Why visit
Medellín is Colombia's comeback story. Metrocable to Comuna 13's street art, Parque Explora, Botero Plaza, and year-round spring climate earned it the nickname City of Eternal Spring.
Medellin at a glance
City population
2.6 million
Metro: 4.0 million
Elevation
1,495 m
4,905 ft
Time zone
UTC-5
America/Bogota
Airport
MDE
José María Córdova International
Founded
1616
Getting around
Metro (2 lines), Metroplús BRT, Metrocable (cable cars up the hills), Encicla bikeshare
Signature dish
Bandeja paisa, arepa paisa, sancocho trifásico, mondongo, arequipe
Neighborhoods for travelers
El PobladoLaurelesEnvigadoComuna 13Centro
Colombia at a glance
Country center
4.0°, -72.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
1,141,748 km²
440,831 mi²
Country population
52.1 million
46/km²
Subregion
South America
Currency
Colombian peso ($)
COP
Dial
+57
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Colombian
Internet
.co
UN
Member state
ISO code
CO / COL
Where in the world
4.0° · -72.0°
Colombia
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Did you know
- Medellín's "City of Eternal Spring" nickname is literal: average temperatures stay 22-28°C year-round.
- The Metrocable cable-car system, opened 2004, was the world's first urban cable-car transit integrated with a metro: replicated in Rio, La Paz, and Caracas.
- The city won the Urban Land Institute's "Most Innovative City" award in 2013 after dramatic social and transport reinvention.
- Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean.
- It produces over 1 billion red roses annually: most of the US supply comes from here.
Bordering Colombia
Traveler notes
- Metrocable + Comuna 13 graffiti tour
- Guatapé day-trip (2 hours)
- Poblado for nightlife + Laureles for quieter stays
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Medellin
What currency is used in Medellin?
Medellin uses the Colombian peso ($), ISO code COP.
What languages are spoken in Colombia?
The primary language is Spanish.
What is the international calling code for Colombia?
The calling code is +57.
What airport serves Medellin?
José María Córdova International (IATA: MDE).
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