wearing t-shirts that said "guia" (guide).
From Santo Domingo you can take the line L to have an even better view over the city and ride some time over a forest to the Parque Arví. Taking this touristic line costs COP$11,150 (December 2022). The last departure from Parque Arví is 18:00.
Also recommended is taking the metrocable located at San Javier up to La Aurora (J line). Although there is nothing special to see or do at the top of the cable car route, the trip itself is longer and more interesting than the cable car that goes to Santo Domingo.
An excellent paragliding company that will take you flying over Medellin where you will be able so see the aburra valley from the sky. Experience some beautiful scenery such as the waterfalls around the launch point. Easy paragliding Medellin will take you flying farther if you wish to explore the nearby towns of San Jeronimo and Santafe de Antioquia. All while flying like a bird. If your family is in for a long vacation you can also learn to fly in Medellín. To get there get the bus to San Pedro de los milagros from north terminal at Caribe metro station. Ask for el Voladero.
Digital equipment. See the outer space at the Planetarium. Cra 52 # 71 - 112 at Parque de los Deseos. Metro station Universidad.
Do a visit to an old Cemetery (Cementerio de San Pedro) where former presidents and beautiful sculpted graveyards are found. Metro stations Hospital or Universidad.
amusement park that is almost more like a carnival in terms of the caliber of some of the rides, although it does have a boat ride that goes by dinosaur statues, botanical gardens and lagoon from which you can obtain great views of the valley, and Christmas ornamentation. Given few rides, long lines, etc, may not be worth the price.
Fundacion Camino al Sol
A retreat center located in the Yaogará nature reserve. Offers traditional yagé ceremonies, farm-to-table meals, and eco-lodging in the Colombian Andes.
Mexican - Seafood
Restaurant and bar. Overlooks town, great outdoors.
Nice skirt steak and other options here.
Mexican
Authentic Mexican food. Basic wine list.
Nice lunch menu where you choose your main and sides along with rice. Also has a salad bar.
At the Museo de Arte Moderno
Great outdoors. Easy free parking
in Envigado
Next door to the museum. Open-air and open-minded café.
Middle Eastern cuisine
Mainly Lebanese dishes in this unpretentious restaurant. Good food.
vegetarian
Well served vegan dishes, low in salt - hey, the use of salt shaker is free.
Restaurant along carrera Junin downtown has basic Argentinean fare at reasonable prices.
Daily menu, burgers.
vegetarian
Vegetarian burgers (chickpeas and lentils), Mexican vegan, lasagnas. Also features a Poblado location at Carrera 35 # 8A-75
A famous and traditional local restaurant with tow locations in town, and one additional in Miami for the homesick. Offers a local soup made up with tripe. If not adventurous you can go for regular beans and other delicacies. Additional location in El Poblado Calle 10 # 38 -38, +57 4 312 2346.
Dessert house
Traditional cakes, pastries and desserts. Tea house. Metrostation Parque Berrio.
Great desserts, pastries and the locally famous 'Pastel de Gloria' filled with guava paste and arequipe. Also downtown at Ave. La Playa Carrera 45 # 50-64. Many locations throughout town.
Local dishes
Great food for the last 30 years. Mostly meat, regional dishes. Decorated as an old farm. Also outdoor areas
Steak & Seafood
Short and exquisite menu.
Molecular cuisine
Molecular cooking is a complex science, here you can sit down and enjoy it. Ignorance is bliss.
Cafe
Modern cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Eggs any style, bacon or French toast. Sandwiches (ciabatta or baguette), salads (Caesar, tuna, Thai or Italian), delicious coffee and fruit juices.
Jardín Botánico
Reservations recommended. Nice restaurant located in the middle of the Botanical Gardens. The menu offers a combination of local food, some organic choices and all plates are well presented. Outside the restaurant there is a little garden with herbs and aromatic plants.
Milonga & Tango Dance Academy
A dance academy with good turnout.
A popular place with cross-over music (a mix of rock and local music). It's popular with gringos and 'gringo hunters'. Thursday is the night to go.
A new venue with great views over Medellín. Very popular with the beautiful, in-crowd and normally plays cross-over music.
The name translates as "hovel," which can only be thought of as a tearm of endearment for this salsa club. It's actually very nice inside, with decor somewhere between arabesque and neon plus chandeliers. There is a fair amount of room to dance, including a space on the wonderful courtyard patio/garden in the back. Sundays are the best nights, when all sorts of great salseros and salseras converge in this part of town for the party.
Salsa & Tropical
Probably the most famous salsa club in the city, with live bands Tu Th (it's more or less closed the rest of the week). The name of the place plays with words: Hot -or Burning- Link instead of Missing Link. It's fairly small inside, but the dancing spills well into the street. There are tables inside, if you are looking to just watch, but they are claimed way before the party gets started. Its location downtown warrants some precaution.
The biggest club in Medellín and has a capacity of 3,000 people. Standard crossover music with a boxing ring for girl-fights!
Opposite El Blue, offers electronic music and local music.
Dance club
Large 2-story dance club with mostly gay clientele
Very dark inside with lots of neon.
5 puertas
Has been a classic for local crowds for over 30 years. Informal, beer, chat.
Tango bar
Since 1973, has been the meeting place for tango lovers. Live music, dance.
Tango and Bolero bar
A classic bar right downtown. All social classes mingle here with nice music and local drinks. Dance. Only half a block away from the main Metrostation San Antonio (Lines A and B).
Mi Pueblo
The whole place is a replica of a traditional 'paisa' town. The locals from the village will greet you and be your host, ask you to dance and party all together. Every midnight is new years' eve. Really fun.
Tangos, boleros.
Tango, et al.
An affordable and safe hotel in the center of town. All the basic amenities, including broadcast TV, hot water, lock boxes. Restaurant on site. Extremely friendly and helpful staff.
All the basic amenities including cable TV, hot water, mini stereo system in rooms. Pretty dingy.
Probably the cheapest decent hotel in town. Despite the price, it is clean and safe. Cable TV, hot water, laundry on site.
The most traditional hotel in Medellín, now a tad rundown. Great architecture. Just across the street from Museo de Antioquia. Fax: +57 4 231 3713
65 rooms, standard rooms, junior rooms and suites, all equipped with air-conditioning, mini-bar and Wi-Fi access. Facilities and services are bar, events room and fitness room/gym.
The cheapest hotel in this area. Clean, modern, nice rooms. Friendly staff. Bar next door plays loud music until 3am.
Pretty sleek exterior with glass and cement pattern. Has a restaurant/bar, wifi, a/c, free breakfast, few fitness machines for working that bagel off.
a Wyndham hotel
The newest hotel in the area.
Bonus is their free buffet breakfast in their Jardines restaurant. Also has wifi, a/c.
Very block-style-like, but it comes with a continental breakfast and has a restaurant/bar, terrace, wifi, and a/c.
A nice and traditional hotel in town. Suburban location. Large rooms, convention center.
Very fancy and elegant for the price, excellent service. Nice surroundings with many restaurants, gym, coffee house.
Estelar
In the Golden Mile. Has a pleasant garden where meals can be taken. Free Wi-Fi.
Nice swimming pool area.
Estelar
Over 150 rooms. Toll free calling within Colombia 01 8000 97 8000
Located in the area called “The Golden Mile”.
A Radisson hotel
The least expensive hotel in this area. Clean and modern rooms, but musky. Opened in early May 2009. Friendly staff. Wider range of cable TV than most inexpensive hotels. Internet computers and Wi-Fi included. Free parking.
Comfortable and spacious suites in a modern building. Moderate prices.
An exclusive hotel with exemplary service, modern amenities, and idyllic surroundings. Located in one of the most beautiful areas of Medellín. Short walk to Parque Lleras. Wi-Fi, pool and recreation deck available.
Santa Ana is not as nice as the other hotels in El Poblado, but its proximity to the Metro is a breakpoint for many tourists. There is not much to do in La Aguacatala. Breakfast included.
Spacious loft-style rooms with high ceilings, some with private terrace. A real boutique hotel near Lleras Park, but quiet and safe.
Only 14 large rooms with good service. Spanish courses available. The hotel arranges great tours outside the city.
Mobile +57 300 216 3744. A boutique hotel with decor inspired by all Colombian regions.
International Airport Hotel
Nice suburban hotel with beautiful grounds. Not noisy. Toll-Free from Colombia: 018000 940 440.
On-site Spanish lessons, BBQ every Sunday. Operated by a helpful Kiwi expat named Kelvin. Two meters long European sized beds, en suite bathrooms, hot power showers, airy rooms, fully equipped kitchen, 5 computers with high speed internet access.
Great foreign-run backpacker hostel, with cheap dorm beds and private rooms, and a new addition with nicer private rooms and suites. High speed internet, free Wi-Fi, TV with satellite. Terraces and patios, a fully equipped guest kitchen, laundry service, pool table, and lockers in the dorm rooms. Great atmosphere and good customer service and travel information.
hostaltamarindo@gmail.com
Calm, warm and friendly atmosphere, great service, clean comfortable rooms, bathrooms and social areas, hot water all day, a fully equipped open kitchen, free linens and towels, lockers, DVD movies, no curfew, free Wi-Fi, internet service, laundry service, keyless entry and complete tourist information.
24 hour staffed office, free internet and Wi-Fi, dormitories and private rooms, linen included, hot showers, laundry service, bar, book exchange, free bicycle, cable TV with over 100 channels, DVD movies. Hammocks, free BBQ on Fridays, fully equipped kitchen, free bag storage, free coffee and breakfast.
Run by an amazing guy named Alejandro who goes out of his way help you experience medellin. Seriously plush and very clean for a hostel, and close to the more up-market bars around El Poblado. Internet, plush lounge, kitchen, free tea & coffee, laundry service. Alejandro and his sidekick, also Alejandro, clean the rooms daily and even offered to do the dishes after cooking dinner!
Brand new hostel which is steps away from the main night-life in town. Extra large compartmentalized private bunk beds. US TV programming, DVD, laundry, bilingual staff, pool table, free internet, WiFi, XBOX-360, private lockers, 24 hour reception, events, tour information, kitchen, hot water. Owner is American with plenty of experience in Medellín. Sports Bar located in the hostel (see 'Eat' section).
New hostel with comfortable beds, included linen, Nintendo Wii, free wifi, bar, laundry service, hammocks, sun deck/patio, rooftop terrace, library, 24 hour hot water, bilingual staff, lockers, kitchen, tour information, 24 hour reception.
Hostel run by a traveler in a residential area with good connections to public transport. Free, very fast WiFi; awesome, really well-equipped, communal rooftop-kitchen (with lots of fridges for guests to use); laundry for COP$10,000 per load. Work & travel-friendly. Free sports facilities just across the road, huge mall and supermarket within 5 minutes walking distance. Small shop downstairs for snacks and drinks. Non-smoking except for balconies and rooftop. Very helpful and caring staff.
A place with comfortable beds and great breakfast. Extremely friendly owners.
A large shopping mall located in an unusual location: in very steep mountain overriding a creek. Many upscale stores, technology shops and good restaurants. El Tesoro is bilingual; they have an Information Center where tourists can get any information in English, every day from 2PM to 9:30PM. Furthermore, it is possible to access this service calling 321 10 10 ext 111-112. And just for tourists to go shopping without any problem, the mall made a brochure with all the terms and expressions they need, in English and Spanish. Ask for it at the information desks.
Large shopping area with nearby hotels and restaurants.
The first shopping mall built in Colombia over 30 years ago is still a nice place to stroll, eat and of course shop. You will find good prices for top notch merchandise.
Centro comercial
Premium Plaza has more than 115,000 m², with 1,427 cells free parking, over 350 shops to choose from entertainment, shopping, large financial services five banks, cinemas in 35mm and 3D formats, gym, amusement park, two squares of meals, the largest casino in the city and synthetic soccer courts.
Centro comercial
2 blocks from Poblado metro station. This mall is the place to go for anything computer or cell phone related. Many small shops selling all manner of electronic equipment and accessories. There is also a 5-screen movie theatre in this mall as well as a salon offering excellent massages (store #126).
The mall opened May 2010. 5 levels of shopping, entertainment, and food.
By bus
Medellín has two bus terminals (North and South) managed by the same company and share a single website. Both terminals have mid-size shopping malls in the premises.
By car
There are four roads leading to Medellín from all cardinal points. From Bogota you can take Autopista Medellín and head west 7–9 hours with beautiful scenery.
By public transport
Moovit and Google Maps find you a way through the city. Moovit has more local bus lines included.
By taxi
Taxis are cheap and plentiful. All taxis have meters, make sure they use them. Minimal fee costs about COP$5,500.
By sightseeing tour
There is also the TuriBus, a modern bus that goes around the city showing its parks, attractive neighborhoods, and historical parts.
By outdoor escalators
This unusual system allows underserved indwellers to climb up the mountains in the way to their homes, the escalators go up equivalent of a 28-story building. Rides are free.
By car
Renting a car in Medellín, Colombia can enhance your visit, so it's definitely worth considering. Take a day trip to Santa Fe de Antioquia, Santa Helena, El Peñol or Llano Grande in Rionegro.
By scooter or motorbike
Since the steep hills of Medellín stops many tourists from biking, an appealing alternative is to rent a scooter or motorbike/motorcycle.
By bike
Biking is not easy in the city since many neighborhoods are in the hills.
Orientation
Most of the city of Medellín is built on a grid system. Carreras (streets) are abbreviated as Cr, Cra, K, kra or Crs and run parallel to the river from south to north.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Medellín · Regional · EOH
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