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MedellínCulture & history

Our most recommended Medellín Culture & history

From Medellin: Guatape El Peñol with Boat, Breakfast & Lunch

1. From Medellin: Guatape El Peñol with Boat, Breakfast & Lunch

Discover the city of Guatapé on a guided tour from Medellín and learn about this colorful city from your guide. Board a sightseeing cruise to the breathtaking Piedra del Peñol followed by lunch. Start your morning with pickup from your accommodation in Medellín and travel to the vibrant city of Guatapé. With your guide, explore the colorful streets with their artistic tiled facades and fascinating history. Then, board a boat and sail through the reservoir. Enjoy panoramic views of Casa Museo, La Cruz, Piedras del Marial, Piedra del Peñol, and the ruins of the Pablo Escobar's vacation home. Learn about the sights from your guide. Disembark and visit the imposing Piedra del Peñol. Explore your lush surroundings with plenty of great photo opportunities, particularly if you choose to climb this impressive monument. After, regain your strength with a delicious lunch. Make one more stop at the Plaza de Zocalos and admire the colorful murals and the history behind them. After the tour, be returned to where you were picked up.

Medellín: The Real Pablo Escobar Tour

2. Medellín: The Real Pablo Escobar Tour

Tour is in English, Begin your tour by visiting the site of Escobar’s former home, where he hid his family and had enemies plant bombs to kill him. Learn about the transformation of this site into a memorial park for victims of Colombia's drug war. Next, head to “la cathedral”, a jail Escobar built for himself in an agreement with the government, from which he later escaped. Afterward, visit the soccer field Escobar built, known for its visionary design, where he gave speeches in an attempt to make a foray into Colombian politics. To cap things off, make your way to the cemetery, where Escobar is buried along with his family and other members of his gang, including Griselda Blanco.  By the end of the day, leave the tour with a better understanding of the negative impact that Escobar had on the country and the lives of the Colombian people.

Medellín: Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Cable Car Ride

3. Medellín: Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Cable Car Ride

Enjoy the experience of going through the beautiful transformation of Comuna 13 with the help of a friendly local guide, one of the most dangerous and violent communities in Latin America, is now a symbol of transformation and progress of the city, take the subway to listen how important it is for the city, taking the cableway uphill you'll get an amazing landscape, as well, you'll know the history of this extraordinary transformation, take the integrated bus to the graffiti neighborhood where you will experience walking tour full of art, music, typical food, and local environment, your sympathetic guide will explain to you all art embodied in any single corner of these beautiful streets, in the same way, you'll know how all this art have transformed the Comuna 13, you 'll admire the gorgeous art scene climbing the neighborhood's escalators (These escalators are open air), at the middle of these escalators (These escalators have 6 stretches) you can enjoy a delicious traditional appetizer from a restaurant with an award municipal gastronomic, as well, you'll visit the popular neon home from the zone, you'll continue until you reach a bar located at the top of the area where you will have a privileged view, at this place you'll have a refreshing drink while you meet your fellow travelers and the locals.

Medellín: Private Pablo Escobar Tour with Cable Car Ride

4. Medellín: Private Pablo Escobar Tour with Cable Car Ride

Learn all about Pablo Escobar's life on a 4-hour guided, private tour in Medellín including three main stops: Inflexion Memorial Park, La Catedral jail, and a cable car ride to enjoy a panoramic view of the West side of the city for unforgettable photo opportunities. Hear interesting anecdotes as a knowledgeable guide presents Pablo Escobar's history on a sightseeing tour of the most famous locations linked to the drug lord, and how he affected Medellín and Colombia as a whole. Start your tour by visiting the Inflexion Memorial Park, built in 2019 on top of the lot of the old Monaco Building, a former property of the drug lord, to commemorate the 46,612 victims who were killed during his rule.  Take a moment to walk through the moving space while your guide tells you facts of that time. Next, make your way to La Catedral, a personal prison Pablo Escobar built for himself — and where he spent five years — on top of a hill overlooking the city. It is said that he could choose who guarded him, and that the prison was built more to keep his enemies out than to keep him in. Drive on to visit the cemetery where Pablo Escobar is buried, as well as the neighborhood in which he spent his teenage years, and the house where he died. End your tour with a spectacular panoramic view of the West side of the city on a cable car ride before being dropped back off at your hotel.

Guatape Day Tour: Boat Ride, Private Island, Pueblo, Piedra

5. Guatape Day Tour: Boat Ride, Private Island, Pueblo, Piedra

Welcome to the most charming and colorful tour in all of Colombia: the Guatape Tour! Adventure Awaits! 8:00 AM Meet up is bright & early at the pickup location. Song requests are encouraged as we wind through the mountains. Next, we’ll gather energy with a buffet breakfast at the magical Casa Colombia in Marinilla–we know this hidden gem will charm you with its ambiance, and great photo opportunities! We’ll then head to the famous Replica, a time capsule image of the old town square, where you’ll get to hear some of the history. We allocated free time for you to take in the views of the colonial architecture, the beautiful dam below, and to venture through the many shops the area offers. We’ll then take a boat ride along the hydrodam, complete with all-around views of properties until we make it to a private island! Please bring a bathing suit and a towel! You can swim, play volleyball, or even kayak! There's many recreational opportunities to take advantage of under the sun at our private island stop! After the boat ride, we’ll have a typical Colombian lunch in the pueblo of Guatape, and then we’ll show you around the most colorful town in all of Colombia. You will have time to explore the iconic umbrella's street, zocalos square, Memory street, and its main park so you can discover its magic first-hand! Finally, we’ll end the day with the best stop, the rock of Guatape! La Piedra del Peñon! Entry to the rock is not included in the tour; (25.000 COP) you can choose to not make the steep hike up. Join us and discover the magic of Guatapé on a tour you will never forget!

Guatapé: Tour Guatapé y Peñol Desde Medellín Todo Incluido.

6. Guatapé: Tour Guatapé y Peñol Desde Medellín Todo Incluido.

Con nuestro Tour Guatapé Y Peñol desde Medellín descubre la belleza de Guatapé, uno de los pueblos más hermosos de Colombia, y sube a la imponente piedra del Peñol con nuestro exclusivo Tour a Guatapé. Si eres un viajero y estás en busca de experiencias únicas, te presentamos las razones por las cuales deberías reservar este increíble recorrido. En primer lugar, Guatapé te cautivará con su encanto colonial y colorido. Conocido como el "Pueblo de Zócalos", sus fachadas llenas de decorativos y vibrantes dibujos te llevarán a un mundo mágico. Cada una de sus calles está impregnada de historia y cultura, ofreciéndote una experiencia auténtica y enriquecedora durante tu visita. Además, uno de los principales atractivos de Guatapé es la imponente piedra del Peñol, una formación rocosa gigantesca que te dejará sin aliento. Con 740 escalones que te llevarán a la cima, serás recompensado con una vista panorámica de ensueño de la región. Imagina disfrutar de un paisaje de colinas verdes y el embalse de Guatapé, que serpentean a lo largo del horizonte. Este escenario natural único es perfecto para capturar fotografías inolvidables y crear recuerdos únicos. Nuestro Tour Guatapé desde Medellín te ofrece una experiencia cómoda y segura. Con personal altamente capacitado, te aseguramos un viaje libre de preocupaciones y con atención personalizada. Nos encargaremos de todos los detalles logísticos para que puedas relajarte y disfrutar de cada momento de tu aventura. ✔ Tendrás una buena experiencia con nuestros Guías certificados. ✔ Te incluimos el desayuno, almuerzo y paseo en barco (este tour es el más completo y económico de todos) ✔ Este recorrido se realiza en un bus, ya que es un tour grupal. ✔ Los lugares que vas a conocer son impactantes. ✔ Con más de 10 años de experiencia te podemos decir que somos la mejor opción para realizar este tour a Guatapé. Nuestro recorrido está diseñado para satisfacer todas tus necesidades. Podrás explorar el pueblo a tu propio de Guatpé, visitar tiendas locales, degustar la deliciosa gastronomía de la región e incluso participar del paseo en barco que te incluimos por el embalse. Además, contarás con tiempo suficiente para subir los escalones de la piedra del Peñol y maravillarte con las vistas panorámicas. Entonces, ¿por qué los viajeros deberían reservar nuestro Tour Guatapé desde Medellín? La respuesta es clara: porque queremos que vivas una experiencia inolvidable en uno de los pueblos más hermosos de Colombia. Te ofrecemos comodidad, seguridad, atención personalizada y un itinerario completo para que no te pierdas nada. Así que no esperes más, ¡reserva ahora y danos la oportunidad de mostrarte lo mejor de Guatapé!

Medellín: botero square, historic center with a street snack

7. Medellín: botero square, historic center with a street snack

Explore the historic city of Medellin on this guided walking tour. Marvel at the views of the Andes mountains and stunning landscape as you wander around the city. Visit the historic districts and let this fascinating city come to life through stories, explanations, and urban legends that your guide tells you. Meet your guide at the Parque Berrío to begin your walking tour. Discover Medellin's most traditional parks, squares, and streets while learning about the city's history, culture, and people.  Embark on a captivating journey through Medellín, where culture, history, and architectural marvels intertwine. Explore an urban oasis adorned with awe-inspiring statues, a testament to the city's spirit and resilience.  Immerse yourself in an enchanting world of ancient pictographic scrolls and vibrant murals that depict captivating stories.  Discover architectural gems and colorful street art. Stroll through charming passages revealing tales of history and elegance, indulging in hidden treasures and exclusive clubs.  Escape to tranquil parks and witness the harmonious embrace of faith and beauty in a majestic basilica.  Delight in lively plazas, busy markets, performances, and the joyful spirit of Medellín. Dive into a world of creativity and style in bustling commercial centers.  Visit a historic railway and witness an administrative center reflecting a brighter future. Experience illuminated parks, captivating passages, and larger-than-life sculptures.  End your day on a high with photos and cherished memories that you won't forget. 

Medellín: 5-Hour Gastronomic Wonders Tour

8. Medellín: 5-Hour Gastronomic Wonders Tour

As you walk through Medellín, see a variety of snacks, fruits, and juices that are representative of different Colombian regions. You might have wondered about the ingredients and what is best to try. Come on this tour to taste delicious Antioqueño traditional food with fresh local ingredients. You will be picked up at your hotel to take you to Parque Bolivar, a park with enormous trees, and the mesmerizing Medellín's Metropolitan Cathedral. You will enter the Cathedral and contemplate its impressive Neoclassical architecture, before moving on to your first gastronomic stop. Going through Pasaje Junin, you will go to a traditional tearoom and bakery that has been working for more than 50 years. Here, you will taste delicious baked products such as buñuelos (fried dough ball), pan de yucas (cassava bread) or almojábanas (cornbread with cuajada cheese) and traditional Tinto (softer Americano coffee). Afterward, you will taste the famous Chorizo, Morcilla (blood sausage), Arepas (corn flatbread), Patacones (fried plantain), and Criolla potatoes in a traditional Antioqueño restaurant ambiance as an old Paisa Hacienda. As a tradition to open your appetite, paisas often drink a shot of Aguardiente (anise liqueur) at lunch or before lunch so you will drink a shot of Aguardiente at Salón Málaga, a fascinating and classic place frequently visited to listen to Tango. You will then get into the tramway to move to Plaza de Flores, a market full of flowers that will charm you with its vibrant colors. There, you will be able to taste and see the preparation of choclo arepas (sweet corn flatbread) and local fruit juices. Enjoy delicious food while you discover the authentic lifestyle of traditional Colombian markets. To end things properly, you will go to the Plazuela San Ignacio for a sweet Oblea (filled slim cookie) as a dessert, while you enjoy the plaza and wait for your driver to pick you up. Then, you will be driven to your hotel or any other place of your choice in the city.

From Medellín: Pablo Escobar’s Hacienda Nápoles Private Tour

9. From Medellín: Pablo Escobar’s Hacienda Nápoles Private Tour

Experience a private tour of Hacienda Nápoles (Spanish for Naples Estate), the grandiose estate built and owned by past drug lord Pablo Escobar that’s now a theme park and zoo. Enjoy a safari drive and see the animals from all over the world that Pablo imported. Get a chance to walk through the areas of the theme park and see items from Pablo’s life. Spot his private car collection that was incinerated by a feuding cartel during the war. See where his mansion once stood and visit the museum with several rare photos from his life. One of the main attractions you’ll see are the famous hippos that Pablo brought from Africa. Witness them in their natural habitat. Then, head to another spot to see Vanessa, a docile female hippo that eats carrots from your hand.

Medellin Downtown Walking Tour: culture and history

10. Medellin Downtown Walking Tour: culture and history

We will immerse ourselves among the streets of Medellín and its people to understand the history, development, conflict and the social commitment of an inclusive and innovative city! From the hand of local "Paisas" guides, you will understand how we reverted our dark and violent past, a product of the drug trafficking of the 80's and 90's, into a bright future that made us stronger. Thanks to the collective resilient effort and social investment that today allows us to walk, and live in the city of "Eternal Spring", we will visit the unmissable places of the city such as the "Plaza de Botero" and "La Libertad", "Parque de las Luces" and "Los Pies Descalzos". During the tour, we will move between passages, we will cross the famous Junin street, and we will discover the essence of the center of Medellín. Do not miss our unique and original tour where we continue to write history together!

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What people are saying about Medellín

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 571 reviews

We had a great day in Guatapé with enough time to explore the different spots on our own. It‘s a great way to explore the region stress free as everything is taken care of (transportation, food etc.) and you just get to enjoy the trip.

Thank you José for the interesting Tour! Small group, great tour guide that knows the story of Medellin, the city and streets well. Very friendly. Totally recommendable.

Amazing ! We could see a Lot Ánd the guide Christian was amazing , he had a lot of knowledge and perfect English.

Amazing trip well planned out. Great food and service. The locations all worth seeing. Gina was wonderful.

Amazing day in Guatape, Marlon was a fantastic guid I recommend to anyone