Medellin was awarded in the 22nd edition of the World Travel Awards, also known as the “Oscar Awards for the Tourism Industry“, which were awarded in 2015, in which the city was awarded the category of best corporate destination.
This recognition was chosen through the vote of travel professionals, high-end tourism consumers and companies belonging to the tourism industry, surpassing cities such as Buenos Aires, Guayaquil, Lima, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Bogota.
The relevant aspects to grant this award to Medellin were: the hotel infrastructure, venues, commerce, gastronomy and its experience in attracting events from the corporate sector.
It has even been mentioned a lot in these terms the fundamental contribution that certain entities are carrying out with the Medellin Mayor’s Office, as in the cases of the Medellin Convention & Visitors Bureau, among many others, which are making this naturally beautiful tourist destination and friendly to the visitor, be a site where you can also close deals in an exceptionally rewarding context.
On your next business trip, put the organization of your event in our hands and with the added bonus of knowing more about this city such as tours within its center, such as cultural and historical visits or excursions to parks near the city, as well as some coffee farm. Alternatively, if your team is interested in extreme sports and adrenaline tourism, we can also set up expeditions.
Ten unmissable points
1. Plaza de Botero
One of the best things to do in Medellin is to take a photo in each of the amazing and voluminous sculptures of the Plaza de Botero.
These 23 bronze sculptures donated by Fernando Botero, the most universal Colombian artist together with Gabriel Garcia Marquez, turn this square into a true open-air museum.
Here are also two of the most essential buildings to see in Medellin: the Rafael Uribe Palace of Culture and the Antioquia Museum, which we advise you not to miss.
2. The Antioquia Museum
The Museum of Antioquia, located on one of the sides of the Plaza de Botero, is the most important to visit in Medellin.
In this museum located in the old Art Deco-style Municipal Palace and with two interior patios, more than 100 works (the vast majority paintings) by Fernando Botero are exhibited on the third floor, as well as some by various international artists.
3. Parque de Berrio
Parque de Berrio, located in the heart of the city, is the main square to see in Medellin. With a statue of the politician Pedro Justo Berrio in the center, this square has the Basilica of La Candelaria from 1659, the first church in Medellin, its most important building.
In addition, in one of the corners there is the sculpture of “La Gorda” by master Botero and in another corner that of “El Desafio“, by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt.
4. Parque de San Antonio
The San Antonio Park, located in the center of the city, is a large square, with a small wooded area, is the San Antonio de Padua church that stands out for its enormous dome.
Although the most emotional place in the park is located next to the statue of “El Pajaro” by maestro Botero, which was damaged as a result of an attack in which 23 innocent people deceased, including several children.
Fernando Botero asked that the sculpture be kept in this state as a reminder of the imbecility and criminality of Colombia and 5 years later he donated another work with similar characteristics baptized as the “Peace Bird”, which is right next door.
5. Parque de las Luces
One of the best things to do in Medellin is to walk along Carabobo Avenue, which joins Plaza Botero and Parque de las Luces. In this pedestrian street full of shops and restaurants is the National Palace, which since 1993 houses a shopping center in its beautiful interior.
When you arrive at the Parque de las Luces you will be surprised by a forest made up of 300 light towers that provide shade during the day and light up at night.
A few meters from the Parque de las Luces, in the Alpujarra square, is one of the most important sculptures to see in Medellin, “the monument to the Race“, a work in the form of a curve 38 meters high and made by the Antioquian sculptor Rodrigo Arenas Betancur, who pays homage to the history of the conquered peoples.
6. Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe
This Gothic-style building, located in Plaza Botero, is one of the most beautiful buildings to visit in Medellin.
This palace declared a National Monument can be visited for free and stands out for its architectural and artistic beauty of its different rooms and corridors.
On the first floor of the palace there is an exhibition on the history of the Colombian leader Rafael Uribe, while the other rooms house the historical and photographic archive of the city, the library, a music library and an art gallery.
You can end the visit by going up to the terrace to enjoy some great views of the city with the elevated metro in the foreground.
7. Pueblito Paisa
The Pueblito Paisa would enter the list of places to visit in Medellin; it is a characteristic town of Colombia like the nearby Santa Fe de Antioquia.
This small reproduction of a typical Antioquia town from the beginning of the 20th century is limited to a small square with a fountain in the middle, a church and a few surrounding buildings with souvenir shops and a restaurant where you can try the typical Paisa tray.
El Pueblito Paisa was built on top of Cerro Nutibara, the largest natural park located within the city.
8. Excursions in Medellin
Making a day trip to one of the wonders that are closer such as Santa Fe de Antioquia, Guatape or a coffee farm.
Another of the most beautiful towns to see in Colombia is Guatape, with colonial architecture and known for the baseboards that adorn the facades of its houses.
In addition to strolling through the cobbled streets, in Guatape it is irreplaceable to climb the Piedra del Peñol, a monolith over 200 meters high, from where you will enjoy spectacular views of the entire area flooded by the Peño reservoir dam.
Another excursion that we suggest is to book this coffee tour in which you will learn the entire process of making the best coffee in the world and enjoy the green landscape of the coffee plantations.
9. Comuna 13 y Metro Cable San Javier
Comuna 13, a neighborhood with a tragic and violent past where hundreds of people deceased due to the actions of the guerrillas, paramilitary groups, the government’s dirty war and drug gangs such as Pablo Escobar’s Medellin Cartel, has managed to overcome all these adversities thanks to the work of its people and transform it into the most essential place to visit in Medellin.
Located on a mountainside, this neighborhood of humble people and houses has been filled with color and joy thanks to its beautiful graffiti that adorns its walls and that have made it a great tourist attraction.
Before or after doing the tour of Comuna 13, we recommend taking the Metrocable on the top floor of the San Javier metro station.
Seeing neighborhoods and communes like 7 (Robledo) and 13 (San Javier) from the air, we can assure you that it is one of the best things to do in Medellin.
10. One night in Medellin
The meeting day is over and you are looking for a place to relax with your closest colleagues or with your entire team. In the Parque Lleras district you can find options for any occasion.
The streets and blocks have bars and clubs galore, as well as restaurants if you haven’t had time for dinner yet. Stroll through the streets and enter the place that most catches your attention.
Business and pleasure, what better way to combine them here in Medellin and EVBrocks put it at your fingertips.
