Top 10 Things to Do in Medellin, Colombia for Solo Travelers

10 Best Things to Do in Medellin

Medellin is full of fun things to do, both during the day and night. Most of the time, tourists will often be concentrated around El Poblado area, and I often do not like recommending touristy places, but El Poblado has the unique charm that always makes me come back to it. You will find plenty of hipster cafes, delicious restaurants, and wine bars to unwind in. However, do not expect an authentic experience out of this area though.

Botero Park and the Museum of Antioquia are also worth visiting if you are interested in art and the masterpiece collection of Fernando Botero. There is a fun vibe to his work that will even make the art skeptic smile when they see one of his works.

If you are in Medellin on Friday, do not forget to go out and explore the vibrant nightlife of the city and see what it has to offer. There are countless places you can go, but one of my favorite places to enjoy a couple of local craft beers is the Cerveceria 3 Cordilleras, a local craft brewery with a bar attached to it.

On Fridays, there is always live music with local bands playing. It starts at 6:30 PM and finishes at 11:00 PM. The entry fee is 28,000 COP. If you are there on Thursday and interested in how they brew their local beers, you can also take a tour around their factory.

2. Hike the Hill of Three Crosses trail

Medellin is surrounded by hills and mountains, which makes it a great place to go hiking as well. One of the easier but rewarding hikes is the trail that goes up the Hill of Three Crosses. You can do it in an hour, and you will get to see Medellin from above.

You can get there by Uber, which should take you around 10-30 minutes from El Poblado depending on the traffic, and should cost you no more than 15,000 COP. One thing to beware of is that there are some reports of robbery along the trail at night, so avoid hiking after sunset.

The trail begins from this trailhead and it is pretty straightforward, with a halfway point at an opening with a giant tree. Once you have reached the top, you will find an outdoor gym, a fruit vendor, and a grand view of the city.

3. Learn Salsa for Free with the Locals ❤️ Must Do

You have not really seen Medellin if you have not experienced the famous salsa culture here. There are plenty of places that provide a clueless tourist like myself with a basic course in salsa, but wouldn’t it be better if you were being taught by a stranger in a salsa bar for free?

If you are in Medellin on a Tuesday or Saturday night, you can hop over to Dancefree Workshop to learn Colombian salsa dance from very energetic instructors there. You can also ask the locals in the bar to be your dancing partner, as many of the people there are also looking for a practice partner.

Most locals are very friendly and will often help you along the way as you stumble around the dancefloor. It’s also a great place to meet local people and make friends as well, so be sure to dance away your night in Medellin!

4. Taste the Real Colombian Coffee at a Local Coffee Farm

Colombians are well-known for their coffee beans, and Medellin is perfectly located within the coffee belt. There are several coffee plantation tours offered in local cafes or the accommodation that you can go with. You can also book the tour online from here.

The tour often consists of transportation to the private plantation, where you will be able to see how coffee beans are picked, learn about the process of preparing coffee beans, and get to try some of the finest coffee in the world. If you are a coffee snob like me, you must not miss this.

5. Stroll Around Arví Park

A little tamer than the Hill of the Three Crosses, Arvi Park is a nature reserve and a pre-Hispanic archaeological site known for its wildflowers, butterflies, and hiking trails. It is the perfect place for you to immerse yourself in the stunning nature surrounding Medellin.

The trail can be a little hard to navigate, so I would recommend that you go on with a free guide provided by the park at the entrance.

To get to Arvi Park, you will have to take a metro, get off at Acevedo station, and take the Metrocable (cable car) Line K to Santo Domingo station before transferring to Line L.

For alternative hiking info: How to Hike to Parque Arvi and the Metrocable via the Back Door.

6. Walk around the Santo Domingo Metro Cable Station

On your way down from Arvi Park, make sure to get off at the Santo Domingo Station and explore this part of the city. The area around here has a more authentic feel than in El Poblado, and you will be able to get a sense of what it’s like living in this city from a local’s perspective.

There are many cafes and restaurants around the Santo Domingo station with a stunning viewpoint of the district and the view below it. Some reports have claimed that this area is still dangerous, although I had no problem here. So, keep your backpack secured and avoid being here at night.

If you are looking for a place to get away from it all and you just want to be in a quiet area, away from the craziness of Medellin, surrounded by nature, there is no better place to be than the spacious and peaceful Jardín Botanico Park.

One of the highlights of the park is the large architectural wooden structure, depicting several types of plants found inside, where you can have a nice picnic, read a book with a nice cup of coffee, and unwind from all the hustle and bustle of Medellin.

To get there, you can take the metro and get off at the Universidad Metro station, and you should see the park from the platform.

One of the cheapest and most delicious ways to devour your way through Medellin is to order “Menu del Dia” or “Menu of the Day” for lunch, which is commonly served in many restaurants around the city.

It is basically Happy Hour but for lunch. “Menu del Dia” is often served with drinks and a bowl of soup, together with the main course meal. If you are looking for a way to save money but still want to try different kinds of stuff, order “Menu del Dia” the next time you visit a restaurant in Medellin.

If you want to delve even deeper into the amazing local cuisine in Medellin, you can also opt-in for a food tour instead. The local guide will take you to all the best places to eat that you might have missed.

For highly detailed information on menu del dia in Medellin, visit: The Best Menu del Dia Lunches in Medellin, Colombia.

9. Get your Coffee Fix at Cafe Velvet

One of the cafes I often frequented when I was in Medellin was Cafe Velvet. They serve the most delicious latte in town, together with a crispy croissant, making it one of my favorite places to go during my morning routine. They also offer a limited tour of their coffee plantation if you are interested in a more unique coffee experience, but it’s a bit pricier than all the other tours around.

10. Climb up the La Piedra meteorite in Guatape (El Peñón de Guatapé) ☀️ Great Day Trip

Guatape is a beautiful colonial town located around 80 km east of Medellin. It is a perfect destination for a day trip from Medellin if you are interested in seeing one of the most colorful pueblos out there.

One of the highlights is La Piedra Meteorite (Stone of El Peñol), a 10-story-high rock that had fallen to Earth millions of years ago. You can climb its 740 steps to the top, and you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the man-made lake below.

To get to Guatape, you will have to take a metro to the Caribe Station, where you will be able to buy the bus ticket to Guatape at the Terminal del Norte bus station. It should cost you no more than 14,000 COP and will take around 2 hours to get there.

For a more convenient trip, I highly recommend that you go on one of the day trip tours available in Medellin. To find day trips to join, check out: A Day Trip From Medellin to Guatape + Boat Tour

Last but not least, if you have not watched the famous Netflix series Narcos (Seasons 1 and 2), do so while you are in Medellin for an extra immersion. 😁

I always feel that it is necessary for us to learn the history of a place we are visiting so that we can see where the locals are coming from and how far they have come. Given that Narcos is not exactly historically accurate, look at it for what it is: entertainment based on true locations, and you won’t have to imagine what it’s like to be there, because you are already there.

Also, if you want to see some of the real places featured in the Narcos show in Medellín, I highly recommend you go on one of these Pablo Escobar Tours to really immerse yourself in the city.

When to Go to Medellin?

The best time to visit Medellin is around December as the weather is warm and the peak season has not yet arrived, saving you a few bucks for accommodation as the price starts to increase from January to March.

How to Get to Medellin?

There are a few major airlines that fly directly to Medellin Airport. Avianca is a great airline to fly around this part of the world, whereas if you are coming from Europe or the US, you can fly directly with Iberia or American Airlines, respectively. To look for the cheapest flights available, browse through both Skyscanner and Expedia to find the best deal possible.

You can also fly domestically via VivaColombia or take overland buses from big cities like Bogota or Cali to Medellin. For bus schedules and prices, you can use Busbud.com to find the best time for your itinerary.

How to Get Around Medellin?

The safest and fastest way to travel around Medellin is by Uber. It is reliable and slightly cheaper than taking a regular taxi. You can also take the metro train or the metro cable car to get around the hilly area of Medellin.

For more information on how to navigate through Medellin via Metro, take a look at the guide to the Medellin Metro System.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Colombia?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Medellin, Colombia without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you’ll be good to go. If your phone doesn’t support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Medellin, Colombia:

The internet in Medellin is fast and widely accessible in most cafes and hotels. If you want to stay connected while outside, I would recommend getting a local SIM card. I bought a 2 GB 30-day plan from Claro in Medellin for 46,000 COP. I get signals from everywhere in and around Medellin at 4G speed. Highly recommended.

For more info: Colombia Data SIM Card Wiki.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It’s FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Is Medellin Safe?

Medellin is generally safe and has been for the past decade but like most of the South American cities, common sense needs to be followed. Avoid walking alone on an empty street at night, with one exception: it should be fine to walk around in a party area since there will be plenty of people out and about all night. Keep your bag in front of you if you are using public transport or, better yet, take Uber as it is safer and cheaper than a regular taxi.

Here’s one tip to rule them all: if the locals don’t do it, why should you? You won’t find many locals walking on a quiet street alone at night.

What to Pack for Medellin, Colombia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Medellin, Colombia:

Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.

Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.

Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi’s jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.

Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).

Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It’s lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.

Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker’s towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.

Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.

Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.

Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It’s a total game-changer.

Universal Adapter: You’ll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.

Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.

Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It’s large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it’s stylish as hell!

Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can’t go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for South America? Check out:What to Pack For South America: The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for Colombia

I hope you found this Colombia travel guide useful. If you are looking for something to read to help with your Colombia trip planning even further, be sure to check out the articles below:

Looking for a complete travel guide for Colombia? Here’s a one-month backpacking itinerary for Colombia.
Bogota is an awesome capital city to start your Colombia journey if you know where to go. Here’s an 11 Unique Things to Do Bogota, Colombia.
Salento is home to one of the most unique places in the world, Valle del Cocora. It is an amazing place to go hiking around these tall wax palm trees. Here’s a complete hiking guide to Cocora Valley and Salento.
Looking for something less wordy to inspire you to visit Colombia? Check out 23 photos that will inspire you to visit Colombia.
You can also watch my Colombia travel video here: Colombia is Dangerous? Travel Video.
To see all articles about Colombia, visit the Colombia Travel Guide page.
Not sure where to go next? How about visiting Ecuador and experiencing all its wildlife in the Amazon or the Galapagos? Check out my Ecuador Travel Guide page for more information about traveling in Ecuador.
Looking for more travel guides for South America? You can find more on my South America Travel Guide page.
For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.