The villages nearby Medellín come in all shapes and sizes. Colonial villages where time seems to have stood still, villages from which you can do all kinds of adventurous activities and…. villages with houses in “all the colors of the rainbow”. For a nice day trip or multi-day trip to villages near Medellín, there is therefore a lot of choice.
Check out some of the options below. For your convenience, we’ve listed approximate travel times from Medellín and the bus terminal you should get to: the bus terminal del Norte, a 20-minute drive from El Poblado, or the bus terminal del Sur, a 10-minute drive from El Poblado.
How to get there
Bus Terminal del Norte
- 4 min. walk from Caribe subway station (line A)
- Cab ride 20 min. from el Poblado
Santa Fe de Antioquia
- 58km/1.5h
- One of the most beautiful colonial towns in Colombia, with the Puente de Occidente bridge.
- Check out your options for hotels in Santa Fe de Antioquia
- Read here our tips for Santa Fe de Antioquia
Guatapé
- 83km/2h
- “Most colorful town in Colombia,” near the monolith el Peñol
- Check out your options for hotels in Guatapé
- Read our tips for Guatapé en el Peñol
Cocorná
San Rafael
- 110km/3h
- Off the beaten track. Rainforest, natural pools, waterfalls
- Good to combine with Guatapé (1h)
- Check here your options for hotels in San Rafael
- Hotel tip: Ritmo del Rio: an ecohotel in the midst of nature, for a relaxed experience.
photo:viajaremverano
Aldea Doradal (Santorini Colombiano)
- 172km/3.5h
- Greek-style village
- Fun to stroll through the few streets of the village, if you happen to be in the area. Aldea Doradal is located 19 km from Rio Claro Reserva Natural and 1 km from Hacienda Nápoles.
- You can also stay overnight there, including at hotel Aldea Plaza
photo:Octavioprensaturismo
San Carlos
- 113km/4.5h
- Village not accessible 10 years ago due to security concerns
- Waterfalls, natural pools
- Check hier je opties voor hotels in San Carlos
Bus Terminal del Sur
- 3 min. walk from Olaya Herrera Airport
- 20 min walk from el Poblado subway station (Line A)
- cab ride 10 min. from el Poblado
Fredonia
- 52km/1.5h
- Green hilly landscape with coffee plantations and coffee fincas
- Bekijk hier je opties voor hotels in Fredonia
Jericó
- 108 km/3h
- Authentic village with 17 churches, well “hidden” among coffee plantations
- Check here your options for hotels in Jericó
- Read our tips for Jericó
Abejorral
- 90 km /3h
- Off the beaten track, base for extreme sports such as rock climbing
- From here you can reach Casa en el Aire and Ecoparque los Saltos, among others.
- Check here your options for hotels in Abejorral
Jardín
- 128 km/4h
- Traditional coffee village with a cozy village square, in the middle of beautiful nature
- There is a lot of choice in hotels and hostels in Jardín, from beautiful colonial hotels in the center to accommodations in the middle of nature. Check your options for hotels in Jardín here.
- ⇒ Hoteltip: Gulupa ecolodge, a lodge in the midst of nature, with the luxury of a jacuzzi.
- Here you can read more tips for Jardín
Tamesis
- 107 km/3.5h
- Authentic village, not yet as well known as Jardin and Jericó
- Indian petroglyphs, adventure activities
- Check here your options for hotels in Tamesis
#ColombiaMyWayTips
Don’t feel like spending a few hours on the bus, but still want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Medellín?
Then the high-altitude village of Santa Elena (2500m) east of Medellín is an option. The village is known for its flower farms and Medellín’s annual flower festival Feria de las Flores.
You can do hikes in the forest and there are a number of eco hotels and glamping sites, in the middle of nature.
Read here the travel story about our own experiene with information and tips about Santa Elena.
Santa Elena
20km from the center of Medellín
- Easiest to reach by cab (approx. 40 min, COP80,000/$20)
- Or by bus from Placito de Flores (approx.50min) or via Parque Arví for the scenic, long route (metro-cable car-bus).
- Check here your options for hotels and glampings in Santa Elena
