Discovering Medellin: A list of simple but fun things to do

Have you found yourself in Medellin but you are tired of the crazy rhythm of Colombia? Here are a few ways to enjoy the city in a slower pace!

It's Colombia, so you can go crazy every day! The problem is, that our everyday became crazy and we needed a break. That's why we decided to find things to do in a low pace to water down the craziness. Here is what we found:

Museo El Castillo - A castle in the middle of the city? What is this? Europe? Well, kind of. The castle was built and owned by a European couple that lived in the city a few centuries ago, and today is a museum that tells their story. If you are not impressed by castles, you can at least enjoy the vast greenery of the gardens that surround the castle. It is located in El Poblado neighborhood and there is a small entrance fee that we found was worth it

Do a free walking tour - Free tour, one of my favorite things to do when I travel anywhere. There are plenty of free tours to choose from, showing you the different parts of the city and telling you the history of the place. There are a few must-do tours, but I would just advise you to start with a tour of the neighborhood that you are staying in. We chose Real City Tours in the center district.

Comuna 13: One of the must-do tours I mentioned in the previous section. Comuna 13 has a dark history that became literally more colorful with the help of local artists. You can visit the Comuna by yourself, with a free tour or with a paid tour. We chose the free tour option and did not regret it. Enjoy the vibes, the colors, the art and the history.

Botero Museum and Square: Fernando Botero is one of the most renowned Colombian artists, and although he is from Bogota there is a permanent showcase of his works in Medellin as well, at the Museo de Antioquia. There is a fee to enter the museum, with student and children discount, and for those who prefer not to pay Plaza Botero features a delightful collection of Botero's bronze sculptures which you can see for free.

Guatapé - Escape the city buzz and venture to the picturesque town of Guatapé. Known for its vibrantly painted houses and the towering monolith, La Piedra, Guatapé offers a tranquil retreat. Climb the 740 steps to the top of La Piedra for panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and rolling hills, creating a postcard-perfect memory.

It is easy to reach Guatape by taking a bus from Terminal Del Norte and after a 2 hour ride you will be there. Our advice is to go as early as possible, and start from climbing the rock. Just ask the driver to stop at the Piedra and climb it before all the people arrive and the sun starts to fry you. Make sure to hang around the colorful and relaxing city afterwards

Salsa Nights - Although it is Cali that is considered the dance capital of Colombia, the tranquility of Medellin makes it the friendliest city to enjoy some dancing. There are plenty of places that host parties almost every day, just check their Facebook pages. Our advise is not to miss Son Havana's live music evenings where you can enjoy live music, dancing and socializing just for a small cover fee

Parque Explora - For a family-friendly adventure, head to Parque Explora, Medellín's interactive science museum. Engage in hands-on exhibits, marvel at the aquarium, and explore the outdoor botanical garden. It's a delightful experience that combines education with entertainment, making it perfect for visitors of all ages, and hey, you can get some funny photos in the exhibitions!

Craft Beer - Surprisingly (for me), Medellin has quite a vibrant craft beer culture, with plenty of local breweries showcasing some decent beer, with the biggest concentration of breweries and brewpubs in the Poblado district. Just choose a place and enjoy some beer (or try to visit all of them like I did)

Try some food - Medellín's culinary scene is a delectable fusion of traditional Colombian dishes and international influences. Explore the local markets, known as "plazas de mercado," to sample fresh fruits, snacks, and regional delicacies. Don't miss out on trying bandeja paisa, a hearty Colombian platter that showcases the country's diverse culinary offerings. And, of course, try any of the amazing restaurants the city has to offer.

Final thoughts

Traveling can be exhausting, and unlike some people say, you don't have to do something at any given moment of your time. Sometimes you just need a relaxing vacation. That is exactly what happened to us, so we came up with this list of things to do in Medellin. Of course, this list does not contain all the things to do but only the ones that we managed to do in our few days in the city, even we have more things planned but decided to let them be and rest even more!