Before you go

Your trip to Medellín.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Medellín – Antioquia Destination Medellín and Guatapé Capital

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional José María Córdova (MDE) Rionegro · 35 km
Aeropuerto Enrique Olaya Herrera (EOH) 4 km
Terminal del Norte 5 km
Terminal del Sur 5 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. José María Córdova International Airport is in Rionegro, about 35 km away; a taxi takes 40 minutes to 1 hour, and there are buses to the city center. Olaya Herrera Airport, inside the city, handles regional flights. Within Medellín, the metro, the Metrocable and the integrated buses cover most journeys.

How many days

Three days cover the downtown, Comuna 13, the Metrocable to Parque Arví and a day trip to Guatapé. With four or five days you can include the Jardín Botánico, Pueblito Paisa and extra nights in El Poblado.

When to go

The climate is mild year-round, around 22 °C. The rainiest months are usually April, May, October and November, with afternoon showers. In August there is the Feria de las Flores; in December the Christmas lights (alumbrados) decorate the city.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The metro links El Poblado to downtown, to Comuna 13 and to the Metrocable for Parque Arví, and taxis and ride‑hailing apps handle the rest. Traffic can be heavy and there’s a license‑plate rotation restriction. To get to Guatapé, take a bus or an organized tour.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Medellín

Morning
Plaza Botero and museum
Metro to Parque Berrío for Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia; cross the square to the Palacio de la Cultura.
Afternoon
Comuna 13
Metro to San Javier and a guided tour of Comuna 13, with the escalators, the graffiti and the viewpoints.
Late afternoon
Pueblito Paisa
By taxi, go up Cerro Nutibara to see the valley at sunset at Pueblito Paisa.
Evening
El Poblado
Dine in Provenza and finish the night in Parque Lleras.

2 days in Medellín

Day 1

Morning
Center
Plaza Botero, Museo de Antioquia and the Palacio de la Cultura, with a walk along Carrera Junín.
Afternoon
Comuna 13
Guided tour of Comuna 13 starting at San Javier station.
Late afternoon
Pueblito Paisa
Cerro Nutibara and the Pueblito Paisa viewpoint.
Evening
El Poblado
Dinner in Provenza.

Day 2

Morning
Jardín Botánico
Metro to Universidad for the Jardín Botánico and the Orquideorama.
Afternoon
Metrocable and Parque Arví
Metro to Acevedo, Metrocable line K to Santo Domingo and line L to Parque Arví, with Mercado Arví and a short trail.
Late afternoon
Metrocable descent
Take the Metrocable down and enjoy the valley view at sunset.
Evening
Laureles
Dine in Laureles, a residential neighborhood with tree‑lined streets.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from José María Córdova Airport to Medellín?

By taxi, 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic, or by bus to the center. The airport is in Rionegro, on the other side of the mountain.

Is Medellín’s metro easy to use?

Yes. There are two main lines, A and B, connected to the Metrocable and bus lines. Buy the rechargeable card at the ticket office.

What to eat in Medellín?

Bandeja paisa — beans, rice, ground meat, chicharrón (pork crackling), chorizo, fried egg, plantain, arepa and avocado; arepas; mazamorra; and buñuelos and natilla at Christmas.

Which neighborhood to stay in Medellín?

El Poblado for hotels, restaurants and nightlife; Laureles for a more residential, flat neighborhood. Both have metro access nearby.

What is the Metrocable?

The cable cars that are part of the public transport system and climb the hillsides. Line K and line L go to Parque Arví.

Back to Medellín