What to do
in Medellín

Travel with the locals on the metrocable. The view of the city as well as the comunas is impressive; villages with narrow streets built steeply against the mountain. Despite the visible poverty, it looks cozy because life takes place outside. Nature reserve Parque Arví is the last stop. You can hike there and it is a nice place for lunch among the locals on Sundays.

The giga mall with nearly 400 stores and a large food court, is located 5 minutes from Envigado metro station. Viva Centro Comercial includes a large Exito “Wow” store, Homecenter, 16 movie theaters, large Viva park especially for kids and even a sports center with soccer and volleyball courts. Look here for more shopping tips in Medellín.

On all Sundays and holidays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., part of the roads are closed to cars. This makes Sunday the ideal day for a bike ride or a walk. For example, you can bike from El Poblado to Envigado (6.5 km). There is a pleasant bustle of stalls and many strolling families.

A visit to Museo Casa de la Memoria, is almost a must, if you are going to do a Comuna 13 tour. It is a modern, interactive museum, where you will gain insight into the history of the drug conflict. There is a separate room, where the victims of the years of drug violence have been given a face through the many photos and stories. One thing is for sure: after visiting this museum, the stories of the locals in Comuna 13 will impress you even more! Tip: Bring your earbuds, connect to the wifi in the museum and download the English-language app! Admission is free. The museum is located in Parque Bicentenario in the city center. It is a bit further away from the tourist attractions. From Plaza Botero (Berrío metro station) you can get there by the Tranvía (streetcar).

The Jardín Botánico is located on 14 acres of land next to Parque Explora. Among other things, you can walk along a small lake with turtles and there are several species of birds and iguanas. Little (and big ) kids can ride a funny little train through the park -:) Jardín Botánico is also popular for festivals, weddings and the annual orchid exhibition, during the Feria de las Flores.

There are many great places to enjoy the view of the city. One of our favorite spots and a real insider’s tip is restaurant la Octava Maravilla / Mirador Sabaneta. The eighth wonder of the world is located in Sabaneta, a suburb of Medellín. The view is stunning and here we drank one of the most delicious -and beautiful- piña coladas ever. Come early because the restaurant is very popular with locals and you can’t make reservations. You can’t pay by credit or debit card, so bring plenty of cash. A cab from el Poblado via the InDriver App cost us COP20,000/€ and the ride takes 30-40min. Read here about our own experience at La Octava Maravilla.

If there is one city in Colombia known for extravagant Christmas lights(El Alumbrado) it is Medellín! Don’t think simple decorations here! The culture of Antioquia is depicted, as well as flowers and animals from the region. To give you an idea of the scale: 28 million LED lights, 1,000 kilometers of cords of Christmas lights, 30,000 handmade figures and 250 people installing the decorations. The Christmas season begins on Dec. 7, but the lights are lit a week earlier and can be admired through the first week of January. Each year the locations for the decorations are announced. You can also go on a guided tour of the beautiful Christmas lights, in the different neighborhoods of Medellín. You can book the tour here.