What It's Actually Like to Travel to Medellín, Colombia

20 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 2:09

   El Centro

   🏘️ Neighborhood · La Candelaria

   A walking history tour here is recommended as the first thing to do, to understand the city's past and present.

2. 2:53

   Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe

   🏰 Palace · La Candelaria · brief mention

3. 2:58

   Palacio Nacional

   🛍️ Shopping · La Candelaria

   The upper-floor art galleries are free and open to the public.

4. 11:35

   Comuna 13

   🏘️ Neighborhood · San Javier

   Very touristy but worth it; the street dance shows stand out, and vendors sell cremas popsicles and potato empanadas with ají.

5. 17:48

   Carmen

   🍴 Restaurant · El Poblado

   Dishes include prawn and mussel chorizo with Andean corn fritters, and 12-hour pork belly with house-fermented miso.

6. 19:34

   El Poblado

   🏘️ Neighborhood · El Poblado

   It's an expensive place to stay, so not recommended for budget travellers.

7. 20:17

   Laureles

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Laureles · brief mention

8. 20:30

   Náufrago Rooftop

   🍺 Bar · El Poblado

   Best at sunset; one cocktail comes in a custom cup topped with herbs so you smell them as you sip.

9. 21:09

   Mamba Negra

   🍺 Bar · El Poblado

   Book the Mamba Lab experience: eight mini cocktails made only with Colombian-sourced ingredients.

10. 21:34

    Casa El Cielo

    🍴 Restaurant · El Poblado

    The tuna ceviche in coconut milk and leche de tigre with ají dulce is not to be missed.

11. 21:56

    Sambombi Bistró

    🍴 Restaurant · El Poblado

    The tuna tartare on sourdough is a menu staple and a standout bite; the mascarpone flan with whiskey cream is excellent.

12. 23:33

    Barrio La Sierra

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Villa Hermosa

    Reached by tram and cable car from the city.

13. 24:14

    Casa Finca

    🚡 Activity · Villa Hermosa

    Visitors pick ripe red coffee cherries in the fields, then learn processing and roasting and taste the coffee.

14. 28:19

    Hacienda Junín

    🍴 Restaurant · La Candelaria

    The light caldo campesino and the huge bandeja paisa are recommended; pair them with lemonade made with panela.

15. 29:36

    El Astor

    ☕ Cafe · La Candelaria · brief mention

    It is a few doors down from Hacienda Junín, handy for dessert after lunch.

16. 29:48

    Plaza Botero

    🏢 Landmark · La Candelaria

    The area has a reputation for pickpocketing; wear a zipped bag on your body and 'no dar papaya'.

17. 30:59

    Ilegal

    🍴 Restaurant · El Poblado

    Highlights include oysters with feijoa and suero costeño foam, and tempura fish over coconut rice; reservations needed.

18. 33:01

    Guatapé

    🚆 Day trip · Guatapé · brief mention

19. 33:01

    Piedra del Peñol

    🥾 Hike · Guatapé · brief mention

20. 33:12

    Plaza Minorista

    🛒 Market · La Candelaria

    Take an Uber straight to the entrance, since the surrounding area isn't safe; a guided fruit-tasting tour is recommended.