Stories · Colombia
A weekend in Medellín
Told the way I’d tell a friend, step by step.
My first time in Medellín, I tried to see everything and mostly saw queues. Now I do it differently: a few places a day, the right ones, in the right order. Here is my 2-day thread.
Day 1 · Fresh air
Early in the morning, meet me at El Castillo Museum and Gardens. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.7 out of 5 across 15,435 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Around noon, it’s Provenza Medellín. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (486 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around Antioquia: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
Later, head to Lleras Park. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.
In the evening, I make my way to Typical street food Medellin. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Medellín is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 2 · Fresh air
To start, head to Parque Arví. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.7 out of 5 across 24,580 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Late morning, I make my way to Estación Metrocable Arví. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (6,507 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
For lunch, Antioquia is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, head to Jardin Circunvalar - Cinturon Verde. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (1,181 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.
As the light fades, it’s Aula Ambiental Cerro de los Valores. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (300 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or also check Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Medellín does the rest.
If you’re still hungry
Other places I wish I could have fitted in: Jardín Botánico de Medellín, El Tesoro Parque Comercial, Parque Explora, Cerro de Nutibara Sculpture Park, Museum of Antioquia and Casa Museo Pablo Escobar. Slip them in wherever a day feels light.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
And if you go, tell me what you loved. Medellín changes, and so do I.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.