Things to do

Explore

Medellín · The City of Eternal Spring

Make a trip of it. A few of our favorite things to see and do, in Medellín and around the country.

Where to eat

A few of our favorite coffee spots and tables around the city.

Coffee & cafés

PergaminoProvenzaMedellín’s best-known specialty coffee, grown on the family’s own farm.
Café VelvetEl PobladoA cozy stop for a serious espresso or pour-over.
Al AlmaEl PobladoEasygoing café that’s lovely for breakfast or an afternoon break.
RitualesProvenzaSpecialty coffee roasted in-house.
Juan ValdezCitywideColombia’s iconic homegrown coffee chain — a dependable cup just about anywhere.

Restaurants

CarmenEl PobladoRefined, modern Colombian tasting menus.
El CieloEl PobladoA theatrical, multi-course fine-dining experience — book ahead.
Oci.MdeEl PobladoInventive seasonal tasting menu.
HatoviejoLas PalmasTraditional paisa cooking — the spot for a bandeja paisa.

In & around Medellín

All within easy reach of the city — most are a short ride or a day trip away.

Comuna 13

Once one of the city’s toughest neighborhoods, now famous for its hillside escalators, street art, music and food. Best on a walking or graffiti tour.

Guatapé & El Peñol

A brightly painted lakeside town about two hours away. Climb the steps up the giant El Peñol rock for sweeping views — a favorite day trip.

Parque Arví & the Metrocable

Ride the cable car up over the city to a huge nature reserve with trails and a weekend market.

Jardín Botánico

A calm, free botanical garden in the middle of the city — lovely for a slow morning.

Provenza & El Poblado

The leafy neighborhood you’ll likely stay in — cafés, boutiques and restaurants, perfect for an evening stroll.

Beyond Medellín

If you’re extending your trip, Colombia has a lot more to offer — all a short flight away.

The Coffee Region

Salento, coffee-farm tours, and the towering wax palms of the Cocora Valley.

Fun fact: Ale’s family is from Pereira, one of the main cities in this region — and did you know the Valle de Cocora, pictured above, helped inspire the landscapes of Disney’s Encanto?

Cartagena

A walled colonial old town on the Caribbean coast — colorful streets, history, and beaches nearby.

Tayrona & Santa Marta

A national park where the jungle meets the Caribbean, with quiet beaches and hikes.