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Medellín: Modern Colombian Culture
Medellín is Colombia’s second-largest city—a cosmopolitan metropolis of nearly three million residents. Although founded in 1616, the city exudes a pronounced modernist vibe. Often considered the country’s de facto capital of fashion, design, art, industry, education, and nightlife, Medellín is bursting with creative energy.
There’s no doubt that Medellin still suffers the tarnish of the cartel-incited violence of the 1980s and early 1990s. Notwithstanding its troubled past, the city’s dynamism and culture have been recapturing the interest of avant-garde international travelers since the early 2000s. Medellin’s cultural and economic rebirth brought with it a flurry of boutique hotels, avant-garde restaurants, and contemporary galleries, welcoming visitors to a city resurgent. Medellín is a city renewed—alive with color, creativity, and optimism.
Medellin is bursting with art—more than 300 monuments and sculptures adorn its plazas and sidewalks. Famously, Medellin is the birthplace of Fernando Botero—Colombia’s most celebrated artist—and his works are prominently featured in the Museum of Antioquia and Plaza Botero.
Other central city highlights include the Mila de Oro shopping district, leafy Parque de Bolívar, a neo-Romanesque cathedral, and the stately Basilica de la Candelaria. Medellin’s botanical garden nurtures more than 1,000 species—trees, palms, and a rainbow of orchids—in a 40-acre park.
Santa Fe de Antioquia
Outside the city center, the developed hillsides of the Aburrá Valley give way to a pastoral landscape of woodlands, fields, and charming colonial towns. Santa Fe de Antioquia, 40 miles northwest of Medellin, evokes a simpler age, with its cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and delightful outdoor markets. El Peñol, a 650-foot granite monolith 90 minutes from the city, allows visitors a commanding view of the surrounding lake and forests.
What to do in Medellín
Medellín is bursting with creativity, color, and contrast. Guests can explore the city’s world-class museums, including the Museum of Antioquia—home to works by Fernando Botero—and stroll through Plaza Botero, where more than 20 of the artist’s bronze sculptures stand in the open air. Beyond the galleries, travelers can unwind in the city’s expansive botanical garden, browse the boutiques of the Mila de Oro shopping district, and admire the historic architecture of Parque de Bolívar and the Basilica de la Candelaria. Medellín’s transformation is also on full display in the vibrant Comuna 13 neighborhood, where graffiti tours trace the area’s story of resilience. For sweeping views of the Aburrá Valley, guests can ride the city’s aerial cable car system—a remarkable feat of urban transit that connects neighborhoods across the hillsides.
Outside the city, LANDED arranges day trips to Santa Fe de Antioquia, with its cobbled lanes and whitewashed homes, or to El Peñol, where a steep stairway climb rewards with panoramic views of the lake-speckled highlands. Whether you’re drawn to Medellín’s cultural pulse or its surrounding countryside, we’ll help you experience the best of both.
What is the Weather Like?
Add Medellín to the long list of cities with an “eternal spring.” High temperatures are consistently between 85ºF and 92ºF, with overnight lows near 62ºF. Precipitation is moderate year-round, although May and October each receive more than seven inches of rainfall in a typical year.
These averages are changing—please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.
Getting There
Medellín is served by two airports. Most commercial flights arrive at José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), located 30 minutes from the city center. The smaller Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) handles regional and charter flights. Nonstop flights from Bogotá average one hour; direct flights are also available from Cartagena (70 minutes).
Start your journey today
LANDED delivers the finest in custom, private travel to Central America, South America, and Antarctica. These regions are our passion; we know them first-hand and by heart. Speak with one of our travel designers and let us create a tailored itinerary for you in Medellín.
How to combine Medellín
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