About Medellin
Medellín, officially the Special District of Science, Technology and Innovation of Medellín, is the capital of the department of Antioquia, and the second-largest city in Colombia after Bogotá. It is located in the Aburrá Valley, a central region of the Andes Mountains, in northwestern South America. The city's population was 2,427,129 at the 2018 census. The metro area of Medellín is the second-largest urban agglomeration in Colombia in terms of population and economy, with more than 4 million people.
Places to visit in Medellin
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Comuna 13
NeighborhoodA hillside neighborhood transformed by outdoor escalators, street art and community projects. Visit with a local guide to learn about its history and support residents.
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Botero Plaza
LandmarkA public square in the city center with large bronze sculptures by artist Fernando Botero. Visit during the day, keep an eye on your belongings, and combine it with the nearby museum.
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Metrocable
LandmarkA cable car system connecting hillside neighborhoods to the metro, with views over the city. Ride it from Acevedo station toward Santo Domingo and continue on to Arví Park.
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El Penon de Guatape
Viewpoint · 27 mi from centreA giant granite rock overlooking a reservoir dotted with islands, about two hours east of the city. Climb the staircase for amazing views, and visit the colorful town of Guatape nearby.
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Museum of Antioquia
MuseumA major art museum in the city center with a large collection of Botero paintings and sculptures. Visit on the same day as Botero Plaza, which sits right outside.
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Arvi Park
Nature · 5 mi from centreA large forested park above the city with walking trails, picnic areas and a weekend market. Take the Metrocable up, and bring a light jacket since it is cooler than the city.
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Botanical Garden of Medellin
Park · 1 mi from centreA free garden with orchid collections, a butterfly house and a striking wooden canopy. It is next to Parque Explora, so you can visit both easily on the same day.
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Parque Explora
Museum · 1 mi from centreAn interactive science museum with an aquarium and planetarium. It is popular with families and school groups, so go on a weekday morning for a quieter visit.
Things to do in Medellin by type
48 tours, tickets and experiences across 9 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 24 experiences Bolombolo and Antioquia Garden - Full-Day Tour -
City tours 22 experiences Comuna 13 and Aurora Cable Car - Half-Day Tour -
Art & culture 18 experiences Comuna 13 and Aurora Cable Car - Half-Day Tour -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 4 experiences Bolombolo and Antioquia Garden - Full-Day Tour -
Travel Services 3 experiences Guatapé and El Peñol Tour with Return Airport Transfers -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 3 experiences ATV Experience in Medellin -
Amusement Parks 2 experiences Hacienda Napoles - Full-Fay Private Tour -
Gastronomy & nightlife 2 experiences Nightclub Experience in Provenza -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 2 experiences Metrocable and Explora Park - Private Tour
- 3-6 hours 17
- Over 6 hours 16
- 1-3 hours 4
- Flexible 1
- Families 7
- Couples 7
- Senior 7
- Youth 7
- Private 8
- Small group 2
- Wheelchair accessible 1
Top experiences in Medellin
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 48 available.
Guatape and El Peñol - Private Tour
From $151 per adult
Comuna 13 and Aurora Cable Car - Half-Day Tour
From $64 per adult
Explore Guatapé and Peñol Rock - Full-Day Tour
From $57 per adult
Medellin Graffiti Experience and Comuna 13 Tour
From $72 per adult
Guatape and El Peñol - Full-Day Tour
From $56 per adult
Historic Center, Comuna 13 and Pueblito Paisa - Private Tour
From $216 per adult
Santa Elena Coffee Farm Experience - Full-Day Tour
From $105 per adult
Flying Paragliding Over Medellín
From $112 per adult
Medellín and Museum of Antioquia Private Tour
From $139 per adult
Santa Fe de Antioquia Private Tour
From $169 per adult
Explore Medellin - Private City Tour
From $140 per adult
Historic Center, Comuna 13, Aurora Metro Cable Car and Local Food Market - Full-Day Tour
From $239 per adult
Where to stay in Medellin
Popular hotels in Medellin, out of 377 properties you can book.
NH Collection Medellín Royal
From $115 per night
Porton Medellin
From $95 per night
Asturias
From $48 per night
The Morgana Poblado Suites Hotel
From $75 per night
Dorado la 70
From $81 per night
Hotel Du Parc
From $139 per night
San Pedro Del Fuerte
From $41 per night
Novelty Suites Hotel - Oviedo Mall
From $107 per night
Estelar Milla de Oro
From $127 per night
Leblón Suites Hotel
From $105 per night
Estelar Blue
From $112 per night
Movich Hotel Las Lomas
From $183 per night
Best time to visit Medellin
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Medellin is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 79–83°F and rain falls on about 22 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Medellin weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 79° 65° 100%
- Thu 22 Oct 82° 62° 100%
- Fri 23 Oct 82° 64° 82%
- Sat 24 Oct 84° 62° 76%
- Sun 25 Oct 81° 63° 96%
- Mon 26 Oct 81° 62° 100%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Colombian peso (COP)1 US dollar ≈ $3,174
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +57
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/BogotaUTC−5
- Capital
- Bogotá
Upcoming public holidays in Colombia
- All Saints’ DayDia de los Santos
- Independence of CartagenaIndependencia de Cartagena
- Immaculate ConceptionLa Inmaculada Concepción
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- EpiphanyDía de los Reyes Magos
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Medellin
These are the airports closest to central Medellin. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- EOH Medellín-E. Olaya Herrera3 mi (4 km) from the city centre
- MDE José María Córdova International Airport11 mi (18 km) from the city centre
Getting around Medellin
Uber and Cabify serve the city. Rideshare apps are officially illegal in the country but appear to be widely used. However, some drivers may be reluctant to travel to places where they may be harassed by police (e.g. bus stations, major tourist areas, the airport terminal).
By public transport
Moovit and Google Maps find you a way through the city. Moovit has more local bus lines included.
Metro and Metroplus
Timetables: Monday through Saturday from 4:30AM to 11PM. Sundays and holidays from 5AM to 10PM
Other city buses
If you want to go around downtown or neighborhoods near the downtown area without using Taxis, try using the Circular Coonatra. There are various routes, marked on the front and back of the busses. These require exact change.
Medellin travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Medellin?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Medellin is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 79–83°F and rain falls on about 22 days a month.
What is the weather like in Medellin?
March is usually the warmest month in Medellin, with average highs of 83°F (28°C). November is the coolest, with average lows of 61°F (16°C). The wettest month is typically May, with about 290 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Medellin?
Medellín-E. Olaya Herrera (EOH) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (4 km) from the centre of Medellin. Other nearby airports include José María Córdova International Airport (MDE, 11 mi).
What currency is used in Medellin?
Medellin uses the Colombian peso (COP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $3,174.
What time zone is Medellin in?
Medellin uses the America/Bogota time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Medellin?
Uber and Cabify serve the city. Rideshare apps are officially illegal in the country but appear to be widely used. However, some drivers may be reluctant to travel to places where they may be harassed by police (e.g. bus stations, major tourist areas, the airport terminal).
What are the best places to visit in Medellin?
Top sights in Medellin include Comuna 13, Botero Plaza, Metrocable and El Penon de Guatape. A hillside neighborhood transformed by outdoor escalators, street art and community projects. Visit with a local guide to learn about its history and support residents.
What are the top things to do in Medellin?
Popular experiences you can book in Medellin include Guatape and El Peñol - Private Tour, Comuna 13 and Aurora Cable Car - Half-Day Tour and Explore Guatapé and Peñol Rock - Full-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 48 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Medellin?
The most popular types of experiences in Medellin are day trips & excursions (24), city tours (22), art & culture (18) and tickets & attraction passes (4). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Medellin?
Popular areas for hotels in Medellin include Medellin. Well-reviewed options include NH Collection Medellín Royal and Porton Medellin.
How many hotels can I book in Medellin?
Destina Holidays currently lists 377 properties in and around Medellin, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
