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The Best Free Walking Tour in Medellin (Real City Tours Review)

Updated on April 26th, 2024

The Real City Walking Tour in Medellin is top-rated and the best way to see the city with an expert guide! Learn what to know about taking this tour in downtown Medellin during your trip.

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Posted in Colombia

Table of contents

• What is the Medellin Free Walking Tour?
• How to sign up for a Medellin walking tour
• Who are the Free Walking Tour guides?
• How to stay safe during the walking tour
• What to expect during the Free Walking Tour (where does it go?)
• Tipping the Free Walking Tour guide (“propina”)
• Tips for taking the Medellin Free Walking Tour
• More tour ideas for Medellin

One of the BEST things we did on our second trip to Medellin was to take the Free Walking Tour from Real City Tours.

There is no better way to learn about a big city than directly from a local, and this was true for our insightful and wortwhile experience walking on this tour with our group and guide.

Is the Medellin Free Walking Tour something you should book for your trip or getaway in Medellin, Colombia? Read on, and hopefully you’ll be inspired to put it on your list!

What is the Medellin Free Walking Tour?

The Medellin Free Walking Tour is the best way to see and experience Medellin, especially at the start of your trip. I think I just keep wishing we did it on our first trip to Medellin, rather than our second!

This walking tour is much like others, if you’ve done walking tours around the world. You probably know that if you take a free tour, it is expected to tip the guide at the end. At the bottom of this review, I comment on how to tip your guide (in cash).

The Medellin Free Walking Tour will hit all the most famous sights in Medellin’s downtown Centro area, and your local guide will tell stories, give you historical facts and answer questions. Truthfully, I never could’ve figured out Medellin’s Centro and how to see everything, and I speak advanced Spanish! The walking tour was awesome for packing in all those landmarks and more.

It’s no wonder that this walking tour has thousands of 5-star reviews on TripAdivsor !

How to sign up for a Medellin walking tour

Sign-ups start approximately 36 hours in advance before tour times. We were serious about this, and knew that we wanted to do an early Saturday tour. You can do your sign-up at the Real City Tours booking page .

Sign-ups start at 6:15pm for the tours that happen two calendar days later, so on Thursday night, we could sign up for any Saturday tour. Spots are first-come first-serve, and that’s to keep the groups intimate. It’s also safer for everyone to be in a small group, going through crowded areas of downtown Medellin Centro.

During high travel season, spots can fill up rather quickly. If you’re interested in taking the walking tour, sign up early! If you cannot attend, make sure to cancel your reservation to help out someone else if the tour is all booked.

Who are the Free Walking Tour guides?

Free Walking Tour guides are talented Colombian locals who are fluent in English, and of course, native in Spanish. They are helpful, passionate, well-spoken and all-around awesome. They want to help you understand the city of Medellin as well as the country of Colombia and they are typically able to answer any question you have.

Our guide Maribell was a phenomenal guide. Her theatrical background helped her explain the history of Medellin in a captivating way. She called the main players ‘actors’ and used clear hand motions to describe the timelines of the conflict, the war and the developments afterward. She answered all our questions about the Colombian identity, Medellin and its people, Medellin today and where to go for the best food or soccer matches.

How to stay safe during the walking tour

If you are staying in El Poblado or Laureles and haven’t been to Medellin’s “Centro” yet, the difference in these areas will be quite obvious. You can see this in our Medellin photo collection where you’ll see both Centro and El Poblado. Even though you will be with a guide, keep in mind that as a foreigner, you might stand out, as a tourist with a nice camera or phone.

In order to avoid theft or scams, read our Medellin safety guide before your day out. (Don’t be alarmed, though! The threat of crime is quite low, especially when touring the sights with a guide.)

What to expect during the Free Walking Tour (where does it go?)

The Medellin Free Walking Tour took us through Medellin Centro. Here are a few of the memorable stops and what we learned.

Visit the Old Railway Station & Parque de las Luces

Our first stop was the Old railway station, and we learned that trains used to play a part in the Colombian economy. From there, we passed the Alpujarra administrative center, where we sat down for a history discussion, and then we crossed a major road to see the Park of Lights (Parque de las Luces).

This is a fascinating area that used to be a large city market. After a fire, the square fell into disarray and had some bad times. The city revamped it and created the tall installations that light up at night, giving the park its new name.

A stop in Botero Square

Botero Square is another memorable place, and it was here that we had a snack break and got to enjoy the wacky Botero sculptures! They’re popular with locals, too.

Fernando Botero is perhaps the most famous ‘paisa’ (name given to those who come from the Medellin region) artist, and his art is rather prevalent all over Colombia. His signature style reflects “unnatural proportions,” so his sculptures are humans and animals, and are worth seeing in this public collection of his works.

Berrio Park

In Berrio Park, we saw local Medellin life and Maribell brought us to a circle of men who were playing guitar and singing. They played some tunes for us and we felt very welcomed.

See local Medellin street vendors

As we walked past the shopping arcades, we marveled at street vendors selling our favorite fruits: pitahayas (yellow dragon fruit), pineapples, papayas, bananas, small oranges and mangoes.

Parque San Antonio

The tour ended at San Antonio Park, where we listened to the striking story of the 1995 bomb that was placed under a Botero sculpture of a bird during a concert. The terrorist bombing resulted in the deaths of 20 innocent people.

Instead of removing the bird sculpture that was half blown apart by the explosion, the city kept the original and placed a new sculpture next to it. Together, they are a reminder of the past and hope for a peaceful future. This was an emotional story to hear from Maribell, and she told it very well.

Tipping the Free Walking Tour guide (“propina”)

At the end of the Real City Walking Tour, it is customary to tip the guide. All the guides are truly excellent, so it was a pleasure for us to tip our guide for her hard work. Recommended tips are between 20,000 and 40,000 pesos (between $5-10 USD).

While it may sound daunting to set aside 3-4 hours of your sightseeing time in Medellin, the Real City Walking Tour is both an efficient and meaningful way to spend your trip. We learned so much about Colombia and the city of Medellin through our guide and through seeing parts of Medellin we would not have visited on our own.

Tips for taking the Medellin Free Walking Tour

• You’ll be walking for a long time, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. See what I recommend in my travel shoes guide .
• Look at the weather forecast before you leave. Although Medellin’s weather can be very unpredictable at times, you might want to bring a travel-sized umbrella or a rain coat.
• Drink lots of water, especially if you take the tour during the summer, because it can be hot and humid. Don’t worry, though: you’ll have plenty of opportunities for bathroom breaks if needed.
• There are opportunities for snacks, but if you’re not feeling adventurous to eat street food, bring snacks of your own.

More tour ideas for Medellin

visit the free walking tour website from Real City tours to book this particular tour. For more ideas, there’s the Barrio Transformation Tour , and more tour ideas in our Medellin travel guide as well as our list of the best day trips from Medellin , some of which are half-day tour ideas.

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Best things to do and see in Medellín

Medellin is one of those places you just have to visit if you go to Colombia. It is the c apital of the Antioquian Province and it is known as the city of “eternal Spring” due to the climate it enjoys. This South American city also has a large exposition of local artist Fernando Botero, both in the city, Botero Square, as in it’s museums, like the Museum of Antioquia. In addition to this artistic character, the gondolas (Metrocables) connect the outlying neighborhoods as a fast and efficient form of transport for this mountainous city connecting with viewpoints that offer some of the best views of the Valley of Aburra. In this amazing place, there is definitely a long list of mandatory stops for you to visit on your vacation. 

You’ll find a great deal on all the free tours in Medellin where you can get to see all the best parts of the city in about 3 hours, and some tours will even focus on specific neighborhoods or districts if you want to check out an area a little more with your guru. Take a walk over to Arví Park, or Explora Park (which is a science museum with a large aquarium), through the Parque de los Pies Descalzos (barefoot park) or through the Berrio Park with the Church of La Candelaria, travel in the Medellín Metro (the only one in Colombia) , go to Pueblito Paisa, or choose to visit Comuna 13 (neighborhood where Pablo Escobar lived, since some of our tour guides offer specific tours of the Narcos series), let yourself be impressed at the Mirador de las Palmas (Palm tree Viewpoint) or visit the Terrace of the Palace of Culture.

Get to know more about what it’s like to do a free walking tour by reading the opinions and reviews of other walkers who have already done these tours. 

Free walking tour near Medellín

Others cities to visit after medellín, find other guruwalks in medellín, where are you traveling to.

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Medellin Free Walking Tour

• 9.50 / 10 101 reviews | 958 travellers Nice activits to learn about the history and important Events Happened in Medellín, the tour Guide was so nice, i really enjoyed the time. 10 Jose Daniel

Discover the history of Medellín and its most important monuments, such as Plaza de Botero or the Metropolitan Cathedral , with this free tour.

At the agreed time, we'll meet at the entrance to the Antioquia Museum , where we'll start our guided tour of the historic centre of Medellín. 

Together with our guide, we'll discover the history of the city and some of its most curious traditions. The tour will take us around the main points of interest including the Antioquia railway station , the Plaza de las Luces , the old Plaza de Cisneros ...

Later, we'll head to the further symbolic locations around Medellín, where we'll visit the Berrio Park , the Palace of Culture , the National Palace , Junín and the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral. 

Our last stop on the free tour will be the square dedicated to Botero , one of Medellín's most illustrious citizens. From there, we'll head to the San Antonio metro station, where our free guided tour of Medellín will come to an end.

On our free tour of Medellín we don't accept reservations for more than 6 people. If you're a larger group, you can book a private tour of Medellin . 

More Information

2 hours 30 minutes.

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

English speaking guide

When to book?

You can book up until the previous day (9:00 pm) if there are still places available. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets. An accompanying person is required. This must be indicated in the reservation.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• No printing of documentation required.

Beyond Colombia Show more

Corporate name: Beyond Colombia BC SAS

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

Meeting point.

Antioquia Museum

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Free Walking Tour Medellin - Real City Tours

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FREE WALKING TOUR MEDELLIN - REAL CITY TOURS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Free tours in Medellin

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Medellín – lively, creative and fun

Visitors to Medellín in the Antioquia region of Colombia will be enamored by a backdrop of rugged mountains and high-rise buildings jutting from the rolling Aburrá Valley. 'The City of Eternal Spring' offers year-round temperate climate, rich culture & history and exudes a particular attitude - a buzzing metropolis with a tactile sense of character unlike the rest of Colombia, informed by its people, the Paisa.

Hanging out with an authentic local Antioqueño is the perfect way to get an in depth look at this remarkable city and the freetour.com recommended free walking tours are ideal for this. Join a friendly local guide to get an unrivaled insight, tips & recommendations, hear the history & see sights such as the downtown Botero Plaza, adorned with amazing sculptures by Fernando Botero, the Square of Lights, National Palace, Pedro Nel's murals, Old railway Station & much more.

Come evening, enjoy local delicacies, such as bandeja paisa, before hitting Poblado to absorb the exciting nightlife & social bustle of this happening city, especially among the pubs & clubs of Parque Lleras. Medellín, once dubbed the most dangerous city on the planet, has had a remarkable regeneration to become fascinating, very safe and increasingly tourism-friendly. It's a real city, pulsing with authenticity & local charm, still devoid of much of the trappings of a modern tourist destination.

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Free Walking Tour Medellin - Real City Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Free Walking Tour Medellin - Real City Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Walking Tours in Medellin | Real City Tours

Walking tour.

Walk around Medellin’s downtown with a local guru and let it come to life through stories, explanations and urban legends. We don’t visit Comuna 13.

Eat like a local in one of Medellin’s cool residential neighborhoods and learn about the traditions behind our favorite specialties!

TRANSFORMATION TOUR

Explore the most densely populated barrio (neighborhood) of Medellín and learn about the different faces of the city’s recent transformation.

FRUITS TOUR

Visit one of Medellin’s main markets and see, feel and taste what makes Colombia the first country in the world in terms of fruit biodiversity.

realcitytours

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click on the question to see the answer.

The free tour Medellin starts at the metro station ALPUJARRA. The meeting point appears as "real city tours" in Uber or any other map.

For more details click here

The free tour ends at San Antonio park and we drop you off at San Antonio metro station. Very convenient to continue your day in Comuna 13, to take the cable car or to grab a beer at the famous Salón Málaga.

In terms of sights we cover the main spots of the city centre: Old Railroad Station, Alpujarra and the huge "Monumento a la raza", Square of lights, Vasquéz and Carré buildings, Carabobo boulevard, National Palace, Veracruz church, Botero square, Berrio Park and San Antonio park. 

Our tour is more than just sightseeing though . 

In terms of content we cover the origins, tragedy and resurection of Medellin. All  told in an entertained way by certified local guides who lived much of the recent history. We also cover the colombian culture and the current social status.

The Free Tour is not all the time walking and includes break for snack and toilet. It takes between 3 and 3.5hours. 

Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat/cap, water and a lot of questions – we love those! An umbrella or rain coat during the rainy season wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

Yes we do! However just under certain circumstances, such as group size bigger than 10 people and subject to availabilty.

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: Our Free Walking Tour does include the topic of drugs, but we go far beyond the times of Pablo Escobar, as we explore Medellín from its foundation up to the current days. Although we mention him it can definitely NOT be considered a Pablo Escobar tour.

No, our Barrio Transformation Tour does not include Comuna 13 nor any of the cable cars. It takes place in a the Comuna 4, in an authentic non-touristic neighborhood.

Lastimosamente nuestra logística esta diseñada para operar tours en inglés únicamente, sin embargo conocemos colegas que hacen tours en español.

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Then feel free to contact us, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Phone number

+57 319 262 2008

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Free Walking Tour Medellin - Real City Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)