Skip to content 
Top 5 Excursions and Day Trips from Medellín
Colombia is a stunningly beautiful country with every type of topography imaginable. Valleys, mountains, forests, rivers, beaches, and jungles abound, offering tremendous biodiversity and fantastic backdrops for various excursions. When visiting the region, you’ll have many choices of exciting day trips from Medellín—Colombia’s most emblematic and lively city.
TALK TO A DESTINATION EXPERT
Diego Zapata
Rosa Mena
Sandy Lara
Diego Zapata
Rosa Mena
Sandy Lara
Arví Park and Piedra del Peñol
La Piedra del Peñol
To get to the Piedra del Peñól (also known as El Peñón de Guatapé) from Medellín, you can take a bus or guided tour to the site.
Comuna 13
As we mentioned above, Comuna 13 has had a complex history for years and was one of the neighborhoods most affected by drug trafficking; however, in recent decades, it has undergone a process of recovery and revitalization.
This place has become a popular destination not to be missed on your trip to Medellín, as many tourists visit it to learn about its history and experience its vibrant street art culture, complete with breakdancing performances.
The most common way to get to Comuna 13 is to take the Metro to San Javier Station, the closest station to the neighborhood. You can take a series of escalators up and down this hillside destination.
The Botanical Garden of Medellín
The Botanical Garden of Medellín, located in the Ciudad del Río sector, sits near the city center. This botanical garden is an oasis of nature, offering a variety of themed gardens showcasing the diversity of Colombia’s flora, such as orchids, cacti, aquatic plants, and more.
The Botanical Garden is dedicated to environmental education and offers educational programs for students and visitors. The gardens feature several trails for walks and strolls. It is the perfect spot for reconnecting with nature.
Tour de Café en Jericó
Jericó is a beautiful town in the coffee region of Colombia, offering the opportunity to experience an authentic coffee tour. This place is known for its high-quality coffee production, where you can visit several coffee farms.
To ensure you have a pleasant experience, booking your tour in advance is recommended. Here, you can tour coffee plantations and learn about the different types of coffee grown in the region. To embark on this day trip from Medellín, take a bus to Jericó; the journey takes about 5 hours.
Nevados National Natural Park
Nevados National Park is a nature reserve located in the heart of Colombia’s Andes Mountains. The park features spectacular scenery with snow-capped mountains and glaciers, including the Nevado del Ruiz—one of the most iconic peaks in the country. It also features glacial lakes and sprawling páramos—high mountain ecosystems full of vegetation and wildlife.
To get to this site, you can take a bus or taxi, which brings you to an area known as El Cedral, one of the park’s entrances. It is considered one of the most exciting day trips from Medellín.
Taking day trips from Medellín, Colombia, is a popular choice, and with good reason, as the city sits in a diverse region that offers a wide range of experiences for getting in touch with nature, experiencing new cultures, tasting new flavors, learning about Colombia’s rich history, and more! These experiences will enrich your traveler spirit, and you may even want to get to know this beautiful country more thoroughly after visiting Medellín.
Why has Medellín become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years?
Medellín, located in the central northwestern region of Colombia known as Antioquia, is the second largest city in Colombia. It is known as the ”City of Eternal Spring”. In recent years, this thriving city has become an increasingly popular tourist destination for travelers thanks to offering some of the best day trips from Medellín for visitors worldwide.
Another combination of factors has contributed to its attractiveness. Medellín has invested in infrastructure, which has been fundamental to its transformation, and the city has a continuously upgraded public transportation system that makes it easier for visitors to get around.
This unique cosmopolitan city is also known for its diverse culture, festivals, gastronomy, tourist attractions, and, above all, for the hospitality and friendliness of its residents towards visitors. Add to this that Medellín has a comfortable and temperate climate, and you’ll understand why it is such an attractive year-round destination.
Arts and Culture in Medellín
Museums in Medellín
Medellín, Colombia, has a vibrant arts scene and many cultural offerings. There are numerous exhibition halls, cultural centers, and art spaces that you can visit as you explore the city. They can be a great complement to your exciting day trips from Medellín. Here are a couple of museum recommendations:
The Museo de Antioquia, one of the most important museums in the city, houses an extensive collection of Latin American art, with works by prominent artists such as Fernando Botero, a Medellín native.
Museo El Castillo, located in a medieval mansion, hosts modern and contemporary art exhibits and features beautiful gardens and panoramic city views.
Medellín’s Vibrant Street Art
Medellín’s Comuna 13 symbolizes urban transformation and creativity through Medellín’s Vibrant Street Art. It is a prominent, not-to-miss visitor destination in Medellín. This hillside neighborhood’s turbulent past is perhaps a source of inspiration for its many resident artists’ expression, documenting their experience through stunning murals, striking sculptures, and attention-grabbing breakdance performances on display for all who visit. This authentic and organic endeavor was the unintended result of a resilient community faced with daily challenges and the desire to achieve a more promising future. It is a renowned example of the Colombian people’s indomitable spirit today.
Cultural Festivals in the City of Eternal Spring
Medellín is known as a lively and festive place, so, of course, there are plenty of festivals and cultural events throughout the year! Attending one of these could be an excellent option with a few day trips from Medellín, as they can be in or around the city center. Here are just a handful of festivals and events worth your consideration:
International Poetry Festival: every year, this festival gathers poets from all over the world to share their works in different venues throughout the city.
Feria de las Flores, one of Medellín’s most emblematic events, is celebrated in August; the city is filled with flowers and live music events. One of the highlights is a parade of floats with incredible floral arrangements!
Music
Music keeps the soul of the people alive. In this beautiful city, you can visit the Metropolitan Theatre, an essential space for the performing arts, which hosts theater, music, and dance events.
You can also enjoy the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the premier orchestras in Colombia, performing classical and contemporary pieces.
Exceptional Colombian Gastronomy
Typical Dishes from Medellín
The gastronomy in Medellín is varied and delicious, with typical dishes that reflect the local tradition and culture, prepared with regionally sourced ingredients.
Bandeja Paisa is one of the most emblematic dishes of the region. It features steak and pork cracklings, often with sausages and sometimes morcilla, rice, beans, ripe plantain, avocado, arepa, and fried egg! This combination is worth tasting and perfect for sharing; a must-sample on your trip to Medellín.
Popular drinks include guarapo, a refreshing beverage with sugar cane and lime juice. Speaking of juice, beginning each meal with fresh fruit juice isn’t uncommon. Popular flavors include passion fruit (maracuyá), guava (guayaba), blackberry (mora), papaya, soursop (guanábana), and more! Colombia is also famous for its incredible coffee, so enjoy a delicious cup whenever you want!
Popular Food Hubs in Medellín
Various food hubs are designed to impress visitors from all over. These offer an excellent opportunity to taste the local gastronomy and experience the region’s terrific culinary culture. Here are some popular food hubs worth checking out with your day trips from Medellín.
- Hacienda Junín, this place is famous for its bandeja paisa. Make sure to sample several of their other traditional dishes.
- Mondongos is famous for its excellent mondongo, a typical stew prepared with vegetables, pork, and chorizo.
- Restaurante El Rancherito is a traditional establishment where patrons can sample regional Antioquian food. They are exceptionally well known for their pollo a la cerveza (beer-soaked chicken) and carne asada.
- El Cielo is an upscale restaurant run by renowned Colombian chef Juan Manuel Barrientos that offers a unique dining experience known as “emotional cuisine.” It focuses on creating a multisensory experience through its tasting menus.
- Carmen is known for its innovative fusion of Colombian and international flavors. It has a beautiful setting in the trendy El Poblado neighborhood and offers a diverse menu.
- Ocio is a modern and trendy restaurant that offers international and Colombian cuisine. The menu includes a variety of dishes, from sushi to steaks.
- El Social is a popular restaurant bar for its delicious cocktails and casual atmosphere. It’s a great place to enjoy drinks and snacks with friends.
- La Provincia specializes in seafood and offers a variety of dishes influenced by coastal Colombian cuisine. It’s an excellent choice for seafood lovers.
- Alambique is a restaurant that combines Colombian flavors with Mediterranean influences. It’s known for its creative dishes and relaxing atmosphere.
- Herbario is located in the botanical gardens of Medellín; Herbario offers a farm-to-table dining experience, focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The setting is serene and picturesque.
- Hato Viejo is a restaurant where you can try Colombian-style grilled meats, which is an excellent option. It’s known for its parrilla (grilled meat) dishes and traditional Colombian sides.
- Food markets, like the Mercado del Río or Mercado de San Alejo, are where you’ll find many food stalls to sample all sorts of recipes and flavors in one place!
In recap, culture, and history, Medellín is a remarkable portal to the captivating allure of its surrounding treasures. For those with an insatiable curiosity for the past, a fervent passion for the rich aroma and taste of coffee, an adventurous spirit that thrives on the thrill of hiking, or simply ones who find joy in absorbing the awe-inspiring beauty of panoramic views, Medellín offers a plethora of thrilling day trips.
Each journey is meticulously crafted, offering a unique exploration opportunity tailored to your interests and desires. These excursions not only promise an escape from the ordinary but also an immersive experience into the heart of Colombia’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. So, step out of the confines of the city and venture into the extraordinary realms that lie just beyond Medellín, and let each day’s trip be a thrilling chapter in your unforgettable Colombian adventure.
Javier Garcia
Eduardo Silva
Carolina Escobar
START PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Javier Garcia
Eduardo Silva
Carolina Escobar
Get in touch for more
CONTACT US
