Medellín travel guide: what to know before your first visit

Medellín is Colombia's second city, spread along a green mountain valley at about 1,500 meters, with mild weather all year. Most visitors stay in El Poblado or Laureles, get around on the metro and its cable cars, and spend 4 or 5 days on the city plus a day trip to Guatapé. This guide covers the basics and points you to our detailed guides.

Medellín at a glance

Medellín fills a long, narrow valley in the Andes, the Aburrá Valley, with the Medellín River running north through the middle and brick neighborhoods climbing the slopes on both sides. It's the capital of Antioquia and Colombia's second-largest city, and the people here, the paisas, are known for being proud of their city, entrepreneurial and very welcoming.

The city sits at about 1,495 meters, so it's warm without being hot. Average temperatures hover around 22 °C all year, which is why it's called "la ciudad de la eterna primavera", the city of eternal spring.

Medellín has changed a great deal in the past few decades. Investment in public transport, libraries, parks and the hillside neighborhoods drew international attention: the Urban Land Institute named it the world's most innovative city in 2013, and it won the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize in 2016. You'll see that story in places like the Metrocable and the outdoor escalators of Comuna 13. It's still a big city with real problems, though, so read our safety guide before you go.

How long to stay

Most first-time visitors are happy with 4 or 5 days in the city, plus 1 or 2 day trips:

Day 1: Downtown: Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia, then the Museo Casa de la Memoria to understand the city's recent history.
Day 2: Comuna 13 and its street art, with a local guide.
Day 3: The Metrocable up to Parque Arví for forest trails above the city.
Day 4: Parque Explora and the Botanical Garden in the north, then dinner in El Poblado or Laureles.
Day 5: A day trip to Guatapé and La Piedra del Peñol.

For more ideas, see our full list of things to do in Medellín and the best day trips.

Where to stay

Most visitors stay in one of 3 areas:

El Poblado: The main area for visitors, with the most hotels, restaurants and nightlife. It's green and hilly and close to the metro.
Laureles: Flat, leafy and more residential, with a local feel, good cafés and easy walking.
Envigado: A separate town just south of El Poblado, quieter and more traditional, popular with longer-stay visitors.

Our guide to where to stay in Medellín compares them in detail and lists hotels we've checked.

Getting around

Medellín has the only metro system in Colombia, and it's the easiest way to cross the city. The main lines run along the valley floor, and Metrocable gondola lines climb the hillsides on both sides. Some of those cable cars are everyday transport for residents and great sightseeing for visitors. A tram line and bus rapid transit lines fill in the gaps.

For shorter trips and at night, use a taxi booked through an app or by your hotel rather than hailing one in the street. The city is hilly, so walking between neighborhoods is often harder than it looks on a map. Read getting around Medellín for the details, and how to get from the airport into the city, as the main airport is about an hour away in Rionegro.

The weather and when to go

There's no bad month to visit, but it rains more in roughly April to May and October to November, usually in afternoon downpours. The drier months are December to February and June to August. Early August brings the Feria de las Flores, the flower festival, and December brings the Christmas lights. See our guide to Medellín's weather and the best time to visit.

Food and coffee

Paisa food is hearty: the bandeja paisa platter, arepas, beans, and fresh fruit you may never have seen before. Medellín also has a lively restaurant scene and some of Colombia's best specialty coffee shops. Start with what to eat in Medellín, the best restaurants and the best coffee. When the sun goes down, our nightlife guide has you covered.

Money, language and practical tips

Money: Colombia uses the Colombian peso. Cards are widely accepted in El Poblado and Laureles, but carry some cash for buses, markets and small shops. Use ATMs inside banks or malls during the day.
Language: Spanish is the main language. Many people in the hotel and restaurant trade speak some English, but learning a few phrases goes a long way.
Emergencies: Dial 123 for police, ambulance and fire.
Altitude: At about 1,500 meters, most people feel fine, but drink plenty of water on your first day.
Staying longer: If you're thinking of working remotely from here, see our guide for digital nomads in Medellín.