The second largest city in Colombia, Medellin is a city of great energy, with plenty of attractions, a buzzing nightlife and a stunning setting, nestled in a narrow valley in the central region of the Andes Mountains. With a skyline that reaches for the heavens, the high-rise apartments and buildings have fantastic backdrops of jagged peaks in every direction.
Now a vibrant destination on a Colombia vacation, Medellin rises proudly from the belly of the Aburra Valley, and has restyled itself as South America's tech hub - a true centre for innovation and science. Stroll past the futuristic-looking libraries, brick houses, and cobblestone streets to witness the transformation that Medellin has gone through since the 20th century. Spend an afternoon walking down Calle 52, a chaotic street packed with a quintessential Latin American atmosphere, with its trinket vendors, hole-in-the-wall empanada shops and colourful food carts.
Get a real sense of how far Medellin has come with a visit to the Museo Casa de la Memoria, which tells the powerful story of Medellin’s dark days of conflict and subsequent recovery, and the Museo de Arte Moderno, which showcases its modern-day thriving culture.
The wider Antioquia region is home to beautiful landscapes and traditional villages, while a trip to the Zona Cafetera - the coffee-growing region – is a must for coffee lovers.
