10 Reasons Why Medellín is Worth Getting to Know

Medellín, Colombia, isn’t the kind of place that’s easy to fall for immediately. When I first arrived in September, I felt overwhelmed. For starters, it’s not the most pedestrian-friendly of cities, with drivers who flat-out ignore crosswalks and frequently take shortcuts by going the wrong way down one-way streets. There are few tourist attractions that shout “this is why you should come to Medellín.” But here’s the thing: Once you settle in here and start to explore, it's hard not to love it. This is the kind of city that's meant to be explored slowly, meant to be appreciated and understood, not merely seen. It's full of beautiful neighborhoods and high-class yet affordable restaurants and hotels like the Click Clack, pictured here, which sports a posh lobby and eclectic decor. The weather is nearly perfect, in the 60s to 80s year-round. On top of that, it's an affordable place to settle in for a long stay, so you can stretch your budget exceptionally far.