Colombia – Medellín: 17 places to see in Medellín and what to watch out for

Last Updated on 19.8.2025 by Vojta

When we arrived in Medellin, it was as if we had arrived in another world. This city is one of the most visited because of its dark and dangerous past associated with Pablo Escobar, which attracts tourists here. Colombia – Medellín also has other interesting things, which we will tell you in this article. What to see in Medellin and what to watch out for here? 

Where is the city of Medellín in Colombia and how to get there

Medellín lies in the beautiful Aburra valley, set in the hills of the Andean mountain range in the northwest of Colombia. Arriving at this ‘Cities of Eternal Spring’ is an experience. 

The best way to get here is by air (fastest interstate transport to large cities). The airport is a short distance from the city, about half an hour’s drive, and taxis or buses will take you comfortably to the center. Another option is to get here by long-distance bus. Long-distance buses are fine, there is air conditioning and wifi, but for us relatively short distances take a really long time.

We went to Medellin from the city of Armenia (near Salento) and we were supposed to drive a distance of about 280 km for 6 to 8 hours. We actually drove it for 10 to 11 hours. So it’s up to you how much time you have.

When to visit Medellin and how long to go

Due to the fact that the city of Medellín is surrounded by mountain slopes and lies at an altitude of approximately 1,500 meters, It’s a nice climate here all year round (That is why it is often referred to as the ‘city of eternal spring’). The average year-round temperature is 22-24 °C, So it’s neither hot nor cold. 2 to 4 days will be enough to visit Medellin (depending on whether you want to go and see the surroundings).

Tip: Colombia – Vacation and 15 most beautiful places to see in Colombia And which you will love as much as we do.

Mellin shipping

As we already mentioned, Traffic in Medellin is really advanced. It is also the only city in Colombia where the subway is (above ground), which has been in operation since 1995. That is effectively connected to other public transport, So you can easily get everywhere and quickly. It works on a card that you can buy at every subway station. You’ll be recharge there (1800 COP for driving) and you go. You can also use the cable cars, from which you can beautifully see the whole city. From the main station, you can easily get to nearby places by long-distance buses.

What security does Medellín have and what to watch out for

The main question for travelers who are going here is definitely What security does Medellín have and whether they must be afraid of any danger here. However, the truth is that the city has changed radically since the time of Escobar. Still, you need to be careful because there are a lot of thieves and pickpockets. 

I recommend following the basic rules, such as Don’t go alone at night to unknown neighborhoods, don’t leave valuables in sight, don’t wander through suspicious streets, don’t have a backpack on your back (In a group of people, they can easily steal it for you). In Medellin, you should not go to neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city (e.g. San Javier (with the exception of metro and cable car), 12 De Octubre, Santa Cruz and Manrique., Bello, Comuna 1,3, 8 and in Comuna 13 it is best to stick to hiking trails).

Tip: What security does Colombia have: 6 tips on what to (not) do in Colombia

Where to stay in Medellin

Because not all neighborhoods are safe in Medellin, Be careful where you can find accommodation.

Where to stay in Medellín? Most tourists live in the city district of El Poblado, which is quite rich, There are many shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. But there is a busy nightlife, so you probably won’t get much sleep, but the whole of Colombia is just noisy. 

TIP: Are you also going to Cartagena? We will advise you, What to see in Cartagena And what are the most beautiful places.

17 most interesting places to see in Medellín

The city of Medellín in Colombia is a place that probably no traveler will miss. There are a lot of interesting places in the city itself, which are mostly associated with Pablo Escobar. on the other hand by being Medellin surrounded by mountains and nature, There are also many interesting places in its vicinity, where you can relax and adventure outside the hustle and bustle of the big city. The first 10 tips are located in the city, the other 7 in its vicinity. We liked Comuna 13 and Guatapé the most, where we went for 2 days.

COMUNA 13 – Former world’s most dangerous neighborhood

The once most dangerous part of Medellín has today turned into a symbol of hope and renewal. COMUNA 13 is full of beautiful street art that tells the stories of local residents and their lives. Here you can walk through the streets, where you will be captivated by colorful paintings on the walls, street music and dance performances. The main attraction is the outdoor escalators, which connect the steep slopes of this district and improve the life of the locals.

How to get to Comuna 13

Comuna 13 is not too far from the center, so it’s there you get easily by subway. Get off at San Javier station, from where you can go on foot for a walk. Although Comuna 13 is colorful, full of art and life, Don’t go too far from the hiking trail. If you would like to learn as much as possible about this place, you can use the guide.

Plaza Botero – a square full of bronze gallopers

Plaza Botero is the cultural heart of Medellín, where 23 Brozno sculptures by the famous Colombian artist Fernando Boter are located. these sculptures, representing the gallops of animals and humans and It’s something you’ve certainly never seen before. Next to the square is Antioquia Museum, which contains an extensive collection of Boter’s works, as well as the work of other important artists.

Because the center of Medellín also has its dark side in the form of poverty and drugs, which is most visible in Colombia in the very centers of big cities, be careful here. The Plaza Botero is currently being guarded by the police and will not let anyone in the suspicious, so you can view the statues in peace. But don’t wander around the square much alone. We wandered off and we’d rather not see what we saw (we don’t have photos, we were afraid to take the phones out).

TIP: Are you also interested in the art of Fernando Boter? Its entire museum is in the Colombian capital of Bogota.What else to see in Bogotá?

La Catedral – Pablo Escobar’s Luxury Prison

La Catedral was a prison that Pablo Escobar had built according to his own ideas (Maybe he built a casino in it). Although it was officially a prison, It was more like a luxurious mansion overlooking the city Medellin. Today you will find here a quiet place surrounded by nature, from where there is a beautiful view of the city. There is a memorial dedicated to victims of violence on the site.

Pablo Escobar Museum

Did you know that Pablo Escobar even has its own museum in the El Poblado district? They manage it with his relatives and offer an interesting view of his lifeT. The exhibition contains personal items, photographs, weapons and cars that once belonged to Escobar. The Pablo Escobar Museum is a bit of a controversial place, because it often remembers local residents fondly of its era, as it helped develop the infrastructure and took good care of ‘his’ people, while others, on the contrary, see the horror that its activities do by producing cocaine caused.

El Poblado Quarter – a world of luxury and nightlife

El Poblado is the Medellin district where almost all tourists live. There is modern architecture, luxury restaurants, shops and, above all, busy nightlife. The place is full of boutique hotels, cafes and shopping malls, such as the Centro Comercial Santa Fe or the Oviedo Mall. JOne of the most vivid places in the area is Parque Lleras, where bars and nightclubs are concentrated.

In recent years, however, things are starting to get out of hand here. The streets are really busy here in the evening And here you will meet many prostitutes, begging mothers with children and all kinds of interesting people. At the same time, this district offers a good background for, for example, digital nomads.

Pueblito Paisa – a replica of a Colombian village

Pueblito Paisa is a replica of the traditional traditional Antioki village on the Nutibara hill in the middle of the bustling city of Medellín. In this place, you will feel as if you are going back in time. There is a tiny square with a church, a museum, shops and beautiful colorful houses all around. The village of Pueblito Paisa was inaugurated in 1978 and It preserves traditional crafts, art and culture.

Medellin Botanical Garden

If you have some extra time and you like plants, you will like a visit to the Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden of Joaquín Antonio Uribe is a quiet place full of tropical plants, water gardens, butterfly farms and even a library. The main attraction is the collection of more than 1,000 species of orchids and other exotic flowers. A walk through the garden is a balm for the soul and a great escape from the busy city.

TIP: Are you attracted to nature? Then definitely go explore the Caribbean beaches in conjunction with the rainforest inTayrona National Park.

Itagüí Plaza – popular market in Medellín

Itagüí is a city district in the south of Medellín, in which you will find One of the largest markets in the region. Central Mayorist De Antioquia, located in this area, is a place where you can find almost everything. Apart from the market, there is also Plaza Mayor, which is the center of cultural and social events in Itagüí. 

Plaza Cisneros – historic square with hundreds of columns

Plaza Cisneros, also known as Plaza de las Luces (Náměstí světlo), is one of the most interesting places in the center. There are 300 high columns on the square, which shine at nightí and create a unique atmosphere. The place is a symbol of the transformation of Medellín from a dangerous city to a modern metropolis. 

telemedellin park

This park, also known as Ciudad del Río, is a modern space that It connects nature, art and technology. Here you will find an amphitheater, a skate park, children’s playgrounds and modern sculptures, which reflect the futuristic vision of Medellín. It is a popular place for locals and tourists who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Guatapé’s most colorful town

Guatapé is one of the most picturesque towns in Colombia, known for its unique architecture full of colors and iconic umbrellas. The houses are colorful and A walk through the streets is an experience. Moreover, the city of Guatapé lies in the middle of the lakes. However, the main attraction is the rock of El Peñol, where you can go up the 740 steps. You will have wonderful views of the surrounding lakes and islands from here. 

how to get to guatape from medellin

Take the bus from Medellin from the Norte terminal (northern bus terminal), from where buses regularly depart. The journey takes about 2 hours and costs around 15,000 COP (about 80 CZK). From Tam, you can easily get to the rock by taxi (or you can use a trip with a travel card, but you can do this just fine on your own).

El Peñol

El Peñol, often also called La Piedra del Peñol or El Peñón de Guatapé, is A gigantic monolithic rock that arose through the natural path of geological processes. This huge mass of granite is about 70 million years old and is the result of slow cooling and crystallization of magma deep underground. Thanks to the erosion of surrounding rocks, today sticks above the surrounding landscape to a height of 200 m.

You can climb the 740 steps to the top and admire the beautiful views of the surrounding landscape full of small lakes.

Tip: Did you know that Colombia also has the tallest palm trees in the world, the best coffee and also a lot of hummingbirds? You can see everything in the mountain the village of Salento, which is full of colors and an incredibly amazing atmosphere.

Hit the waterfalls (Tequendamita Falls)

There are several beautiful waterfalls around Medellin, For which you can go on adventures and a bit of nature from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Among the most popular are El Salto del Tequendamita, a smaller but picturesque waterfall, and Charco Verde, where you can also swim. 

Arví Park – escape into nature from the big city

Arví Park is a nature reserve with an area of more than 16,000 ha in the rural area of Santa Elena. you can find in it over 54 km of hiking trails, you can ride a bike here, have a picnic or ride a horse. Over 70 species of birds, 72 species of butterflies and 19 species of mammals live here. In addition, some trails such as the Cieza de León Camino are over 1500 years old.

How to get there

From Medellin, you can get to the park by cable car from the line and to the Acevedo station, where you will change to line K. You will then switch to line L, which will take you directly to the park. An alternative is bus service, which runs from the city center towards Santa Elena, from where it is possible to continue on foot.

ATV Tour – Adrenaline and Offroad on ATVs

Do you like adventure and adrenaline in your blood? Then you can go on a ATV trip on the ATV tour through mountains and forests. You will pass various viewpoints and explore a piece of nature. It usually includes a guide to guide you. Rides are booked through various local agencies and travel agencies. You can also book online. It is most often left from the city of Guarne.

Café de la Cima – a bit of caffeine in the mountains

Café de la Cima is a cafe that can be found high in the mountains above Medellín. There are wonderful views of the whole city from here. In addition to great Colombian coffee, you can also have traditional cakes or local specialties here. You can watch beautiful sunsets here, but then quickly back.

Park Salado –  local pearl of nature

Park Salado is a smaller nature park in the outskirts of Envigado. There are many hiking trails, streams and beautiful nature all around. From Medellin you can take the metro to Envigado station (line A). From there it is possible to continue by local bus or on foot. The park is well marked and easily accessible.

Why was Medellín the most dangerous city on the planet 

The city of Medellín, founded by colonists in the early 17th century, is remembered by many people mainly because It was one of the most dangerous places on Earth, quite recently (1980s to 20s). That’s when he became the main center of cocaine trade Thanks to the so-called Medellin cartel, which was led by the well-known Pablo Escobar. Escobar and its organizations controlled most of the global cocaine trade, which brought enormous wealth, but also a wave of violence.

How is it today

Today, you don’t have to worry about anything in Medellin. The city has undergone a major change since the beginning of the 21st century, focused on innovation, education and urban development And today it already belongs to the modern metropolises and A city full of color and life. In addition, the city’s infrastructure is one of the most modern in the world (includes a land metro, cable cars and escalators).

TIP: Another adventure awaited us on the wildSri Lanka, where aretea plantations,Breathtaking beachesAnd also historical monuments assigiriya.

The most frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Resources

Ferrari, S.G., Smith, H., Coupe, F. and Rivera, H., 2018. City Profile: Medellin. Cities, 74, pp.354-364.

NAEF, P., 2020. Resilience as a city brand: The Cases of the Comuna 13 and Moravia in Medellin, Colombia. Sustainability, 12(20), p.8469.

Corburn, J., Asari, M.R., Pérez Jamarillo, J. and Gaviria, A., 2020. The Transformation of Medellin Into and ‘City For Life:’Insights for Healthy Cities. Cities & Health, 4(1), pp.13-24.