Are you planning a trip to Colombia but struggling to figure out how to plan your Medellin itinerary? In this guide, I’ll share a 4 to 6-day tour of this transformative city and its surrounding towns and countryside. This itinerary is based on my three trips to Medellin and the nearly three weeks I spent there.

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About Medellin

Medellin sits in a valley surrounded by mountains on all four sides. The weather is often described as nearly perfect. With temperatures that never dip too low or soar too high, it’s known as the City of Eternal Spring.

The city was founded in 1616. However, for over 200 years, it was a sleepy, isolated city with little growth or change. Then, in the 1800s, the coffee boom happened in Colombia. This boom, fueled by the fertile lands around Medellin, led to a rapid increase in population and wealth, transforming the city into a bustling hub of commerce and culture.

Medellin was further transformed starting in the 1950s when the civil war in Colombia began. People from the countryside fled to Medellin. But all the space in the valley was occupied, so they built their homes out of whatever they could find for free on the mountains surrounding the city. These neighborhoods were called Invasions.

These Invasions were unconnected to the rest of Medellin. The people were left on their own to survive. Crime and violence from drugs, gangs, Communist guerillas, and right-wing paramilitaries were rampant. The most dangerous barrio was Comuna 13, a neighborhood that became a symbol of the city’s struggle with violence and inequality. Today, tours of the Comuna are offered daily, providing a unique opportunity to learn about the city’s past and its ongoing efforts to create a safer and more inclusive community.

In the early 1990s, Medellin hit rock bottom, becoming the most violent city in the world. However, the people of Medellin refused to be defined by this. They united and began working together to transform their city into a more prosperous, safer, inclusive, and equal place to live. This Medellin itinerary focuses on the inspiring journey of how the city overcame its challenges. The tours offered here are the best ones you can find for learning about the City of Eternal Spring’s remarkable transformation.

Medellin Itinerary 4 – 6 Days

Here’s my recommended Medellin itinerary. I suggest following the tour in the order I listed below to make the most of your trip. However, keep in mind that certain tours and activities can only be done on specific days, so feel free to adjust the order as needed.

Four days is enough if you plan to visit the rest of Colombia. However, for those who are solely interested in Medellin, I highly recommend extending your stay to all six days to fully immerse yourself in the city’s culture and attractions.

Here’s a quick overview of my recommended Medellin itinerary:

Day 1: Medellin Orientation

1. Free Walking Tour of Downtown Medellin (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
2. Lunch at Mamasitas and then do some rest and relaxation or wander around El Poblado
3. Football Match (5:00 p.m.)

Day 2: Fruit and Food of Colombia

1. Exotic Fruit Tour (9:00 p.m.)
2. Botero Museum
3. Memory Museum
4. El Poblado Walking Tour (4:00 p.m.)

Day 3: Exploring the Barrios of Medellin

1. Comuna 13 Tour or the Barrio Transformations Tour (9:30 – 2:00 p.m.)
2. Lunch near or inside the Botanical Gardens
3. Botanical Gardens
4. Cable Car
5. Salsa

Day 4: Day Trip to Guatapé

1. Wander the streets of Guatape
2. La Pierda del Penol
3. Boat Trip on the Reservoir (optional)

Day 5: Pablo Escobar Tour

1. Breakfast at Hijamia
2. Pablo Escobar Tour
3. Night out in Laureles

Day 6: Coffee Tour

1. Coffee tour
2. Rooftop Bar

How to Get Around Medellin: Medellin has an easy-to-use, clean, and safe public transportation system. One ride on the subway costs less than US$1. You can also use rideshare services like Uber, In-Drive, or DiDi. Even though they’re illegal, people use them all the time.

Day 1: Medellin Orientation

Begin your Medellin itinerary by exploring the city’s layout, culture, and history with a walking tour of the downtown area. Then, treat your taste buds to the delicious local cuisine at my favorite restaurant in Medellin. Don’t miss their Happy Hour drinks! End your day on a high note with a fun and relaxing match with Medellin’s professional football team.

Stop #1 Walking Tour of Medellin

Start your Medellin itinerary with a “free” walking tour of the city’s downtown, which is its historic center. I did my tour with Real City Tours, and hands down, it was one of the best walking tours I did during my four months in Colombia.

Real City Tours offers daily tours at 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with a single tour at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. To ensure you cover all the stops on this Medellin itinerary, the 10:00 a.m. tour is your best bet.

You can book through their website and tip at the end (recommended tip is COP$50,000) or Get Your Guide and pay upfront.

My guide, Julio, was not just knowledgeable and professional but also a captivating storyteller. This tour was brilliant in helping me understand how Medellin transformed from the most dangerous city in the world to a safer, more equal, and more prosperous city. Unfortunately, since the pandemic, Medellin’s transformation has stumbled somewhat. Julio’s narrative was truly fascinating!

Real City Tours will email you detailed and easy-to-follow instructions with photos and a video on how to get to the meeting point. I took the Metro to my tour, but you can also get there by Uber. Jump back to the How to Get Around Medellin section to learn how to use the Metro and Uber.

Our first stop on the Walking Tour was at Aljorraba, the government center of Medellin. After that, Julio took us to the Plaza of Hope (Plaza Cisneros), where a market once stood. A hub for gangs and drug addicts, the market was once one of the most dangerous areas in the city. My guide explained how the city cleaned it up and turned it into a more beautiful and safer plaza with trees, 300 light poles, fountains, a huge library, and restored historic buildings.

My favorite part of the day was visiting the streets of El Hueco. It’s lined with street vendors selling everyday goods and every kind of knock-off name-brand item you can think of. We stopped at the grand building that was the former Palace of Justice. It is now a shopping mall with art galleries and stores selling more fake name-brand goods.

We then stopped at one of the best areas of downtown Medellin, Botero Plaza, the home of over 23 fabulous sculptures made by Colombia’s most famous artist, Fernando Botero.

Our tour ended at San Antonio Park, the site of a famous Botero statue and several street vendors. In 1995, terrorists planted a bomb at the statue that exploded, killing 29 people. The destroyed statue is still there, but a new one was built next to it.

The tour should end at around 2:00 p.m.

Stop #2: Lunch

Head to El Poblado for lunch at one of its many excellent restaurants. I recommend eating at Mamasitas, a Colombian fusion restaurant. I ate here twice and still have dreams of eating there again.

Mamasitas is a great chance to order Colombia’s most famous dish: Bandeja Pais—a meat platter that usually includes chorizo, blood sausage, ground beef, chicharron, beans, rice, avocado, and arepas. You get a lot of food; I took the rest home in a doggy bag and ate it for breakfast the next day. Another dish that I cannot recommend enough is the Baby Beef Bowl—a bowl of rice, greens, and tender beef. I guarantee that you will thank me for suggesting this dish.

At 4:00 p.m. Mamasitas does happy hour: 2 drinks for the price of 1. Get their Galupa (Passion Fruit) Margaritas!

Stop #3: Football Game

A great way to end your first day in Medellin is by immersing yourself in Colombian culture with a football match. Colombians, like many South Americans, love football.

Keep in mind that the football game might not align with your first day in Medellin, as the home team, Atletico Nacional, doesn’t play daily. During my first visit, they played on Monday and Tuesday evenings. However, on my third visit, the match was on a Thursday. Be flexible.  

My experience with the tour guide from my hostel, Los Patios, was a letdown. His lack of engagement, constant phone use, and impatience left much to be desired. In contrast, two of my dormmates did this tour instead. They were sitting near me at the game, and it seemed like that tour was having more fun thanks to their interactive and enthusiastic guide.

Most football tours follow the same itinerary. They start at 5:00 p.m. with a pre-game drink, a free football jersey, and face paint. Then they make their way to the stadium in Laureles. The game usually starts at 7:30 p.m. You cannot bring drinks (including water) and food into the stadium. No cameras!  

It was my first football game, so I can’t compare it to matches in other countries. However, the people I talked to who’ve been to football games in Ireland and the Netherlands said that the fans in Medellin were more passionate and active than in their countries. The fans chanted, cheered, sang, and waved flags throughout the match. They never wavered, even though the home team lost 1-0.

Attending a football match is one of the best things to do in Medellin.

You might be interested in this post: The 10 BEST Tours to Take in Medellin – I’ll share my personal experience with some of the most popular Medellin tours.

Day 2: Culture, Food, and History of Colombia

Today, you’re going to explore the fruit of Colombia by going on one of my favorite Medellin tours: the Exotic Fruit Tour. Then, take in two of the best museums in the city: the Museum of Antioquia and the Memory House Museum. End the day 2 with a tour of El Poblado. 

Stop #1 Exotic Fruit Tour

Embark on day 2 with a truly unique experience in Medellin: The Exotic Fruit Tour, a favorite of mine.

Colombia has the second-largest diversity of fruit in the world. You will see fruits that you’ve never heard of before! Its fruit juices are a staple at any meal or any snack. Therefore, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the country’s fruit with this tour.

The Exotic Fruit Tour begins at 9:30 a.m. at Minorista Market, the second-largest Market in Medellin. I booked my tour through Get Your Guide.

Follow the directions provided by the tour company, as I did. Initially, I planned to walk to the Market from downtown, but the email advised against it due to safety concerns. Even my hotel confirmed this. I took the Metro and then transferred to the tram, which dropped me off right in front of the Market.

We walked around the Market trying ten different fruits: algarroba (the oddest tasting fruit I’ve ever had), chontaduro (tastes like chestnuts), zapotes, tomate de abrol (tree tomatoes), uchuvas (gooseberries), granadilla, maracuya (passion fruit), pitaya (dragon fruit), mangosteens (my favorite fruit), and guava.

The tour ended with a fruit juice of our choice. It should finish at noon, giving you enough time to explore Medellin more.

Why not do a food tour instead of a fruit tour?

While I usually enjoy food tours in new cities, my experience in Medellin was underwhelming. In contrast, the Exotic Fruit Tour was a delightful and memorable experience.

Stop #2 Botero Museum and Park

Getting to your next stop on this itinerary is a breeze. Take the tram from the Market. Transfer to the Metro without leaving the station. Get off at Parque Berrio Station. The museum is a five-minute walk from the Metro.

The Museum of Antioquia is an art museum with a whole third floor dedicated to the paintings and sculptures of Colombia’s greatest artist: Fernando Botero. He paints in pastels—blue, green, pink, yellow. His subjects—whether people, animals, or objects— appear larger than life. They’re plump and disproportionate, whimsical and satirical.

The Museum of Antioquia is an art museum with a whole floor dedicated to Colombia’s most famous artist, Fernando Botero. His paintings, done in soft blues, greens, pinks, and yellows, stand out with their larger-than-life shapes. His subjects—whether people, animals, or random objects—are rounded and exaggerated in a whimsical and satirical way.

Start on the third floor and work your way down.  The other floors are devoted to contemporary Colombian artists and aren’t as exciting as the Botero floor.

Unfortunately, you can’t take photos of Botero’s works of art.

After the museum, head to Botero Plaza to look at his statues. You went here during your Walking Tour the day before, but now give yourself some time to enjoy his works of art.

The entrance fee was COP$30,000 (US$7.50) for me. If you plan on going to Bogota, the Botero Museum there is free.

Stop #3 Lunch

The downtown area doesn’t have the best restaurants in the city. I just grabbed an empanada at some random restaurant.

Stop #4 Memory Museum

From the Botero Museum, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the Memory Museum. I walked this route, and it was completely safe. The route is well-lit, and there are usually other pedestrians around. Still, watch your wallet and phone!

The museum is dedicated to the victims of La Violencia – the 50-year civil war and the drug war that turned Medellin into the most violent city in the world.

The exhibits are not just interactive, they’re deeply moving. You’ll hear the poignant stories of the victims, gaining a profound understanding of the suffering they endured during the years of violence.

Unfortunately, the explanations are only in Spanish.

It should not take you more than one hour to tour the museum.

Stop #5 Tour El Poblado

End your day with a tour of El Poblado. The tour will give you a good overview of El Poblado, provide you with some helpful food and nightlife tips, such as where to go for salsa, and take you to some hidden gems. I did mine with Beyond Colombia. The tour starts at 4:00 p.m. at Parque Poblado and ends around 7:00 p.m. in La Provenza, the bar and club area of the neighborhood.

The highlights of the tour were tasting Buñuelos for the first, looking at some incredible murals, taking in amazing panoramic views from a rooftop bar, and visiting two beautiful parks I would never have visited on my own (Parque de La Bailarina and Parque Lineal).

I did this tour on my last day in Medellin, and I regret not doing it at the beginning of my stay instead. My guide gave us many tips on what clubs, bars, and restaurants to visit.

Stop #6 Dinner

I’ll give you several options for dinner. Not too far from where your tour ends is Pizzaiolo. According to a friend from Italy, they serve the BEST pizza restaurant in Medellin.

Another option is Colombian fusion food at Alambique. It’s a bit pricey but they’ve got seating on their rooftop, fun drinks, and delicious food. Get the buñuelos and brisket.

Day 3: Barrios of Medellin

Today is another day of tours, but this time, you’re exploring one of the most unique places in Medellin. For many travelers, this tour is the highlight of Medellin.

I’ll give you two options: the Barrio Transformation Tour or the Comuna 13 Tour. Both take you to fascinating neighborhoods where the average people live. I did both tours and found the Barrio Transformation Tour to be more enjoyable and enriching.

The Barrio Transformation Tour takes place only in the mornings on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while the Comuna 13 tour runs every day both in the morning and afternoon.

I’ll tell you about both options and you can decide.

Stop #1 Barrio Transformation Tour

The Barrio Transformation Tour takes you off the typical tourist trail to the lesser-known neighborhood of Comuna 4 (also known as Moravia). This neighborhood doesn’t usually get the spotlight but has an incredible story of resilience and community efforts.

Prepare to immerse yourself in the authentic Colombia. As you explore Comuna 4, you’ll notice the absence of familiar sights-no souvenir vendors, no breakdancers performing for tips, and no touristy restaurants with inflated prices. This is the Colombia that’s often missed by typical tourists.

My tour began at 9:30 a.m. and concluded at 2:00 p.m. I was accompanied by two remarkable guides: Milo, a guide whose passion, patience, and professionalism were unparalleled, and Gladys, a community leader with a personal connection to Comuna 4. She was eager to share her family’s story, adding a personal touch to our tour.

Comuna 4 has a fascinating story. It used to be the site of the city’s landfill. In the 1950s, people from the countryside moved to the area and earned a living picking through the garbage dump for things to sell and eat.

In 2013 the government moved the people who lived on top of the landfill to apartments on the city’s outskirts and turned the dump into a park. However, during the pandemic, the community faced a new challenge as gangs moved in. They took control of the park and started selling plots of land to the former residents of Moravia.

During your tour, you’ll also see powerful street art and learn about real-life social initiatives in education and healthcare that have shaped the area. It’s eye-opening, intimate, and supports the community directly.

You can book through Get Your Guide or Real City Tours, but don’t wait until the last minute. This tour sells out quickly. I like booking through Get Your Guide because you can cancel for free 24 hours before your tour starts and they’ve always responded quickly to any problem I’ve ever had.

This is one of the best tours in Medellin.

Alternate Stop #1: Comuna 13 Tour

Perched on the slopes of the mountains that embrace Medellin, Comuna 13 was once notorious as the city’s most dangerous neighborhood. However, it has since undergone a remarkable urban transformation, emerging as a more inviting and secure community.

While Comuna 13 has incredible street art, urban escalators, and stunning city views, the tour has become crowded and overly commercialized, losing some of its authenticity. It often feels touristy and rushed, with more visitors and vendors than actual residents, making it hard to genuinely connect with the area and its history.

My tour included a cable car ride before we headed to Comuna 13. We stopped at a café to listen to salespeople trying to get us to buy their coffee, watched a breakdancing performance, had some delicious creams, looked at lots of murals, rode up the urban escalator, and stopped at a café for drinks and stunning views of the city.

Your tour doesn’t have to be as superficial or impersonal as mine. The key is to select the right guide. Look for a guide who can take you beyond the typical tourist path. A guide who has lived in Comuna 13 during its most challenging times can provide a unique perspective, introducing you to locals and their homes. These are the tours that truly immerse you in the area’s history and culture.

While I haven’t personally experienced these tours, I’ve met people who have, and they were more than satisfied. One traveler I met at my hostel loved her tour and visited a couple of homes away from the hordes of Comuna 13 tourists. My guide, Julio, from the Free Walking Tour, does a private tour that takes you to his former home and off the beaten tourist trail. I’ve met several people who took his tour, and all raved about it. Contact him via WhatsApp #: +57 300 2024148.

Stop #2: Lunch

The Barrio Transformations Tour ended at 2:00 p.m. Following the tour, I and a few fellow travelers opted for a restaurant at a nearby shopping mall, just a Metro stop away from our tour’s end point, La Universidad Station. The mall, conveniently located across from the Botanical Gardens, housed a restaurant that, while not particularly unique, was a budget-friendly and convenient choice. They offered a set lunch meal (menu del día) that included soup, rice, salad, protein, and a drink, all for COP$18,000 (US$4.50).

Stop #3 Botanical Gardens

Across from where I had lunch is the Botanical Gardens, which is an optional stop. If you have time and energy, you can visit the gardens. I never made it there. It might be a good stop since Colombia is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world.

Stop #4 Cable Car

The day’s last stop is to take the cable car to one of the barrios on the mountains surrounding the city. You’ll find stunning views of the city.

But take the Cable Car BEFORE 4:00 p.m. when rush hour starts. It gets incredibly crowded with commuters after that time.

There are six cable car lines in Medellin. I did the J Line. Two less touristy lines that are good to take are the P Line and K Line. Both of them leave from Acevedo Metro Station.

For Line J, get to San Javier Metro Station by Metro, where you’ll transfer to Cable Car Line J. You can take the Cable Car however far you want. I took it to Juan XXIII Station. You don’t need to leave the station to experience the stunning views of the city. Then get back on.

If your morning tour already includes a cable car ride, as was the case with my Comuna 13 Tour, you can skip this stop.

Stop #5 Dinner

Head to Restaurante La Matriarca for a traditional Antioquian meal. I recommend getting the solomito champiñones or solomito baby beef—both are soooo delicious!

Stop #6 Salsa

Don’t leave Colombia without taking a salsa class or go salsa dancing if you’re already good. Many of the El Poblado hostels offer their guests free salsa lessons in the evening.

One of my guides said that the best places for salsa dancing in El Poblado are Son Havana and Bar Erre.  

Medellin Travel Tips: When taking an Uber or In-Drive, sit in the front seat and not the back seat. Better yet, ask the driver where he or she prefers you to sit (“atras o adelante?”). The front seat is preferred because Uber is illegal in Colombia, and sitting in the front makes the driver look less like an Uber driver. Second, when getting out of the car, do NOT be a rude gringo and slam the door. You might be closing the door as you would in your country. However, in Colombia, drivers think that to keep the car in good condition, you need to close the door VERY VERY gently.

Day 4: Day Trip to Guatapé

On day 4, escape the city and head to one of Colombia’s most photogenic towns: Guatapé.  The town is known for its colorful buildings and natural beauty. The buildings are decorated with colorful bas-relief panels depicting local life, history, animals, and folk art.

The town is also known for El Peñol Rock, a large granite rock over 650 feet high. You can climb the 740 steps to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and islands.

Next to the town is a massive artificial lake created when a hydroelectric dam was built. Take a boat tour on the lake, exploring some of the islands, where you’ll find remnants of villages that were flooded when the dam was built.

You can visit Guatapé on a guided tour or on your own. Most guided tours cost around US$37 and last from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Most tours include walking up El Peñol Rock, a short time to wander around Guatapé, and a boat trip with a stop on one of the lake’s islands. I didn’t do this tour, but it’s gotten nearly all 5 stars on over 4,000 reviews. It also won the Viator Experience Award for Best Tour in 2024.

I did it independently and stayed for two nights at Viajero Hostel, located on the shore of the lake. I recommend staying in the town of Guatape instead. However, a day trip is enough.

Here are my recommendations for visiting Guatapé on your own: To get to the town, take a bus from the North Bus Terminal in Medellin. The cost is around COP$20,000 (US$5). The journey should take approximately two hours. The bus station in Guatapé is conveniently located just a block from the main square.

Start your tour of Guatapé by stopping at a café on the main square for a refreshing drink and a local snack. I recommend Panadería Y Cafetería La Florida. Don’t miss out on their delicious buñuelos filled with dulce de leche!

Spend the rest of the morning walking around the town. Don’t leave without visiting the two most picturesque streets: Calle de Recuerdo and Calle de Paraguas. You can try a free walking tour of the town (2:00 p.m. and 4:00 pm.) or do a tour of the Malecon.

After lunch in Guatapé, take one of the colorful tuk-tuks to La Piedra del Penol for a walk up the 740 stairs for the stunning lake views.

Getting back to Medellin is a breeze. At the entrance to El Peñol is a ticket office and a schedule for buses back to Medellin. The bus stops to pick up people right there. 

Regardless of how you plan your visit to Guatapé, it’s best to avoid the weekends. The town tends to get very crowded as locals flock there, which can detract from the experience. Planning your visit on a weekday will ensure a more enjoyable and less crowded experience.

How to get from the Medellin International Airport to your hotel? The cheapest way is by the airport bus (only US$4). It’ll drop you off near the San Diego Mall. There, you can take an Uber to your hotel. An Uber or taxi will cost between US$20 – $30. Only take white taxis from the airport. Booking an airport taxi ahead of time will cost over US$40.

Day 5 Medellin Colombia: Pablo Escobar Tour

Take it easy on day 5. Wake up late and have a big brunch or lunch. Then, spend the afternoon on a Pablo Escobar Tour.

Stop #1 Brunch at Hija Mia

I love the creative breakfast dishes at Restaurante Hija Mia. Make sure to eat here at least once. The pancakes with fruit, pistachios, and ricotta are worth it!

Stop #2 Pablo Escobar Tour

I know the Pablo Escobar Tour is controversial. Some travel bloggers warn against taking this tour. They say it’s a glorification of a horrible person who caused a lot of death and destruction in Colombia. I got mixed reactions from locals. One guide excoriated a French tourist on one of my tours for even asking about Escobar! The staff at my hostel didn’t seem to care.

The guide, Julio, from my free walking tour divided Colombian’s views of Escobar into three groups:

1. Those who grew up during his reign hate him.
2. Young people in their 20s see him as a cool guy.
3. Most Colombians think he did both good and bad things.

However, I recommend being cautious when talking with locals about him before you know where they stand.

So why do I recommend taking the tour?

As long as you take a tour, like the one I did, with a knowledgeable guide who doesn’t try to make Escobar out to be a hero, it’s a great way to understand Colombia better. It’s an enlightening experience that also makes you aware of your country’s impact (if you come from one of those countries that loves its cocaine) on Latin America through its cocaine consumption. You’ll learn about the current narco-trafficking situation in Colombia: Is it more or less than during Escobar’s time?

You can book your tour through your hostel or online booking sites. I booked this fabulous tour through Get Your Guide. It cost US$40, and the tour started at 1:30.

The tour company picked me up at my hostel. My guide, Daniel, was not just knowledgeable but also professional, patient, and passionate. He didn’t glorify Escobar. He focused on the bad things he did. In his opinion, Escobar was a sociopath.

We first stopped at Inflexion Memorial Park. This was the site of Pablo Escobar’s former home, which was blown up when he was in a war with the Cali Cartel. It’s now an interesting memorial dedicated to the victims of the drug war.

Our second stop was the former prison that Escobar built for himself. The prison overlooks the city of Medellin. Most of the prison buildings no longer exist. Our third stop was a football field that Escobar built. Finally, we stopped at a cemetery to see his grave. by his grave. One of Escobar’s bodyguards hangs out at the graveyard selling photos of and books on his former boss. 

Daniel told us stories about Escobar as he took us to each spot. The guy is a wealth of information, making it a fascinating and eye-opening tour.

Stop #3 Night Out in Laureles

Before leaving Medellin, spend some time in one of the city’s best barrios for food and entertainment: Laureles. This is where the locals go for fun.

Have dinner at Mondongo’s. They’re famous for their local soup made with tripe called Mondongo. If intestines aren’t your thing, order one of Colombia’s most iconic soups: Ajiaco (a soup made with three types of potatoes and chicken).

One of favorite restaurants in Laureles is Parrilla Dejame Q’ Te Cuente. I went here on a food tour and the food was some of the best best I’ve had in Medellin. Order the picada. It’s a dish with a variety of foods–chicharron, chorizo, beef, chicken, pork, yuca, potatoes, arepas, and cheese–that everyone shares.

Fidelina has a cool decor and atmosphere and delicious traditional Colombian food.

For something a little different, try some food from the Caribbean Coast at Restaurante El Mejor Sabor del Cariben. Order the Cazuela de Mariscos (seafood soup) or Pescado Frito (fried fish).

Day 6: Colombian Coffee

If you’re NOT planning to visit the Coffee Triangle during your Colombia trip, do not miss out on the unique experience of visiting a coffee farm near Medellin. This is a must-do, especially since Colombia is a top producer of high-quality Arabica coffee beans. Just a short distance from the city, you’ll find several family-owned farms that offer captivating coffee tours.

You can easily book a tour through your accommodations or popular booking sites like Get Your Guide or Viator.  I booked this tour for US$55, which might seem a bit pricey compared to the Coffee Triangle tours, but it’s worth it.

My coffee tour was a fantastic blend of education, interaction, and indulgence! The farm was just an hour’s drive from Medellin, and the journey was awarded with breathtaking scenery. We began with a comprehensive tour of the farm, learning about the coffee-growing process. We even had the opportunity to pick coffee cherries, peel their skin, and witness the drying process. The tour culminated in a delightful coffee-tasting session. And the cherry on top? A complimentary bag of the farm’s coffee!

When you get back to Medellin, spend your last evening at one of the rooftop bars in El Poblado. Masaya Hostel and Los Patios have great ones.

Final Thoughts: Medellin Itinerary

You can arrange this itinerary in any order you want. However, do the Free Walking Tour on the first day! If you’re staying in El Poblado, do that tour on the first or second day. You can skip that tour if you’re not staying in El Poblado. If you’re looking for more travel ideas, check out the list of the best tours in Medellin.

How many days are ideal for Medellin? I think a Medellin itinerary of 4 days, with one of those days being a visit to Guatapé, is ideal. However, extend it to one or two more days if you have more time.

Where to go after Medellin? I’d head to Jardin. It is one of my favorite places in Colombia, and it’s only four hours from Medellin. Afterward, head to the Coffee Triangle and immerse yourself in the Paisa culture.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the Comment Section below. And if you found this Medellin itinerary helpful, share the love on social media!

Hasta luego!