The vibrant, wealthy and bustling capital of the mountainous province of Antioquia, Medellin is known as "the city of eternal spring" for its temperate climate, and though it was once synonymous with the drug kingpin Pablo Escobar (the eponymous Pablo Escobar tour is a must!), it is actually one of the safest and friendliest cities in Colombia. A party town with an vibrant nightlife, nestling in a narrow valley with skyscrapers tall and bright against a backdrop of rugged Andean peaks, it boasts a fantastic range of art galleries and museums. The downtown area is colourful - a mix of political street murals in Comuna 13 and grand squares like Botero Plaza, lined with sculptures by one of Colombia's most-loved artists, while in the upscale El Poblado district you will find boutiques, concept stores, rooftop bars and gourmet restaurants. Exciting and unpretentiously cool, the best places to stay in Medellin range from cosy boutiques to chic, urban-designer hotels, all of them perfect base-camps for exploring this amazing city.
But to truly appreciate all that Medillin has to offer, you must not miss its gorgeous surroundings. A trip in one of the cable cars that stretch across the city opens up some stunning panoramas, while not far away in Parque Arvi you can explore a different world: forests, lakes, swamps, butterfly enclosures and rivers peppered with gondolas. Last, just an hour north by road is the charming Sant Fe de Antioquia, a picturesque colonial town teeming with cathedrals, wide plazas, palaces and charming cobbled streets - well worth a day trip.
In summary, Medellin is a truly mesmerising and colourful city as well as a great stepping stone to the surrounding area. Browse through our list of the best places to stay in Medellin to start planning your trip.