Circuitos turísticos de Antioquia

The popular Antioquian pastime of daytripping and weekending—visiting nearby towns that are a few hours’ or few minutes’ drive from the city—is a treat for tourists as well, to explore villages and regions that conserve the most deep-rooted Antioquian traditions.

These close-by tourist trails take the visitor into richly varied landscapes and climates.

The Coffee, Coal, and Riding Trail

Nestled among lofty mountains and bathed by the Cauca River, this route wends through one of Antioquia department’s main coffee-producing regions. Many of the old coffee plantation haciendas have been turned into farmhouse-hotels which welcome visitors and show them the local customs. This circuit is the perfect choice for fans of adventure tourism, agrotourism, and horseback riding.

The Antioquia Green Route

Also known as the “Eastern Trail,” this circuit is a weekend mecca for Medellín residents who enjoy its abundant water resources and its flower plantations, their crops destined for foreign markets. The route is dotted with roadside snack bars, typical eateries called fondas, and exclusive country houses where the good life is lived away from the city.

Be sure to stop at a fonda for a glass of aguardiente, the local anise-flavored liqueur, and snack on an appetizer platter of pork cracklings, plantain crisps served with tomato and onion sauce, papa criolla (fried tiny whole yellow potatoes), blood sausage, chorizo, cornmeal patties (arepas), and empanadas.

The Sun and Fruit Trail

If you strike out in the opposite direction, the Sun and Fruit Trail awaits you at the end of Colombia’s most modern tunnel. Visit the colonial-era town of Santa Fe de Antioquia, an architectural world heritage site, where you can bask in the warm weather and indulge in a variety of colorful, delicious tropical fruits.

The Milk Trail

Rounding out the choice of nearby destinations is the Milk Trail in northern Antioquia, a cold-weather region of high mountains, bracing air, and vast dairy farms. This area also is a favored destination of paragliders.