Top 10 Things to Do in Medellín
From cable car rides over mountains to street art tours in transformed barrios — the essential experiences ranked.
The Experiences That Define Medellín
This isn't a generic tourist list. Every activity on this page was selected because it tells the story of what makes Medellín unique — a city that went from the murder capital of the world to Latin America's most innovative in just two decades.
You'll ride the MetroCable that transformed hillside communities, walk through Comuna 13's world-class street art, eat the dishes that built a culture, and see why 2.5 million people proudly call this valley home. Number one is the single most touristy thing you can do — and it's absolutely worth it.
Local Knowledge
MetroCable Is a Tourist Attraction
Locals commute on it daily, but tourists ride Line L to Parque Arví purely for the views. It's the cheapest scenic gondola ride in the world at COP $2,950.
Comuna 13 Tours Support Locals
The paid street art tours (COP $40,000) are run by community members. Your money goes directly to the neighborhood that rebuilt itself from nothing. Worth every peso.
Go Early to Guatapé
The 740 stairs of La Piedra del Peñol get packed by noon. Leave Medellín at 7AM, climb the rock by 9AM, explore Guatapé town midday, and head back by 4PM.
Half Are Free
6 of the 10 activities on this list cost nothing. The MetroCable, Comuna 13, Pueblito Paisa, Jardín Botánico, the escalators, and wandering the murals are all free.
Mornings Are Golden
In rainy season (Apr–May, Oct–Nov), mornings are typically clear and gorgeous. Plan outdoor activities before 1PM and indoor stuff (museums, restaurants) for the afternoon downpours.
Sunday Brunch Is Sacred
Colombians take Sunday food seriously. Restaurants like Mondongo's and Hatoviejo fill up fast — make a reservation or arrive before noon to experience the city's best food tradition.
Top 10 Activities
Ride the MetroCable to Parque Arví
The MetroCable Line L glides over the mountainside, offering jaw-dropping panoramic views of the entire Medellín valley before depositing you at Parque Arví — a 39,500-acre nature reserve with hiking trails, cloud forest, and local food stalls. The ride itself is the attraction. Go on a clear morning for the best views. Round trip on the cable car is included with your metro fare.
Explore Comuna 13
Once the most dangerous neighborhood in the world, Comuna 13 has transformed into Medellín's most powerful symbol of rebirth. Massive murals cover every wall, electric escalators climb the hillside, and local guides share stories of the community's remarkable turnaround. Take a free walking tour or hire a local guide for COP $40,000 to get the full history. The street art here rivals Bogotá's.
Visit Botero Plaza & Museo de Antioquia
Fernando Botero, Medellín's most famous son, donated 23 massive bronze sculptures that now line the plaza outside the Museo de Antioquia — the world's largest collection of his work. Inside, you'll also find pre-Columbian gold, colonial religious art, and rotating contemporary exhibitions. The plaza is free; the museum is COP $20,000 and worth every peso. Budget 2–3 hours.
Pueblito Paisa
A faithfully recreated colonial Antioquian village perched on top of Cerro Nutibara, one of the few hills within Medellín proper. You'll find a white-washed church, traditional adobe houses, artisan shops, and stunning 360° views of the city. It's a quick Uber or a steep 20-minute walk from the metro. Go at sunset when the entire valley lights up golden.
Jardín Botánico
Thirty-six acres of meticulously maintained tropical gardens in the heart of the city. The highlight is the stunning Orquideorama — a honeycomb-shaped wooden pavilion that shelters thousands of orchids. There's also a butterfly house, a desert garden, a lake with turtles, and roaming iguanas. Completely free and rarely crowded. Bring a book and stay for hours.
Day Trip to Guatapé
Two hours from Medellín, Guatapé is Colombia's most colorful town. Every building is covered in hand-painted zócalos (bas-relief panels) depicting scenes of daily life. The main attraction is La Piedra del Peñol — a 220m granite monolith with 740 stairs to the top and a jaw-dropping view of the reservoir. Take the bus from Terminal del Norte (COP $50,000 round trip). Go early, return by dark.
Parque Explora
South America's largest interactive science museum sits right next to the Jardín Botánico. It houses 300+ hands-on exhibits, the largest freshwater aquarium in South America, a planetarium, and a vivarium. Kids go absolutely wild here, but adults will find plenty to geek out over too. The terrariums and physics exhibits are standout. Budget 3–4 hours minimum.
Santa Fe Zoo
A compact but well-maintained zoo in the Santa Fe neighborhood with over 1,000 animals from 200+ species. The highlights are the butterfly garden, the hippo enclosure, and the Colombian wildlife section featuring jaguars and condors. Great for families with kids — it's small enough to do in 2 hours but packed with variety. Right on the metro line.
Walk the Comuna 13 Escalators
In 2011, the city installed a 384-meter outdoor escalator system — the first of its kind in the world — to help residents of Comuna 13 climb the steep hillside. It transformed the neighborhood. Today, the escalators are flanked by vibrant murals, music, food vendors, and some of the best panoramic views in the city. Free to ride. Combine with the Comuna 13 walking tour.
Sunday Brunch at Local Restaurants
Sunday brunch is a ritual in Medellín. Local families gather at traditional fondas and upscale restaurants alike. Try Mondongo's for the legendary tripe soup, Hatoviejo for a full bandeja paisa experience, or Carmen for a modern Colombian tasting menu. In El Poblado, Pergamino Café does an incredible coffee-paired brunch. Pro tip: Colombians eat late — brunch starts at 11AM and runs until 3PM.
Perfect For
- ✓First-time visitors — this list covers the absolute essentials
- ✓Adventure seekers — MetroCable, Comuna 13, Guatapé rock climb
- ✓Budget travelers — 6 of 10 activities are completely free
- ✓Families — Parque Explora, zoo, botanical garden are kid-friendly
- ✓Photographers — Comuna 13, Guatapé, and the MetroCable views are stunning
Stick to Tourist Areas
All 10 activities on this list are in safe, well-traveled areas. Comuna 13 tours are safe during daytime. Use Uber between locations — don't walk through unfamiliar neighborhoods at night. The metro is safe during operating hours. Keep your phone in your pocket in crowded areas.
Metro + Uber Covers Everything
8 of the 10 activities are accessible by metro. Parque Explora and Jardín Botánico share the Universidad station. Comuna 13 is at San Javier station. Only Guatapé requires a bus from Terminal del Norte. Uber fills the gaps for COP $6,000–$15,000 per ride.
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