Ideal Medellín Itinerary: 2, 3, 4, 5 Or 7 Days?

Medellín itinerary in Pictures

Let’s start with downtown Medellín.

day 1: downtown Medellin

The downtown visit starts with this striking sculpture (Monumento de la Raza) by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt (left), symbolizing the culture of Antioquia.

I’ve always been impressed by the guides from Real City Tour (right). They remember every traveler’s name right away, and their personalities are always charming. They are excellent storytellers who take you back in time through the history of Medellín. Plus, they use a small microphone so everyone can hear them easily.

Over 50% of Colombians live off informal work (without a contract or company).

In the center of Medellín, there’s a district called el Hueco where you can buy everything at half price (or less). This is where I get my glasses made (in less than 2 hours, including the eye test!). There are shopping malls filled with counterfeit shoes, including the one in the photo on the right, which is inside an old palace (El Palacio Nacional).

There are 23 statues in Plaza Botero, all donated by the artist Fernando Botero. Find your favorite. Personally, I really like the tiny man on his horse (to the right).

Do you see the black and white checkered building in the background? That’s the Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe. You can enter it for free to access the terrace—just make sure to check the opening hours.

And here is the famous Bandeja Paisa. The chef had the idea to combine various pieces of meat (including the delicious chicharrón) with beans, rice, avocado, an egg, and a small salad for decoration.

It’s a dish that’s supposed to keep you going in the field. It doesn’t work for me. I need a nap after this meal. One dish is usually enough for two people.

DAY 2: LA MINORISTA AND LA CASA DE LA MEMORIA

The Minorista market is huge, with mountains of colorful fruits, medicinal herbs, meat stands, cooked dishes (including the famous lechona), and a bulk section where you can buy anything and everything. With Adrien, we found a small oven that never really worked well 😅

A spoon and salt are a must for good fruit tasting. By the way, have you ever tried green mango with salt? It’s called El Mango Biche here. It’s delicious!

In addition to the numerous explanations, the Casa de La Memoria is full of testimonies from those affected by the conflict. On the left, you can see word definitions given by children aged 4 to 12.

‘War: people killing each other for a piece of land or for peace – Juan Carlos, 11 years old‘

DAY 3: Comuna 13 AND poblado

Comuna 13 is the most popular tourist destination in Medellín. It’s a neighborhood with breathtaking graffiti and amazing views of the city.

As you walk through these winding streets, full of shops, bars, and music, it’s hard to imagine that less than 30 years ago, this neighborhood was one of the most dangerous in the world.

The best way to understand this 360º transformation is to take a guide and meet the locals. In this photo, we are sharing a meal with Juan and Sheila—who fled the conflict in the countryside to find a new home in Comuna 13. They tell us their difficult memories, but always with a smile.

I really enjoy the rooftop at Masaya, located in the heart of the El Poblado neighborhood.

I adore the vibe at El Alambique, especially on Tuesdays when there’s live music. Their dishes are modern takes on Colombian cuisine. Watch out, the plates are always enormous. It’s better to share one between two people.

Make sure to reserve a few days in advance 😉

DAY 4: ParaGLIDING AND LA Sierra

The view from the paragliding center isn’t too bad, is it?

A little break to eat the famous Panchocha (a bread filled with cheese) at El Panchocha El Auténtico restaurant.

Adrien working to deserve a good cup of coffee.

DAY 5: Rafting AROUND Medellin

Ready to go, Adrien?

I love this kind of picnic (on the left). It’s called fiambre. A Colombian family prepares it early in the morning and then wraps it in banana leaves. When it’s time to eat, you just open this delicious package and devour it with your hands. Zero waste!

As you can imagine, rain has a direct impact on the rivers. That day, it had rained the night before. So, there was more current (more fun), but the water wasn’t clear at all!

This is a sunny day. Quite different, right?

DAY 6: Guatapé

Today, we have to climb all the way to the top of the great monolith, the famous Piedra del Peñol—220 meters and 740 steps. The tuk-tuk is the most common way to get around in Guatapé. It takes about 10 minutes to go from Guatapé to La Piedra.

Not a single drop of sweat. #lies

The city center of Guatapé is small but very colorful.

As you stroll through the narrow streets of Guatapé, pay attention to the details. The facades are often decorated with zocalos, which are raised figures on the lower part of the walls.

For my birthday, I rented a house by the lake in Guatapé.

day7: San Rafael

Here is the Bizcocho area, 10 minutes before you get to San Rafael. There are beautiful hotels and nice swimming spots.

One of the experiences during the guided cacao farm tour was getting covered in chocolate and then bathing in a waterfall. Everyone loved it, and my skin was as soft as a baby’s.

We were also able to make our own chocolate bar, personalizing it with coconut flakes, raisins, and roasted corn.

Taurete is a great place to swim. However, it’s recommended that you go only in the dry season, as the currents can be strong and dangerous otherwise.