Bogotá & Medellín: Best Itinerary Ideas (2024)

How many days do you need in Bogotá & Medellín?

• Most travelers spend 6-8 days in Bogotá and Medellín combined
• Visiting Bogotá and Medellín in 4 or 5 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
• With 9 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extensions are Cartagena, Zona Cafetera, and Tayrona National Park

How Many Days to Spend in Bogotá
How Many Days to Spend in Medellín

Recommended Itineraries for Bogotá & Medellín

Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days

For travelers who love urban energy and metropolitan culture, this six-day jaunt is for you. It highlights two of Latin America's most exciting cities—Bogotá and Medellín. You'll kick things off in the capital, Bogotá, where you can explore cobbled colonial streets, visit Pre-Columbian museums, and enjoy a thriving nightlife scene. Then, fly to Medellín, a revitalized metropolis best viewed from above—by scenic gondola car. You'll also have free time to explore hip bars and restaurants in the trendy El Poblado district. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week

City slickers who like to hoof it will love this weeklong itinerary in Colombia spotlighting two of Latin America's most exciting (and mountainous) hubs. The trip starts in the sophisticated capital of Bogotá, where you'll have time to soak in the culture, restaurants, and nightlife. From here, take a day trip to the highlands to visit the region's salt mines. Next, it's a flight to Medellín, the scenic metropolis amid a transformation after a turbulent past. Take a hike in Guatapé to round out this fun adventure. Read more

Extended Itineraries

9-Day Itinerary Including Cartagena

Explore three of Colombia's most exciting cities on this nine-day adventure. Start in Bogotá, the sprawling cosmopolitan capital. Tour the colonial streets of the historic center, taste local cuisine, and visit museums. Then, transfer to Medellín to see street art and communal projects and learn about Colombian coffee culture. The adventure ends in tropical Cartagena, where you'll appreciate Spanish forts and architecture, enjoy fresh seafood, and swim in the Caribbean Sea. Read more

10-Day Itinerary Including Cartagena & Zona Cafetera

Check off three unforgettable cities on this whirlwind 10-day tour, starting with Bogotá's Spanish colonial sites and buzzing nightlife. You'll then fly to the heart of Colombia's Zona Cafetera for an overnight at a coffee farm, where you'll hike the green mountains of Cocora Valley, dotted with towering palm trees. From here, head to Medellín—a city with outdoor art and spring-like weather—before ending on the Caribbean coast, where you'll explore the romantic streets of Cartagena's Old Town. Read more

2-Week Itinerary Including Cartagena, Zona Cafetera & Tayrona National Park

From the buzzing nightlife of Bogotá to the up-and-coming neighborhoods of Medellín and the romance of Cartagena's Old Town, this well-rounded journey covers Colombia's best urban highlights and yet breaks it up with outdoorsy adventures along the way. Starting in the capital, the two-week adventure is ideal for travelers who want to experience culture and historic sights but who are also enticed by hiking in coffee fields, exploring a rainforest on the Caribbean coast, and relaxing on white-sand beaches in Tayrona National Park. Read more

How to travel between Bogotá & Medellín

The distance between two of Colombia's largest cities, Bogotá and Medellín, is 260 miles (419 km). The easiest way to make the trip is to fly, which takes about an hour. Going by car is also an option—the route takes significantly longer (over 10 hours), but this is a great way to see the hilly, scenic countryside, and there are a few noteworthy stops you can make along the way. Private transfers are recommended over self-driving, though it can be an expensive option at this distance. Read more