What to expect during the Medellín city tour:
Welcome to the best cultural and historical experience in the center of Medellín, it is a tour designed for those who want to know the transformation of the city and how it went from being the most dangerous in the world in 1990 to the most innovative city in the world in 2013, important parks are visited such as: Botero square, San Antonio park, Junín street, Barefoot park, Carabobo street, among many more spaces. The City Tour is a great first tour option with Medellin Tours, so you can familiarize yourself with the entire area.
That being said, you should still expect plenty of walking. Transportation costs are covered in the total price. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and are prepared to spend a good amount of time on your feet. Even though we’ll be driving between each destination, many of the attractions require a decent amount of walking in order to be fully enjoyed.
Some tourists come prepared with basic Spanish skills, but many others don’t have an effective way to communicate with locals. Since we want to give you the most complete experience possible during your Medellín city tour, our guides are fluent in both Spanish and English. They’ll translate signs, plaques, and conversations, and explain the backstories behind important places and people. Most importantly, they’ll be able to give you an insider’s perspective on one of the most colorful cities in Colombia.
Highlights Of The Medellín city tour
There will be plenty of stops on the tour; we want to make sure you take in all the best sights and sounds that the city has to offer! These are the most popular destinations that you can expect to visit.
Plaza de Botero
One of the most prominent artistic features of Medellín is the presence of large bronze sculptures, crafted by Maestro Fernando Botero. He’s famous not just in Colombia, but worldwide for his unique artwork. Botero’s sculptures can be seen here and there throughout the city, but the Plaza de Botero is by far the best outdoor collection of his work. There are also some of the best museums of Medellin here and nearby. The 23 sculptures in the Plaza were donated to the city in 2002, and have made the spot a landmark for locals and tourists alike
El Centro
Downtown Medellín is a reference point for 1,500,000 people who pass through it daily, which corresponds to 40% of the population of the Aburrá Valley, and has the particularity of not being a single center, as other cities in Colombia or other countries in the region may have. For us, the center of Medellín has three distinct but interrelated zones: the historic center, the administrative center, and the commercial center. The particularity is that all the centers have attractions to visit, curious facts to know, and buildings to visit.
Alpujarra Administrative Center
This complex of buildings, built between 1983 and 1987, which is officially called Centro Administrativo José María Córdova, is known by everyone, without knowing why, as La Alpujarra. It houses the municipal and departmental government buildings, the Tax Office, the Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute, the Palace of Justice, and sits on a large square crowned by the work “Monumento a la Raza” (Monument to the Race) by sculptor Rodrigo Arenas Betancur.
River parks
It is a park of 71,800 square meters of public space that integrates the city with its river to generate equity, competitiveness and sustainability. Of this extensive urban infrastructure, 38,052 square meters are green areas and 280 trees have been planted there.
Walk through the two stages of the park located on the western and eastern sides of the Medellín River, which are connected by two bridges located at the south and north ends. Along the way you can enjoy spaces full of nature as well as cultural and gastronomic offerings.
Planning Ahead For The Tour
We’ll do everything we can to give you an amazing tour experience, and part of that involves a bit of advice on what to bring. After all, you wouldn’t want to spend the tour suffering from blisters, a sunburn, etc. With just a few basic items to help you out, you’ll be able to focus on what’s important – having fun!
What to bring:
- Shoes that are suitable for walking. These could include structured sandals, tennis shoes, sneakers, and so on. Keep in mind that some of the walking will be on steep hills, so plan accordingly.
- Sunscreen, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, or other forms of sun protection. Medellín is a sunny city, and you’ll be spending plenty of time out of doors.
- An umbrella or waterproof jacket. The weather can be unpredictable, so it’s recommended to prepare for random showers.
- A cash belt or fanny pack that’s big enough to keep your essentials in (wallet, phone, etc.). Petty crime is an issue in most tourist hotspots, so it’s best to take precautions with your valuables.
- Cash in Colombian pesos. If you want to make any purchases while you’re out and about (such as snacks, beverages, or souvenirs), your best bet is to use cash rather than a credit or debit card.
If you want to get to know the city of Medellín, there’s no better way than with a Medellín city tour. By booking our personalized tour service, you’ll get to enjoy an up-close look at this vibrant city.
