THE BEST THINGS TO EAT, SEE, AND DO
MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA
Best Time to Visit Medellin
Any season! Medellin has a milder climate than other Colombian cities, like Cartagena. We visited in July and it was the perfect temperature – mid 70s – mid 80s every day. It was the ideal temperature for exploring and taking many dips in the pool. It did rain almost every day, but the rain only lasted about 30 minutes each time.
How Much Time Do You Need Here
A long weekend is absolutely perfect.
THE BEST HOTEL IN MEDELLIN
Click Clack Hotel
We explored a couple other options, but kept coming back to the Click Clack Hotel and we are so glad we did because we absolutely loved it.
The Food
We took advantage of the free breakfast offering every day. They have a buffet with pastries, croissants, fruits, meats, cheeses, and cereals, and each person can also order an entree from the breakfast menu. There are three on-site restaurants – all a different type of cuisine, and all that we tried were pretty yummy.
The Drinks
Definitely check out the rooftop bar. It had just opened when we visited so it was a little quiet, but I could see it growing in popularity and becoming THE SPOT as it gains more traction. The drinks are good and the view is sick from up so high.
The Value
For a higher-end hotel, we also felt that the value matched the strong service we received.
The Ambiance
It’s so vibrant with greenery and fun statues decorating the hotel. They also have an art gallery that rotates exhibits throughout the year.
eat and drink
Click Clack Rooftop Restaurant for Drinks
If you’re taking a swim in the rooftop pool, order some apps and drinks from their menu. We felt that the prices were a little steep, especially considering how affordable other nearby options are, but to have a drink while enjoying the ambiance is well worth it sometimes – and this is one of those times.
La Provincia
This felt like a fine dining experience without the giant price tag. The service here was top notch and we felt very attended to. The standout dishes were:
– Date and blue cheese bunuelos
– Artichoke hearts stuffed with basil pesto and ricotta (I guess we were on a bit of a cheese kick this night)
– Crab cakes with a green curry sauce
– Beef with truffle butter and mushrooms
– If you saved room for dessert, the dulce de leche lava cake was delicious.
El Cielo
El Cielo is an experience. It is a 15-course meal that starts with washing your hands in chocolate right at your table. While we didn’t have time to make it here this time, I would definitely plan ahead and build it into our schedule next time we visit.
Cocina 33
I believe we visited during one of the first few weeks that this restaurant opened. There is a strictly enforced dress code – men must wear pants with closed toe shoes! One of us was not dressed appropriately, but luckily the Click Clack hotel is only a three-minute walk away. Once you’re dressed properly, make sure to add these dishes to your order:
– Octopus served with hummus and cherry tomatoes
– Roasted cauliflower in a cream sauce
– Raviolis
– Get the flan for dessert . . . and the tres leches. Really, how can you choose?!
Vulcano Pizzeria
Sometimes you just crave a pizza. After a long day of exploring, we stumbled into this pizza joint and we were not disappointed.
Buñuelos – Fried Cheese Balls
You’ll see street vendors selling these throughout the city and you MUST stop and get one as soon as you do. They’re perfectly fried and have oozing cheese in them. Even better, they’re typically only $1 each! Try and refrain from buying the whole stall.
Do
Paragliding
As someone with a fear of heights, this was an exhilarating and terrifying experience. I am so happy I did it, and I am 95% sure I’d do it again with a proper pep talk. We booked with Paragliding Medellin and loved the experience. They picked us up at our hotel, gave us a brief safety talk, and then off we went on our flight. You can opt-in to renting a GoPro to document your experience. We all thought that our paragliding guides were fantastic and wanted us to have a great time and now we have pictures – some better than others – to remember it forever. One of us even ended up on their Instagram page!
Day Trip – Guatape + Piedra del Penol
If I had to pick a favorite day, this might be it. We joined a tour group to visit Piedra del Penol and Guatape. One day was the perfect amount of time to climb the giant rock and get a feel for the town of Guatape.
Comuna 13 Tour
Last minute we decided to book a tour with AirBnB and we absolutely loved our experience. Comuna 13 is a vibrant and historically significant neighborhood nestled in the hills of Medellín, Colombia. Once notorious for its high rates of violence linked to drug cartels, it has transformed into a symbol of resilience and community empowerment. The neighborhood showcases colorful street art, reflecting the spirit of hope and creativity among its residents. Comuna 13 also boasts long, outdoor escalators that connect its steep streets, improving accessibility and fostering a sense of unity.
As you’re guided through the barrio by a local, you’ll eat amazing fried foods (like empanadas), try local coffee, see cool graffiti murals, and stop in the local shops – all included in the price of the tour. You also stop at a bar with a cool view to take pictures. If you decide to get a drink here, you do have to pay. Our guide was awesome and explained the history of the comuna and shared his own personal story, which was fascinating.
We felt totally safe walking in this area – actually, we felt safe the entire time we were in Colombia. For visiting Comuna 13, I am glad we did the tour because it felt like a more personalized experience that really let us learn about the history and culture of the area, but you could totally do it on your own.
Free Walking Tour
The free walking tour we took in Medellin was one of the most informative, historical tours we’ve ever taken. Our tour guide was brutally honest with us about what it was like growing up in Medellin under Pablo Escobar’s legacy and the country’s complicated history. It was so great to be able to learn about her experience and how Colombia has been changing and evolving in the past few years.
Don’t Miss these sites:
– Parque Lleras
– Museum of Antioquia
– Plaza Botero
– Parque de las Luces
– Catedral Metropolitana
– Jardín Botánico de Medellín
Go shopping!
Relax and chill by the pool
NOT DONE TRAVELING?
Check out our guides of nearby areas:
Cartagena