45 coolest things to do in Medellín, Colombia (2026)

 Medellín is a city best experienced in motion. From its bustling plazas to hillside neighborhoods covered in murals, every corner feels alive with energy. What makes it special is how easy it is to move through – you’re never just observing from afar, you’re right in the middle of it.

For a more encompassing itinerary to Colombia, including Cartagena and Tayrona, check out this guide, and for a more expansive list on fun things to do in Colombia, as opposed to Medellín, see this article.

Skip touristy Poblado for a day and wander Laureles-Estadio — flat, tree-lined, and gloriously un-Instagrammed.

Post up on La 70 for cheap beers, local food, and salsa spilling onto the street, or catch a game near the stadium.

Wander the two roundabout parks — Primer Parque and Segundo Parque de Laureles — and grab a coffee at Pergamino or Café Zeppelin. La 33 is the other strip worth hitting for dinner and drinks. And if there’s a match on, get tickets to see Atlético Nacional or DIM at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot.

This is the neighborhood that finally feels like real Medellín.

While you’ll probably spend most of your time in El Poblado, you should definitely check out downtown, at least once.

Real City Tours and a few other companies offer free, 4-hour walking tours of the city center at 10:00 AM every day. This is a great way to learn about the city and get your bearings before setting out on your own. The guides speak English and suggested tipping is $10.

After the free walking tour, or in lieu of it, visit some other parts of El Centro (downtown) for some gritty, authentic Paisa culture.

El Hueco. Wander Medellín’s legendary discount market. Keep small cash handy and watch your stuff.

Then walk through the plaza, take photos with the sculptures, and pop into the Museo de Antioquia or Casa de la Memoria if you want to see rotating exhibitions and Plaza Botero.

Ride the cable cars: From downtown’s San Antonio station, connect to Acevedo station and hop on Line K up to Santo Domingo. The ride gives you sweeping views of the valley and the comunas climbing the mountainsides. If you’ve got more time, continue on Line L to Parque Arv for fresh air and hiking trails.

There are a lot of vendors selling street food in El Centro so take the opportunity to try out some traditional Colombian dishes such as empanadas with pique, and check out these main stops:

Plaza Botero

 

Fernando Botero is an internationally renowned artist whose work you’ll see all over the city / country.

His famous bronze sculptures are of ultra-voluptuous, nude people.

If you’re downtown you should stop by Plaza Botero and appreciate his work.

Keep in mind that nudity or public masturbation is not allowed inside the park.

I’m going to address the Pablo Escobar tourism issue right away because it’s actually a really touchy subject.

As you probably know, Pablo Escobar was one of the richest men in the world during his time in the late ’80s, early ’90s. He started selling drugs at age 15 and quickly became one of the most powerful dealers in the world. At his peak, he supplied 80% of the world’s cocaine, offered to pay off the county’s debt in exchange for total amnesty, and killed 3 prominent politicians and countless police officers and civilians.

The lesson learned is that Colombians don’t like Pablo Escobar and they don’t like it when gringos come to their country and pay narcoterrorists to glorify the atrocities committed against their families, and then tell the story from their perspective.

That being said – it’s only human to be interested in such dark tourism – so here’s what I recommend doing instead:

Hire a Local Guide

… not one of Pablo’s henchmen, to take you around for a few hours.

I met an Uber driver a few years ago and he’s become my ‘driver’ – I have him pick up and drop off people who are visiting Medellín, and he also takes them around to see the Pablo sites.

He has no affiliation with Pablo and is a really nice, hard-working family guy and I feel safe with my friends in his hands. I can pass on his info to anyone who is interested.

Hike to La Catedral

The ‘prison’ from where Pablo was allowed to come and go as he pleased, have parties with prostitutes, and continue the drug trade is known as La Catedral.

It was the most luxurious prison imaginable, complete with a football pitch, a giant doll house, a bar, a jacuzzi, a waterfall, and all of Pablo’s friends. It’s vacant now, after a short stint under the ownership of some Benedictine monks who found it a peaceful place to meditate (which is weird).

You can hire a taxi to take you there, or if you want to make it a thing, hike up to it. It sits on top of a mountain and the helipad has great views of the city.

The Pablo Escobar Museum (owned by Roberto Escobar) is located inside La Catedral but was shut down in an effort to stop tourists from funding retired narco-terrorists. The museum housed photos, letters from fans, and things like the AK-47s used by his bodyguards.

Walk by Monaco and Club Campestre

The building where Pablo lived with his family toward the end of his time and that was car-bombed in ’88 (when he and his family were home), was demolished in February 2019. It was supposed to be replaced by a memorial for the victims, but I’m not sure what is there now.

You can watch it get demolished, below:

It’s located in Poblado, next to another point of interest. Club Campestre is a country club where Pablo, his cartel, and his victims all hung out. It still operates as a golf course and club, so you can either just walk by it while you’re out and about, or make a golf day out of it.

I would skip this too. The simple act of people visiting the gravesite makes it a memorial. There were flowers on it and stuff and it just felt gross.

All this talk about what not to do when learning about Colombia’s civil war is a perfect segue into the House of Memory Museum – tourism dedicated to Colombia’s dark past – told from the victims’ perspective.

This museum is a great way to understand more about the country’s troubles, for which it is unfortunately well-known, without sensationalizing the villains.

Permanent exhibits about Medellín’s conflict, testimonies from victims, multimedia art installations, and rotating cultural programs. Most information is in Spanish, so if you’re not fluent I recommend booking this tour.

Another way to do dark tourism responsibly is by touring Comuna 13.

Not long ago this barrio was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world. Now it’s a cultural epicenter of hip-hop, graffiti, and Colombian youth.

Just 20 years ago Comuna 13 was also the Colombian military’s largest urban offensive against guerrilla supporters.

On October 16th, 2022, President Uribe – largely praised for his success against the FARC and other guerrilla groups – launched Operation Orion. Banded as an attempt to take out left-wing guerrillas using 3,000 troops backed by helicopters, it was controversial from the start, and ended with 18 dead, 34 wounded, and almost 250 arrests among the civilian population of Comuna 13.

The event is tragic and interesting and I highly recommend touring Comuna 13 if you want to learn more – and honestly be inspired.

The art is really impressive, the street food is fun to try, and the whole neighborhood feels oddly modern. You feel very safe. Everyone is nice and friendly. The srt scene is organized but grassroots. And there is a super modern escalator system going through the entire neighborhood.

I know a science museum sounds like something you drag your nephew to, but Parque Explora is genuinely one of the most fun afternoons in Medellín, and I say that as someone who usually finds museums a snooze.

It’s a giant interactive science museum — everything is hands-on, so you’re pressing buttons, running experiments, and messing with exhibits instead of reading plaques. There’s a dinosaur section, a vivarium full of snakes, frogs, and other things that make your skin crawl, and a planetarium right next door if you want to add the stars to your day.

But the real star is the aquarium — the biggest freshwater aquarium in South America, packed with Amazonian monsters like pirarucú and electric eels, plus a few tanks that’ll genuinely stop you in your tracks.

It’s the perfect rainy-day plan (and Medellín rains a lot in the afternoons), an easy win if you’ve got kids along, and honestly a great low-key day if you’re nursing a hangover from Parque Lleras the night before.

Bonus: it’s directly across from the Jardín Botánico and right at the Universidad metro stop, so you can knock out both in one easy afternoon.

This one always surprises people: there’s a medieval-style castle sitting quietly in the hills of El Poblado, and almost no tourists know about it.

Museo El Castillo is a 1930s Gothic mansion — turrets, stone, stained glass, the whole fairytale — that once belonged to one of Medellín’s wealthy industrial families and is now a museum. Inside, you can take a guided tour of the house with its original furniture, art, and creaky old-money grandeur still intact.

The best part is outside: manicured French gardens, hedges, fountains, and sweeping views over the valley — it’s the kind of place that feels completely un-Medellín, like you wandered into a little pocket of Europe.

It’s quiet, it’s pretty, and it’s a lovely palate cleanser between the chaos of Comuna 13 and the party of Poblado. They also host concerts and cultural events in the gardens, so check what’s on.

It’s up in El Poblado off Loma Los Balsos — a quick taxi or Uber, since it’s tucked up a hill — and cheap to get in.

I’m so afraid of heights that I still can’t believe that I did this. But Medellín is located in a valley in between 3 mountain ranges, so jumping off of mountains is basically a national sport here.

Mount Felix is the literal jumping-off point but there are a few. It costs about $50, plus the shot of Aguardiente that you’ll need to take to get yourself to take the leap of faith.

Something that I find incredibly boring but most people like are botanical gardens. If you’re of the latter camp, check out the Jardín Botánico.

The gardens feature over 4,000 species of plants from all over Colombia as well as other parts of Latin America. There are hiking trails through the park along with a bird aviary.

Walk through themed areas like the cactus garden and butterfly house, check out the lagoon, and don’t miss the iguanas sunbathing on the paths. Bring your own snacks for a picnic, or try the on-site restaurant In Situ, one of the city’s better fine-dining spots in a leafy setting.

The gardens host cultural festivals throughout the year, most famously Orquídeas, Pjaros y Flores, Medellín’s orchid and flower fair.

Tours combined with things like Parque Arv can be found here, if you’re into that. 

If you only do one thing with the cable cars, make it this: float up over the whole city and out into Parque Arví, a massive ecological reserve in the mountains that feels a world away from the concrete and traffic below.

The ride itself is half the reason to go. You take the Metro to Acevedo, switch to Línea K up to Santo Domingo, then hop the Línea L gondola that glides silently over the forest for a good 15 minutes — no city underneath you anymore, just trees.

Up top it’s cool, green, and quiet. There are hiking trails through cloud forest, pre-Hispanic archaeological sites, and on weekends a lovely little market selling organic food, honey, herbs, and crafts from local vendors. Grab an arepa and a hot canelazo and just wander.

It’s the easiest way to trade the city for nature without renting a car or leaving town — and after a few days of Poblado, your lungs will thank you. 

Everyone chases the skyline shot from a Poblado rooftop, but the best view in Medellín is actually up on the Las Palmas road, at a mirador like La Palma — and it costs a fraction of a rooftop cocktail.

As you wind up the mountain out of El Poblado, the whole valley opens up beneath you: millions of lights spilling across the hills, planes drifting into the airport, the whole bowl of the city glowing. Come at golden hour and watch it shift from sunset to a sea of lights — it’s genuinely one of those “oh, this is why people love this place” moments. I love this particular mountainside.

The miradors up here range from little roadside stands — grab a beer, a coffee, or a mango biche and just post up on the railing — to full sit-down restaurants with terraces if you want to make a night of it. It’s a favorite date spot for a reason.

A few things to know: it’s noticeably cooler up top, so bring a jacket, and since it’s up a mountain road, take a taxi or Uber and either have them wait or book the round trip — you don’t want to be stuck up there trying to flag a ride in the dark.

Go for sunset, stay for the lights, and thank me later.

After a few days of metros, murals, and rooftops, there’s something perfect about swapping all of it for a horse and a green mountain trail. Head up to Barbosa, about an hour and a half north of the city, and you’re suddenly deep in the paisa countryside — rivers, farms, fincas, and that slow, unbothered pace the city forgets.

Colombians take their cabalgatas (group horseback rides) seriously — it’s a whole social tradition, often with music, aguardiente, and a lunch stop built in. You don’t need any experience; the horses know the trails better than you ever will, and the guides keep it easy.

You’ll cross streams, ride past grazing cows and coffee farms, and get the kind of wide-open mountain views you just don’t get from inside the city. It’s quiet, it smells like rain and grass, and it’s the antidote to a weekend that’s gotten a little too Poblado.

Most tours include round-trip transport from the city, so you don’t have to figure out the logistics — just show up, saddle up, and enjoy a completely different side of Medellín.

When all this cruising makes you hungry, stop by one of the outdoor seating areas anywhere that you see an easel or chalkboard that says ‘menu del dia.’

Colombia has a ton of really great food but this: is the menu of the day. It’s a very basic meal – kind of street food meets restaurant – but tastes great and does the job.

It’s a healthy platter – a protein, rice, plantains, salad, and fresh juice kind of deal, and it’s under $3 at the local joints. It’s all I eat when I’m with my Colombian friends.

Over the last few years the market has expanded to serve tourists’ high-maintenance tastes. It’s still a great deal and very good food, but now with vegan options, which I know Colombians aren’t eating – and costs more like $4 – a 25% increase!

It’s basic, healthy, filling, and a very Colombian experience.

Pro tip: don’t mess around with the vegetarian options unless you’re a vegetarian – chicken is always the best when it comes to men del día.

And if you’re “like, that was great, glad I experinced it, but now I’m feeling more fancy,” check out one of Medellín’s 17 best restaurants.

Even if you’re not hitting the streets of Medellín after hours, treat yourself to a fancy dinner while you’re here.

Medellín’s dining scene has exploded in recent years, with chefs blending traditional Colombian flavors with international influences. They incorporate what many Americans view more as street food – arepas and empanadas – into polished tasting menus that rival anything you find in the US but at 1/3 of the cost.

If you’re not here to spend your life savings on fancy food that’s fine, too. This city offers something for every appetite and budget, from the casual cafes and most ambitious fine-dining spots to local joints, where you can get more tradition and less pomp and circumstance.

For an upscale experience, Medellín has world-class restaurants that rival Bogotá. Places like El Cielo, led by celebrity chef Juan Manuel Barrientos, or Carmen, known for its modern Colombian fusion, offer tasting menus that highlight local ingredients in creative ways. Meanwhile, casual gems like Mondongos serve hearty Colombian staples such as bandeja paisa in a more down-to-earth setting.

Here are some heavy-hitters to help begin your search and whet your appetite:

• El Cielo
• OCI
• Carmen’s
• … see the full list here.

If you’ve fallen in love with the food here — and you will — the best souvenir you can take home isn’t a keychain, it’s knowing how to make it yourself. A Colombian cooking class is hands-on, hilarious, and genuinely one of the most fun afternoons you can book in Medellín.

You’ll learn to make the paisa classics from scratch: arepas (the good kind, not the sad dry ones), empanadas with that crispy cornmeal shell, patacones (smashed fried plantains), and if you get a good one, a full bandeja paisa — the mountain of beans, rice, chicharrón, egg, and everything else that defines this region.

The move is to book one that starts with a market trip. You walk the stalls first, and a local shows you the exotic fruits, the herbs, the cuts of meat — then you haul it all back and actually cook it. Two experiences for the price of one, and you leave understanding the food, not just eating it.

It’s also just a really good social afternoon — you’re chopping, frying, laughing, and drinking with a small group and a chatty host, and there’s always way too much food at the end.

Come hungry, wear something you don’t mind getting a little messy, and don’t fill up on street food beforehand — you’re going to want room.

Colombia has some of the most insane biodiversity of fruit on the planet, and most of it never makes it out of the country because it’s too delicate to ship. Which means the only way to try it is to go where the locals actually shop: the Plaza Minorista, a giant, chaotic, gloriously un-touristy market in the middle of the city.

This is where you meet the fruits that sound made up — lulo (tastes like citrus met a kiwi), guanábana (creamy, custardy soursop), mangostino, zapote, granadilla, níspero, borojó (the one they swear is an aphrodisiac). Half of them you’d never pick up on your own, and you definitely wouldn’t know how to open or eat them.

That’s why the move here is a fruit tour. A local walks you stall to stall, hacks everything open, tells you what it is and how to eat it, and lets you taste your way through a dozen-plus varieties while the vendors heckle and laugh. It’s part food experience, part cultural crash course, and it’s one of the best hours you’ll spend in Medellín — for like the price of a cocktail back home.

You can wander it solo, but without a guide you’ll mostly just point at things and hope. Go with someone who knows it.

Come hungry, bring small cash, and keep an eye on your stuff — it’s busy and real, not a polished tourist market, which is exactly why it’s great.

Everyone knows Colombia for coffee, but the cacao here is world-class too — and a lot less crowded as a tourist thing. Mix them together and you have God’s gift.

A chocolate tour takes you through the whole journey from bean to bar, and it’s way more hands-on and delicious than it sounds.

You start with the raw cacao — cracking open the pods, tasting the weird sweet white pulp around the beans (a surprise for most people), then watching them get roasted, peeled, and ground down into actual chocolate. The smell alone is worth it.

The best part is you make your own bar: temper the chocolate, add your toppings, and walk away with something you actually made. You’ll also taste your way through different cacao percentages and learn why single-origin Colombian chocolate is having a moment.

A lot of the good ones are out on a small family cacao farm just outside the city, so you get a little countryside and a farmer’s-eye view of how it’s grown — not just a kitchen demo. It’s hands-on, it’s sweet, and it’s genuinely fascinating even if you think you don’t care about chocolate.

Pro move: pair it with a coffee tour on the same day and call it your “Colombia’s two best exports” itinerary.

Come with a bit of an appetite (there’s a lot of tasting) and don’t wear white.

Just south of the city are two towns — Envigado and Sabaneta — that technically got swallowed by Medellín’s sprawl but somehow kept their small-town paisa soul completely intact. This is where you go to eat like a local and see the version of Antioquia that has nothing to do with tourists.

Both are built around a classic town plaza with a church, and the plaza is the whole point. In the evenings it fills up with families, old men playing cards, kids running around, and everyone spilling out of the restaurants and bars ringing the square.

This is traditional food territory — sancocho (the hearty soul-soup), chicharrón the size of your forearm, bandeja paisa, and cold aguardiente or a michelada under string lights. Sabaneta’s plaza especially is famous for its little fritanga joints and old-school bar culture — go on a weekend night and it’s alive.

The beauty of it is that it’s dirt cheap and completely un-Instagrammed. You’re not going to spend more than $30 on food here no matter how much chicharrón you can put away — and you probably won’t see another tourist all night.

Both are a straight shot on the Metro (Line A), so it’s an easy, low-effort evening. Go hungry, go local, and just follow the crowd to the busiest plaza.

Medellín’s two biggest exports after cocaine are Karol G and Maluma — and they’ve both parlayed global superstardom into restaurants right here in their hometown. Is it a little touristy? Sure. Should you go anyway? Absolutely.

I’ve done Karol G’s and it was a genuinely great time — not just a name on the door. The food’s solid, but the real draw is the atmosphere: there’s a live band up front playing her hits all night, the crowd is buzzing, and — the kicker — apparently she actually shows up and sings sometimes when she’s in town. Even if she doesn’t, it feels like a party.

I haven’t hit Maluma’s yet (it’s on the list for my next trip), but by all accounts it’s the same energy — a see-and-be-seen spot where the vibe is the point as much as the plate.

Go for the experience, not a quiet dinner, and reserve ahead (both fill up, especially weekends), dress a little, and go in expecting a show with your dinner rather than a Michelin meal. That’s exactly what makes it fun.

I need to preface this: I hate cigars. I hate cigarettes, I hate the smell of anything smoked, even smoked salmon. So when my husband first said “let’s go to a cigar place,” I said absolutely not. He kept insisting it had “really good air filtration,” which meant nothing to me, but I went, and it was one of my favorite retail experiences, ever.

HI Cigars is the first Habanos specialist store in Medellín — certified directly by Habanos S.A., the only shop in the city represented by them, and 100% Cuban. But the reason to go isn’t the credentials, it’s the feeling: you walk in and it’s like landing in the living room of your fanciest, warmest friend.

It started as a family project. Juan Pablo’s parents run a contemporary art gallery (it’s upstairs — go see it), and his dad fell into Cuban cigars through decades of friendships with Cuban artists. So the whole place is really a portrait of what this family loves — cigars, whiskey, good coffee, chocolate, art, and good company all under one roof.

And Juan Pablo — the owners’ son — is the only Habanos-certified master in Medellín. He’s young – like 18 – but talks about cigars like he’s been smoking for 60 years, it’s pretty hilarious.

He’ll walk you through the walk-in cedar humidor (kept at that perfect 65–70% humidity), explain why a Cohiba Siglo VI is special, and — this is the best part — teach a total beginner from zero. His whole philosophy is “there’s a cigar for every moment,” so tell him what kind of night you want and he’ll match you. Like your very own cigar concierge.

Here’s the thing that got me: because of the air filtration and the covered open-air patio, it genuinely does not smell like smoke. It smells like tobacco and cedar. Which smells like a scent they would put in a candle. You can sit right next to someone smoking and be completely fine. And if you don’t smoke at all, there’s a gorgeous bar (whiskey, 10-year rye, bourbon, wine), plus coffee and chocolate, so you can come along just for the hang.

Everyone in there was a regular. Juan Pablo says anyone who walks in wanting a good time “becomes part of the family” — and within an hour I was, in his words, best friends with his mom. That’s the whole vibe.

Come even if you think cigars aren’t your thing. Especially if you think cigars aren’t your thing.

#1. Practice your pickup lines in Spanish (they just don’t have the same ring when you stutter)

#2. Treat yourself to a really nice dinner. You want to pad that stomach lining, and also the food is a thing here because the restaurants are really fancy, and really cheap. In other words, you can’t afford not to go to the top spots in Medellín, listed in the next section.

#3. Choose a safe hotel with 24-hour security to come back to.

If you’re into learning vacations, Spanish and salsa are the best disciplines to spend your time and money on in terms of ROI; particularly if you’re looking to engage with the opposite sex. (There’s nothing like being a non-Spanish-speaking gringo who can’t dance to kill your vibe.)

Toucan and Nueva Lengua are the top two schools in Medellín. They’re about $200/ week, but they have a lot of events and they incorporate learning other things, like dancing, cooking, and Colombian history and culture into the Spanish lessons.

The only downside is that you’re positioning yourself to spend your time in Medellín with other tourists.

In the ideal world you would take classes while you get some basics down and orient yourself in the city, and then go off and make some Colombian friends that don’t speak English. But not everyone has time for that.

How to do Spanish & Salsa dancing lessons

 

• Where: Dance schools like Santo Baile, Son Havana, or local studios in Laureles and El Poblado.

• Cost: Around $10–$15 USD per class, or less if you buy a package.

• Tip: Pair your lesson with a night out at a salsa club for the full, immersive experience.

When the sun drops, Poblado’s rooftops light up — cocktails, sweeping city views, and that warm, eternal-spring air that makes you forget what time it is.

The move is to hop a few. Start somewhere with a pool and a view while it’s still light, grab a drink and watch the valley turn to a sea of lights, then work your way to somewhere with a DJ as the night picks up. Each one has its own vibe, so bar-crawl it rather than committing to one.

Dress up a little — Poblado likes to look good — and know going in that the area has gotten much seedier than it used to be. Keep an eye on your drink and your pockets, especially the closer you are to Parque Lleras, and you’ll have a great night.

You’ll see them before you understand them: a brightly painted, open-sided bus rolling through Poblado, packed with people, blasting music, everyone holding a cup. That’s a chiva — a traditional Colombian bus turned into a rolling party, and it’s exactly as ridiculous and fun as it looks.

You climb aboard, they hand you aguardiente, and a live band or DJ takes over while the bus loops the city — past miradors, through the party districts, with a crowd of strangers who are your best friends by the third song. Most run a few hours and stop for street food or a viewpoint along the way.

Is it touristy? Completely. Is it a little chaotic? Yes. Is it an absolute blast if you’re young and in party mode? Also yes. Go in with the right expectations — this is a party first, a “tour” a distant second — and you’ll have one of those nights you’re still laughing about later.

Book ahead (they fill up on weekends), don’t wear anything you’re precious about, and pace yourself on the aguardiente — it sneaks up on you.

On this tour you pedal through neighborhoods, eat snacks, and stop for drinks along the way. There’s nothing better than mixing a little exercise with food and drinks.

Cerro de las Tres Cruces means “Hill of the 3 crosses” in English. It’s a 45-minute, mile-long hike straight uphill, and is kind of an event in itself.

If you go early enough you’ll see the creme-of-the-crop Paisas who take their appearance very seriously, and you’ll take their appearance very seriously, too.

I usually go around 11, with all the other lazy people.

The surrounding area has been developed a lot since I started going on this hike. When I first started going, there was just a few people selling water in bags and a prison gym at the top.

Today, there are smoothie places, drink stands, and a little bodega restaurant at the top. It’s very basic but the nature and the views are what we’re here for. And the pump. And the hot Paisas.

This city has a thriving skate scene, and has invested in public skateparks that mix bowls, ramps, and street obstacles with the local hip-hop and graffiti culture.

Where to skateboard in Medellín

 

• Beln Skatepark– Inside the Unidad Deportiva de Beln, this is one of the most complete skateparks in Medellín with bowls, rails, and ramps. Popular with young skaters and a great place to meet the local community.

• Carlos Vieco Skatepark (Laureles)– Near the Carlos Vieco theater, this park combines street-style obstacles with small bowls. A solid everyday skate spot in the Laureles neighborhood.

• Laureles Second Park Skate Spot– More plaza-style than a full skatepark, but it’s a chilled-out spot in Laureles with rails and ledges, good for casual sessions.

• Parques del Río– The riverfront park has smooth pavement and urban features perfect for cruising and practicing street tricks. Skaters gather here in the afternoons and weekends.

• Comuna 13 Skate Spot– DIY ramps and community-built skate areas mixed with graffiti and street art in San Javier. It’s more grassroots than polished, but gives you a taste of Medellín’s skate culture tied to Comuna 13’s transformation.

If you want just one to hit: go to Beln Skatepark – it’s the largest and most established.

One of the most Colombian experiences I’ve ever had was going to a soccer match between rival teams Colombia Nacional and Atltico. I wasn’t aware when I bought the tickets that there are ‘safer areas’ and ‘you might die’ areas. I accidentally bought it in the ‘you might die’ area and it was wild.

It was pouring rain and the fans were jumping up and down on 3-inch wide handrails, 30 feet up. At one point a guy fell off and had to be carried out by his friends. He didn’t seem okay – it was kind of disturbing.

How to play Tejo

 

• We dark colors – the clay gets everywhere and is hard to get off but that’s part of the fun.

• Buy some beer – if you don’t drink thats fine but if you do this is a must-have-beer kind of event.

• DM Chris on Instagram and set up an appointment, or set up a tour with beer.

Fincas are to Colombians what cabins are to Americans.

Originally traditional farmhouses, they’re now more like a weekend getaway / second home for wealthy Colombians. They’re also a common place for Colombians to hold weddings.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend renting one by yourself unless you really love being alone, but if you make friends with a Colombian and you hear mention of “going to the finca,” do anything you can to subtly (or overtly) invite yourself.

If you’re my age, a weekend at the finca will be a relaxing getaway and a chance to get to know some Colombians on a more intimate level. There’s usually a full staff, and a lot of pampering.

If you’re younger, or if you’re doing a VIP Medellín trip or bachelor trip, you might find yourself at a really wild party, probably with some beautiful but out-of-place women, you know what I mean?

Either way you should go.

Just a 2-hour drive from Medellín is a cute little pueblo with one of the largest (albeit manmade) lakes in the country.

Guatapé feels very different from Medellín and is a good way to get a glimpse at where many of the Paisas’ roots are from, cruise an authentic Colombian town, eat some traditional Colombian Street food, and check out street art murals.

The main attraction in Guatap is El Penól – a 1,143-foot-tall rock (one of the tallest in South America) that you can climb. Or walk up, because it has steps.

Apparently some guys climb-climbed it using wooden planks in the ’50s but then they decided to install a staircase in the crack that extends from the top to the bottom of the rock. So now you don’t need to hold techinical gear, which means your hands are free to drink mango micheladas at the top.

The 600 stairs take about hour to conquer and it’s crowded during high season. But it’s one of those things that you kind of have to do if you go all the way to Guatap.

As for as making it an overnight trip, you must book the Bosko hotel. It’s a full digital detox, ultra relaxing luxe resort that we loved. More on that here.

About three hours southwest of the city, Jardín is the postcard coffee pueblo everyone pictures when they say “colorful Colombia” — painted balconies in every shade, a plaza full of little wooden chairs, and coffee grown right on the green hills around it.

Ride the rickety garrucha (a homemade cable car) up for the view, then do nothing but drink tinto, people-watch in the square, and eat your weight in trout and dulces. It’s slow, sweet, and completely unbothered.

Do it as a long day trip if you must, but it’s worth an overnight — the town gets magical once the day-trippers clear out.

An easy ~1.5-hour trip, Santa Fe de Antioquia is a whitewashed colonial town frozen in the 1500s — cobblestones, courtyards, and the famous Puente de Occidente just outside. I’ve come here for weekend getaways with Colombian friends who have fincas; it’s hot down there, so come for the architecture and stay for the tamarind sweets.

Pro Tip for digital nomads: If you want reliable data while exploring Colombia, Truely’s eSIM is the easiest way to stay connected without hunting for Wi-Fi or juggling SIM cards. Their plans use the best local networks, work instantly, and start at just a few dollars a day. It’s the simplest option if you’re bouncing between cities and need your phone to just work.

Medellín is full of amazing experiences – but the best adventures start with a little backup plan. Travel insurance might not sound glamorous, but trust me, it’s the smartest thing you can pack. From flight delays to unexpected medical visits, having coverage means you can relax and enjoy Medellín without the “what ifs” hanging over your head.

SafetyWing is affordable, easy to set up, and made for travelers like us. Give yourself the freedom to 45 best things to do in Medellín – knowing you’re covered if anything goes sideways.