If you're planning a trip to Colombia, make sure to plan some vacation time in Medellin. This Colombian city is the capital of Antioquia department and is a Latin-rhythmic metropolis with a history that dates back hundreds of years. With vibrant nightlife and plenty of outdoor activities year-round, Medellin is one of the top travel destinations for Colombians looking to get away from it all. The capital also has a number of hidden gems where you can explore and discover new things. Here's what you need to know if you're thinking about visiting Medellin as a tourist:

What to expect in Medellin.

Medellin is a city that is at its best when you are actively experiencing its culture, not just passively consuming its history. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to get around and what a diverse selection of attractions and activities this city has to offer. You can visit the old city at night, walk along the city's colourful colonial-style boulevards, or get involved in local arts and crafts. Most of all, you should expect a lot of cultures. It's not just the museums, churches, and art galleries that are world-class; it's the exhibitors and participants at each and every event.

The best time to visit Medellin.

Medellin is one of the most popular travel destinations in Colombia and is largely due to its nightlife. It is the perfect place to visit during the night because of its amazing bars, restaurants, pubs and beautiful people, making it even more exciting. The best time to visit Medellin is in August when the city celebrates its very own Flower Festival. This is a unique experience where you find thousands of flower decorations around the city and musical events.

4 hidden gems and touristic attractions in Medellin

The history of Medellin is pretty much  known for the violence and cartel gangs that dominated Medellin in the 90s. Today, Medellin is known for its beautiful architecture, great nightlife, and a wide array of activities. You cannot visit Medellin without at least stopping at one of its famous musuems. Many travellers make the mistake of skipping these beautiful places in favour of the more exciting and violent places in town. The most popular attraction in Medellin, and arguably one of the most important in the city, is the Museum of Antioquia. Established in 1936 as a gift to the city from the United States government, the museum is housed in a former tennis and squash court and is one of the most interesting and interesting places in Medellin.

If you are interested in street art, graffities, reggaeton and Medellin's dark history, the Comuna 13 is a place you can't miss. The comuna 13 was once one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Latin America. Street gangs and cartels used this place to extort, sell drugs, and even assassinate people. Today, the comuna 13 is one of the most secure touristic destinations in Medellin. You will find graffiti on every wall, enthusiastic young dancers, micheladas in every corner and you will learn about the history of violence and cartels in Colombia.

The best nightlife in the city takes place in a neighbourhood called Provenza. Time out classified Provenza as one of the 33 coolest streets in the world. Provenza is a charming place filled with restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs. Here you will find the true "paisa" nightlife experience dancing reggaeton and drinking aguardiente.

 The Villages of Colombia are where the rich and famous like to go, and Medellin is no exception. These villages are located in the east of the city and are just about 30 to 60 minutes away from Medellin. One of the most incredible villages to visit is Guatape and El Peñol. Guatape is a charming and colourful little town. The houses there are decorated with colourful basreliefs. In Guatape you will find amazing typical food, beautiful scenery and the magestic "Piedra del Peñol". The landform is a granitic rock remnant that has resisted weathering and erosion due to being less fractured than the surrounding bedrock. The gigantic rock is an outcrop of the Antioquia Batholith and can be reached up to 200 meters above its base using staircases build into one side of the rock. Once you reach the top you will be delighted by the amazing view of the dam. Food and market stalls are located near the base of the Rock. The shrine to the Virgin Mary is halfway up the stairs. There is a convenience store at the summit.

## Side note: Is it Safe to Visit Colombia? This is a question many people have, and the answer is yes. Colombia is one of the safest countries in the world to visit due to its moderate drug policy. The country was one of the first to adopt this policy, and as a result has seen a dramatic reduction in drug-related violence. As a tourist in this country, you can relax and take it easy.