Things to do in Medellin Colombia – And Surrounding Area

Medellin is the capital of the Antioquia region of Colombia. An affordable destination compared to most tourist destinations, Medellin and the surrounding area have plenty to see. In the city itself, there is much to see and do including:

1. Metrocable rides: Several cable cars (like gondolas) around the city take you up to beautiful viewpoints and also to parks like Parque Arvi.
2. Comuna 13: Tour guides are abundant and ready to take visitors around this historic neighborhood full of street performers, street art, and history. The hillside neighborhood has several escalators and slides to help you get up and down.
3. Parque Explora: This is an interactive science museum in Medellín, Colombia, some say it is modeled after San Francisco’s Exploratorium.
4. Botanical Gardens: The Joaquin Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden of Medellín more simply known as the Botanical Garden of Medellín, is a 14-hectare botanical garden in Medellín filled with flowers, birds, and rare plants and orchids.
5. Shopping Malls: Medellin has several enormous indoor and outdoor shopping malls, several of which are 5 or more stories tall. Prices in Colombia are much lower generally than in the United States.
6. Markets: visit one of the many city’s markets to try tropical fruits, local produce, food and handicrafts.
7. Mirador de Santa Elena: in the mountains just outside the city is the town of Santa Elena. This mountaintop viewpoint with viewing tower and restaurant as well as biking and hiking trails is worth a visit.
8. Food Tours: Take a taste of Medellin by joining a guided food tour and taste all kinds of Colombian and Antioquian specialties.

Day Trips and Things to do Near Medellin Colombia

Day trips from Medellin and overnight trips within the area are very worthwhile. Antioquia, Colombia is a beautiful region with many things to see and do. Some popular activities include:

1. El Castillo Museum and Gardens, Colombian museum in the El Poblado district of Medellín with beautiful grounds.
2. Exploring the Andean mountain range, with many hiking trails and beautiful scenery.
3. Visiting Guatapé and El Penol rock, a colorful town known for its giant rock you can climb up and beautiful lake. Take a free walking tour of the Zocalos (wall sculptures/art) in Guatape.
4. Visiting the coffee region, where you can learn about the history and production of Colombian coffee. We visited Miler Finca Coffee Tours farm in Penol near Guatape and highly recommend it (just text whatsapp: +57 311 6159160 and he will tell you when to come).
5. Historic town of Jardin, this picturesue and quaint village is an absolute must-visit and worth the drive for an overnight stay. Take a TukTuk tour of the waterfalls and sights around town like the Cave of Splendor and seeing rare Gallito de Roca birds in the wild.
6. Relaxing at one of the many thermal baths in the region, such as Santa Rosa de Cabal or El Peñol.
7. Visiting the Pueblito Paisa, an open-air museum that showcases the traditional architecture and culture of Antioquia.
8. Visit the Parque Arví, a huge nature park with hiking trails, bike paths and ecotourism activities.
9. Comfama park, this park has a laketop water play structure, water slides and more.

Food in Medellin Colombia

Local cuisine includes dishes such as:

Bandeja Paisa: the most common meal in this area, it is a platter containing red beans cooked with pork, white rice, ground meat, chicharrón (fried pork belly), fried egg, plantain, chorizo, arepa (a thick corn tortilla), hogao sauce, black pudding, avocado and lemon

Ajiaco: Ajiaco soup is a Colombian chicken soup, typically served with potatoes and corn on the cob.

Fresh fruit smoothies: most restaurants have a variety of fresh tropical fruit juices and smoothies. Lulo, Nispero, and Uchuva are special fruits of the area that are often seen on the juice menu.

Solteritas: These are crunchy orange banana cookies that are topped with condensed milk or other sweet toppings.