When we first heard about Medellín’s Ciclovía, we assumed it would be fairly simple.
A few roads closed to traffic.
Some cyclists.
Maybe a handful of runners.
It sounded interesting, but we didn’t expect it to become one of our favourite experiences in the city.
As it turned out, we couldn’t have been more wrong.
After spending a month in Palomino, where life revolved around beaches, jungle roads and slow afternoons, arriving in Medellín felt like stepping into a completely different world. The city was larger, faster and far more modern than we’d expected.
What we didn’t realise was that every Sunday, Medellín slows down in its own way.
For a few hours, major roads across the city are closed to vehicles and handed back to the people. Cyclists, runners, walkers, families and rollerbladers take over streets that would normally be packed with traffic.
It’s called Ciclovía.
And after experiencing it ourselves, we think it’s one of the best free things to do in Medellín.
Don’t have time to read? Start here:
Here’s the short version:
✅ Medellín’s Ciclovía was one of our favourite free activities in the city.
✅ Every Sunday, major roads close to traffic and open to cyclists, runners, walkers and families.
✅ It feels more like a local community event than a tourist attraction.
✅ The atmosphere is friendly, energetic and very family-oriented.
✅ Children can safely cycle, walk and explore alongside thousands of locals.
✅ If you’re visiting Medellín on a Sunday, we think it’s absolutely worth experiencing.
Our verdict: ⭐ 9/10
One of the best ways to experience everyday life in Medellín.
Also read our Colombia Family Travel Intinerary
What Is Medellín's Ciclovía?
If you’ve never heard of the Medellin Ciclovía before, the concept is wonderfully simple.
Every Sunday morning, sections of Medellín’s roads are closed to cars and opened up for recreation. Instead of traffic jams and buses, you’ll find thousands of people walking, running, cycling and exercising throughout the city.
The event isn’t aimed at tourists.
In fact, that’s part of what makes it so special.
This is something local people do for themselves. Families head out together, friends meet for exercise and entire neighbourhoods seem to come alive. It’s a weekly tradition that has become part of everyday life in Medellín.
As visitors, it gave us a chance to see a completely different side of the city.
Our First Impression
The first thing that struck us was the sheer number of people.
We expected a decent turnout.
We didn’t expect thousands.
Everywhere we looked there were people moving through the city. Cyclists zipped past in colourful jerseys, runners kept a steady pace along the roads and families strolled together enjoying the morning.
The atmosphere felt energetic without being chaotic.
What surprised us most was how local it felt. There were very few signs that this was something designed for visitors. Nobody was trying to sell us a tour and nobody was putting on a show for tourists.
This was simply Medellín enjoying itself.
As travellers, those are often the experiences we remember most.
Not the attractions designed for visitors.
The moments where you get to see how a place actually lives.
Why Families Will Love It
One of the reasons we enjoyed Ciclovía so much was because it worked so well for families.
Travelling with children often means looking for activities that everyone can enjoy. That’s not always easy. What interests adults doesn’t necessarily interest kids, and vice versa.
Ciclovía felt different.
Children were cycling alongside their parents. Families were walking together, stopping for snacks and enjoying the atmosphere. There was no pressure to rush anywhere and no expensive tickets to buy.
The roads themselves became a giant playground.
For the kids, simply being able to walk and run freely through streets normally filled with traffic was exciting enough. For us, it was a chance to experience the city in a relaxed and completely different way.
Best of all, it felt safe and welcoming.
There was a strong sense of community throughout the morning, and it quickly became clear that this wasn’t just an event. It was something people genuinely looked forward to every week.
Also read: Medellin with kids
What We Saw Along The Way
One of the best things about Ciclovía is that no two sections feel exactly the same.
As we explored, we saw serious cyclists training alongside casual riders. Some people were clearly there for fitness, while others were simply enjoying a morning stroll with family and friends.
There were runners, rollerbladers and dog walkers. Street vendors appeared along parts of the route selling drinks and snacks. In some areas, music played while groups gathered to exercise together.
Every few minutes we’d notice something different.
A family riding together.
A group of friends jogging side by side.
Children weaving through the crowds on bikes.
Older residents walking at their own pace.
It felt less like an organised event and more like the city collectively deciding to spend time outdoors.
And that’s what made it so enjoyable.
Don’t Forget The Boring Stuff
Whether you’re renting a car, whale watching in Uvita, exploring national parks, or travelling between destinations, things don’t always go to plan.
We’ve used SafetyWing throughout our travels because it gives us flexible coverage while travelling long-term as a family.
Why It Felt Different From A Tourist Attraction
One of the things we liked most about Ciclovía was that it didn’t feel like an attraction at all.
There were no ticket booths, organised tour groups or souvenir stalls. Nobody was trying to sell us an experience because the experience was simply everyday life in Medellín.
As travellers, those are often the moments we remember most. Visiting famous attractions is great, but there’s something special about seeing how local people actually spend their weekends and experiencing a city as more than just a visitor.
For a few hours, we weren’t really tourists.
We were simply joining in.
That small difference completely changed how the morning felt.
Tips For Taking Part In Medellín's Ciclovía
If you’re planning to experience Ciclovía yourself, there are a few things worth knowing beforehand.
Go Early
The earlier you arrive, the cooler the temperature will be and the more relaxed the roads tend to feel. We found the morning atmosphere particularly enjoyable, with families, runners and cyclists gradually filling the routes as the day went on.
Bring Water
Even though Medellín enjoys one of the most comfortable climates in Colombia, you’ll still be spending time outdoors and moving around. Having water with you is a simple way to make the experience more enjoyable.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Even if you don’t plan on walking very far, chances are you’ll end up covering more ground than expected. Part of the fun is wandering through different sections of the route and seeing what’s happening around you.
Consider Renting A Bike
Many locals experience Ciclovía on two wheels, and it’s easy to see why. The closed roads create a fantastic opportunity to explore parts of the city without worrying about traffic, and even a short bike ride can add a different dimension to the experience.
Don’t Overplan It
This was probably our biggest takeaway.
The best part of Ciclovía isn’t ticking off a list of things to see or trying to maximise every minute. It’s slowing down, enjoying the atmosphere and paying attention to what’s happening around you.
Sometimes the simplest experiences are the most memorable.
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely.
In fact, if we returned to Medellín tomorrow and happened to be there on a Sunday, we’d make a point of taking part again.
Not because it’s the city’s most famous attraction, and not because it’s packed with headline-grabbing sights. What makes Ciclovía special is the opportunity to experience Medellín as locals do and see a side of the city that many visitors never get to experience.
For us, that was worth far more than another tourist attraction.
Why Families Should Prioritise It
There are plenty of great things to do in Medellín with kids. Comuna 13, the cable cars, parks, museums and shopping centres all have their place on a family itinerary.
Ciclovía offers something different.
Rather than being an attraction you visit, it’s an experience you become part of. The roads transform into shared community spaces where children can cycle, run and explore alongside local families, creating an atmosphere that’s both welcoming and surprisingly memorable.
Watching our kids enjoy streets normally filled with traffic was one of those simple moments that stuck with us. There was no schedule to follow, no pressure to see everything and no admission tickets to buy.
Just families enjoying the city together.
Sometimes those end up being the experiences you remember most.
Final Thoughts
Before visiting Medellín, Ciclovía wasn’t particularly high on our list of things to do. It sounded interesting, but we assumed it would be a relatively small part of our time in the city.
Instead, it became one of our favourite memories.
Not because there was a major attraction to see, but because it gave us a glimpse of everyday life in Medellín. The atmosphere, community spirit and sheer number of people out enjoying the city created an experience that felt authentic in a way many tourist attractions simply can’t replicate.
What stood out most wasn’t any single moment.
It was the feeling of being part of something local.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Medellín on a Sunday, we’d strongly recommend setting aside a few hours to experience Ciclovía for yourself. You don’t need a detailed plan, expensive equipment or even a bicycle. Whether you walk, run, cycle or simply soak up the atmosphere, it’s one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to connect with the city.
Quick Family Verdict
Would we recommend Ciclovía?
✅ Absolutely
Best for:
Families, cyclists, runners and anyone wanting to experience local life.
How long should you spend there?
1–3 hours is perfect for most visitors.
Cost?
Free.
Do you need a bike?
No, but it can make the experience even better.
Our family rating:
⭐ 9/10
One of the best free activities we experienced in Medellín.
