{"id":10633,"date":"2021-03-23T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tiqets-blog-staging.local\/what-to-do-in-medellin\/"},"modified":"2025-08-22T09:11:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T09:11:21","slug":"what-to-do-in-medellin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/what-to-do-in-medellin\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do in Medell\u00edn: Culture, Nightlife and Hot Tamales","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u2013<\/em>\u00a0This post was written by Liam McGarry<\/em>\u00a0\u2013<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deciding what to do in Medell\u00edn? There\u2019s an abundance of adventure on offer in Colombia\u2019s valley-cradled second city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As transformations go, Medell\u00edn\u2019s is quite the glow up. Once off-limits to your average tourist and synonymous with cartel carnage, Medell\u00edn is now a proud, safe, and sophisticated modern metropolis that welcomes more and more travelers each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A balmy climate, friendly local paisas<\/em>, and a jovial atmosphere make for the city\u2019s culture especial<\/em>. Got your Spanish phrasebook ready? Here\u2019s your ultimate guide for what to see, what to eat, and what to do in Medell\u00edn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do in Medell\u00edn: Neighborhoods to Visit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No matter where you decide to lay down your backpack \/ suitcase \/ Louis Vuitton bindle, the city\u2019s beloved public transport system means you\u2019re able to explore easily from almost any Medell\u00edn district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different areas have different vibes. Whether you\u2019re looking for a place to stay or areas to soak up the atmosphere, check out these Medell\u00edn neighborhoods to get a feel for the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Medell\u00edn\u2019s public transport system is the pride of the city<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

El Poblado<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, hilly El Poblado is one of Medell\u00edn\u2019s tourist hubs. It\u2019s a thriving, upmarket neighborhood that comes to life after dark. With high-end restaurants and hotels surrounded by boisterous nightclubs and bars, it\u2019s the place to be if you\u2019re looking for lively evening adventure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Envigado<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for something quieter, Envigado and the neighborhood of La Frontera is an option. Technically, Envigado is its own municipality, but don\u2019t let that put you off. It\u2019s an airy residential area, close to the action, with green spaces and a real community feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laureles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Laureles has won the hearts of travelers in recent years. It\u2019s got the vibrancy of El Poblado, but with a more authentic Colombian feel. If you gravitate towards chill restaurants and hip caf\u00e9s, head to leafy Laureles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Centro<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pros of El Centro are obvious: centrality, proximity to the most interesting historical landmarks and sightseeing spots. Just be careful at night \u2013 like in any big city, you need your wits about you, and it\u2019s home to some interesting characters.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sabaneta<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A little out of the way, what Sabaneta lacks in centrality it makes up for in atmosphere. It\u2019s an authentic barrio <\/em>(neighborhood), <\/em>a <\/em>friendly and old school pueblo <\/em>(village). Another area governed by its own municipality, it\u2019s a laid-back corner with a giant park, well connected to central areas by metro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

B\u00e9len<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An old and charming part of town, B\u00e9len is a trendy neighborhood easily reachable via metro. If you\u2019re looking for an all-rounder, B\u00e9len has it all, from party spots to modern malls and family-run pastelerias.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do in Medell\u00edn: Museums & Culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There’s a wealth of things to do in Medellin to scratch your cultural itch. Whether it’s art, history, or tiny poisonous frogs that make your brain fizz, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Fernando Botero’s city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get a rounded look at Colombian art inside Museo de Antioquia<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Orange
Photo by Moiz K. Malik<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Museo de Antioquia is a symbol of Medell\u00edn\u2019s transformation. Renovated in 1997, the art museum is a culture trove that reflects both Colombia\u2019s proud heritage and its modernity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest draws of the museum is its large collection of work by Colombian hero Fernando Botero. You\u2019ve likely seen Botero\u2019s amusingly rotund caricatures, in memes<\/a>, on the walls of vintage stores, or as bathroom decoration in German football bars (true story).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking pride of place inside the Palacio Municipal on Plaza Botero, the museum\u2019s art spills out into the square, with 23 of his bronze sculptures flanking the main entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside, visitors gravitate toward the third floor dedicated to Botero\u2019s world. Sometimes voluptuous but always voluminous, his animals, common folk, and historical figures fill the halls, each with their own socio-political subtext.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Botero is the star, but there are 17 rooms to enjoy displaying a timeline of art that stretches from pre-Columbian times through colonization and beyond. See photographs, cartoons, and sculptures by Colombian artists; the murals of Pedro Nel G\u00f3mez; plus work by the likes of Picasso and Rodin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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