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27 Best Things To Do In Medellin, Colombia

DBy Destinations.ai | August 21, 2023
0 min read
27 Best Things To Do In Medellin, Colombia

Medellin, where the emerald mountains kiss the cityscape, is where the enigmatic whispers meld with the clamorous pulse of salsa and the smell of brewing coffee. A rebellious whisper in Colombia’s vibrant Latin America tapestry, Medellin marries the sultry with the spiritual, the contemporary with the historical throughout your entire trip. Cocooned within this city of ‘eternal spring’ are twenty intoxicating chapters, each a testament to its pulsating heart, each a metamorphosed butterfly wing within this wonderland.

Let’s take a long, heady draft of Medellin, and maybe one of the local beer brands, for experiencing this city isn’t just about ticking off a to-do list of tourist sites; it’s about steeping oneself in its essence, letting your senses shape your own narrative of this unique cityscape. So, lace up your wanderlust sneakers and set off on this journey of discovery as we unwrap the twenty things to do in Medellin, your personalized roadmap of delightful intrigue and unexpected allure through the city’s veins.

Things To Do In Medellin, Colombia

1. Parque Explora: An Astral Journey In Colombian Eden

Explora Park in Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
oscar garces / Shutterstock.com

Address: Cra. 52 #73-75, Aranjuez, Medellín, Aranjuez, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Veins of anticipation flutter like butterfly wings as you step into the Parque Explora. Lost beneath the sultry Medellin canopy, this Eden unfolds like a dream, where science meets wonder and reality blurs into imagination. A world within a world where aquatic wonders co-mingle with exceptional beings hailing from the deepest recesses of the terrestrial realm, often unseen by ordinary eyes.

It’s more than just exhibits here – it’s a shift in perception. Illuminated in ethereal hues of blue and green, Explora aquarium immerses you into the hidden depths of Amazonian wonders you can appreciate visiting Medellin. Alongside, the vivarium offers an unruly symphony of dart frogs and emerald boas, where you see nature, wild and intimate.

Then, look to the stars. Under the cosmic ceiling of the Planetarium, you grasp our tiny existence in the celestial puzzle. In Parque Explora, life’s curiosities and endless mysteries intertwine below Medellin’s brilliant sky, stirring souls with a sublime infusion of knowledge, beauty, and the transcendent rhythm of the cosmos.

2. Plaza Botero – Medellín, Antioquia

Activity in the Botero Plaza. Sculptures by Fernando Botero, a famous artist from Medellin
Alejo Miranda / Shutterstock.com

Address: Av. Carabobo, La Candelaria, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

In the beating heart of Medellín, Plaza Botero throbs with unabashed exuberance. Walking here is a revelation – a place where the hard reality of Antioquia’s streets harmoniously collides with the flamboyant world of art. You may find yourself lingering in the voluptuous shadows cast by the 23 statues, a generous gift from Colombia’s prodigal son, Fernando Botero. Horizontally challenged warriors, rotund lovers, pudgy animals – his distorted bronze dreamscape is nothing short of monumental.

Every stony curve at Plaza Botero deploys a magnetic lure, and the crowd of local markets — a swirling palette of unabated humanity: local artists sketching inspiration, love-struck couples, market hawkers, cooing pigeons — completes this kinetic canvas. But, here, caution has a home alongside beauty. Hold determination in your steps, awareness in your eyes. Yet, don’t let vigilance douse your spirit. For underneath the spectacle and cautionary tales, Medellín beats to a rhythm that sizzles with bold, compelling veracity.

3. Museum of Antioquia

Museum of Antioquia, Medellin historical center in sunny weather
mehdi33300 / Shutterstock.com

Address: Av. Carabobo, La Candelaria, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

From the moment you set foot on the grand entryway of the Museum of Antioquia, you’re not just stepping onto Colombian soil. You’re stepping into a bustling, infectious labyrinth of visual stories and audacious art, each piece whispering a tale of rebellious spirit and fervor. This museum is a love letter to the soul of Colombia — a captivating blend of pre-Columbian gold, colonial religious art, and modern work from local legend Botero.

Forget the sterile whiteness and bland quietude of typical museums. Here, your senses will overfill with the bold colors of life-sized sculptures, enlightening whispers of guided tours and explanations, and the pungent tang of spent paint lingering in the air. No visitor is immune to the museum’s entrancing charm, and every turn presents yet another facet of this complex, enigmatic city, epitomized by the gentle curves and rolling form of the plush Botero figures. So, hear its call. Emerge with your heart a little heavier, your soul a bit inspired, and your grasp of the Colombian ethos considerably richer. The Museum of Antioquia doesn’t just exhibit art and special events; it showcases the unyielding spirit of visiting Medellin.

4. El Castillo Museum and Gardens

The El Castillo Museum is a museum of the city, Built in the year 1930
Luis Echeverri Urrea / Shutterstock.com

Address: Av. Carabobo, La Candelaria, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Injecting a dosage of Euro-Latin wonder into Colombia’s vibrant tapestry, the El Castillo Museum, and Gardens unfurls across the city’s leafy outskirts like an elegant fairy-tale manifesto. Anchored in the Colombian heartland, this sprawling Castillo (castle) echoes with the rustle of bygone centuries even in Medellin’s modernity. Reeks of Santiago-style panorama whisper through richly adorned hallways while seemingly endless gardens devoid of crowds seductively sprawl, draped in sun-dappled serenity.

A neo-Gothic facsimile built by an eccentric entrepreneur, the castle world envelops you in a cocktail of history and sensuous exploration. Stand in hallways pulsating with the echoes of art: Porcelain figurines whispering secrets of craftsmen from Bogota, oil paintings sporting sun-kissed landscapes of Guatape and beyond. And yet, the spell isn’t complete without sinking into the interlacing garden trails, accompanied by the scent of flowering Antioquian flora that gently trespasses the bounds of the labyrinthine hedges.

Wave goodbye to the mundane and dash into Medellin’s heart through this enticing detour – just a ripe strawberry away, waiting to be savored. The El Castillo Museum is an enticing parchment of Colombia’s beauty written at the quill of nature and history to be deciphered by the adventurous. It promises a rendezvous with Medellin’s soul, steady on its perpetual Colombian waltz.

5. Parque de Los Pies Descalzos

Parque de Los Pies Descalzos in Medellin
Edgar Jiménez from Porto, Portugal / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Address: Cra. 58 #42-125, La Candelaria, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

In downtown Medellin, hidden among the towering steel giants and pulsing city life, lies an oasis of tranquility that answers to the name of Parque de Los Pies Descalzos, or Barefoot Park. Let the city’s beats simmer as you step onto the cool Zen-like sand, shedding your footwear to embrace a primal earthly connection. Lulled by the soft murmur of bamboo trees, navigate your way through reflexology stones, a surprising yet invigorating testament to Colombian tradition. The reflective labyrinth of bamboo mirrors entices contemplation, harnessing the park’s innate ability to coax peace from chaos. Do not fret about the closure of the aquatic exhibits; the park’s symphony plays on with the rustling bamboo and subtle city hum, punctuated only by the laughter of children mastering the art of being in the moment. Once a city that required nervy deliberation, Medellin now stands bold, offering pockets of serenity like Barefoot Park, commandingly in the ever-changing symphony of city life.

6. Memory House Museum

Main entrance of the Museo Casa de la Memoria (House of Memory Museum)
Bruno M Photographie / Shutterstock.com

Address: Parque Bicentenario, Cl. 51 #36-66, La Candelaria, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

There’s a pulsating heartbeat in Medellin that traces back beyond the glimmer of its present renewal, past the shadowy days of Pablo Escobar, into a vibrant tapestry of history, culture, and resilience. The Memory House Museum exudes this very heartbeat. Stepping inside is like being gently whisked through the current of time, propelled by the undercurrent of stories that shaped this enigmatic city. Here, among the silent hallways, you’ll confront hard truths and bitter tragedies through arresting visuals.

Yet, it’s not just about reliving the turmoil; it’s about acknowledging the spirit of Antioquia that eclipsed it. An encounter with thought-provoking displays of art, personal testimonies, and gripping timelines is not a visit; it’s a journey. A tale spun from the city’s troubled memory only to transfigure it into its timeless resilience. An indispensable ensemble of Medellin’s identity, the Memory House Museum will stir the traveler in you, compelling you to delve deeper into this city’s soulful narrative.

Address: Parque Bicentenario, Cl. 51 #36-66, La Candelaria, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

7. Pueblito Paisa, A Colonial Spark In A Modern Metropolis

"Pueblito Paisa" in Medellín, Colombia
Matthieu Berrone / Shutterstock

Address: Pueblito Paisa Medellín, Belén, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Immerse yourself in the bygone era at the Pueblito Paisa, a mini-antique haven in the heart of Medellin’s modern hustle. As you mount Nutibara Hill, the calm intensifies, guiding you towards a reflective plaza, a replica of the traditional Colombian hamlets of yesteryears. The cobblestone path sings tales of simplicity, leading the way to a peaceful church, terracotta-roofed white houses, and a quaint museum. The aroma from humble eateries wafts in, reminding you of an abuela’s loving kitchen. Here, you don’t simply observe; you experience; indulge in ‘arepas’, as rich cultural layers unravel in every bite, or simply seduce your senses with the panorama view of Medellin’s cityscape from above. Pueblito Paisa, stark amidst Medellin’s techno-charged pulse, is a timeless pause — a simulacrum of forgotten times that lives today, enticing explorers into the sweet nostalgia of an old South America pueblo.

8. Medellin Modern Art Museum

Medellin Modern Art Museum, Medellin
Mark Pitt Images / Shutterstock.com

Address: Cra. 44 #19a-100, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Let’s step into the realm of the creatively resplendent when you visit Medellin Modern Art Museum – hauntingly resonant, whispering tales of a storied past while reverberating with the pulse of now. Nestled between the labyrinthine streets, it bears a stark geometric visage, arresting in its starkness. Yet, within its linear confines, the chaos of life explodes. Swirling, vivid canvases flirt with brooding sculptures, each piece a seductive riddle waiting to be unraveled. Shadows and light play their eternal game, unveiling and shrouding stories in a dance as old as time. Here, the soul of Antioquia breathes – raw, unvarnished, and battle-scarred – yet flourishing, like a phoenix perpetually reborn from its ashes. With every footstep in this cathedral of imagination, you inch closer to the heartbeat of South America, its past, its present, and its unchartered future. A visit to the museum is not just recommended – it’s a poetic imperative for every wanderer.

9. Lleras Park: The Crown Jewel of Medellin

A view of a street art gallery in Lleras Park in Medellin Colombia
Chrispictures / Shutterstock

Address: Cl. 73 #51d-14, Aranjuez, Medellín, Aranjuez, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Nestled amidst the pulsating beat of Medellin, Lleras Park is not merely a park but an immersive embodiment of Colombian ethos. With a palate-tingling mosaic of restaurants, it’s a paradise for the epicureans, serving sizzling arepas and chilled aguardiente as an overture to its rich gourmet sonnet. Here, the energy of daytime hustle yields to the seductive allure of nighttime revelries, an intertwining dance drenched in Latin rhythm.

Time seems to dissolve in its cobbled streets where every turn unveils a spectacle – a bustling café, an avant-garde art gallery, or an inviting local boutique. The air, thick with streaks of joyous laughter and intense debates, tells a story of a city reborn, a tango between past hardships and present prosperity. As the setting sun accompanies the last notes of a street musician’s guitar, Lleras Park’s enchantment will make travel-weary souls confess – yes, Medellin was indeed worth the visit.

See Related: Most Romantic Getaways in the World: Destinations for Couples

10. Jardín Botánico de Medellín – The Garden of Life

Botanical Garden of Medellin Joaquín Antonio Uribe
oscar garces / Shutterstock.com

Address: Cl. 73 #51d-14, Aranjuez, Medellín, Aranjuez, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

In the verdant heart of Medellín, you’ll find the Jardín Botánico, a sprawling oasis that seems to hum softly with the rhythm and pulse of nature herself. Here, you’ll trip over serenity at every corner, from the stone pathways meandering through the exotic flora that seems to whisper old tales with the wind to symphonic interludes by chattering parrots in the labyrinthine Orchidarium. Canopy Cafe, nestled under sinewy branches and verdant leaves, serves up an inviting brew, a respite from the world amidst the occasional flutter of butterflies. It isn’t just about taking a pause to appreciate the astonishing biodiversity – It’s an unspoken dialogue, a gratifying symbiosis between man, earth, and sky. Medellin isn’t simply about narcos and nightlife – it’s places like Jardín Botánico that remind you how its rhythm beats in tune with nature, beneath the modern urban thrum. Visiting this lush Eden, you’ll find your own beat syncopating effortlessly with this city.

11. Parque de El Poblado

Parque de El Poblado in Medellín, Colombia
Anderson R / TripAdvisor

Address: El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

Tucked away in Medellin’s beating heart, life bubbles with a fervor that’s infectious: welcome to Parque de El Poblado. An urban tonic of nature intertwined with city life, where locals sip rich Colombian coffee, and visitors find themselves submerged in the middle of a lively Colombian microcosm. This isn’t a sterile tourist trap but a pulsating nucleus in the city.

How do you define the spirit of this place? Imagine titans of palm trees whispering tales while offering shade to conversations below. The morning bird choruses rival the cathedral bells, the peal echoing through the townhouses, a siren call to join the atmosphere. Street vendors weave a tapestry of aromas, from the warm, vigorous scent of arepas to the alluring sweetness of guava pastries.

Savor the rich mosaic – a salsa instructor enthralling bystanders, impromptu chess tournaments on stone tables, children chasing soap bubbles shimmering in technicolor. Parque de El Poblado – a delicious, dizzying sensory feast drenched in Colombian culture at every turn. Here, the allure of Medellin unfolds brilliantly.

12. Parque Natural Cerro El Volador

View of Medellin, Colombia from Cerro el Volador Natural Park at sunset with mountains in background
Kevin Massicotte / Shutterstock

Address: Medellín, Robledo, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

In the heart of Medellín, Colombia’s charismatic city of eternal spring, there’s a landscape alive where past and present intertwine – the renowned Parque Natural Cerro El Volador. Ascending this urban sanctuary, you tread trails worn by generations under a verdant canopy that hums with nature’s melody. The atmosphere is imbued with palpable tranquility – an unlikely retreat from the city’s vivacious rhythm just moments away.

Each footfall brings you closer to exquisite panoramas. The city unravels below: a mesmerizing tapestry of brick red homes nestled against emerald hills – poignant metropolises etched below a cloud-swept sky. To stand atop Cerro El Volador, absorbing the magnetic vistas is to touch Medellín’s soul, to grasp its poignant complexity.

A tour here hints at Medellín’s multifaceted personality – from the whispers of Pre-Columbian history to the hum of modern urban life. A day spent meditating on its insights might just persuade you, as it has many before, that Medellín reserves its most profound experiences for those who dare to seek them out.

13. Water Museum EPM

Water Museum EPM, Medellin
Christophe K / TripAdvisor

Address: Parque de los Pies Descalzos, Cra. 57 #42-139, La Candelaria, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

In the pulsing heart of Medellin, amid its modern skyscrapers and bustling street vendors, the Water Museum EPM serves as an oasis of knowledge. The moment you step inside, your senses will be overtaken by an interactive symphony of technology designed to chart the life-giving journey of water. The exhibit challenges your perceptions, forcing you to connect to this irreplaceable resource in innovative ways.

It’s a world within a world where water droplets become a pulsating rhythm and rainstorms, a captivating ballet in your headphones. Here, the scent of dew-soaked foliage hangs in the air, and the soothing essence of a million raindrops strikes the earth, creating a raw, tactile orchestra.

Cross the threshold, seize that rare opportunity to journey to the heart of the Earth’s veins, learning how they ebb and flow, sustain and devastate. Explore, experience, grow – at the Water Museum EPM, every drop tells a story, conveying the unfiltered core of Medellin’s relationship with water.

14. Parque San Antonio: A Testament To Medellín’s Resiliency

Parque San Antonio in Medellin
Alessandro S / TripAdvisor

Address: Cl 44 #50, La Candelaria, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Immerse yourself in the history and resilience of Medellín at Parque San Antonio. Bathed in the warm Colombian sun, this stalwart plaza tells tales not found in glossy travelogues. At its heart stands Fernando Botero’s eponymous sculpture, now scarred and warped by a devastating 1995 terrorist bombing, a stark reminder of Medellín’s tumultuous past. Yet, there’s beauty in the redemption – right next to it stands a gleaming, undamaged replica, symbolizing the city’s spirit of healing and rebirth. Around these figures, the square hums with life; salsa music resounds while locals play chess in the shadow of history, adding dimensions to the taste of your aromatic tinto coffee, some of the best coffee you’ll ever taste. There’s a palpable sense of energy that’s hard to describe, an enthralling mix of past and present, scars and vitality. It’s here in Parque San Antonio that you truly grasp the remarkable spirit of Medellín, a spirit that endlessly rebuilds, revives, and dances on. Hold this encounter close – it isn’t merely sightseeing; it’s stepping into the living soul of the city.

15. Parque de Bolívar

Parque de Bolívar in Medellin
SajoR / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Address: Cra. 49 #5596, La Candelaria, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Nestled deep in the heart of the architectural prowess of Medellin lies the Parque de Bolívar. Imagine a lush, green oasis of tranquility juxtaposed with the pulsating hum of the city, encapsulating a peculiar Colombian convergence of the contemporary and the classical. The park is an homage to liberator Simón Bolívar, his bronze figure astride a horse serenely observing the city’s thrum. Cool your heels under the century-old trees, watching life’s pageant pass by – enterprising vendors, curious tourists, and local lovebirds, all under the watchful gaze of the stunning Metropolitan Cathedral. Feel the cool stone pressed against your palm, and savor the spice-laden breezes tickling your nostrils from the surrounding food stalls. It’s the perfect place for a walking tour or traditional Colombian food. Lose yourself to the choruses of stories whispered by every cobblestone, every leaf, every laugh. Remember, at Parque de Bolívar, you are not a mere spectator; you become a stitch in the rich, colorful tapestry of Medellin.

16. Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe

Architecture of Rafael Uribe Palace of Culture with beautiful blue sky
oscar garces / Shutterstock.com

Address: Carrera 51 #52 01 Medellín Antioquia 050012, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

The Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe conjures up a sense of other-worldly grandeur right in the heart of Medellin, with architectural influences borrowed from a Gothic fever dream. As you navigate its sage corridors, you can hear the faint echoes of history whispering tales of Colombia’s cultural heritage. The palace invites visitors to lose themselves within its ornate alcoves and grandiose stain-glassed windows, peering into the city’s vibrant soul. The gallery spaces teem with remarkable art—a testimony to Colombia’s thriving creative scene—while scores of informal workshops ignite passions for local craftsmanship. Together, the palace’s imposing structure and informational richness cast an intoxicating spell, leading you deep into the psyche of Medellin’s local culture. Amidst the chaotic thrill of the city, the Palace of Culture stands as an irresistible invite—a beckoning finger into Medellín’s historic heart, a textual mapping of the country’s cultural DNA under one hauntingly beautiful roof. Even the most seasoned traveler would leave the palace not just spellbound but richer.

17. Museum of the City

Museum of the City in Medellin
Museum of the City / Facebook

Address: Cl. 30A #55-64, Medellín, Belén, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Wrap your senses around the throbbing heartbeat of history in the Museum of the City, a jewel tucked away in the labyrinth of Medellin. It whispers stories bound by time, a microcosm of culture painted in bold, rich hues of Colombia’s past. Wander through hushed halls that echo back in decades, where the walls breathe life into tales spanning from pre-colonial times to the city’s pivotal transformation.

As you take a stroll, you stumble upon ethereal relics — each an echo of the city’s spirit, every step, an intimate dance with history. Through the faded sepia photographs, antiquated maps, and delicate artifacts, you feel the pulse of the city, the grit, the perseverance, and the transformation of Medellin. The city’s tale is laid bare here, veined with the gold of culture and dappled by the shadows of the past. A visit to this entrenched echo of bygone days is akin to turning the pages of a well-versed novel – each word inked with the blood and sweat of the beautiful people who call this place home, an unbeaten track awaiting your footfalls.

18. Parque Berrío: A Mosaic of Medellin Life

Pedro Justo Berrio statue in Parque Berrío Medellin
SajoR / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Address: Cl. 50, La Candelaria, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

In the throbbing heart of the city, Parque Berrío unspools the vibrant tapestry of Medellin’s everyday drama. Bathed in warm Colombian sunlight, this urban park etches an authentic image of the city, an intimate conversation between Medellin’s historic past and its audacious future. The timeless Botero sculptures whisper tales of an age-old artistic legacy while the hum of salsa beats pulse through the park – Medellin’s rhythm, a vivid testament to Colombia’s irrepressible spirit.

Underneath the shade of tropical trees, street musicians play unplanned symphonies, their notes sparring with the distant echo of metro trains. Street vendors ply, eyes narrating stories more profound than any tour guide’s recount. You can pass on public transportation and just wander, exploring the city for yourself on your own walking tour.

As daylight dwindles, Parque Berrío flickers with the embers of the setting sun while the city’s night owls perch at the local cafés where the scent of rich tinto lingers heavily in the fading day’s heat. It’s a great place to get some delicious food for dinner. An authentic experience, more than an attraction, Parque Berrío is a richly woven slice of Medellin life.

19. Casa Museo Pablo Escobar

Open-air museum of the famous drug dealer Pablo Escobar in Colombia
Victoria OM / Shutterstock.com

Address: Lower Traverse. El Poblado neighborhood, Cl. 10b #28-90, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Leave the familiar landscape of Medellin’s urban swirl and take a detour into the enigmatic halls of the Casa Museo Pablo Escobar — a haven of paradoxes and a mirror into Colombia’s darker history. As the once-home of the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, this museum is an uncanny blend of ostentation and reality. It reminds you of a time when Medellin was a truly dangerous city.

Stare into the abyss of Escobar’s rise and fall, captured in haunting exhibits that echo with stories of power, money, and violent crimes. Here, life-sized photographs transport you to times when cruelty was disguised in opulence. You’ll follow the ghostly whispers of the past, intertwining with the incongruous tranquility of the property’s verdant gardens and flamboyant pool.

But don’t mistake this for bleak tourism. This voyage is a confrontation with the truth, a meeting with the grayscales of human transgression and fallibility. It is a must-visit testament to Medellin’s journey to redemption and its efforts to rise from the ashes of a tumultuous epoch. A trip to the Casa Museo Pablo Escobar is as enlightening as it is chilling — a stark reminder of the Pandora’s Box that was once flung wide open here, making it one of the most dangerous cities, once upon a time.

20. Cementerio Museo San Pedro

The Museo Cementerio San Pedro is a cemetery and museum located in the city of Medellín in Colombia, it was built in 1842
alexander / Adobe Stock

Address: Cra. 51 #68-68, Aranjuez, Medellín, Aranjuez, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Tucked away within the city’s heart, Cementerio Museo San Pedro is more than just a graveyard – it’s an evocative rendezvous with Medellin’s past. With more than a hundred years’ worth of history etched into stunning sepulchral monuments, every statue and every tombstone whisper unseen stories of the city and its people.

The sun in this boulevard of the departed bathes ancient marble and polished granite with a warm glow, highlighting their intricate details. As the day segues into twilight, shadows play tricks and soften the significant narrative underfoot binding eras gone by in Latin America.

Juxtapose a panoramic view from the cemetery’s breezy hillside with an array of architectural styles – Gothic tendrils grasping at the warm Columbian sky as sleek modernist faces stare stoically back. It’s a quiet retreat that’ll give you a chance to walk through chapters of times, moments of tranquillity and thought, punctuated by stories of lost love and bygone eras etched into stone.

21. Escape to Guatapé and El Peñol on a Day Trip

Colorful streets and decorated houses of Guatape city near Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
sunsinger / Shutterstock.com

In the case of unique travels to Colombia, Guatapo is impossible to beat. The resort town is located about 1.5 hours north of Medellin and is famous for the colorful buildings it houses. It’s a wonderful spot for a day trip. Just outside of the city stands Piedra del Peol, the highest granite stone at more than 200 meters. Do you enjoy exploring your own adventure up hiking trails? Take 740 steps to a breathtaking view of all the surrounding hills. Visitors in this region typically take a trip to Peol Guatapé Reservoir for the rest of their day trip, where they can take part in various watersports, including wakeboarding. You can even rent jet skis and go on the water for several hours to see the amazing nature on offer.

See Related: Best Nature Destinations Around the World

22. Take a Graffiti Tour Through Comuna 13

Comuna 13 slums , once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in world, San Salvatore district - poor homes for poor people in Soth America -escalators and tourists
DELBO ANDREA / Shutterstock.com

Comuna 13 contains an amazing tale of the rise of street art. Initially, it was an illegal settlement during the 1960s but was later Colombia’s most violent neighborhood in the era of cartels. In recent decades, it has become a vibrant destination for discovering street art, live performances from local artists, and graffiti as you never saw it in South America. Although it can be done by walking alone around Comuna 13, the most effective approach is an organized tour. A professional guided tour can show you how to get around Comuna 13 and make Medellin worth visiting.

23. Ride the Medellin Metro Cable up to Parque Arvi

Cable car in Medellin
Anton Blanke / Adobe Stock

Cars and public transportation around Medellin primarily serve locals on steep hills around the city. But the cable cars are an ideal way of soaking up the breathtaking sights of the city. If possible, go into the Aceveda Station in Poblado, then take a cable car. Transfer to the next cable car, where an additional ticket is needed. It’s the shortest cable car and will get you to Parque Arvi.

24. Try Local Dishes on a Food Tour

Bandeja Paisa, Colombian cuisine
Luisa Leal Photography / Shutterstock

The best way to explore true Medellin is to take part in the local culinary tastings with a food tour. Several restaurants can be visited in a few hours, with some great food, and many include bikes or e-bikes in the heart of some of Medellin’s most vibrant neighborhoods. You might even be able to find a coffee tour to sample all of those wonderful coffee beans. Walking tours are available as well, and you could opt for private adventures if traveling with your friends and family or a street food class. You’ll get to taste all of that delicious food during your traditional Colombian lunch.

25. Go Horseback Riding in the Colombian Countryside

Horse Rider in front of El Peñón de Guatapé Rock Formation near Medellín in Colombia
chrisontour84 / Shutterstock.com

Discover Medellin and its surroundings on horseback by riding the most beautiful views. It’s like mountain biking but without as much soreness after. Book a private tour with the custom itinerary suited to your riding ability and interest, or get together as part of the group riding in the foothills of the Central Andes mountain range. During your travels, you will go through rivers and paths and stop to visit a local wildlife spot. Most riding excursions take place through private farms, and some combine a visit to local coffee farms with a ride by horse over winding countryside roads toward an incredible waterfall.

26. Channel Your Inner Chef with a Cooking Class

Preparation steps of traditional Colombian dish called stuffed potatoes : Deep frying stuffed pototoes
Anamaria Mejia / Shutterstock

Are Colombians enjoying Colombian cuisine, aka some of the best food in the world? What is the easiest way to recreate some of these delicious dishes at home? Cooking classes offer an excellent opportunity to explore more local cuisine. If you choose a private tour to shop at a local food market and cook with a local professional chef or join a small cooking class at a community kitchen, it’s a great way to learn how to prepare traditional Colombian dishes, including empanadas and tortillas.

27. Clinica Antienvejecimiento & Wellness Spa

Spa in Clinica Antienvejecimiento & Wellness Spa
Clinica Antienvejecimiento & Wellness Spa / Facebook

Address: Cra. 34 #11b – 10, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

A relaxing day is reserved in Clinica Antienvejecimiento Wellness Spa – an exclusive spa with an elegant atmosphere. Currently, there are two treatments for 119.90 US dollars. First, enjoy a sensorial hydration session to relieve the stresses of daily life in the big city. Try a soothing massage, and a friendly massage therapist will help relieve the stress that you’re causing. This place is stunning and romantic. Take a day off in Medellin and take a few minutes to unwind. You’ll have an amazing time, and you’re going to feel so much calmer afterward!

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