The Ultimate Medellin Travel Guide (Updated 2026)
Medellin, is a city unlike any other. The history, culture, and natural beauty is truly unmatched. Visiting Medellin is an eye opening experience. I felt like I could talk to the locals for hours about their lives in Medellin. Medellin was once considered the most dangerous city in the world (drugs & gangs). During my time in Medellin I got the opportunity to talk with locals who grew up in the infamous Comuna 13 - they shared bone chilling stories of their past, but they also made it clear that Colombia and Medellin is so much more then it's past. Medellin is a beautiful city full of amazing people doing incredible things - this is often overshadowed by the cities history. So in this Medellin travel guide we will shed light on the beauty, art, food, people, and wonders of the incredible city of Medellin. Read on to discover the Ultimate Medellin Travel Guide.
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About Medellin
Currency - Colombian Pesos (1 Colombian Pesos = 0.00025 USD)
Plugs - Type A and B plugs
Language - Spanish (good to know some Spanish, but you don't need to)
Safety In Medellin
Overall Medellin is totally safe to visit. Medellin was once one of the most dangerous cities in the world, and it has made a huge change in the 2010's and is now an up and coming city, especially for tourism.
With that said, Medellin still has some crime and you need to be careful. Avoid going out after dark. Some dangerous areas include Parque las Lucas & Parque San Antonio. Comuna 13 and Plaza Botero and safe and popular among tourists, but I would not go after dark.
Aviod talking Pablo Escobar and the war on drugs in public.
Unlike cities in the USA and Europe - the safest part of South American cities (like Medellin) is the outskirts. So avoid stay in the center of Medellin - I stayed in El Poblado and felt safe.
Where To Stay In Medellin
HOSTEL Viajero Medellin Hostel - If you are looking for a safe and well located hostel in Medellin, look no farther than Viajero Medellin Hostel in El Poblado. Viajero Hostel has stunning views of Medellin from the rooftop patio, a restaurant, and group activities for solo travelers.
$$ Versus Hotel - I loved Versus Hotel. The staff were very friendly, and I felt safe at Versus. Versus is located in a quiet part of El Poblado, but within walking distance of restaurants. There are lovely amenities at Versus including a gym, yoga studio, restaurant and a pool. The interior design of Versus is very aesthetically pleasing with a retro vibe throughout the hotel.
$$$ Selvario 36 - Selvario 36 is located in the busier part of El Poblado. This hotel has a jungle theme throughout that really captures the Medellin vibe. Selvario 36 has a lovely outdoor pool, top notch restaurant, and stunning views of the city from the rooftop patio.
$$$$ Medellin Marriott Hotel - The Medellin Marriott Hotel, located in El Poblado, offers comfortable rooms with stunning views of Medellin. You will have access to great restaurants and service at the Medellin Marriott.
What To Do In Medellin
Do a Tour of Comuna 13
Comuna 13 is located in the north - west part of Medellin. This community has a fascinating history and is a must see on your trip to Medellin. Comuna 13 is known for its graffiti art, street performances, views, and street food.
In the 1990s and early 2000s Comuna 13 was known as being one of the most dangerous places in the world due to gang violence and political unrest. Today, the neighborhood is a tourism hotspot, celebrated for its idiosyncratic character and vibrant art scene.
I strongly recommend getting a tour guide because you will learn so much more about its history and you will have help navigating this beautifully chaotic part of Medellin. I had a wonderful tour guide who grew up in Comuna 13 during the most dangerous time to be there. He told us terrifying stories of his childhood, and, by the end of the tour I felt I had a deeper understanding of Comuna 13. This is the tour I did.
Going to Comuna 13 in the morning is best because it will get very busy in the afternoons.
Museum Of Antioquia
Located in Plaza Botero, The Museum of Antioquia holds a large amount of paintings and sculptures by Medellin natives, Fernando Botero and Pedro Nel Gómez. Most well known for the "fat sculptures" by Fernando Botero, the Museum of Antioquia is one of the most visited museums in Medellin.
To buy tickets or read more about the Museum of Antioquia visit there website here.
Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe
The Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe is a must-see landmark in Medellín, known for its striking black-and-white striped architecture that truly resembles a palace. It's a beautiful place to admire both from the outside and inside, and it also offers great views of the city from the upper floors. Entry is free, but you’ll need to present a valid form of ID to enter.
Since the Palace is located right next to the Museum of Antioquia, it’s an easy and convenient addition to your itinerary. You won’t need much time here - about 30 minutes is plenty to explore and enjoy the views.
Plaza Botero
Plaza Botero is one of the liveliest areas in Medellín and is considered the heart of the city. Here, you’ll find locals selling tourist-friendly souvenirs like magnets, keychains, hats, and more. The plaza is conveniently located next to two major attractions - the Museum of Antioquia and the Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe - making it an easy stop while exploring the city center.
While Plaza Botero is safe to visit during the day, it's important to stay alert and watch out for pickpockets. Avoid visiting after dark, as the area can become unsafe at night.
Go Cafe Hopping In El Poblado
Colombia, in particular the Antioquia region of Colombia, is known for their delicious coffee. El Poblado is the perfect place to go cafe hopping because of its safety and its boho aesthetic. My favorite coffee shop in El Poblado is Pergamino because of its insanely good coffee and vibe.
I wrote an entire post about the best coffee shops in Medellin. Read it here.
Plaza Minorista Fruit Market
If you want to feel like a Medellin local, head over to the Plaza Minorista Fruit Market and try some fruits you have never heard of. You can find anything from exotic fruits to live chickens in Plaza Minorista Fruit Market. The market can get crowded so beware of pickpockets.
Visit Guatape
Guatape is a beautiful and colorful town about an 1 hour and 40 minutes east of Medellin. The area was once extremely dangerous, but now is one of Colombia's top tourist destinations. You can either take a tour to Guatape or take a bus. I did this tour and loved it!
The tour I did took us to see Peñón de Guatapé (the rock) and on a boat ride that passed by Pablo Escobar's once home.
🚗Guatape Day Trip From Medellin
Where To Dine In Medellin
Best Coffee Shops In Medellin
Pergamino Cafe - Locations all over the city, excellent coffee, cool jungle vibe
Cafe Velvet - 100% woman owned, believes in giving back to the community, amazing coffee
Rituals Cafe - Located in Laurels, great place to get work done
Hija Mia Coffee - Known for their espresso, two locations in El Poblado
Urbania Cafe - Great for Brunch, locations all over the city
☕Read Next - 11 Best Coffee Shops In Medellin, Colombia
Best Restaurants In Medellin
Cuzco - Peruvian, located right near Versus Hotel
Crepes and Waffles - Locations all over Medellin, recommended by many locals I met. Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desert.
Restaurante Hatoviejo Centro - Serves traditional Colombian food
Best Tours To Take In Medellin
Comuna 13 Tour - Comuna 13 can be hard to navigate and most of the tour guide are from the area making it a much more meaningful experience.
Guatape Tour - Doing a tour to Guatape is a great idea because you will not have to use public transportation.
Free Walking Tours - Medellin has so many free walking tours all over the city. I recommend the El Poblado free walking tour.
When To Visit Medellin
Known as the city of eternal springs, Medellin has beautiful weather year round. Tourist season in Medellin is November to April as many travelers want to escape colder climates. So, if you want to avoid the crowds go in the summer. The weather never really changes in Medellin.
I visited Medellin in early November and found the weather to be great!
How to Get Around Medellín
Taxi - Getting a taxi can be difficult because you will need to wave one down or call one. The only time I used a taxi was to get to my hotel from the airport. It was affordable and safe, but I prefer Uber.
Uber - Uber was the best way for me to get around Medellin. I am usually a stickler for saving money, but I felt safest using Uber. Colombia is a very affordable country (relative), so the prices were not bad at all coming from the US. Uber is not legal in Colombia so the driver may ask you to sit in the front, and the cars do not have the uber sticker on them, just be sure to read the license plate.
Bike - When you arrive in Medellin you will notice all of the bikes right away. Bikes are a common way for the locals to get around the city. I would not recommend renting a bike even if you are experienced - it seems very dangerous and like they have their own system.
Metro - The metro in Medellin is an inexpensive option to get to one side of the city to another. Although, I did not feel very safe on the Metro. It was difficult to get a ticket, and I felt that I was the only tourist on the metro. For me - I wouldn't do it again.
Metrocable - The Medellin Metrocable is a great way to see the city from above. The metrocable was closed when I visited, but I would have loved to do it. I think of the Metrocable more of something to do in Medellin (the views) rather than a mode of transportation. There are easier ways to get around the city.
How Long Should I Stay In Medellin?
To see all of the sites I would recommend three full days in Medellin. If you like to take your time traveling then stay for longer, maybe a week.
Where To Go From Medellin
While Medellin is my favorite city in Colombia, there are so many other beautiful places to visit in the country. If you want to add on to your trip to Medellin checkout Cartagena,Bogota, and Santa Maria.
The best way to get from city to city is by plane. There are not many trains in the country and buses could be dangerous because of the terrain and road bandits.
Cartagena and Santa Maria are the most touristy parts of Colombia. They are located on the Caribbean coast and have resorts lining the sea. So if you are in need of some beach time head over to Cartagena and Santa Maria. Santa Maria is just north of Cartagena and is a bit less touristy. You can fly into the Cartagena or Barranquilla airport and then take a short bus to Santa Maria.
Bogota is the capital and the largest city in Colombia, so it is worth a visit.
Cali is located southwest of Medellin. Known for its great hiking and salsa dancing, Cali is worth a visit.
Medellin Travel Guide Wrap Up
Medellin is such an amazing city! We hope that this guide helps you plan the perfect trip to Medellin, Colombia. If you liked this post we think that you will love our 4 Day Medellin Itinerary, Best Hotels In El Poblado, our Guatapé Travel Guide, our Bogota Travel Guide and 11 Best Coffee Shops In Medellin.
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