Medellín Travel Guide: What to See, Do, and Eat (Without Wasting Time)

So, you’ve made it to Medellín. Congrats—you picked the “City of Eternal Spring,” which basically means the weather is so perfect that locals complain when it rains for 5 minutes. Medellín is colorful, chaotic, ridiculously photogenic, and sometimes confusing… but don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Let’s break down what you really need to see, eat, and drink. And hey—don’t forget: the best way to see it all is with a local (yes, like me 👀). Check out my tours before you wander off clueless.

🎨 Must-See Attractions

Botero Plaza:

Big. Chunky. Beautiful. That’s Botero Plaza. You’ll find 23 oversized bronze sculptures by the legendary Fernando Botero. Yes, everything is fat: cats, birds, humans—you name it. And no, you don’t have to touch them for good luck, but tourists always do.

💡 Pro tip: Book my City Tour Medellín—we’ll stop here so you don’t miss the inside stories behind Botero’s art.

Arví Park 🌿

Need to escape city chaos? Arví Park is your oxygen fix. Cable cars take you straight into a green paradise where you can hike, picnic, and pretend you’re a nature influencer.

Pueblito Paisa 🏡

It’s basically a mini Antioquian village on top of a hill. Cute streets, old-school vibes, and a killer view of the whole city. And "Trovadores" I would choose my outfit very wisely being around them, otherwise, they´ll make fun of you very easily. Perfect for those “casual but Instagram-worthy” shots.

Botanical Garden 🌺

This is Medellín’s jungle in the middle of the city. Expect a butterfly house, orchids, and locals chilling like it’s their backyard.

Metropolitan Cathedral ⛪

Fun fact: It’s the largest brick church in the world. No kidding—over a million bricks. Worth a stop, especially if you love architecture or pretending you’re in a telenovela.

Provenza 🍸

Think Miami meets Medellín. Trendy bars, stylish restaurants, and where you’ll find the “Instagram elite” sipping cocktails. Even if you’re not into nightlife, come here to see Medellín’s glam side.

Guatapé and Peñol Rock 🏞️

Imagine a colorful town where every house looks like a mural—and right next to it, a giant rock with 740 steps. Yes, 740. Your legs will cry, but your camera will thank you.

👉 Don’t do this alone—my Guatapé and Peñol Tour takes care of transport, lunch, and all the fun storytelling, so you just focus on surviving the stairs.

Comuna 13 🎨

From one of the city’s most dangerous neighborhoods to one of its most inspiring—Comuna 13 is living art. Murals, hip-hop, street performers, and escalators climbing the hills. It’s Medellín’s resilience on display.

👉 Book my Comuna 13 Tour to get the real stories (and skip the generic tourist explanations).

🍽️ Where to Eat

Traditional Colombian Restaurants

• Mondongo’s 🥘 – The ultimate place for bandeja paisa (and no, you can’t finish it alone).

• La Octava Maravilla: a restaurant in Sabaneta, great views, awesome food and local experience.

• Hacienda Junín 🍛 – Cozy spot for traditional flavors.

• El Cielo 🍽️ – Fine dining Colombian-style: fancy, delicious, and yes, you’ll want photos of every plate.

Fancy Fusion & International

• Carmen 🍷 – Colombian fusion at its best. Expensive, but worth every bite.

• La Pampa 🥩 – Argentinian steakhouse perfection.

• Medellín Burger Company 🍔 – Hands down, one of the best burgers in town.

Vegetarian-Friendly

• Saludpan 🥗 – Organic, healthy, guilt-free eating.

• Verdeo 🌱 – Creative plant-based food that even carnivores enjoy.

🍹 Bars and Nightlife

• Provenza 🎷 – Rooftops, cocktails, and the vibe you see on TikTok.

• Teatro Victoria: Inside the heart of Provenza, you´ll find this place. With four rooms of different musical genres, and for my single friends would be a great place to meet beautiful women of Medellin.

• Dulce Jesús Mío 🎡 – Imagine Disney, but Colombian bar-style. Neon, music, and chaos.

• Son Havana 💃 – Salsa heaven. Take a class or just fake it—no one cares.

• La Octava 🎸 – Bar with a giant ball pit. Yes, for adults.

• El Deck 🎧 – Reggaeton + electronic = your workout for the week.

• La House 🎶 – All the genres, all the fun.

• Perro Negro 🎵 – Indie rock + cocktails = underrated gem.

Pro Tip: Heads up my foreign visitors with Medellin women, they´re extremely beautiful but also dangerous. Please always take some precautions when you bring them to you place and also same recommendations as in Bogota, never follow them to shady hotels, bars or houses. Stay safe.

✨ Final Tip: Don’t Just Visit Medellín, Experience It

You could spend weeks here and still not scratch the surface. But if you want to get the real Medellín without wasting time:

👉 Join one of my tours.

• 🚶 City Tour Medellín (history + highlights)

• 🎨 Comuna 13 Experience (art + resilience)

• 🏞️ Guatapé and Peñol Rock (views + vibes)

Trust me—you’ll thank yourself later.