What to Do in Medellin in 3 Days: Colombia’s Famed Mountain City
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to Medellin contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Looking for a guide on what to do in Medellin in 3 days? This fast-paced itinerary highlights the best neighborhoods, historical tours, and must-see spots in this electric city.
This itinerary was tested and loved by my family and me when we visited Medellin along with a few other cities in Colombia. Medellin is often associated with its infamous drug history, but over many decades, the city has become vibrant, with brand-new urban innovation.
Medellin’s rich and complicated history makes it a fascinating destination for those hoping to learn more about its revitalized neighborhoods, and the pleasant year-round weather has given this city the nickname of La Eterna Primavera or Eternal Spring.
While you could certainly spend more than 3 days in Medellin, Sampler Platter Travel is dedicated to fast itineraries helping you prioritize things to do if you only have a short amount of time.
Enjoy this guide on what to do in Medellin in 3 days, where to stay, what to eat, and everything you can’t miss.
Happy sampling!
Is Medellin part of a longer trip?
Check out our other Colombia guides:
10 Day Itinerary: Colombia’s Top Highlights from Cartagena to Medellin
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Monserrate in Bogota, Colombia
A Guide to the Best Long Layover in Bogota, Colombia
3 Days in Bogota, Colombia: Culture, Cuisine, & Colorful Streets
3 Days in Cartagena: Bucket List for Colombia’s Colorful Caribbean City
What to Do in Medellin in 3 Days
Day 1 in Medellin
(1) Walking Tour from Plaza Botero
The central heartbeat of the city of Medellin is called El Centro. We recommend beginning your tour of Medellin in Plaza Botero. If you don’t know him already, the plaza is named after Fernando Botero, a famous artist from Colombia, and 23 of his sculptures are on display here.
While his art may not be for everybody (he’s known for sculptures and paintings of enlarged people and animals), he is famous, so you have to check out his publicly available art at the plaza.
Real City Tours offers awesome walking tours that often depart from Plaza Botero (or get there at some point). It’s a great way to get a feel for El Centro, as on its own, it can get a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking at or where you’re going.
Notable stops along the tour include a weekend artisan market, a cup of street lemonade, and San Antonio Plaza, where a bomb attack in 1995 killed dozens of people and currently leaves a striking memorial in the form of a destroyed Botero statue.
Click here for the best walking tours of El Centro.
(2) Check Out the Poblado Neighborhood
The Poblado neighborhood is known for being trendy and upscale. It feels like an urban oasis, combining chic cafes, relaxing bookstores, and lush greenery. If you have a higher budget that allows for a nicer hotel or Airbnb, we highly recommend staying in this neighborhood. Even if you aren’t staying here, it is definitely worth a visit.
Walk down the tree-lined streets and stop at one of our two favorite restaurants in the area!
Restaurant Choice #1- Restaurante Kaime
We absolutely adored this restaurant. While it is vegan and none of us are vegan, it is one of the best restaurants we’ve ever been to. It has a great vibe, with a modern-Japanese style, and the food is incredible. You have to try the “orange” chicken, and we think about this restaurant very frequently.
Restaurant Choice #2- Yacky Chan
Yacky Chan is a multi-story restaurant with alfresco dining options and a patio along a pedestrian street. They serve Asian fusion food, and you have to try the cocktail that comes in a Buddha mug!
(3) Enjoy Parque Lleras
The restaurant Yacky Chan is located within Parque Lleras, in the heart of the neighborhood. No matter day or night, the area has so much energy with colorful lights, bars, and fun restaurants. During the day, the cafes and restaurants are open for lunch and coffee with seating on the pedestrian-only street.
At night, the energy ramps up, and the bars and restaurants are incredibly fun. While the name suggests an actual park, Parque Lleras is more of a pedestrian zone within the green urban oasis of El Poblado.
(5) Watch a Soccer Match
Our biggest regret was not having the forethought to purchase tickets to attend a soccer match in Medellin. Watching Medellin’s two home teams face off is one of the top things to do in the city!
Our Comuna 13 guide was heading to a game the same evening of our tour and remarked how the clash between these two teams gets the whole city pulsating with excitement.
Medellin’s two teams are Atletico Nacional and Independiente. Wear red to support Independiente and green for Nacional and head to Atanasio Girardot Stadium for an incredible game.
You’ll want to book your tickets well in advance if you know that there’s going to be a home game during your stay. They are available here.
Keep in mind that the energy will be incredibly electric, so if you are a quieter or older traveler, you may want to skip out on this activity.
Day 2 in Medellin
(6) Take a Day Trip to Guatapé
Guatapé is a small town located about 1.5 hours from the center of Medellin. This picturesque village is known for its colorful architecture, art installations, and cobblestone streets. Most famously, this destination outside of Medellín houses the famous El Peñon rock. It doesn’t take very long to walk through the streets of Guatapé, but it is worth a visit on your way to the Rock.
(7) Climb El Peñon de Guatapé
Translating loosely to the Rock, El Peñon de Guatapé is a rather fascinating large rock outcropping that has become a fixture in the Medellin area. This landmark has 708 steps that take you up 650 feet to a breathtaking observation deck overlooking the surrounding reservoir. While incredibly touristy – and you will have to wade through many, many tour groups at the base of the rock – this activity is popular amongst locals and tourists alike and is a great day trip from Medellin’s city center. See the photo below and you’ll know what we mean when we say it’s quite odd looking!
Funnily enough, there is a small kiosk at the top that sells beer, which can be your reward for making it all the way up the stairs.
For fit travelers, it takes about 10 minutes to summit. Older, less fit travelers, and kids should expect to take much longer.
We recommend taking a tour or a private guide to El Peñon for the most seamless experience. Most tours group a walk around Guatapé as well. Click here for a good private tour option.
(8) Wander the Botanic Gardens
On your way back into town from Guatapé, make one final stop at the Botanic Gardens. The gardens highlight the immense biodiversity of Colombia with a collection of native plants and trees. Take advantage of the garden’s mix of recreational spaces and exhibitions for a relaxing end to the day after climbing El Peñon!
The Botanic Gardens are massive, with both outdoor and indoor. We recommend reserving a little over an hour for this stop as it provides a nice break from the busy city.
Day 3 in Medellin
(9) Ride the Metro Cable to Parque Arví
While you will inevitably take the metro at some point during your trip to Medellin, consider riding to the end of the train line and hopping on the metro cable. We stumbled upon this part of the metro completely on a whim while trying to kill time and ended up loving the experience that the ‘L’ line provided.
The journey on the metro cable will you give a fantastic glimpse into the steep residential neighborhoods built into Medellin’s hills. At the very top, take time to explore Parque Arví, an ecological nature preserve with plenty of short hiking trails to conquer.
The park even has a few food stalls which make for a good stop for breakfast or lunch.
(10) Tour the Comuna 13
This is one of Medellin’s most popular tours for a reason. Comuna 13 was a neighborhood in Medellín once known for its high levels of violence and crime, especially surrounding the drug trade.
In recent years, Comuna 13 has undergone a transformation that includes world-renowned outdoor escalators, bringing a new level of connection to the separate zones that were previously divided by the steep landscape.
Nowadays, Comuna 13 leans into its history by showcasing its struggles through art murals and culture. What used to be a prime drug and crime hotspot thanks to being inaccessible to police is now an area rich with culture. When you’re there, make sure to check out the many art galleries and vibrant family restaurants.
We had an absolutely splendid time with the AIC Tour company, a super small boutique company that we have to shout out. We had a private tour guide who was born and raised in Comuna 13, showing us the ins and outs of the famed neighborhood that he knew like the back of his hand. Book with Christian if he’s available!
You could explore Comuna 13 on your own, but having a local tour guide is so much more of a special experience.
To get to Comuna 13, take the B line of the metro to the San Javier stop, where your tour guide will meet you and accompany you on a final bus to the mouth of the neighborhood.
That is all for the itinerary on what to do in Medellin in 3 days! Now on to more logistical aspects of the trip.
Where to Stay in Medellin
We highly recommend staying in the Poblado neighborhood in Medellin. It is a wonderful area known for tree-lined streets, cafes, and plentiful restaurants. The El Centro area is still accessible, but the Poblado neighborhood is quieter.
Best Hostels in Medellin
| Price and Rating | Name and Rating | Benefits |
| From 17 USD (9.1 stars on Hostelworld) | Casa Kiwi Hostel Medellin | Roof top terrace with a poolClose to bars, clubs, shopping, and restaurantsDorm rooms and privates available |
| From 35 USD (9.3 stars on Hostelworld) | Medellin Vibes Hostel | Luxury hostel with a bar and poolLocated across the street from the El Poblado metro stationFun events with a community feel |
| From 11 USD (9.0 stars on Hostelworld) | Yolo Hostel Medellin | Right across the street from Parque LlerasHas a garden with hammocks and lounge areaOffers experiences with local guides |
Best Hotels in Medellin
| Price and Rating | Name and Rating | Benefits |
| From $90 USD (9.0 stars on Booking.com) | I Believe – All Suite Manila-Poblado | Small boutique hotel in the center of El PobladoBreakfast options available in the morningClean rooms with private bathrooms |
| From $180 USD (9.0 stars on Booking.com) | Hotel El Zarzo | 4-star hotel with a bar on siteModern rooms with a city viewA la carte breakfast available |
| From $301 USD (9.8 stars on Booking.com) | Primavera Luxury Apartments Medellin | 5-star hotel with rooftop hot tubGreat amenities and good location close to everything in El PobladoApartment-style rooms |
How to Get Around
The metro in Medellin is world-famous for a reason! Public transportation systems may be taken for granted in other parts of the world, but Medellin’s young metro has played a major role in the transformation of the sprawling city, connecting neighborhoods and bringing new opportunities to its residents. Medellin locals are very proud of their fast and clean new public transportation system.
The neighborhoods themselves are very walkable. Once you are in El Centro, it’s easy to walk to other necessary landmarks. This is the same case in El Poblado.
For taking a day trip to Guatapé, we recommend finding a private driver or tour group. While you could certainly rent a car, traffic and driving patterns in Colombia can be overwhelming for non-locals. Check out organized groups here.
Best Time to Visit Medellin
Medellin is called La eterna primavera or the Eternal Spring for a reason. You could visit the city at any time of the year and still have a wonderful time. That being said, there are a few extra considerations to make, namely around crowds and rain.
December to February: Dry Season
During this time, the weather is nice and warm, with temperatures around 72 to 75 °F. This is when you’re going to get the sunniest and driest days, making it perfect for outdoor activities as well as exploring attractions like Guatapé.
This is also peak tourism season, with people escaping the colder weather during the holiday months. Expect to pay a lot more for flights and accommodation.
March to May: Rainy Season
In the rainy season, temperatures will remain the same, although frequent rain showers will happen many times a day in short bursts. If you are okay with being disrupted by rain, you will find that there are fewer tourists and lower prices altogether.
June to August: Festival Season
June to August is slightly rainy, but Medellin houses incredible events such as Feria de Las Flores (Flower Festival). If you’re interested in visiting when there is a big event going on, this is the best time for you. Do note that prices and crowds will increase thanks to the festival.
September to November: Super Rainy Season
This is when the most rain occurs, and it can be significantly more consistent than March to May. This can make a lot of outdoor activities far less enjoyable. It is the cheapest time to visit and the least crowded!
FAQs About What to Do in Medellin in 3 Days
Is 3 days in Medellin enough?
While 3 days in Medellin is definitely not long enough to fully know the city, it gives you a great taste of what it has to offer. 3 days gives you enough time to spend 2 full days in the city, getting to know the landmarks, and one full day dedicated to a day trip to Guatapé and climbing El Peñon.
Is Cartagena or Medellin more fun?
This question depends on what your idea of fun is. Cartagena has a Caribbean vibe, with fun coming in the form of boat trips, beaches, and live music venues.
Medellin is a bigger city, with tons of lively neighborhoods, modern restaurants, busy bars, and more things to do.
Both cities offer wonderful experiences with historical significance and the opportunity to relax, lay back, and have fun.
Where to avoid in Medellin?
There are varying thoughts about where to avoid in Medellin, as different travelers feel uncomfortable in different neighborhoods. However, we think that most of the areas that you will visit as a tourist are perfectly safe.
Just remember to be careful of petty crime and pickpocketers, especially when you’re in a crowded area. Be aware of your surroundings when walking alone, and you might want to avoid the metro late at night.
We hope you enjoyed this itinerary for what to do in Medellin in 3 days! Whether you want to ride the metro, tour the Comuna 13, or hit the botanic gardens, there is something for everyone in Colombia’s mountainous city.
Check out our other guides in South America.
Happy sampling!