Discover Medellín & Guatapé: Urban Energy Meets Colombia’s Most Iconic View
Nestled in the heart of Antioquia, Medellín and Guatapé offer two completely different but perfectly complementary experiences in Colombia. Medellín, once known for its turbulent past, has reinvented itself into a vibrant, innovative city full of culture, energy, and inspiring resilience. Just a short trip away, Guatapé welcomes you with its colorful streets, peaceful lakes, and the iconic Piedra del Peñol rising dramatically from the landscape.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit to Medellín and Guatapé, from safety tips to the best places to visit, unique experiences, and our recommended hotels. A complete and practical guide to help you make the most of this unforgettable part of your Colombian journey
Bogotà
Salento
Guatapé
Medellin
Santa Marta
Tayrona
Cartagena
Cocora Valley
Palomino
Medellín: between past and renewal
Medellín was long associated with violence and instability, it had a reputation for danger. But over the last two decades, the city has transformed dramatically. While some neighborhoods remain risky (especially at night or away from touristic zones), overall Medellín today offers a vibrant, modern, and culturally rich experience.
For travelers wanting comfort, convenience and easy access to nightlife, cafés, restaurants and good transport, we strongly recommend staying in the touristic neighbourhood El Poblado. It’s considered one of the safest and most comfortable areas for visitors to base themselves.
We spent only only one day in Medellin because we wanted to visit mailny Comuna 13 and Guatapé, but we ended up visiting some other spots during our day in Medellin (using mainly Uber for transportation in the city)
Comuna 13 – From dark past to vibrant art & hope
Once notorious as one of the most dangerous areas of Medellín, Comuna 13 was deeply marked by violence, gangs and social conflict.
Today, thanks to social initiatives, community art, and collective efforts, it has transformed into a living, breathing canvas of graffiti, music, murals and public art. The steep streets, now served by outdoor escalators, make it easier to climb and discover panoramic views over the city.
Visiting Comuna 13 through an organized tour is highly recommended, this ensures you stay within the safe, visited zones, benefit from the historical context and stories, and avoid wandering accidentally into less safe areas.
For us, doing such a guided tour was an eye-opening experience: we learned about the neighbourhood’s dramatic past, but also its hopeful present, community resilience and creative transformation.
👉 We recommend joining this tour, it includes tasting Arepas (a traditional colombian dish) and true colombian coffee. a flavor that will stay with us forever as the coffee was so so tasty.
Plaza Botero & Central Historic Core
At the heart of central Medellín, we visited Plaza Botero and it is a must-see: a public square filled with the voluminous, exaggerated bronze sculptures of Fernando Botero, human figures and animals monumental and unmistakable. It’s a unique open-air art museum, free to visit.
The square sits near the metro station Parque Berrío (Line A), making it very accessible by public transport. Around the square, you can also find the Museum of Antioquia (Museo de Antioquia), offering more local and regional art, history and context, especially interesting if you want a deeper understanding of Medellín’s cultural legacy
Just a few minutes’ walk from Plaza Botero, we continued our visit toward Parque Berrío, one of Medellín’s most historic and symbolic squares. The walk takes about 5 minutes, and the area quickly shifts from the artistic atmosphere of Botero’s sculptures to a lively, authentic slice of local life. Parque Berrío is a buzzing urban plaza filled with street vendors, musicians, and commuters coming in and out of the metro station located right beside it. It’s a great place to observe the daily rhythm of the city, take a short break under the trees, and feel the energy of central Medellín. As always in busy areas, it’s good to keep an eye on your belongings, but the vibrant ambiance makes it a fascinating stop during your exploration.
Guatapé: Climbing La Piedra & Exploring Colombia’s Colorful Town
Guatapé is one of the most colorful and iconic destinations in Colombia, famous for its vibrant streets decorated with zócalos (painted bas-reliefs) and for the impressive Piedra del Peñol, a massive granite rock rising dramatically above a lake-filled landscape. Its mix of charming village vibes and breathtaking natural scenery makes Guatapé an unmissable day trip from Medellín and one of the most photogenic places in the country.
How to get to Guatapé from Medellín
From Medellín, we took a local bus heading toward “Guatapé – La Piedra” (the destination is usually written on the front of the bus). Buses leave from Terminal del Norte, and the ride takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. The ticket costs around 20,000 COP (≈ 5 USD).
If you want to stop at La Piedra first, make sure to ask the driver to drop you at “Guatapé Piedra” and follow Google Maps, the stop is literally a gas station beside the road, and a lot f tourist will go down at this place.
Guatapé – La Piedra
As soon as we got off at the gas station, we followed the stairs behind it and started walking uphill. After a few minutes, La Piedra del Peñol suddenly appeared in front of us, a gigantic monolithic rock unlike anything we had ever seen. Its sheer size and unusual smooth shape make it feel almost surreal, standing alone in the middle of the countryside. The whole journey suddenly felt more than worth it.
At the entrance, we bought our tickets (around 25,000 COP / ~6 USD) and began the climb: 740 steps of steep, zigzagging stairs carved directly into the side of the rock. With several pauses and a lot of encouragement, we finally reached the top, and the view was absolutely breathtaking.
A panorama of emerald lakes, green islands, and rolling hills stretched endlessly in front of us. We stayed for almost 30 minutes, just soaking in the beauty of the landscape. It’s one of those places that truly leaves you speechless.
We descended using the same path and waited only a few minutes at the gas station for another bus heading toward Guatapé town, just 10 minutes away.
Guatapé - The Town
Guatapé itself is incredibly charming, a small, colorful town filled with brightly painted houses, decorative zócalos (sculpted panels on the walls), cozy cafés, and little restaurants. Every street feels like a postcard, and it’s the perfect place to stroll, grab lunch, and enjoy the lively yet relaxed atmosphere.
Before exploring too long, make sure that once you arrive at the Guatapé bus terminal, you check the return schedule to Medellín. This is essential if you’re doing a day trip and not staying the night, it helps you organize your time, avoid long waits, and ensure a smooth trip back.
Why free walking tours make sense in Medellín
Doing a free walking tour in Medellín is a smart choice, because it lets you:
Discover important landmarks and neighborhoods safely, with a knowledgeable guide.
Learn the history, social transformation, and hidden stories, much deeper context than just photos or quick visits.
Meet other travelers or backpackers, helpful for sharing tips or even joining group outings.
Avoid risks: guides warn you about zones to avoid, pickpocket risks, times when the center gets less safe.
For example, many walking-tours cover central Medellín, Plaza Botero, the historic core. 👉 Find your Medellin Free Walking Tour Here
And for those more adventurous, Comuna 13, 👉 here is the tour we joined!
For us , the tour was a great way to get an overview, understand the city’s complex history, and plan our next days with confidence.
A note on safety in Medellín
Although Medellín has improved a lot, safety is still something to keep in mind.
Some neighborhoods, especially parts of the central historic core, outskirts or previously poor “comunas”, remain more risky.
At night, it’s wiser to avoid lone walks in dimly lit or quiet streets, especially outside El Poblado or other well-touristed zones.
As everywhere, use common sense: don’t flaunt valuables, keep bags in front of you, prefer taxis or ride-shares after dark, avoid obvious “tourist” looks.
But as long as you stay in tourist-friendly zones, follow usual precautions, Medellín is very much visitable — exciting, vibrant, rich in culture and contrasts.
Find our hotel recommendations in Medellín
As shared earlier, choosing the right neighborhood in Medellín is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable stay.
For travelers, El Poblado is the top choice, central, trendy, and packed with restaurants, cafés, coworking spaces, and nightlife. It offers a secure environment and easy access to transportation.
Our stay :👉 Hotel Selis ($$$), A modern and comfortable hotel with excellent service and close proximity to El Poblado’s vibrant streets.
👉 Origen Hotel Boutique ($$)
👉 Hashtag 98 Hotel By Jalo ($$$)
👉 Hotel Marquee Medellín ($$$$)
How to get to Medellín
Reaching Medellín is easy thanks to several well-connected transport options. From Bogotá, the fastest way is to take a direct flight (about 1 hour) to José María Córdova International Airport, flights run all day and are often very affordable. Buses are also available, taking around 9–10 hours.
From Salento, you can take a bus to Pereira or Armenia (30–45 minutes), then a direct bus to Medellín, which takes 5–6 hours (~12 usd) depending on traffic and road conditions. If you prefer a quicker journey, flying from Pereira Airport to Medellín is another convenient option
Where to eat in Medellín
Medellín’s food scene shines especially in trendy neighbourhoods like El Poblado, where traditional Colombian flavors meet modern and upscale cuisine:
El Cielo ($$$) : for a splurge, a fine-dining, tasting-menu restaurant that offers a creative and high-end culinary experience, great for special dinners or foodies wanting refined cuisine.
Carmen ($$$) : another upscale gem, elegant, modern dishes, fresh ingredients, a good balance between sophistication and reasonable price (especially for lunch menus).
El Patio Restaurante Medellín ($$), a more down-to-earth spot with good local and international options, ideal if you're looking for comfort food without breaking the bank.
Mondongos Medellín ($$) : known for hearty traditional dishes (including versions of the famous bandeja paisa), this is a go-to for a filling, classic Colombian meal.
In Situ Medellín ($$-$$$) : a nice restaurant in a pleasant setting, offering a mix of Colombian and continental dishes, good for brunch or relaxed dinners in El Poblado.
