Best Things to Do in Medellin, Colombia

16/07/2023

09/07/2023

09/07/2023

Centro Comercial Santafe

With so many stores located under one roof, you can easily spend all day exploring the chic, sleek Centro Comercial Santafe. At the massive mall, you can shop til you drop or stop for a meal or coffee. Numerous entertainment options are also on offer.

One of the largest shopping centers in all of Latin America, Santafe was first unveiled to the public in 2006. Across its five vast floors, you can now find around 450 shops and restaurants. These sell everything from accessories and appliances to sports clothes, high-end fashion products and home decor items. Big name brands here include Adidas, Nike and American Eagle among many others.

Other than Starbucks, KFC and McDonald’s, there are dozens of other dining options to choose from at its food court. For entertainment, you can play in its arcade, whizz around on go-karts or watch a film at its cinema complex. Thanks to its light and airy design and spacious layout, the mall is a very pleasant place to spend some time.

09/07/2023

Planetario de Medellin

For those interested in the stars, skies and space, the superb Planetario de Medellin lies right at the southwest corner of Jardin Botanico. Appropriately set alongside the Parque Explora science center, it has loads of interactive exhibitions and stargazing shows to enjoy.

Established in 1984, it now occupies a distinctive-looking building that is topped by a high-tech planetary dome. Full of amazing models of planets and engaging exhibits on the universe, the center provides a lot of information in a fun and accessible way.

The highlight though is of course watching one of its spellbinding shows in its on-site planetarium. These take you to the outer edges of the cosmos, to the sun and some of the celestial bodies that light up our night sky. A firm favorite with families, it also has English audio guides should you need one.

06/07/2023

Mercado del Rio

If you’re looking for a cool, colourful spot to dine out, then the lively Mercado del Rio is definitely the place to go. Located near the MAMM, it has around fifty restaurants to pick from, serving delicious dishes from all around the world.

Unlike Medellín’s many other markets, this cavernous food hall only deals in snacks, drinks and sit-down meals. While there may not be any stands laden with fresh local products to peruse, there are more than enough food options to choose from. These range from paella and Peruvian ceviche to burgers, sushi and Colombian classics.

To top it all off, there is often a raucous atmosphere in the food court as crowds of young professionals pack out its tables for lunch and dinner. With tons of shared platters and tasty cocktails to try, dining here certainly makes for a fun experience.

04/07/2023

Casa de la Memoria

An absolute must-visit, the moving Casa de la Memoria covers the history of conflict in Colombia since the 1950s. Very well done, all its sombre displays shine a light on drug cartels, the civil war and other armed interventions. The museum also provides victims with a space to share their stories and commemorate the lives that were lost.

Only opened in 2012, its striking concrete complex and leafy green outside spaces lie just southeast of El Centro. Inside, dramatic-looking installations and artworks look at the history of drug and paramilitary violence in the country and people’s long struggle for peace. Lots of emotive photos and original artifacts also highlight the harsh reality of living in Medellin under the threat of daily violence.

Although many exhibits were sadly only in Spanish, we found the House of Memory invaluable for understanding Colombia’s recent past. Despite the upsetting subject, it leaves you with a feeling of hope for the future.

04/07/2023

Palace of Culture

Just a ten minute walk away on the opposite side of El Centro is the impressive and unmissable Palace of Culture. Lying alongside Plaza Botero, its bold black-and-white colors and colossal dome immediately catch the eye with their unique design.

Begun by Belgian architect Agustín Goovaerts in 1925, it was only completed in 1982 after having been abandoned for decades. The palace showcases some gorgeous Gothic-style features with its vast facade appearing very much like a checkerboard.

Originally home to the Government of Antioquia’s administration department, it now contains an art gallery, music archive, cafe and library. It also hosts countless cultural events and community festivals during the year while sublime views can be enjoyed on its roof. After admiring the architectural masterpiece, make sure to see all of Botero’s brilliant bronze sculptures in the square outside.

29/06/2023

Plaza Cisneros

Relatively dangerous until just a few decades ago, Plaza Cisneros is now a popular tourist attractions in the city center. Renovated in 2005, it is delightfully called the ‘Park of Lights’ due to its artificial forest of enormous light poles.

Dating to the 1920s, the square is named after the Cuban engineer Francisco Javier Cisneros who constructed the historic Antioquia Railway. While a handful of beautiful old buildings border it, people mainly visit for its soaring columns of light.

Numbering 300 in total, the tall poles are made out of concrete and metal with some towering up to 24 meters in height. Clustered together, they make for quite the sight, particularly when lit up at night. After snapping some photos, you can always head to nearby sites like Plaza Botero and the Palace of Culture.