Guide to Medellín
Planning a trip to Medellín? Here's everything you need to enjoy the City of Eternal Spring: what to see, where to eat, how to get around and the best experiences to make the most of it.
Plan your trip to Medellín
About Medellín
Before visiting a city or region, it always helps to know as much as possible so your trip goes smoothly. Here's everything you need to know about Medellín: its weather, the best time to go and our top tips for your visit.
Weather
Medellín is known as "the City of Eternal Spring": temperatures stay between 18 °C and 28 °C all year round, so you can visit at any time.
When to visit Medellín
To see the city at its most festive, plan your trip around the Flower Festival (Feria de las Flores) in late July or early August, when the Silleteros Parade fills the streets with color.
Tips for your visit
Where to stay: there are options for every budget. For a good location, we recommend El Poblado, Laureles or Estadio, all with plenty of restaurants and shopping malls.
Best times to explore the city: try to avoid rush hour, when traffic is heavy: from 6 to 7 a.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m.
Enjoy the city safely: Medellín's tourist areas are fairly safe, but watch out for scams aimed at visitors, such as counterfeit bills or inflated prices at street stalls. Always ask the price before you buy.
Budget: Medellín is still affordable compared with other Latin American cities, although accommodation and food prices in areas like El Poblado have risen in recent years. These figures are for reference only and may vary by season and provider:
- Budget trip: between 200,000 and 250,000 COP per day (hostel or simple lodging, meals at local fondas, public transport).
- Mid-range trip: between 700,000 and 900,000 COP per day (3–4-star hotel, mid-range restaurants, a paid activity).
- High-end/luxury trip: from 2,000,000 COP per day (boutique or 5-star hotel, chef-driven restaurants, private transport).
Things to do in Medellín
Medellín has it all, from city plans to stunning natural spots such as Guatapé or the Urabá region of Antioquia.
Must-sees
Medellín's must-sees, from the historic center to day trips around Antioquia.
Comuna 13
The city's most transformed neighborhood: ride its outdoor escalators and explore murals and graffiti that tell the story of Medellín's resilience, with music and breakdancing on every corner. It's the top recommendation for understanding how the city has changed.
Plaza Botero and Museo de Antioquia
In downtown Medellín, Plaza Botero displays 23 sculptures donated by master artist Fernando Botero. Right next door, the Museo de Antioquia holds the largest collection of his paintings and sculptures.
Metrocable and Parque Arví
Ride the Metrocable over the hillside neighborhoods up to Parque Arví, a nature reserve with trails, a farmers' market and fresh mountain air, just minutes from downtown.
El Poblado and Parque Lleras
Medellín's hub for restaurants, bars and nightlife. Perfect for ending the day with great food and atmosphere.
Day trip to Guatapé and La Piedra del Peñol
About 2 hours from Medellín, Guatapé is the town of colorful houses and painted zócalos (decorative wall panels). Climb the 740 steps of La Piedra del Peñol for a panoramic view of the reservoir. This experience is now available to book on Exploreti.
Paragliding in San Félix
Paraglide over the Aburrá Valley from San Félix, one of the best-known launch sites near Medellín. Available to book on Exploreti.
Guided city tours
If you'd rather explore with a guide, Exploreti already offers several.
Most popular activities
Here you'll find the most popular experiences in and around Medellín. Open any activity to learn more.
Getting around Medellín
Medellín has a wide range of public and private transport options. Here's what you need to know about each one.
Metro and Metrocable
The Metro has two lines (A and B) and connects with the Metrocable system, which climbs to the hillside neighborhoods and Parque Arví. It's fast, cheap and safe. Fares are paid with the Cívica card, which you can top up at stations.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps
Ride-hailing apps are widely used in Medellín and are the most convenient option at night or for trips off the Metro network.
From the airport
From José María Córdova Airport in Rionegro, there are direct buses to downtown and El Poblado, as well as taxis and private transfers. The ride takes 35 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
Food in Medellín
Paisa cuisine is a reason to visit Medellín in itself.
Bandeja paisa
The region's signature dish: beans, rice, ground beef, pork crackling, chorizo, blood sausage, egg, fried sweet plantain, arepa and avocado. A generous portion, perfect for sharing.
Arepa de chócolo (sweet corn arepa)
A sweet arepa made from fresh young corn, crisp outside and soft inside. You'll find it at street stalls and traditional fondas.
Mondongo
A thick soup made with tripe, potato, cassava, carrot and peas. A classic for cool mountain days.
Where to eat
El Poblado and Provenza have the widest choice of restaurants for every taste, from traditional fondas to international cuisine. For a traditional bandeja paisa, locals recommend the fondas downtown and in Laureles.
Map of Medellín
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