Medellín
Medellín is a mountain city in Colombia's Andes, known for mild weather through the year, a metro with cable cars up to hillside barrios, and a historic centre you can walk.
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Medellín is the capital of Antioquia department in northwestern Colombia and the country's second-largest city after Bogotá. It lies in the Aburrá Valley in the Andes, at about 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above sea level. Its weather stays fairly steady through the year, which is why it is nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring. Temperatures usually stay between about 17 and 28 °C.
Most international and long-distance flights use José María Córdova Airport (MDE) in Rionegro, east of the city. The Metro opened on 30 November 1995 and is Colombia's only metro system. MetroCable gondolas, running since 2004, climb to hillside barrios, and Line L is a cable car to Arví Park. La Candelaria, the historic centre, has the main churches, Berrío Park and Bolívar Park within walking distance of each other. Rain is heaviest in autumn.
Medellín in five
- Plan for the long airport rideJosé María Córdova (MDE) is in Rionegro, about 45–60 min by road over the mountains. Olaya Herrera in the city handles small domestic flights.
- Ride the metro and MetrocableThe metro and cable cars reach hillside neighborhoods and Parque Arví. A rechargeable Cívica card saves queues.
- Visit Comuna 13 with a local guideThe outdoor escalators and murals are best with a guide from the neighborhood, who explains the history. Go in the morning.
- Be careful with dating apps and drinksTravelers have been robbed after meeting strangers from apps, sometimes drugged. Meet in public places and never leave drinks unattended.
- Leave early for GuatapéGuatapé and the El Peñol rock fill by midday. Take an early bus or a morning tour, and book it a day ahead on weekends.
Things to do in Medellín
See all attractions in Medellín
Need to know
- Airport
- José María Córdova (MDE), about 45–60 min by road
- Getting there
- Flights from Bogotá, Cartagena, the US and Europe
- Getting around
- Metro, Metrocable and ride apps
- Best base
- Laureles or El Poblado
- Time needed
- 3–4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°DryJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°DryFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- MarchRain26 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°ShowersMarchRain
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 231 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain27 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°RainAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 316 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain
- MayRain28 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low15°RainMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 358 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rain
- JuneRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low14°DrierJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 298 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Drier
- JulyRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low13°Dry, mildJulyRain
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 231 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Dry, mild
- AugustRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low14°Flower festivalAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 263 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Flower festival
- SeptemberRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low14°ShowersSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 238 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Showers
- OctoberRain29 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low14°RainyOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 322 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy
- NovemberRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low14°RainyNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 287 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy
- DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Lights, festiveDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lights, festive
Average daily high and low in Medellín, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jul International Poetry Festival of Medellín · Aug Festival of the Flowers
Right now in Medellín
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 96%
- Wind
- 1 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 78%
Medellín
03:07 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°17°78%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 23°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Tue26°15°92%Tuesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Wed24°15°96%Wednesday: Rain. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Thu24°16°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri20°16°94%Friday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sat25°16°94%Saturday: Rain. High 25°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sun26°16°67%Sunday: Rain. High 26°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 67%.
Updated 12:32 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3,192 COP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JulInternational Poetry Festival of MedellínMedellín
- AugFestival of the FlowersMedellín
Day trips by train
- Guatapé and El PeñolAbout 2 hours by roadPainted town and a giant rock to climb.
- Santa Fe de AntioquiaAbout 1.5 hours by roadColonial town in a warm valley.
- Parque ArvíAbout 1 hour by metro and MetrocableForest trails above the city.
Before you go to Medellín
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Rules for Medellín, checked
- Check the entry requirements for your nationality on Migración Colombia before you fly, because they change and the official site is the current source.Source
- Keep watch over your drinks in nightlife areas such as Parque Lleras, where foreign tourists have been drugged and robbed.
- Check the customs rules for what you may bring into Colombia with DIAN, the national customs agency, before you pack.
- Order a taxi by phone, which is the usual and safest option in Medellín; shared taxis (colectivos) leave only when they are full.
Plan around Medellín
Regions, flights, entry rules and money
Read the guideCoffee RegionFarm stays and wax palms, south of the city
Read the guideBogotáThe capital, under an hour by air
Read the guidePhone and dataData for ride apps, metro maps and the airport run
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for theft, delays and mountain roads
Read the guideMedellín FAQ
Is Medellín safe for tourists?
Most visits go smoothly with care. Stay in El Poblado or Laureles, use ride apps at night, keep phones out of sight and be careful meeting strangers from apps.
Where should I stay in Medellín?
El Poblado for nightlife and the most choice, Laureles for a calmer, flatter base with local restaurants. Both are near the metro.
When is the Flower Festival in Medellín?
The Feria de las Flores runs in early August, with the flower-carriers' parade as the highlight. Rooms fill early.
How many days do you need in Medellín?
Three to four days: one for the metro, Metrocable and the center, one for Comuna 13 and a neighborhood, and one for Guatapé or Santa Fe de Antioquia. Add a day for Parque Arví or a slower pace.
What is the weather like in Medellín?
Spring-like all year, with highs around 27–28 °C and rain mostly in April–May and October–November. Mornings are clearest, so do outdoor sights first and carry a light rain jacket for afternoon showers.