5 days in Medellín

Day by day

1. Day 1: Plaza Botero and Museo de Antioquia

   Plaza Botero, Museo de Antioquia and Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, then Football at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Plaza Botero

      Visit in the morning and keep your phone and bag close; the square is crowded and pickpockets operate. (45 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Museo de Antioquia

      Start with the Botero rooms on the upper floor, then look out over Plaza Botero from the windows. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bandeja paisa

      Traditional paisa restaurants across the city, including the long-established chains and fondas in El Poblado and Envigado.

   4. Afternoon

      Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe

      Look at it from the far side of Plaza Botero for the best view of its patterned stone façade. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Football at Estadio Atanasio Girardot

      Buy tickets through official club channels or go with an organised group, and do not wear rival team colours.

2. Day 2: Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators and Metrocable ride

   Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators, Metrocable ride and Parque Arví, then Parque Lleras and Provenza in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators

      Take a tour led by a resident; they explain the murals' meaning and the neighbourhood's story far better than a solo visit. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Metrocable ride

      Ride outside weekday rush hours; combining Line K with Line L to Arví makes a half-day outing. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Arepa paisa

      Every bakery, breakfast counter and restaurant.

   4. Afternoon

      Parque Arví

      Bring a light jacket; it is noticeably cooler and often misty at Arví compared with the valley. (Half a day, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Parque Lleras and Provenza

      Start in Provenza for dinner and cocktails; Parque Lleras itself gets rowdy and has a seedy side late at night.

3. Day 3: Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa and Jardín Botánico de Medellín

   Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa, Jardín Botánico de Medellín and Parque Explora, then Parque Lleras and Provenza in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa

      Come at sunset and stay to watch the city lights come on. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Jardín Botánico de Medellín

      Combine it with Parque Explora and the Planetarium, which are across the road. (1.5 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Arepa de chócolo

      Street stalls and markets, and roadside stands on the way to Guatapé and Santa Elena.

   4. Afternoon

      Parque Explora

      Allow at least half a day and visit on a weekday to avoid school-holiday crowds. (3–4 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Parque Lleras and Provenza

      The main tourist-oriented nightlife district in El Poblado, with clubs, bars and cocktail lounges.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Guatapé and El Peñol

   About 2 hours by bus each way. Getting there: Bus from Terminal del Norte, or an organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Guatapé and El Peñol

      About 2 hours by bus (Bus from Terminal del Norte, or an organised tour); about 80 km.

   2. Day

      Guatapé and El Peñol

      El Peñol is a huge granite monolith with a 700-step staircase to the top, looking over the islands and inlets of the Guatapé reservoir. Best for first-timers, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Medellín

      Dinner: try Mondongo.

5. Day 5: Museo Casa de la Memoria and Parque de los Pies Descalzos

   Museo Casa de la Memoria, Parque de los Pies Descalzos and Basílica Metropolitana, then La 70 and Laureles in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museo Casa de la Memoria

      Allow time to reflect afterwards; the exhibits are moving and some are graphic. (1.5 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Parque de los Pies Descalzos

      Bring a small towel; children love paddling in the water features. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mondongo

      Traditional restaurants, especially at lunch on weekends.

   4. Afternoon

      Basílica Metropolitana

      Visit by day; Parque Bolívar is best avoided after dark. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      La 70 and Laureles

      A busier local scene of bars and clubs along Carrera 70 near the stadium.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, El Poblado keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Provenza ($$$) suits food lovers, nightlife, couples and shopping. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 23–28 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.8 hours in January to 12.5 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Medellín
• 2 days in Medellín
• 3 days in Medellín

Questions travellers ask