Downtown and eastern Medellín with the mountains behind
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Medellín in 2 days

  • 2 days
  • 5.1 km on foot
  • 16 stops
  • Audio guide

With two days, Medellín becomes much more than its historic centre. Day one pairs Botero’s sculptures with the green north and legends at dusk; day two links the city’s history with Comuna 13 and an evening in El Poblado. It is a plan for understanding how Medellín reinvented itself, with the metro stitching the neighbourhoods together.

Day 1Botero, orchids and legends

Kick off in Plaza Botero with “Downtown Medellín highlights: from Botero to Junín”: Berrío Park, the Coltejer, the Junín Promenade and the Metropolitan Cathedral. After a bandeja paisa, hop on the metro at Parque Berrío to Universidad station: a few minutes later you are at the Botanical Garden and Parque Explora, right next to each other. Head back downtown by mid-afternoon for “Medellín of lost souls, hidden streams and ghosts”, from La Veracruz to Avenida La Playa. For dinner, take a ride-hailing taxi to Mondongo’s, in Laureles or El Poblado.

  1. Morning

    Downtown Medellín highlights: from Botero to Junín

    Mixed · 1.3 km · 1 h 30 min

    1. Plaza Botero and the Museum of AntioquiaTwenty-three sculptures given by the city's most famous artist, in front of the old city hall.
    2. Berrío ParkMedellín's living room since the 17th century: tinto, deals struck on benches and the metro overhead.
    3. Coltejer BuildingA 175-metre needle raised on the ruins of the city's largest theatre.
    4. Junín PromenadeThe street where Medellín invented a verb: «juniniar», strolling unhurriedly past shop windows and cafés.
    5. Metropolitan Cathedral and Bolívar ParkA cathedral of more than a million bricks, built over a stream nobody ever fully tamed.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  2. Lunch

    Try Bandeja paisa at Hacienda Origen (sede Junín). Carrera 49 n.º 52-98, segundo piso (Junín)

  3. Afternoon

    Medellín Botanical Garden

    A large, peaceful garden beside Universidad station, with a lake, patches of tropical forest and the Orquideorama, a striking wooden structure shaped like giant flowers. It is the perfect place to slow down after downtown, in the shade of the trees.

    Directions

    Parque Explora

    An interactive science museum opposite the Botanical Garden, with hands-on galleries, a large aquarium and a vivarium. Children and adults love it alike; allow a couple of hours and check the opening times before you go.

    Directions

  4. Early evening

    Medellín of lost souls, hidden streams and ghosts

    Mysteries & legends · 1.8 km · 1 h 35 min

    1. La Veracruz ChurchThe outsiders' chapel: foreigners who died far from home were buried here.
    2. Berrío Park: gallows, market and buried treasureThe old main square was a market, a place of executions and, tradition says, the keeper of hidden treasure.
    3. San Ignacio Square and the ParaninfoFranciscan friary, barracks and university: a building from 1803 where, people say, a friar still walks.
    4. Avenida La Playa: the buried streamBeneath the asphalt flows the Santa Elena stream, and with it the water myths that paisa grandparents used to tell.
    5. Pablo Tobón Uribe TheatreThe theatre where the myths and legends parade sets off every 8 December, and where a headless Italian is said to roam.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  5. Dinner

    Try Mondongo antioqueño at Mondongo's La 70. Carrera 70 n.º C3-43, Laureles

Day 2From the railway to Comuna 13

Spend the morning on “From the village of La Candelaria to the railway city”: La Candelaria, the National Palace, Cisneros Square and the old station, ending at Botero’s birds in San Antonio Park. Grab some empanadas at Versalles on Junín, then ride the metro to San Javier and head up to Comuna 13 in the afternoon light. As it starts to get dark, cross the city by metro to Poblado station and wrap up your trip among the restaurants of Provenza and the buzz of Parque Lleras.

  1. Morning

    From the village of La Candelaria to the railway city

    History · 2 km · 1 h 45 min

    1. Basilica of Our Lady of La CandelariaThe church that gave the town its name: Medellín began here, long before it was a city.
    2. Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of CultureA Gothic palace in light and dark stripes that was never finished: only part of the plan was ever built.
    3. National PalacePost office, courts and barracks in a 1920s concrete palace that is now a shopping centre.
    4. Cisneros Square and the Vásquez and Carré buildingsThe old heart of Guayaquil, the market and railway district, turned into a forest of light poles.
    5. Old Medellín Station of the Antioquia RailwayThe station that, after forty years of works, pulled Medellín out of its isolation among the mountains.
    6. San Antonio Park and Botero's birdsTwo bronze birds, one shattered and one whole: the way Medellín chose to remember its dead.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  2. Lunch

    Try Empanadas at Versalles. Carrera 49 n.º 53-39 (Junín)

  3. Afternoon

    Comuna 13

    The hillside neighbourhood that has become a symbol of Medellín’s transformation, with outdoor escalators, murals that tell its story and viewpoints over the valley. Take the metro to San Javier, then a bus or taxi; it is best visited with a local guide from the comuna.

    Directions

    El Poblado: Provenza and Parque Lleras

    The liveliest nightlife area in the city: leafy streets packed with restaurants, cafés and bars in Provenza, with Parque Lleras at the heart of the action. It is a short walk from Poblado station; for a late return, take a ride-hailing taxi.

    Directions

The map

Medellín in 2 days, on the map

Each route’s stops are numbered in order; the stars are the extra sights.

Mixed Mysteries & legends History Extra sight

Loading the map…

Before you go

Tips for Medellín in 2 days

  • Get a Cívica card or buy single tickets: the metro is clean, safe and links downtown, the north, San Javier and El Poblado without traffic jams. Avoid rush hour if you are carrying a big bag.
  • Go up to Comuna 13 in the early afternoon, when it is bright and lively, and come down before dark. A guide from the neighbourhood will tell you what the murals don’t, and your money stays in the community.
  • At night, get around by ride-hailing taxi, including to dinner in Laureles or El Poblado. Check the bill: a tip is usually suggested, and it is up to you whether to accept it.

Questions

Medellín in 2 days: your questions

Are two days enough for Medellín?

For the main sights, yes: the historic centre on three walks, the Botanical Garden, Comuna 13 and El Poblado. You will still have the Metrocable up to Parque Arví, Pueblito Paisa and the trip to Guatapé, which all need more time.

How far will I walk?

The walks add up to about 5.1 km: 3.1 on day one (Botero and legends) and 2 on day two (history). Add the slopes of Comuna 13 and some strolling around the extras; the metro takes care of the longer hops.

How do I get between downtown, Comuna 13 and El Poblado?

By metro. Line A links downtown with the Botanical Garden (Universidad station) and El Poblado; Line B runs from San Antonio to San Javier, the gateway to Comuna 13. It is quick and safe by day; at night, a ride-hailing taxi is the better option.

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