You are planning your trip to Colombia, but you do not know what to do in Medellin?
Medellin is Antioquia’s capital and it is Colombia’s second most important city. If you have decided to stop by this beautiful city, here are 7 must-see places and things to do in the city of the eternal spring and its surrounding.
1. Graffiti Tour in Comuna 13 Medellin
Until the beginning of the 2000’s, Comuna 13 was one of the most sensitive neighborhoods of Medellin. Today, it has become one of the most visited parts of the city thanks to the ambitious projects of urban transformation and social programs.
We invite you to come to visit and discover this area’s evolution. Take part of the social, cultural and urban transformation with our walking tour. The Graffitour or Graffiti Tour is a cultural, political, historical and artistic visit which lasts approximatively 3 hours. You will be guided by a member of the local community that played and continues to play, a fundamental role in the neighborhood. Discover the public escalators, taste one of the most exotic ice cream, picture the urban graffiti and have a chat with the locals for an unforgettable experience.
You can easily book the Graffiti Tour in French, English or Spanish with us.
2. Guatape and El Penol
Medellin is located just a two hours drive to one of the most colorful towns of Colombia: Guatape. Take the time to get lost on the cobbled streets and multicolored houses of this charming village of Antioquia.
On your way to Guatape, you must stop at the Peñol (or The Penon) Rock. This monolith (natural rock formation) has become one of the most visited viewpoints of the region. Climb the 659 steps to the summit and enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and the artificial lake created in the 70’s.
You can easily book a private tour to Guatape and the Penol rock in French, Spanish or English with us.
3. Medellin City Center or “El Centro”
Tika Travel invites you to visit Medellin’s historic Center. Learn about this unique city’s history with professional and passionate guides. Explore the pedestrian streets and discover the local architecture, historic churches, and typical “paisas” squares.
Don’t miss the Botero Plaza which is decorated with 23 sculptures of Fernando Botero. The sculptures were given as a donation by the artist (who is originally from Medellin). If you are passionate about art, we encourage you to visit the most important Museum in the city, the Museum of Antioquia. The site has plenty of Fernando Botero’s paintings and sculptures as well as beautiful Art pieces from notorious artists of the region.
Should you want to understand the history of Medellin you must visit Museo Casa de la Memoria. This free-entrance-museum collects documentaries and poignant victims’ testimonies from the last fifty years. Understanding the conflict that has affected Colombia enriches your trip and makes it much more interesting.
You can book the Medellin City Center Tour in French, English or Spanish with us.
4. Natural Park Arvi and Cable Car Medellin
During your stay in Medellin, do not hesitate to use the metro to move around. Medellin is the only city in Colombia that has a metro. Plus, it is connected to a tramway line, three cable car lines and an impressive number of buses. As a result, the city has been recognized as the most innovative city in 2012. Since its metro’s inauguration in 1995, Medellin has continued to develop and extend its means of public transportation. Perhaps you will also be amazed by the cleanliness of the metro or by the change of scenarios and landscape while taking the cable car.
If you want to escape the city, we invite you to take the metro to Acevedo Metro Station and then the cable car “Metrocable” to Arvi Park. In less than an hour, you will be able to admire an innovative public transport mean, an incredible view of the city and magnificent forest. As soon as you arrive in Park Arvi, look for the information desk and book one of their walking tours. In a woodland park of 16.000 hectares, there are plenty of small hikes to do. You will be able to discover the rich fauna and flora of the region as well as a mere fragment of Colombia’s unique biodiversity, its trees, flowers, birds, and butterflies. Note: Park Arvi is closed on Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday it closes on Tuesday).
Get more information about Parque Arvi or contact us if you are interested in a personalized tour in French, English or Spanish.
5. Medellin Familial Spots
The Explora Park: Explora Park will be your children’s paradise! It is an interactive center of science and technology including a planetarium and an aquarium with more than 300 different kinds of fishes. This didact park will surprise you and your children. Note: Closed on Monday (if Monday is a public holiday then it closes on Tuesday). To get there, take the metro to Universidad metro station.
The Botanical Garden: If you want to escape the city by getting close to nature try the botanical garden, Joaquín Antonio Uribe. The botanical garden is a unique collection of Colombia’s fauna and flora and a natural reserve in the middle of the city. Get off at Universidad metro station to get to this place of calm and nature discovery. The place is perfect for a family day to picnic and observes iguanas!
The Pueblito Paisa: Visit the Cerro Nutibara (Nutibara’s Hill) to admire the panoramic view of Medellin. From this hill, you will also be able to discover a copy of a typical town of Antioquia “El Pueblito Paisa”. Grab a taxi from Exposiciones Metro Station to get up there (less than 10.000COP the ride in 2019)
6. Santa Fe de Antioquia
Take one day of your time to go to Santa Fe de Antioquia, the former capital of Antioquia. The village is located one-hour drive from Medellin and it is famous for its streets, the colonial houses, the beautiful churches and the first suspension bridge of Latin America. If you have an adventurous soul, Tika Travel offers to visit the surrounding of the village as a real Paisa by riding a horse! Last but not least, finish your hot day (average 34C temperature) cooling off with a fresh Tamarind Juice in the central square observing inhabitants enjoying their day.
Do not hesitate to book the one-day-tour to Santa Fe de Antioquia in French, English or Spanish with us.
7. Jardin – Antioquia
Jardin is one of the most appreciated villages of Paisas. It is the last of our list because of the distance :P. Located at three hours from Medellin, this small town has a special peaceful atmosphere with a beautiful landscape and colorful houses that makes it so perfectly beautiful. If you have some time in Medellin and if you love the coffee region and landscape, Jardin is totally worth it! Once on-site, visit a finca cafetera (coffee plantation) and do some little treks nearby. Do not leave Jardin without drinking a coffee or an aguardiente in the central square while observing the inhabitants.
With Tika Travel you can book the 2 days tour to Jardin from Medellin in French, English or Spanish.
