Itineraries
Where to stay
El Poblado for restaurants and nightlife around Parque Lleras; Laureles for a relaxed, tree-lined base; the Centro for Plaza Botero and the museums.
The areas: El Poblado, Laureles, Centro.
Where to stay in Medellín: areas and adviceHotels in MedellínPlaces to see
All things to do in ColombiaNeighborhoodComuna 13A hillside district known for its murals, graffiti tours and outdoor escalators up to a viewpoint.Entry: Free to visit; guided walks extra
ViewpointEl Peñol Rock, GuatapéA single rock about 220 m high, climbed by 702 steps to a view over the reservoir.Entry: COP[fee] to climb
FoodGuatapé main square, GuatapéThe center of Guatapé, with restaurants around the Nuestra Señora del Carmen church.Entry: Pay as you go
ViewpointGuatapé waterfront, GuatapéA 900 m promenade on the reservoir where boat trips start, with crafts and snacks for sale.Entry: Free to visit; boat trips extra
TransportJosé María Córdova AirportMedellín's main airport in Rionegro, about 35 km from the city through the Túnel de Oriente.Entry: Free to visit
FoodLaurelesA relaxed, tree-lined district full of restaurants, cafés and bars, popular with visitors.Entry: Pay as you go
NatureMedellín Botanical GardenA 13-hectare garden with an orchid pavilion, Andean forest and a butterfly house.Entry: Free guided walks on set days
FoodMercado del RíoA large food hall with more than 35 kitchens, open for lunch, dinner and drinks.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumMuseo Casa de la MemoriaA free museum on Colombia's armed conflict and how Medellín remembers and moves past it.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumMuseo de AntioquiaThe city art museum beside Plaza Botero, with more than 100 works by Botero and pre-Hispanic to modern rooms.Entry: COP[fee]
NatureParque ArvíA protected forest of 1,761 hectares above the city, reached by the Metrocable to Santo Domingo and Arví.Entry: Pay for the Arví cable
MuseumParque ExploraAn interactive science museum with one of the largest freshwater aquariums in South America.Entry: COP[fee]
FoodParque LlerasA small park in El Poblado ringed by restaurants, cafés and bars, busiest at night.Entry: Pay as you go
MarketPlacita de FlórezA downtown market hall from 1891 with about 320 stalls on three floors.Entry: Pay as you go
NeighborhoodPlaza BoteroAn open-air square of 23 bronze sculptures that Fernando Botero gave the city in 2002.Entry: Free to visit
NeighborhoodPlazoleta de los Zócalos, GuatapéA colorful square of zócalos, the painted cement reliefs along the base of Guatapé houses.Entry: Free to visit
ViewpointPueblito PaisaA replica Antioquia village on top of Cerro Nutibara, with cafés and a view over the city.Entry: Free to visit
TransportTerminal del NorteMedellín's northern bus station, where direct buses leave for Guatapé.Entry: Free to visit