Medellin, Colombia

Medellin was once famed for being one of the most dangerous cities on earth, but a lot has changed since the dark days of the 1990s, and it has become a hugely popular tourist destination in recent years. The very fact that you can now visit Medellín in safety and enjoy its beautiful weather, lovely people and fantastic attractions is reason enough to pay the city a visit.

The weather in Medellín is just about perfect, hence its nickname of ‘The City of Eternal Spring.’ With average year-round temperatures of around 72°F and daily highs of over 86°F, the climate is about as good as it gets. If spring is your favorite season of the year, you’ll be spoilt rotten in Medellín.

1. Food and Coffee

There are countless excellent restaurants and cafes to enjoy in Medellín, and delicious local dishes to sample in all of them. The top choice has to be the bandeja paisa – a traditional regional dish of meat, beans, rice, plantain and avocado – but there’s more to Medellín gastronomy than local favorites. Neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles are full of brilliant restaurants serving a variety of international fare.

2. Stunning Towns are a quick drive away

It’s not all close to Medellín, but within an hour or two’s drive of the city you’ll discover some lovely little towns and a wonderful sense of how diverse Colombia really is. Gorgeous pueblos (towns) like Guatape, Santa Fe de Antioquia, Jardin and Tamesis can all be visited on day trips or long-weekends from Medellín, making the city an excellent base from which to explore more rural parts of Colombia.

3. CLIMB EL PEÑOL FOR A GREAT VIEW in GUATAPE

Guatape is a beautiful town two hours from Medellin, Colombia. The town’s main attraction is the gigantic rock, visible pretty much anywhere you are in the city. To reach the top of the gigantic rock, you must endure 750 steps to get there. But the views from the top were so worth it!

From Medellin, It was about a 2 hour ride on the scooter each way. We arrived to the town of Guatape in the early afternoon and set our mission to climb the rock. Once we reached the top, we relaxed and cooled down with an ice cream. We then wanted to climb back down and explore the city near by. Walking through this city was one of the most beautiful experiences we have had. Each building was as vibrant as the next. We decided to hit up a local spot for a traditional Colombian dinner.

4. Art and Museums

Medellín is home to some of the finest museums and exhibition spaces in Colombia. The Museo de Antioquia has a huge exhibit dedicated to Fernando Botero (Medellin’s most famous artist). While we visited Medellin, we joined a free walking tour group which went all over the city to discover some of the most historical buildings, statues, street food, etc.