Guatapé & El Peñol: A Day Trip Worth Taking from Medellín

If you’re visiting Medellín, I highly recommend taking a day trip to Guatapé and El Peñol.

I joined a bus tour from Medellín, and two things have stayed with me: the incredible view from the top of El Peñol and the colorful streets of Guatapé.

But there’s also one small moment from the climb that I’ll never forget.

El Peñol: 740 Steps to an Incredible View

El Peñol, also known as La Piedra del Peñol, is an enormous rock rising above the surrounding landscape.

To reach the top, you climb approximately 740 steps along a staircase built into the rock.

It’s quite a climb.

As everyone was making their way up with increasingly heavy legs, a delivery worker carrying a heavy load passed us on the stairs.

There we were, struggling just to get ourselves to the top, while someone carrying far more weight was overtaking us.

That moment has stayed with me ever since.

And once you reach the top, you’ll understand why the climb is so popular.

The view is spectacular.

Below you stretches an enormous reservoir, with green hills and islands scattered across the water.

For me, it was one of the most memorable views of the trip.

You don’t need to race to the top. Take breaks when you need them, bring some water, and enjoy the experience.

Guatapé: A Town Full of Color

The nearby town of Guatapé is a completely different experience.

Its streets are lined with brightly painted houses, colorful doors and decorative panels known as zócalos.

These decorations often tell stories about local traditions, occupations and everyday life.

I found the town just as memorable as the rock itself.

It’s a wonderful place to wander around, admire the buildings, take photographs and enjoy the atmosphere.

You don’t need a complicated sightseeing plan here. Just walking through the streets is part of the experience.

Should You Take a Day Tour?

Guatapé is roughly two hours from Medellín by road, depending on traffic.

You can visit independently, but an organized day tour is convenient if you’d rather not arrange transportation between Medellín, El Peñol and Guatapé yourself.

I took a bus tour. The current Klook listing on our booking page describes a small-group trip by car, with a coffee-farm stop, so I don’t claim to have taken that particular product.

Different tours include different activities. Some visit a coffee farm or offer a boat ride on the reservoir, while others focus mainly on the rock and the town.

Before booking, check whether the tour includes:

• Transportation from Medellín and the return journey
• Entrance to climb El Peñol
• Time to explore Guatapé
• Meals or additional activities

The climb is physically demanding. Admission to El Peñol is listed as included in the current Klook tour on our booking page, but other tours may charge separately.

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Is It Worth Going?

Absolutely, in my experience.

El Peñol offers an extraordinary view, and Guatapé has a colorful character that’s completely different from Medellín.

Together, they make a memorable day outside the city.

And who knows? You might also find yourself being overtaken on those stairs by someone carrying a much heavier load than you are.

You can explore an available Guatapé and El Peñol tour on our Colombia booking page.