Visiting Medellín in one day is not impossiblealthough it is not recommended. It is the second largest city in Colombia and there are many things to see. However, on your route through Colombia you will not have days left over and it is normal that you also want to dedicate several days to visit the beautiful region of Antioquia or the Coffee Axis. So if you’re short on days, we have prepared an itinerary to visit Medellín in one day so that you make the most of your time in the capital of Antioquia. We also include budget!
Contents of this article
WHAT TO SEE IN MEDELLÍN IN ONE DAY: VISIT ITINERARY
How to get around this route through Medellín in one day
Medellín is a very large and long city, so during this tour of Medellín in one day you will have to take several types of transport. We recommend moving in Uber, since we think it is the best value for money. However, most places can also be reached by Metro, for those looking to save money.
Among some attractions, especially those in the historic center, the quickest thing to do is to move on foot, although it is important to be extremely careful since it is a somewhat delicate area. However, Medellín is a city of contrasts and if you only stay in El Poblado you will not have a realistic vision of the city.
Is traveling to Colombia dangerous?
Where to stay to visit Medellín in one day
To do this route it is recommended that you spend at least one night in the city. This will allow you to start the day early.
However, we recommend sleep in El Poblado or Laurelesthe two safest areas to sleep in Medellín.
Suggested hotel in El Poblado:
Where to stay in Medellín: best areas and hotels
WHAT TO SEE IN MEDELLÍN IN ONE DAY: VISIT ITINERARY
1. Free Tour of Comuna 13 (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), the best way to start this tour of Medellín in one day
🚖 Distance in Uber (from Landmark Medellín): 25 minutes | 9km | 💰 16,500COP (3.70€)
Despite having to visit Medellín in one day, something you cannot miss is Comuna 13. Your visit will take you all morning, but you will learn a lot about the history of the city. This neighborhood was one of the most dangerous in Medellín. Since the 1980s, the guerrillas have settled in the commune and, despite the fact that They faced drug trafficking and other problems that existed, they used another form of control over the population such as extortion or express kidnappings.
Faced with all this unstable environment, the government decided to act and carried out several very bloody operations in Comuna 13 in order to put an end to the guerrillas.
Fortunately, today the reality is different. Like Medellin, Commune 13 has also undergone an important transformation and it is very interesting to visit it through its graffiti. They tell many stories!
However, we recommend hire a Free Tour, where a resident of Comuna 13 will tell you the story first hand. The tour is free, although it is common to leave between €5 and €15 per person as a tip. We leave €10 per person (50,000COP). The Free Tour leaves from the San Javier Station, so you must get there. We recommend going by Uber, although you can also get there by metro.
2. Have a bandeja paisa for lunch at La Hacienda – Junín (1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
🚖 Distance in Uber: 30 minutes | 8km | 💰 21,700COP (4.40€)
After visiting Comuna 13, you will surely be hungry. So it’s time to eat the typical dish of Antioquia! Is about the paisa traya classic of Colombian gastronomy. So this tour of Medellín in one day would be incomplete without eating bandeja paisa.
In Medellín you can eat bandeja paisa in almost any restaurant. However, you won’t find much better than La Hacienda. This small franchise has several places in the city, although we recommend you eat in the historic Junín street, in the center of Medellin. You will not regret it!
A very complete bandeja paisa will cost you 37,900 COP (approximately €8). Not expensive considering its quality!
To get to the center from Comuna 13 it is preferable to go by Ubersince the historic center of Medellín is not the most pleasant part of the city.
12 restaurants where to eat well and cheaply in Medellín
3. See the sculptures in the famous Plaza Botero, something curious to see in Medellín in one day (2:35 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
🚶♂️ Walking distance: 3 minutes | 450 meters
Plaza Botero is the main attraction of the historic center of Medellín (which disappointed us a bit). The center of Medellín is quite complex. Unfortunately it is not as well kept as others in Latin America. We were surprised by the large number of addicts who live on the streets around Plaza Botero. Fortunately, the square is closed by the police, so being inside you will feel very safe.
In the Plaza Botero you will find the Museum of Antioquia and a lot of sculptures by Botero. Its main attraction! This artist, born in Medellín, is one of the most outstanding in the country’s history and has a very particular style. Can you perceive it by contemplating his works?
Although it is not the most beautiful square we have visited, we believe that it cannot be missing from your Medellín itinerary in one day. The capital of Antioquia is a city of contrasts and it is worth going through the different areas to get to know it.
4. Photograph the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture (3:00 p.m. to 3:05 p.m.)
🚶♂️ Walking distance: 2 minutes | 160 meters
In Plaza Botero itself, apart from the sculptures, you will surely see a building that will catch your eye. Especially for its facade! It is the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture, which some locals know as the chess building because of the painting on its façadewhich resembles a board.
It is worth going to see its exterior. It is one of the emblems of the city!
5. Visit Pueblito Paisa, something essential on your route through Medellín in one day (3:20 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
🚖 Distance in Uber: 10 minutes | 4km | 💰 10.600COP (2.10€)
After wandering through the busy historic center of Medellín, we needed a breather. And Pueblito Paisa is the best place to disconnect! It is located at the top of Cerro Nutibara, one of the lungs of Medellín. El Pueblito Paisa is a miniature version of a typical Antioquia town. It is super cozy and will allow you to have a vision of what the traditional towns of the Antioquia region are like.
Strolling through its streets and falling in love with its central square is an essential thing to do on your itinerary through Medellín in one day. In addition, you can also find wafers, mango with salt and other typical delicacies from the local towns. Also, as a curiosity, some buildings in Pueblito Paisa were made with original materials from other towns in Antioquia.
6. Watch the sunset from Pueblito Paisa (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
🚶♂️ Walking distance: 7 minutes | 450 meters
In the highest part of Cerro Nutibara you will find an incredible viewpoint. It will allow you to have an unbeatable view of Medellín, since you will be able to see different parts of the city: from El Poblado to the historic center. The sun goes down on the other side, but you still have the option to see the city at magic hour. And if you can stay a little longer, watching the lights start to come on is a very beautiful experience. Without a doubt, an essential visit in your itinerary through Medellín in one day.
7. Have a drink in Provence (6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
🚖 Distance in Uber: 15 minutes | 7km | 💰 12,500COP (2.50€)
Night falls… and it’s time to visit El Poblado! This commune is the most touristy in Medellín, especially for its lively nightlife. In El Poblado you will find a lot of foreigners residing, attracted by its good atmosphere and the low prices in rents and restaurants.
Provenza is the street that we liked the most in El Poblado. You will find plenty of bars and restaurants where you can have a drink and enjoy the atmosphere. But above all, what we liked the most is that you don’t see dealers or prostitutes, something quite common in other areas of El Poblado. So the environment is very healthy!
Probably his name will ring a bell… and it is that Karol G released a song with the name of this street. We believe that Walking through Provence is an essential part of your Medellín itinerary in one day.
8. Dinner at Alambique (7:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.)
🚶♂️ Walking distance: 9 minutes | 850 meters
And finally, To finish this tour of Medellín in one day, we believe that there is no better way than to put the finishing touch in Alambique. This restaurant was our favorite in Medellin. Eating there is an authentic experience! Of course, it is better that you book in advance since they are always full.
We went without a reservation and had to wait 45 minutes to be seated at a table. But it was totally worth it! youAll the dishes at Alambique are for sharing, so the prices are more than reasonable for two. Of course, when you try them the desire to share will pass.
The restaurant is super cozy and is located in Parque El Poblado. So you will have no excuse! Afterwards, if you are interested in nightlife, you can go out to some of the best nightclubs in Medellin.
BUDGET TO DO THIS ITINERARY THROUGH MEDELLÍN IN ONE DAY
Below we will tell you in detail the necessary budget to carry out this tour of Medellin in one daywithout taking into account the price of the hotel.
💰 Total budget per person: 207.200COP or 40.50€
🎟 Attractions and tours (50,000COP or €10) – Free Tour of Comuna 13 (€10 tip)
🚖 Transport (61,300COP or 12.50€) – Uber Tours
🍽 Meals (95,900COP or €18) – Lunch at Hacienda Junín 47,900COP – (9€) and dinner at Alambique – 48,000COP (9€)
MAP WITH ALL THE THINGS TO SEE IN MEDELLÍN IN ONE DAY
In On this map you will find the location of all the stops on our route through Medellín in one day. We recommend you save it to your Google account by clicking on the star next to the title. so you can access it whenever you want from the “My Maps” section of the Google Maps application.
Source: https://lostraveleros.com/medellin-en-un-dia/
