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.

The best places to stay in Medellin

Budget value

• 574 Hotel is an excellent and great value hotel located in the heart of the El Poblado District. Rooms are bright and simply dressed with white linens and wicker accents; the best suite offers a private indoor jacuzzi. Enjoy a traditional Colombian breakfast at the hotel's Caimán Café terrace. A great city hotel choice.
• The larger Sites Hotel is located in a quiet residential district, and offers contemporary, well featured rooms, a rooftop pool, and lofts and apartments with kitchenettes for family groups and those who want to self cater.

Chic boutique

• Patio del Mundo is housed in a charming villa. The individually styled rooms are inspired by different parts of the world and feature boutique furnishings and rich linens; the best suites offer a private patio. Relax with a drink in the hotel's tropical gardens. A chic city oasis.
• The Charlee offers avant-garde, designer rooms that are dressed in 5 styles which blur the line between indoor and outdoor space; book an Envy Suite for a private terrace jacuzzi and teppanyaki grill. Enjoy a lively evening at the rooftop bar; a unique city hotel.
• The architectural Click Clack Hotel is a design hotel in the vibrant El Poblado district. With rooms boasting free standing luxury baths and designer furniture, the Click Clack is a chic option for those who appreciate quirky cutting edge style.

For an apartment or villa

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of villas and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• There is never a bad time to visit "the city of eternal spring". The climate remains temperate throughout the year, lying somewhere between 17 and 28 degrees.
• Fly to Jose Maria Cordova International Airport, 20km's from Medellin: get either one of the regular shuttle buses to the city, or book a taxi.
• If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.

Still not sure?

• For a seaside holiday, check out our collection of the best places to stay in Buritaca
• or Colombia
• or contact one of our Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Medellin