Plan a Trip to MedellÃn With These Itinerary Tips & Ideas
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If you’re planning a trip to MedellÃn, I’m here to help. I’m breaking down my full four-day itinerary here to give you itinerary inspiration. Pair this with the detailed MedellÃn Destination Guide, and you’ll be set. And if you want to feel expertly prepared, listen to the immersive Globocurious episode about Medellin. You’ll feel like you’ve been there even before you go.
OK, let’s dive in!
Let’s start with getting there. I flew from Atlanta to MedellÃn with a stop in Bogotá. A note to travelers: keep in mind that if you have a layover in Bogotá, you’ll go through customs there, which can take some time. There’s no Global Entry line, so you’ll be in a shared queue with all other passengers. Make sure your layover is long enough to account for this process!
Once in MedellÃn, I stayed in El Poblado, the perfect neighborhood for visitors. Known as one of the nicest neighborhoods in MedellÃn, it’s upscale yet approachable, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and Airbnbs. The area feels safe, and its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the city.
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These Apps = Your MedellÃn BFFs
Before we get into the itinerary, let’s talk about two apps that you’ll want to have at the ready before you arrive: Uber and Rappi.
There are a few key tips to navigating Medellin. Although technically not legal in MedellÃn, Uber is widely available and used by both locals and tourists. The app offers two main options: ordering taxis, which are the cheapest and most straightforward, or ordering regular Ubers.If you choose a non-taxi Uber ride, be prepared for the driver to ask at least one passenger to sit in the front seat. This helps them avoid attracting attention from the police.
Both Ubers and taxis are incredibly cheap compared to U.S. rates, making them the best and most economical mode of transportation in the city. However, there are a few challenges visitors should be prepared for. Rush hour traffic can be very heavy, so plan accordingly for longer commutes.
Additionally, student protests are common in MedellÃn and can shut down major thoroughfares for hours at a time. If this does happen and your Uber driver tells you there’s no way he can make it to your destination, stand your ground and look at a map app to see if they’re telling you the truth. This happened to me, and I refused to get out and walk to my destination – in the rain no less – because I could clearly see another route available. It turns out, he just didn’t want to deal with the traffic jam. Relatable. That’s why it’s always a good idea to check Google Maps or Waze before heading out.
If you’re flying into MedellÃn, getting a taxi from the airport is very easy and the cost is regulated. Look up the going rate ahead of time, as this ensures you know what to expect and helps prevent any potential overcharges from the driver. The rate at the time of my trip in November 2024 was 110,000 pesos.
For delivery and groceries, Rappi is the app to have. This popular service is used throughout Latin America—in fact, I first used it in Oaxaca, Mexico—and it makes ordering groceries, restaurant meals, or even last-minute essentials pretty easy. I like to order groceries when I first arrive in a new destination so I can stock up on breakfast foods and snacks. This is one of the reasons I prefer booking an Airbnb over a hotel: having a kitchenette allows me the flexibility to make simple meals when I need them.
Rappi is also handy for those moments when you’re too tired to head out for dinner after a long day exploring MedellÃn’s vibrant streets or climbing El Peñol in nearby Guatapé. It’s a lifesaver!
Now onto the itinerary!
Follow in My Footsteps (and Learn From My Mistakes)
I landed in MedellÃn around 6 p.m., just in time to grab dinner at Alambique in El Poblado. This spot is a total vibe. The ambience is unmatched—imagine an apothecary-meets-jungle-meets-library. While the food was hit-or-miss, the cocktails and sangria were phenomenal, and the service was warm and welcoming. Alambique is definitely worth a visit!
I kicked off my first full day with an Airbnb Experience—a guided, full-day tour of MedellÃn. Starting at El Pueblito Paisa, a replica of a traditional Antioquian village atop Cerro Nutibara, the tour provided a fascinating introduction to the city’s indigenous history.
We visited La Alpujarra, the government plaza, where we saw towering sculptures that told the story of regional pride, violence, and perseverance. We then took the metro to experience MedellÃn’s transformation firsthand. We even rode the iconic cable car, which offers sweeping views of the city as it climbs the mountainside. I do love a good cable car ride, even though and maybe because it’s a little unnerving.
From there, we walked through El Hueco, a bustling and noisy shopping district that, according to MedellinGuru.com, encompasses over 12,000 shops that sell everything from tchochkes to textiles to food. We walked down one street of El Hueco that landed us right at Plaza Botero, home to the iconically voluptuous sculptures of Colombian artist Fernando Botero, and ended the day in the 20 de Julio neighborhood of Comuna 13.
Exploring Comuna 13
This vibrant neighborhood, once plagued by violence, is now a hub of street art, music, and cultural resilience. Here, we saw wall after wall of bold graffiti murals, experienced one of the neighborhood’s signature freestyle rap and breakdancing performances, rode the second largest escalator series in the world, and indulged in homemade mango paletas. And to think we only scratched the surface of what Comuna 13 has to offer. You could easily spend a day here, and there are plenty of guided day tours that can help you do just that.
After two jam-packed days in Medellin, I decided to take my third day a little slower. First, I visited Museo Casa de la Memoria , a powerful and free museum dedicated to honoring victims of Colombia’s decades of violence. They offer a free app with an audio guide, which I highly recommend downloading before you go.
Guanabana, Granadilla, and Guava, Oh My!
Next, I explored Plaza Minorista, one of MedellÃn’s most famous bustling fruit markets. This two-story market embodies Medellin’s reputation as the “Fruit Bowl of Colombia,” with row after row of stands piled high with vibrant and delicious produce native to Colombia.
I went there solo – and got lost at least twice – and felt I was missing out on a lot of information, so I’d recommend booking a guided tour for more context and history. There are plenty of guided tours of both Minorista and of Medellin’s three best-known markets, Mayorista, Minorista, and Placita de Florez, so you have options galore.
Dinner was at Mamacita Medallo, another instagram-worthy restaurant with stunning, laid-back interiors. The service was spotty during my visit, but the food and vibes made it worth it. I also went for a pretty early bird meal, so I’d venture to guess it would be an altogether better experience if you stopped by for dinner and live music one night.
On my last morning, I checked out of my Airbnb and visited Oviedo Mall in El Poblado. This mall, built by my cousin’s father, was instrumental in establishing El Poblado as MedellÃn’s central neighborhood. It’s a fantastic spot for shopping or grabbing a bite.
I had black tea at Pergamino Café and enjoyed a healthy lunch at Mundo Verde —both excellent options if you find yourself meandering through Oviedo.
MedellÃn is a city of transformation—a place where resilience meets innovation, and vibrant culture thrives against a backdrop of rich history. Whether you’re taking in panoramic views from the cable car, exploring colorful street art in Comuna 13, or enjoying the flavors of the city’s markets and restaurants, MedellÃn has something for everyone.
Dive deeper into MedellÃn with this immersive episode of Globocurious.
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