4 Day Medellin Itinerary

Colombia is an amazing country that everyone should visit when given the chance. Medellin is easily one of the best cities in Colombia. Medellin, Colombia is home to incredible mountain views, an amazing art scene, tons of culture, interesting history, and so much to do. This 4 day Medellin Itinerary will make planning your trip to the lovely city so easy.

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Day One

Morning

Catch a Morning Flight To Medellin

You can find tons of direct flights to Medellin from the USA and Latin America. There is also one direct flight from Madrid on Air Europa if you are visiting from Europe. I flew Avianca Airlines from Miami. You can find flights on Spirit, United, Aeromexico, American, JetBlue, and more. The flight from Miami is only around three hours!

✈️Checkout The Latest Fares To Medellin here

Check Into Versus Hotel

Versus Hotel is a lovely place to stay in El Poblado. Versus is located in the safest part of Medellin in a quiet area. At Versus you will find retro style rooms, a restaurant, a yoga studio, a gym, an indoor pool, a co working space, a sauna, and more. I loved my stay at Versus because I felt safe and comfortable.

🛎️Checkout The Latest Prices Here - Versus Hotel

⭐Read Next - Best El Poblado, Medellin Hotels

Afternoon

Take a Tour Of Comuna 13

This Medellín Colombia itinerary would not be complete without Comuna 13. The art, street performances, and incredible views make Comuna 13 an unforgettable place.

In the 1990s Comuna 13 was considered the most dangerous place in the world due to gang violence. Now Comuna 13 is a bustling tourist hotspot. When you visit Comuna 13 book a tour. It is hard to navigate Comuna 13 without a guide. You will also miss out on interesting stories if you don't do a tour. My guide grew up in Comuna 13 when it was so violent, he told us stories about his childhood and why it was so incredibly dangerous. My experience in Comuna 13 would not have been the same without a guide.

🚗Book Tour - Comuna 13 Tour (Includes small Colombian Snacks)

Dinner at Cuzco

Cuzco is a lovely restaurant in El Poblado (within walking distance of Versus Hotel). Serving up Peruvian cuisine, Cuzco is a luxurious restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. We walked in without a reservation, but you could make one just to be safe. Cuzco on Instagram.

Day Two

Morning

coffee at Pergamino Cafe

You can find Pergamino cafes all over Medellin. One of the reasons people visit Colombia in the first place is to try Colombian coffee. Not only is the coffee and food amazing at Pergamino, the ambiance of the shop is unmatched. You will feel like you have stepped into a jungle.

Plaza Botero

Plaza Botero is located in the heart of Medellin and is home to the Museum of Antioquia and The Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe. If you don't already know who Fernando Botero is, he is a world renowned Medellin born artist. His you will find the iconic Botero sculptures in Plaza Botero and more of his art in the Museum of Antioquia.

In The Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe there are incredible views of the city and more art pieces. Plaza Botero and The Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe are among best things to do in Medellín and cannot be missed.

Do not wander outside of the plaza. The surrounding area is very unsafe. Once you are in the plaza you have nothing to worry about as it is guarded by police.

Afternoon

Plaza Minorista Fruit Market

You can't visit Colombia without visiting a fruit market. The Plaza Minorista Fruit Market has exotic fruits you've probably never heard of alongside more common fruits. You will also find stalls selling traditional Colombian food and souvenirs. Doing a fruit tour is the best way to experience these markets.

🍍Book Here - Plaza Minorista Fruit Market Tour

Dinner At Crepes & Waffles

Every time I asked a tour guide or shop worker were to eat in Medellin, they said Crepes and Waffles. You can find Crepes and Waffles locations all over the city. If you are staying in El Poblado then go to the location in Del Este Mall. Del Este Mall is also super fun to walk around as it has unique shops, restaurants, and even carnival rides.

Day Three

Morning

Drive East To Guatape

Guatape is two hours east of Medellin and is a must visit while in Colombia. You can either rent a car and drive to Guatape yourself or do a tour. Doing a tour is defiantly the less stressful option. If you are not familiar with driving in Colombia or Latin America, do the tour.

🚗Book Here - Guatape Tour (includes visit to the iconic Guatape Rock & a cruise on the Guatape Dam)

Visit The Rock

The Guatape Rock is one of the most visited attractions in Colombia. The estimated 70 million year old rock has 650 steps to the top and offers spectacular views of the Guatape Dam. The area around the rock has restaurants, souvenir shops, and bars.

Afternoon

Colorful Town of Guatape

The colorful town of Guatape is incredible to see. All of the buildings are painted with vibrant colors and you will also find paintings on the walls throughout the city. Guatape has restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, grocery stores and more. The only thing I didn't love about Guapate is that it felt like it was set up for tourists and wasn't completely real. Overall though Guatape's colorful town is worth a visit.

do a boat ride on The Guatape Dam

The Guatape Dam is a fascinating place. On a boat tour of the dam you will drive by one of Pablo Escobars houses (it was bombed but there are still remains), learn about the city below the water, and about how 60% of Colombia is powered by the Guatape Dam. Avoid swimming in the Guatape Dam, the water is cold and fatal accidents have occurred. Most Guatape tours from Medellin include a boat ride in the Guatape Dam.

Head Back To Medellin

Head back to Medellin! Medellin is only two hours from Guatape and the drive back is beautiful. Seeing the Colombian countryside is amazing. You can also stop for food at one of the road side cafes. You will get a traditional Colombian dish with views of the lush green hills at any of these cafes.

Day Four

Morning

Jardín Botánico de Medellín

If you have a later flight and time for one more activity stop by Jardín Botánico de Medellín to immerse yourself in nature. The 34 acre park in the heart of Medellin offers lush gardens, unique plants, bird species you can only find in South America, and more. The Jardín Botánico de Medellín is free and in a safe area. It is a lovely place to enjoy a picnic or snap some photos. The garden is for sure one of the most unique things to do in Medellín.

Lunch at Mercado de rio

Mercado de Rio is an amazing food court located in El Poblado. You will find all sorts of cuisine at the Mercado de Rio. It is part of a health food store so if you need to pick up any snacks or Colombian coffee as a souvenir before your trip home Mercado de Rio is the place to go!

Afternoon

Depart Medellin

I had no problems getting through the Medellin Airport. I was selected of additional screening, Avianca Airlines does random selection for a second security check. The Medellin Airport (Jose Maria Cordova International Airport) is located about 40 minutes outside of the city so keep that in mind when leaving. Traffic can be pretty bad in Medellin so make sure you ask your hotel when the best time to leave for your flight is and have them call a taxi for you.