Things to do
Street art, cable cars, museums and a Sunday at the stadium. Most of it is 10 to 15 minutes from the apartment by car.
A hillside neighborhood in western Medellín known for its murals and the outdoor escalators that climb through it. The graffiti tours tell the story of how the area changed, with stops at viewpoints and local snack shops along the way.
Tip: Go with a guide from the neighborhood. You get the history behind the murals, and the money stays local. Wear comfortable shoes, as there are many stairs.
Medellín's cable cars run up the hillsides as part of the public transport system. The ride from Acevedo to Santo Domingo on Line K passes over dense hillside neighborhoods, with the whole valley behind you.
Tip: Use one Cívica card or ticket for the Metro and Line K. Avoid rush hour, when the cars fill with commuters.
Official siteA large protected forest above the city in Santa Elena, with more than 50 km of trails and a farmers' market near the cable car station. The ride up on Metrocable Line L, from Santo Domingo to Arví, takes about 15 minutes over the treetops.
Tip: Line L is a tourist line with its own fare, paid at Santo Domingo. It runs daily but closes for scheduled maintenance some weeks, so check the Metro's site before you go. Bring a jacket, it is cooler up there.
Official siteA replica of a traditional Antioquian village on top of Cerro Nutibara, a small hill in the middle of the city. There is a church, a plaza and craft shops, and wooded trails on the way up.
Tip: Part of the viewpoint area at the top has been closed for repairs, so ask your driver to take you all the way up rather than walking for the view alone.
Twenty-three bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero stand in the plaza downtown, free to see. The Museo de Antioquia next to it holds a large collection of his paintings and sculptures, many donated by the artist.
Tip: Go in the morning on a weekday, keep your phone close in the crowded plaza, and take a car back after dark.
Official siteA Gothic-style castle built around 1930 on Loma de los Balsos in El Poblado, once a family home and now a museum. The rooms keep their original furniture and art, and the French-style gardens are a quiet place to walk.
Tip: Photos are usually not allowed inside, so take your pictures in the gardens.
Official siteA museum about Colombia's armed conflict and how Medellín has lived through it, told mostly through the voices of the people affected. It sits in Parque Bicentenario, east of downtown, and entry is free.
Tip: It pairs well with a Comuna 13 tour, as it gives the wider context. Some exhibits are heavy, so plan something calm afterward.
Official siteMedellín's botanical garden, with an orchid house, a butterfly house, a lake and shaded paths. Entry to the garden is free, and Parque Explora, a science museum with an aquarium, is a short walk up the same street.
Tip: Universidad Metro station is about a minute from the main entrance. The butterfly house may charge separately.
Official siteAtlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín both play their home games here, and match days fill the stands with songs, flags and smoke. A Nacional or Medellín game, or the derby between them, is one of the loudest things you can do in the city.
Tip: Buy tickets only through the clubs' official channels, sit in the side stands (oriental or occidental) rather than behind the goals, and do not wear the rival team's colors. The stadium is being renovated, so check where the game is played.
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