Medellín, known as the city of eternal spring and one of the most visited capitals in Colombia, has been nominated as the best weekend destination in the World Travel Awards 2018. The award ceremony will take place on December 1 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Its wide cultural and gastronomic offerings, pleasant climate, and proximity to other tourist destinations in the country, such as Guatapé and Santa Fe de Antioquia, have earned the Antioquian capital the nomination for the best weekend getaway. Medellín is competing for this recognition against cities like Cuenca, Ecuador; Lima, Peru; Geneva, Switzerland; and Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

The consolidation of Medellín as one of the most important tourist destinations in the region is undeniable. In 2004, the capital of Antioquia received around 34,000 visitors from around the world. In contrast, in 2017, the city reported the arrival of more than 270,000 visitors.

This boom has also been reflected in the investment the city has made in infrastructure. “Two decades ago, there were only three international category hotels and one airline with daily international flights. Today we have more than 12 international category hotels and 10 airlines with 27 international flights,” says Ana María Gallego, manager of the Medellín Bureau.

Places to visit in Medellín during a weekend?

Day 1 in Medellín

Plaza Botero
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Start your tour of the city of eternal spring at Plaza Botero, a must-stop to remember your visit to Medellín with a photo next to one of the sculptures created by Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

In front of the plaza is the Museum of Antioquia, which has 17 permanent exhibition rooms and a collection of over 5,000 pieces ranging from archaeological heritage objects to modern art.

The cultural tour of the Antioquian capital continues at the Medellín Museum of Modern Art, which features a complete collection of sculptures, paintings, photographs, and prints by artists such as Colombian Débora Arango and French painter Olivier Debré, among others.

The final stop of your first day in Medellín is Parque Lleras, in the renowned El Poblado sector, which offers a wide range of restaurants and places to enjoy the city's nightlife.

Day 2 in Medellín

Park
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One of the favorite destinations for visitors, especially those traveling with family, is Parque Explora. This interactive museum spans more than 22,000 square meters and includes exhibition halls, a 3D theater, an aquarium, a vivarium, and a pavilion with dinosaur replicas for the little ones.

Nearby Parque Explora is the Medellín Planetarium Jesús Emilio Ramírez González, a venue on par with the most modern planetariums in the world, and the Medellín Botanical Garden Joaquín Antonio Uribe. The latter is mainly known for its Orquideorama, which is considered the heart of the Botanical Garden and an architectural landmark of the city.

No weekend would be complete without an afternoon of shopping. One of the most visited passages is Vía Primavera, where tourists can experience the best of independent design.

Medellín's nomination for these world-class awards is yet another sign of the growth that Colombia is experiencing as a tourist destination for visitors from around the world. For this and much more, Colombia is a land of infinite wealth.