Things to Do in Medellín
50 curated spots from Medellín itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Jardín Botánico de Medellín
Explore orchid collections, bamboo groves, and shady paths while spotting iguanas and tropical birds; don’t miss the Orquideorama, a striking wooden structure that feels like a giant forest canopy.
2h · Free
Plaza Botero & Museo de Antioquia
See Botero’s oversized bronze sculptures in the open plaza, then visit the museum for more art and a look at Medellín’s transformation.
2h 30m · $7-10 (museum) / Plaza free
Museo El Castillo & Gardens
Visit a Gothic-style castle museum surrounded by manicured gardens, fountains, and trees, all perched on a hillside for partial city views.
2h · $6-10
Pueblito Paisa & Cerro Nutibara
Take a short taxi up the forested hill, wander the replica traditional village, and enjoy panoramic city views amid trees and stone paths.
2h · Free (small taxi fare up/down)
Comuna 13 Guided Graffiti Tour
Meet your guide in San Javier and ride outdoor escalators up through the hills to see murals, breakdancers, and viewpoints; go with a well-reviewed operator for context and safety.
2h 30m · $15-30
Jardín Botánico Joaquín Antonio Uribe
Wander palm avenues, an orchid garden, a small lake, and the iconic Orquideorama pavilion; look for iguanas and tropical birds among the dense greenery.
2h · Free
Metrocable to Parque Arví
Ride Line K then L up and over the forested hills to Parque Arví, watching the city drop away beneath you.
1h 30m · $6-8 per person round-trip
Museo de Antioquia
Explore Fernando Botero works, pre-Columbian pieces, and modern Colombian art in a historic building facing Plaza Botero.
2h · $7-10
Parque Explora
Interactive science museum with an aquarium, dinosaur skeletons, and lots of hands-on experiments and play areas.
3h · $10-15
Parque Lineal La Presidenta
Shaded, creek-side linear park with trails, small bridges, and lots of greenery right in El Poblado; kids can run, explore the stream edges, and take photos by the jungle-like vegetation.
1h · Free
Arví Park (Parque Arví) via Metrocable
Ride the metro and Metrocable from Acevedo through forests to Arví Park and take an easy guided nature walk among pines, ferns, and native plants.
3h 30m · $5-10 for cable car plus optional tour
Cerro Nutibara & Pueblito Paisa
Head up this hilltop park (short taxi from Poblado) to explore a replica Antioquian village, viewpoints, and forested paths.
2h 30m · Free (small taxi cost)
Comuna 13 Escalators & Street Art
Take the metro to San Javier, then join a local walking tour or follow the main route up the outdoor escalators through graffiti-covered alleys, with viewpoints, music, and performances along the way.
2h 30m · $10-20 (guided tour) or Free (self-guided)
Comuna 13 Graffiti & Escalator Area
Join a guided walk or explore the main escalator route to see vivid murals, breakdancers, and viewpoints over the hillsides; focus on the main tourist streets.
2h 30m · $10-25 (tour) or Free (independent, excluding transit)
Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour (with Metrocable)
Join a local guided tour through the murals and escalators, learning how art transformed the neighborhood; many tours include cable car rides.
3h · $15-25 per person
Comuna 13 Guided Family Tour
Join a morning small-group tour (book in advance) to ride the outdoor escalators, see colorful murals, hear music and dance, and learn how the neighborhood transformed from violence to art; many tours include a snack and photo stops.
3h · $20-30 per person
Comuna 13 Guided Graffiti Walk
Join a local guide to ride the outdoor escalators, see powerful murals, hear stories of the neighborhood’s transformation, and enjoy hillside views dotted with houses and greenery.
2h 30m · $15-25 per person
Comuna 13 Street Art & Escalators
Join a guided walking tour to ride the outdoor escalators and see powerful murals, viewpoints over the valley, and street performances.
2h 30m · $15-25 per person
Comuna 13 Street Art Walk
Explore the murals, outdoor escalators, and hillside viewpoints with time for photos and short pauses. Focus on the main mural corridors rather than trying to see everything.
2h 30m · Free-25
El Poblado Free Explore Walk (Parque Poblado & Provenza)
After lunch, wander tree-lined streets from Parque El Poblado up into Provenza and Manila—look for street art, small design shops, and cafes tucked behind plants and bamboo.
2h 30m · Free
El Tesoro Parque Comercial Outdoor Terraces
Head up to this hilltop mall’s outdoor terraces: kids can enjoy playground areas and small rides while you take in panoramic valley views surrounded by lots of greenery and breezy, open-air corridors.
2h · Free to enter (rides extra ~$2-4)
Evening Stroll in El Poblado After Guatapé
Back in the city, do a light walk through the lit-up, leafy streets, grabbing a juice or coffee and unwinding after the long day.
1h · Free (plus drink)
Evening Walk in Ciudad del Río Park
Stroll the linear park, with sculptures, grassy patches, and scattered trees, often with locals exercising or relaxing in the evening breeze.
1h · Free
Free Explore in El Poblado
Spend the first part of the morning wandering Provenza’s tree-lined streets, boutique corners, and quiet café blocks. Look for tropical plants, small design shops, and relaxed neighborhood energy.
1h 30m · Free
Free Explore in San Javier
Leave a generous block to wander the neighborhood around the station and main viewpoints. Look for small cafés, local life, and mural details without overplanning.
2h · Free
Free-Explore El Poblado & Manila
Wander between Parque Lleras and Manila, ducking into plant-filled cafés, bookstores, and small galleries; look for murals and street art on side streets and enjoy the hilly, leafy environment.
2h 30m · Free (plus whatever you buy)
Guatapé & Piedra del Peñol Day Trip
Join a small-group tour from El Poblado or Laureles to climb the 742 steps up El Peñol rock for panoramic views over the lakes, stroll Guatapé’s colorful zócalos, and cruise the reservoir.
7h · $35-60 (often including transport and basic meals)
Laureles & Estadio Free Explore
Stroll tree-lined streets around the Estadio area and Laureles’ circular avenues; let the kids play in small neighborhood parks and grab fresh fruit cups or juices from simple stands (stick to peeled fruit you see prepared fresh).
2h · Free (plus snacks)
Laureles Tree-Lined Park Loops
Walk slow loops around Primer and Segundo Parque de Laureles, shaded by trees and surrounded by low-rise buildings, cafés, and street art; sit on benches and just soak in the local neighborhood feel.
2h · Free
Memory House Museum (Museo Casa de la Memoria)
Take a short taxi to this thoughtful museum about Colombia’s conflict and peace process; exhibits mix multimedia and personal stories.
2h · Free or small donationRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Naturalia Café
Leafy café with a small garden vibe; go for vegetarian breakfasts like avocado toast, eggs with arepa and fruit, smoothies, and coffee—ask for no pork and confirm oils used are vegetable-only.
1h · $8-15 per person
Restaurante Vegetariano Govindas
Simple vegetarian Indian-influenced restaurant near Plaza Botero; choose daily set menu of curries, rice, and salads with no meat or alcohol.
1h · $6-10 per person
Alambique
Bohemian restaurant with plants, wooden interiors, and a rustic, jungle-wild vibe. Opt for halal-friendly fish mains, vegetarian stews, and sides, and remind staff you avoid pork and alcohol in any sauces.
1h 30m · $20-35 per person
Mundo Verde Manila
Health-focused cafe ringed with plants; choose veggie bowls, falafel wraps, and build-your-own salads, specifying no meat, alcohol, or gelatin-based dressings.
1h · $10-15 per person
Zaaika Restaurante Árabe
Casual Middle Eastern spot with greenery on a quiet Laureles street; order the mixed grill (all meats prepared without pork or alcohol sauces) and falafel with hummus. Confirm ‘todo halal’ with staff; they advertise halal-friendly preparation and avoid cross-contamination with pork.
1h 15m · $12-18 per person
Al Baquin Arabic Food
Middle Eastern restaurant with warm lighting and some plant décor. Halal: they advertise halal meats; opt for shawarma plates, mixed grills, kabsa-style rice with halal chicken or lamb, plus hummus, tabbouleh, and baba ghanoush; confirm ‘todo es halal’ on arrival.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Al Bayrak Restaurante Árabe
Warm, greenery-accented Arabic restaurant on a quiet Laureles street. Order chicken shish taouk, meat skewers, fattoush, lentil soup, and rice; ask for halal meat options and avoid anything explicitly marked with pork.
1h 15m · $12-18 per person
Al Shami – Comida Árabe
No-frills Arabic restaurant a short walk from Plaza Botero. Choose the halal grilled chicken, kofta kebabs, rice plates, lentil soup, and mixed mezze; staff can confirm halal certification and you can avoid anything that looks processed or unclear.
1h · $8-14 per person
Alib Baba Comida Árabe
Simple, good-value Middle Eastern spot; they use halal meat. Order chicken shawarma wraps, falafel plates, hummus with pita, and fresh juices; portions are kid-friendly and filling.
1h · $8-12 per person
Alma Libre Açaí Bar
Bright, plant-filled cafe; order açaí bowls with fruits, granola, and peanut butter, ensuring no alcohol-based flavorings.
45m · $7-10 per person
Botanical Garden Café (Jardín Botánico)
Have simple eggs, fruit, and bread at the garden café; avoid any pork and choose vegetarian or fish options as needed.
45m · $6-10 per person
Botanika Lounge
Green, garden-style restaurant with a semi-open design and lots of plants. Halal-friendly choices include fish dishes, vegetarian pastas, salads, and yucca or plantain sides—specify no pork or alcohol-based sauces.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Café Botanico (Jardín Botánico Café)
Garden-side cafe; order fruit plates, omelettes or scrambled eggs without ham, and fresh juices, confirming no pork or alcohol in any dish.
1h · $7-12 per person
Café Botánico Jardín Botánico
Garden cafe; choose vegetarian options like arepas with cheese, fruit platters, and fresh juices—ask to avoid alcohol or lard in preparation.
1h · $8-14 per person
Café Cliché
Cozy café with a leafy patio and artsy vibe. Halal-friendly options include vegetarian omelets, crepes without meat, bread with jam, and fruit juices or coffee.
1h · $8-15 per person
Café del Bosque (inside Jardín Botánico)
Garden-side café surrounded by trees and birdsong. Order huevos pericos without ham, arepas with cheese, pastries, and fresh fruit juices—stick to vegetarian items for halal compliance.
1h · $6-10 per person
Café del Bosque (Jardín Botánico Café)
Garden café inside the Botanical Garden surrounded by tropical plants. Stick to vegetarian options like arepas with cheese, pastries, fruit plates, and juices, and avoid any non-halal meats.
45m · $6-10 per person
Café del Bosque (Jardín Botánico)
Café inside the Botanical Garden surrounded by trees; order huevos pericos (eggs with tomato and scallion cooked in vegetable oil), fresh fruit, and juice, confirming no pork in your dish and no alcohol in juices or sauces.
1h · $6-10 per person
Café Híbrido (inside Parque Arví Market Area)
Mountain café with wooden interiors; order arepas with cheese, scrambled eggs, hot chocolate, and fruit—ask for vegetarian preparation and confirm no lard is used.
45m · $6-12 per person
Cilantro Taqueria
Start with halal-friendly breakfast items or vegetarian breakfast plates if offered; choose clearly compatible options such as eggs, fruit, arepas, or meat-free items prepared without pork or alcohol.
45m · $7-14 per person