Comparison · Cartagena vs Medellín · Colombia
Cartagena vs Medellín
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sgonzalezb, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Cartagena for Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe and beaches; choose Medellín for Eternal spring climate, Metrocable and lower day-to-day costs. Medellín is generally less expensive, and the two are about 461 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 461 km
- Less expensive
- Medellín
- Best time for Cartagena
- February–April
- Best time for Medellín
- June–August and December–February
Side by side
| Cartagena | Medellín | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Colombia | Colombia |
| Known for | Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe and Colourful balconies | Eternal spring climate, Metrocable and Comuna 13 |
| Best time to visit | February–April | June–August and December–February |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$200 | $80–$150 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Affordable |
| Warmest month | April, 32°C (90°F) | January, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 31°C (88°F) | October, 27°C (81°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | Playa Blanca, Barú | — |
| Airports | CTG | MDE, EOH |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cartagena for…
Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe and beaches. Cartagena de Indias was one of Spain's main ports in the Americas, and its old town is still enclosed by about 11 km of stone walls. Inside, the El Centro and San Diego quarters are a grid of bougainvillea-draped balconies, churches and plazas, while…
Choose Medellín for…
Eternal spring climate, Metrocable and lower day-to-day costs. Medellín fills the narrow Aburrá Valley at about 1,500 metres, which gives it mild weather all year and the nickname 'City of Eternal Spring'. Colombia's second city is known for its transformation since the 1990s: a clean metro system with cable cars…
Top sights compared
| # | Cartagena | Medellín |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The walled city | Plaza Botero |
| 2 | City walls and bastions | Museo de Antioquia |
| 3 | Castillo San Felipe de Barajas | Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe |
| 4 | Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad | Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators |
| 5 | Plaza Santo Domingo | Metrocable ride |
Food compared
| Cartagena | Medellín |
|---|---|
| Arepa de huevo | Bandeja paisa |
| Carimañola | Arepa paisa |
| Fried fish with coconut rice | Arepa de chócolo |
| Cazuela de mariscos | Mondongo |
Which is cheaper?
Medellín is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $80–$150 per person there, against $110–$200 in Cartagena (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Medellín on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cartagena and Medellín are about 461 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 5 days in Cartagena and 5 in Medellín.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cartagena or Medellín cheaper?
Medellín is usually less expensive: about $80–$150 a day mid-range against $110–$200 (estimates).
+Is Cartagena or Medellín better for a first trip?
Pick Cartagena for Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe and beaches, or Medellín for Eternal spring climate, Metrocable and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Cartagena from Medellín?
About 461 km in a straight line.