What are the best things to do in Medellín? And what is a recommended itinerary? These are common questions from tourists visiting Medellín. So, we have prepared a recommended tourist itinerary for a day in Medellín.
Our one-day tourist itinerary includes several of the top things to do in Medellín. But we obviously couldn’t include all the top things, as that would take more than one day.
Especially relevant, our recommended tourist itinerary is best done on a day when it isn’t raining. This is because only some of the recommended activities are located inside.
1. A Paisa Breakfast in Medellín - 8:00 am
Start your Medellín adventure like a local: with a hearty Paisa breakfast that’ll fuel you all day. Forget your basic toast! Here, mornings are all about calentado paisa (yesterday’s rice and beans, refried and topped with a fried egg), crispy arepas con queso, creamy aguapanela con queso, and maybe a strong tinto (local coffee). Some stellar breakfast stops:
Did you know? Paisa breakfasts are famously big. Locals believe a strong start is vital for a long workday or a city adventure!
2. Seeing the City Views from Pueblito Paisa – 10:00 am
Our first activity in our itinerary is visiting Pueblito Paisa. We recommend starting mid-morning at about 10 am and taking a taxi to Pueblito Paisa. Every taxi driver in the city will know where Pueblito Paisa is located.
Pueblito Paisa is a mock Antioquian village (pueblo) located atop Cerro Nutibara, which is a hill in the center of the city. From its high location, Pueblito Paisa offers excellent views of Medellín. There is no cost to enter Pueblito Paisa.
Besides the views, it is also worth seeing Pueblito Paisa to experience the setup of a typical pueblo in Antioquia. The buildings in the mock pueblo are situated around the edges of a cobblestoned plaza with a fountain and a white church. In addition, there are many shops selling souvenirs and restaurants serving coffee, ice cream and traditional Colombian food.
Highly recommended arepas and empanadas are always easy to find, but dig a little deeper into the local sweets and sodas:
3. Exploring Jardín Botánico – 11:00 am
Jardín Botánico is the popular Medellín botanical gardens, which offers many sights to see and activities to enjoy. The botanical gardens are set in about 34 acres of land (14 hectares). And it has over 1,000 different living plant species.
The ambience of the botanical gardens is relaxed. You will see families, students, groups of friends, plus individuals enjoying the green gardens and open space. Furthermore, the botanical gardens are free to enter.
Take some time walking around the botanical gardens and pay particular attention to the flower displays, the butterfly farm, the small lake, and the Orquideorama event/theater area.
We recommend eating lunch at Restaurante In Situ, located in Jardín Botánico, which is a popular open-air restaurant with good food, service, and a nice ambience. In addition, In Situ is considered by many as one of the best restaurants in Medellín. It has appetizers, salads, and the main dishes include meats, fish, seafood, chicken, as well as pasta.
Experiencing Medellín’s Metro and Cable-Cars – 1:00 pm
Medellín has the only rail-based mass transportation system in Colombia. And it is spotlessly clean. Yet Medellín’s metro is much more than a rail-based system.
Medellín’s metro system is a comprehensive mass transportation system in the city that integrates two Metro rail lines, four Metrocable cable-car lines, two Metroplús elongated bus lines, a Tranvía tramcar line, and even feeder Metro buses.
For this recommended activity, first take the metro line A north to Acevedo station. Here you will transfer to Metrocable line K and take the cable car up the mountain over brick houses with corrugated metal roofs to Santo Domingo station, which is the last stop on line K.
The ride up the mountain on the cable cars offers sweeping views of Medellin in the valley below. Considering the fare for a metro ticket from anywhere in the city is only 2,300 pesos, it’s a real steal. Or even cheaper at 2,000 pesos if you have a Civica card.
At Santo Domingo Metrocable station, it is possible to transfer to the Metrocable Line L to Parque Arví. If you decide to go to Paque Arví, plan to add at least an hour to your itinerary. Also, there is an additional metro fare of 5,300 pesos to/from Parque Arví (each way).
Near Santo Domingo station is Biblioteca España – a library for the local community with three giant black slate monoliths, which was a popular tourist spot. As of mid-2025, Biblioteca España near Santo Domingo Metrocable station remains closed to the public. While the original monolithic library structures are still a striking part of the skyline, access is not permitted and the building has undergone prolonged renovations. It’s best to admire the architecture from a distance, but do not plan on entering the space.
5. Exploring Plaza Botero and Museo de Antioquia – 2:00 pm
Plaza Botero and Museo de Antioquia are two of the top tourist attractions in Medellín. Plaza Botero is apark located in front of Museo de Antioquia that displays 23 abstract bronze sculptures created by World-renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Most noteworthy, Botero donated the statues and many other artworks found in Museo de Antioquia.
The 23 bronze statues found at Plaza Botero include chubby women and men, a cat, a dog, Adam and Eve, and many others. Take some time walking around the plaza and taking photos.During the day, there will be many tourists in the area taking photos. But still take care to watch your valuables in the area. There is normally a noticeable police presence. So, it is relatively safe.
Museo de Antioquia is located right next to Plaza Botero. Museum tickets cost 18,000 pesos for foreigners. And for an additional price, you can rent a hand-held audio guide that tells you more about certain individual works throughout the museum (available in English).
No visit to Medellín would be complete without visiting Museo de Antioquia. The primary exhibit of the museum is a comprehensive collection of Fernando Botero’s paintings and sculptures, which are located on the third floor. We recommend starting on the third floor of the museum and working your way down.
6. Lunch: A Bandeja Paisa in Medellín - 3:00 pm
After soaking in the art and the city views, it’s time for lunch, and nothing says Medellín like a Bandeja Paisa. This iconic dish is not just a meal; it’s an experience – a generous platter showcasing the rich flavors and abundance of Antioquia.
A typical Bandeja Paisa is a generous platter and Colombia’s national dish, featuring red beans cooked with pork, white rice, and ground meat (carne molida) as staple components. It’s accompanied by crispy chicharrón (fried pork belly), a fried egg usually sunny-side-up, sweet plátano maduro (ripe plantain), and a soft arepa (corn cake). The dish also includes chorizo sausage and creamy avocado slices, which balance the richness. Often, a slice of lemon or a small salad is served on the side to cut through the hearty flavors. This combination reflects the traditional agricultural roots of the Paisa region, designed to provide a hearty, flavorful meal that sustains through a long day.
7. Shopping with a View at El Tesoro Mall – 4:00 pm
El Tesoro Mall is one of the best shopping malls in Medellín. It’s a very modern mall with some great scenic views of the city. Furthermore, El Tesoro has a Cinemark movie theater, many trendy clothing stores, and even some rides for children, such as a Ferris wheel and a train. You’ll find well over 200 shops in this mall.
El Tesoro Mall is located in El Poblado. And it is located high up the eastern hills of Medellín. We chose this mall as it has the best views of all the malls in the city. The views offer a stunning panorama of the city.
After experiencing El Tesoro, our final recommendation is to have dinner at one of the best restaurants in the city. Three of our favorite restaurants in Medellín are Carmen, Oci.Mde and El Cielo.
Or if you decide to have dinner at El Tesoro, there are some pretty good restaurants located there. In the mall, we recommend Parmessano, which has good Italian food, and Chef Burger with some good gourmet hamburgers. In addition, there are good views of the city from El Tesoro at night.
9. Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour & Escalators – 5:00 pm
No visit to Medellín is complete without experiencing the vibrant colors and stories of Comuna 13. Once infamous for violence, this hillside neighborhood is now renowned for its jaw-dropping street art, innovative urban projects, and energetic community life. Guided graffiti tours lead you along winding alleys bursting with massive murals, where local artists transform walls into messages of hope, humor, social commentary, and memory.
Along the way, you’ll ride the iconic outdoor escalators—originally built to connect the steepest sections of the neighborhood—which have become a global symbol of Medellín’s urban regeneration. Local guides offer firsthand insights into the neighborhood’s past and present, and you’ll often catch impromptu hip-hop or dance performances. Don’t skip the street food stalls: try empanadas, aborrajado, or sweet mango biche.
8. Museo Casa de la Memoria – 7:00 p.m.
By late afternoon, immerse yourself in Medellín’s powerful journey of reflection and transformation at the Museo Casa de la Memoria. This modern, thoughtfully designed museum serves as a moving tribute to the city’s resilience, chronicling decades of conflict and the ongoing process of healing. The exhibitions—like “Medellín: memorias de violencia y resistencia” and “Yo Defiendo Derechos”—feature multimedia stories, art installations, and real testimonies, offering visitors a deeply personal perspective on the impact of violence and the hope for peace. Take your time with the interactive displays, or join a guided tour (often available with bilingual guides) for added context on the major acts of resistance and recovery that shaped Medellín.
The museum also hosts regular events, such as theatrical performances and youth-focused workshops, so check the schedule to see what’s happening during your visit. Prepare for an emotional experience—this is a space for reflection, learning, and community, and it’s a favorite stop for travelers who want to understand the city beyond its surface beauty and nightlife.
10. Parque de los Pies Descalzos – 7:45 p.m.
Wind down your afternoon by reconnecting with your senses at the Parque de los Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Park). This unique, Zen-inspired park is designed to encourage visitors to ditch their shoes and “reset” by walking through sand pits, bamboo groves, and shallow water pools. The gentle textures underfoot provide a natural massage, while the park’s shaded lawns and bamboo gardens invite picnicking or relaxed conversation with city views as your backdrop.
You’ll spot families playing, couples relaxing by the fountains, and groups meditating by the mosaic paths. The atmosphere transforms as dusk falls, with beautiful lighting and the backdrop of Medellín’s skyline. This is a real locals’ retreat in the middle of the city.
11. Evening in Provenza & Parque Lleras – 8:30 p.m.
As the sun sets, Provenza transforms into Medellín’s trendiest playground, a tree-lined enclave mixing cosmopolitan flair with that unmistakable local warmth. The vibe here goes from early-evening café lounging to a vibrant party scene as night falls, with all kinds of options to match your mood. Picture yourself strolling leafy streets dotted with open-air restaurants, bohemian bars, pulsing clubs, food trucks, and artful courtyards full of locals and travelers sharing mezcal or tinto.
Provenza’s diversity is its magic: want a laid-back night? Grab a table at Café Zorba for live music and artisan pizzas. Craving cocktails? Try the creative mixes at Alambique or the chic vibe at Barreco. For epic views, rooftops like Envy atop The Charlee Hotel and Pergamino Café serve signature drinks with the city’s lights glittering below
Just moments away, Parque Lleras buzzes with life till the early morning, with over 100 open-air venues, from salsa bars to hip galleries and modern gastro pubs. Once known for wild parties, Lleras has evolved—now you’ll find more sophisticated restaurant concepts and art spaces alongside legendary dance clubs. It’s still a favorite launching point for bar hops or meeting new friends from around the globe.
Full-Day Itinerary Schedule
| Time | Activity (with Highlights) |
|---|---|
8:00 am |
Paisa breakfast (calentado, arepa, tinto, local vibes) |
10:00 am |
Pueblito Paisa & Cerro Nutibara (views, history) |
11:00 am |
Jardín Botánico & Parque Explora (nature + science) |
1:00 pm |
Metrocable to Santo Domingo (cable car, street snacks) |
2:00 pm |
Plaza Botero & Museo de Antioquia (art, sculpture) |
3:00 pm |
Lunch: Bandeja Paisa (traditional Paisa platter) |
4:00 pm |
El Tesoro terrace (city views, markets, play) |
5:00 pm |
Comuna 13 Graffiti & Escalators (street art, music) |
7:00 pm |
Museo Casa de la Memoria (history & reflection) |
7:45 pm |
Parque de los Pies Descalzos (rest, reset) |
8:30 pm |
Provenza & Parque Lleras (dining, nightlife) |
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Medellin Guru's comprehensive Colombian culture series
In Medellin Guru, we love Colombia, and we usually write many blogs about Colombian culture, places to visit, and other tips for all expats to have a reliable guide and valuable and relevant information about Colombia. Read our blogs about Colombian Culture here:
- Top Tourist Attractions in Colombia: Top Things to Do
- Top Things to Do in Medellín and Nearby: Top Tourist Attractions
- How to be an Expat in Colombia: 12 Tips to be a Successful Expat
- Top Things to Do in Cali and Nearby: Top Tourist Attractions
- Celebrating July 20th: Colombia Independence Day
- Norte de Santander: 5 Escapes for a Weekend Adventure
- Unlock Ipiales in 24 Hours: Your Essential Adventure Blueprint!
- Pasto: Discover the wonders of the Surprise City
- Top Popular Colombian Drinks to Try When You Visit Colombia
- Villa de Leyva: A Colonial Gem in the Colombian Andes
- Traditional Colombian Food Dishes You Must Try in Colombia
- Medellin Guru Launch 2023: Gentrification, Tourism and Investment
- Popular Colombian Desserts You Must Try While in Colombia
- Exotic Tropical Fruits of Colombia a Fruit Lovers Paradise
- Popular Colombian Soups to Try When You Visit Colombia
- Día de las Velitas: Day of Candles Tradition in Colombia on December 7
- Things in Colombia That May Be Strange for Foreigners
- Things Colombians Do That Foreigners May Find Weird
- Popayán: A Well-Preserved Colonial Gem in Colombia Worth Visiting
- Tejo: A Colombian Game That Rewards You for Explosions
Other things to see and do in Colombia
- Caño Cristales – the most beautiful river in Colombia, which has also been called the most beautiful river in the world by some people.
- Carnival in Barranquilla – the second largest carnival in the world.
- Cartagena – Oozing history, romance and sun-drenched beaches, the allure of historical Cartagena is hard to resist.
- Ciudad Perdida – the site of an ancient city in Colombia that is older than Machu Picchu in Peru.
- Colombia’s Pacific coast – often overlooked by tourists visiting Colombia but offering untamed nature and undiscovered beauty that is off the beaten path for most foreign tourists.
- Desierto de la Tatacoa – the second largest arid zone in Colombia is Tatacoa Desert, which has surreal desert landscapes and some of the best stargazing in Colombia.
- Guatapé – a picturesque pueblo near Medellín known for its huge rock and lake. And it’s likely the most visited pueblo in Colombia by foreigners.
- La Guajira Peninsula – one of the most visually stunning places in South America, which is located on the northern tip of Colombia where the desert meets the sea.
- Las Lajas Sanctuary – the most beautiful church in Colombia, which has also been called the most beautiful church in the world.
- Medellín’s Christmas lights – Medellín’s annual world-class Christmas lights known as Alumbrados Navideños.
- Feria de Las Flores Medellin – Medellín’s world-famous flower festival each year.
- Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados – a popular national park in Colombia located in the heart of the Colombian coffee region.
- Parque Tayrona – known for its beautiful beaches and the world’s highest coastal mountain range.
- Popayán – a colonial gem in Colombia best known for its white buildings and churches, it’s a city off the beaten path for foreign tourists but is definitely worth visiting.
- Rio Claro Nature Reserve – located about three hours from Medellín, Rio Claro is the perfect place to unplug from hectic daily life and enjoy a picturesque crystal-clear river, canyon and tropical rainforest.
- Salento and the Cocora Valley – Salento is a picturesque pueblo in Colombia’s coffee region and the nearby Cocora Valley is one of the most striking landscapes found in Colombia.
- San Agustín Archaeological Park – the largest group of pre-Columbian monuments and megalithic statues in South America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- San Andrés – Colombia’s Caribbean island which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve featuring many beaches, islets and coral reefs that are filled with flora and fauna.
- San Gil – Colombia’s adventure capital that is full of things to do including white water rafting, paragliding, caving, rappelling, hiking and much more.
- San Jose del Guaviare – a hidden gem and eco-tourism location off the beaten path and offering wildlife watching, jungle trekking and delving into Colombia’s prehistoric past.
The Bottom Line: Tourist Itinerary for a Day in Medelllín
We chose several of the most popular attractions in Medellín for our recommending tourist itinerary for a day. Most notably, these attractions provide the opportunity to experience many of the top things to do in the city in a short amount of time.
In addition, the locations we chose provide the opportunity to take some amazing photos, as can be seen in the above photos.
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