If you’re planning on visiting Medellin in the next few months. Or even in the early stages of planning this trip, you’ll want to hear about the coolest things to do in Medellin.
Medellin is Colombia’s coolest city and one of South America’s most popular destinations. We’ve heard about the city’s lush green mountains, the dark history, and our amazing women. But what is about this place that makes it a fan favorite?
For starters, the points mentioned above are what lures travelers. But the city has a ton of daily activities that will make sure this is the first of many visits. Here’s our pick of the 9 Coolest things to do in Medellin (in no particular order).
#1 – Have a Beer at El Zarzal
This is a pretty weird list but I guess I’ll start with the most recent activity I’ve partaken in. Colombia is getting out of a pretty strict lockdown which means very few restaurants have been open.
In fact, the country only had takeout available from March 20th – August 31st.
But in early August I visited a restaurant called El Zarzal. The restaurant is unknown to many locals as it isn’t easy to get to. In fact, the restaurant is the last restaurant before you’re on top of the mountain that takes you to the airport.
The reason this place is a must-visit is, you can get everything up here from traditional Colombian BBQ to fried pork fat and even fresh blood sausage. They also serve up the city’s staple dish, the Bandeja paisa.
Besides the food, El Zarzal is a small cabin-like establishment with a view you won’t soon forget. You get a 180-degree view of the entire valley.
Be sure to have a beer on the way down from the airport.
#2 – Drink Coffee at Pergamino
You can’t come to Colombia without trying some of our delicious coffee and Medellin boasts a wide collection of shops.
Coffee is our nation’s second most important export (I know what you’re thinking and the first is petroleum). Many of our elders drink it all day and the state of Antioquia (of which Medellin is the capital) is famous for it.
The best way to enjoy coffee is to take a full-on coffee tour up the mountains. Where you will horseback ride to the nearest farm. But if you find yourself short on time looking for a fresh cup of joe or a last-minute souvenir, Pergamino is the place to be.
Pergamino has been producing and roasting coffee for over 3 generations. Their 3 coffee shops in El Poblado are among the most well-known coffee shops in the country. A great place to have breakfast or even buy a couple of bags for those last-minute buyers.
Their coffee comes from towns located close to Medellin. Whereas producers, they get access to the best quality beans and roasts.
#3 – Enjoy the Street Food
You haven’t done much research about this before (many people like to wing it), but what do people in Medellin eat?
For starters, the city is big on pork, and seems like everything is fried or carb-filled (and it is). So here are a few things you need to eat when in Medellin.
Empanadas – Visit El Machetico in Parque del Poblado or Empanadas la Catedral in Envigado. Best empanadas in Medellin.
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers – No, this wasn’t an exclamation that you read in a Chris Rock voice. We actually do want you to try our hot dogs and hamburgers. The best place to do so is in Parque del Poblado at a spot called Los Perrines. The city’s best street food.
The general law of street food eating. If the place has questionable hygiene, don’t eat it.
#4 Take a Microbrewery Tour
Like most major cities, Medellin also has a hipster scene. Not quite as established as Portland. But it does have its share of Lumberjack shirts possessing beer lovers.
There are lots of microbreweries but some of our favorites include –
Metropole – In Parque El Poblado a tiny microbrewery where you can taste beer found from every craft brewery in the country!
3 Cordilleras – Near the Premium Plaza shopping mall in Poblado. The coolest place for pregaming on Thursday nights as it is a place where young professionals congregate after work.
20 Mission – In the Manila sector of el Poblado. 20 Mission is the place to be to catch a major sporting event.
#5 Have Dinner at Carmen
Carmen is by far Medellin’s best restaurant and one of the best meals you’ll ever have. Owned and operated by San Diego and Albuquerque natives Carmen Angel and Rob Pevitts. Carmen is a must-visit restaurant.
The restaurant uses 100% local ingredients and has a cocktail menu built for royalty. Their pork sous-vide is out of this world and their Octopus will be the highlight of any meal.
Expect to pay about $40-50 per person. But with a similar restaurant in a US major city looking to cost you about $100 per person, this will be a bargain meal.
#6 Take a Shot of ‘Guaro’
Aguardiente Antioqueno to us Paisas (Medellin locals) is a right of passage. It is what our ancestors drank and likely the first thing most of us ever got drunk off of.
What better way to prolong this tradition than by visiting the city and having a cold shot of Guaro? The drink is an anise-flavoured liqueur made from distilled sugar cane and contains between 24%-29% alcohol content. It won’t win very many accolades at booze awards but it will get you a good buzz. Not to mention it’s inexpensive and one of the coolest things to do in Medellin.
Don’t worry about finding a place to buy a few shots. When you’re ready you’ll know and you’ll likely be 100 feet away or less from the nearest bottle.
#7 Visit Comuna 13
Comuna 13 is Medellin’s coolest neighborhood and a must-visit for any newcomer. The sector has a dark history behind it plagued by violence in the 80s and 90s. It was where he who must not Pablo Escobar would train his assassins.
But we’ve come a long way from those brutal days and you’ll likely learn this on the tour, won’t want to spoil it for you. The sector is colorful, has electric stairs to get up the steep hills, and you may play a game of ‘futbol’ with the local children.
We recommend visiting during the day and if you’re going to go alone. Dress comfortably and avoid high-quality cameras if you’re there by yourself. Take the metro over to San Antonio station. Head upstairs to line b and take the train to the last stop – San Javier.
Once there you may either take a cab or a bus for about 5 minutes. Where once you see the steep hills, colorful houses, and electric stairs, you’ve arrived. Definitely a must for all types of travelers.
#8 Go Paragliding
If you suffer from acrophobia (fear of heights) this might not be the tour for you. But if you’re up to the challenge, paragliding in Medellin will make any Medellin trip better.
It is an activity for early birds so if you’re part of a group, assemble a group of 2-3 and drag their asses out of bed.
The activity is in an area called San Felix and though running off a cliff harnessed to a stranger might sound scary. It’s actually fantastic. The views of the valley and picture content you’ll get are going to be worth your trip to Colombia.
We recommend you rent from Parapente San Felix. The drive up will be about 60-minutes. The activity can be booked every day.
#9 Catch a Local ‘Futbol’ Match
This activity will be predicated on whether the season is in session. But with 2 tournaments a year and 30 teams, you’ll likely be around.
The city has 2 teams, Independiente Medellin (red) and Atletico Nacional (green) playing in the Estadio Atanasio Girardot. Located 20 minutes away by car from your Hotel or Airbnb in El Poblado.
The vibe at the stadium is something spectacular. You have the home team sitting on the south side, away on the north side, and the various social classes sitting at east and west. Even if you’re not a fan of soccer you’ll love to get a crash course in paisa culture. Not to mention some of the women at these games.
You won’t know if you’re at a soccer game or runway.
We consider it one of the coolest things to do in Medellin, not because of the girls or game but the atmosphere. We love our soccer and you won’t get an experience like this walking the streets of Parque Lleras.
Best time to Visit Medellin
Medellin is best known as the city of eternal spring, but that doesn’t mean every time is a good time to visit. April tends to be a crappy time to visit as during Easter many of the nightclubs aren’t due to an age-old tradition. We believe that opening on good Thursday or Friday is bad luck and you also have many locals that go on vacation.
August is our busiest time of the year with the Medellin flower festival. Making prices skyrocket and the city’s hotels full. But if you like one big party and don’t mind spending a little more, August is an amazing time to visit. December is also quite popular as the city decorates its landmarks and parks with beautiful lights. It feels like for a whole month an entire country is on vacation.
What do you think are the coolest things to do in Medellin?
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