Is Medellin safe?
Maybe this is another question you are asking yourself, is Medellin safe? As long as you go to the areas indicated as touristic, you won’t have any problem. But use common sense, if you are not sure about an area you want to visit, ask at your accommodation first. They are more up to date on what’s going on in Medellin.
No Dar Papaya
This is an expression you’ll hear a lot during your trip to Colombia. What is giving papaya? If you give papaya they eat it whole, this is how this Colombian expression usually ends.
To give papaya is to show valuable objects in the street, to make ostentation of them. Be sure that if you go with your reflex camera hanging around your neck all the time, if you wear a very flashy watch, or if you show off your state-of-the-art phone, it may be stolen.
We took all the pictures we wanted, both with the mobile and with the reflex. But once the photo is taken, the camera in the bag, and the phone in the pocket, there’s no more walking around as if nothing could happen.
And of course, as in every big city, watch your wallet. That doesn’t mean you have to be paranoid about getting mugged or robbed. Don’t worry about that, just have some sense and don’t give out papaya.
If you follow these tips, the most that can happen to you in Medellin is that the robbery will give you with its gastronomy, a good calorie robbery eating paisa trays. 😉
How to get around Medellín
Medellín and its inhabitants could not be more proud of their public transportation. The only metro in Colombia is in Medellín and not in Bogotá.
Perhaps that’s why when you get on the subway cars or are in the stations, the usual vandalism in other cities is conspicuous by its absence.
The best way to move around Medellín is the subway, it’s fast, clean and very safe. That’s how we moved, even at night (not too late, though), all perfect and without incidents.
How to get from the airport to the city
If you arrive by plane in Medellín, at its José María Córdova International Airport, in the municipality of Rionegro, you have several options for getting to the city. This airport is located about 30 kilometers from Medellín.
If you decide to take a taxi, take one of the yellow ones, which are the official ones, and these are the ones I strongly recommend you use.
You can also take a bus from the Combuses company. They leave every 15 minutes, and drop you off at the San Diego Mall. From there, you can take the subway to your destination. The closest subway stop is Exposiciones, and if you are staying in Poblado (our choice) there are only two subway stops away.
In Colombia Uber works, we don’t use it, but we met people who do it regularly and they told us that it works quite well.
The last option we know, is that you hire a transfer from the airport to your hotel. This option is quite good, if you go at least three people, because the price is worth it. You can hire the transfers directly in this link.
Gastronomy of Medellín
The gastronomy of Medellín can be summarized in two words, bandeja paisa. A huge hyper caloric and hyper rich dish, what can you do with it?
If you are not much of a eater, I recommend that you share your bandeja paisa. Now, the million dollar question, what is on the bandeja paisa?
Apart from many calories, it has a kind of sausage, blood sausage, pork rinds or what is the same, a good piece of bacon. Besides this, it has rice, beans, patacones (fried plantains), avocado, hogao (tomato with onion). There is still more? Yes, arepas antioqueñas and ground beef (shredded meat).
You’ll see if you can eat a whole one. If you do, take advantage of walking to lower your calories.
Don’t do narcotourism
If there is one thing Colombians are not particularly proud of, and especially the inhabitants of Medellin, it is one of its most famous inhabitants in the world, and I am not referring to Fernando Botero.
I’m talking about Pablo Escobar. He was one of the architects of the hardest, most sinister and most violent years through the Medellin cartel.
The series of Narcos set the target in those years where the drug cartels were the owners and masters of territories. Where being a hitman was a job for young people, who in most cases did not get past twenty years of age, as they were murdered.
And that Medellín is known worldwide for this, is not something that they like.
It is true that the recent history of Colombia and Medellín would not be understood without knowing who Pablo Escobar was.
Today there are the so-called Narcotours, in which the most emblematic places of Pablo Escobar’s life and work are shown. For example, visit the Cathedral, which is the prison he built himself to serve his sentence. In many of these tours, the person of Pablo Escobar is revered and considered a hero.
For many people, these narcotours are a way to earn money, but we must not forget their victims either, who see with desolation how the executioner of their relatives or friends is venerated.
In the end, the decision is in your hands, but I believe that participating in a narcotour is responsible tourism.
Map of places to see in Medellin
Where to sleep in Medellín
Good question, right? Well, our answer, based on our experience, is El Poblado.
We believe it is the best place to spend your stay in the city, for several reasons. The first and fundamental one, at least for us, is that it is a totally safe place, even to go out at night.
In addition, you have dozens of restaurants of all kinds on hand, places to have a drink, not in vain, it is one of the most fashionable places in Medellín.
Our stay in Medellín and El Poblado, could not be better. We decided to stay at Selina Medellin because our first night in Bogota was spent at Selina Bogota.
Selina Hotel
This is a small hotel chain with a lot of charm and love when it comes to decorating. They are committed to using recycled materials and have created workshops from which they manufacture all the elements that make up the interior of their accommodations.
Moreover, if Street Art has a strong presence in both Bogota and Medellin, in Selina you will find it in every corner.
Inside Hostel Selina
We were very lucky, because when we arrived, having been in the Selina in Bogota, they improved our room and gave us a suite! It was like a small apartment, but with a beautiful view of the upper part of Poblado.
What to see in Medellin
Our room in Selina
Our room in Selina
If you want to see prices, availability, photos and opinions, take a look at this link, Selina Medellín.
There are other accommodation options in Medellín that you can see at this link.
What to see in Medellín: the guide.
What to do, where to eat and where to sleep in the city of eternal spring
Inês & Chris10 June, 2019 Colombia, Travel Guides, RandomLatam No Comments
Medellin would be the big city where we would choose to live from all the ones we knew in Colombia.
In spite of the distance from the sea (and look how much that weighs on us) it offers endless plans, open-air galleries, music for all tastes, warmth without shame (or it wouldn’t be the city of eternal spring) and some country smiles that make yours bigger the more days you spend here.
Medellín does not make it easy to get to know it in a short time, and for us it was a real hit.
It is a puzzle between mountains, although some pieces fit better than others.
It rewards you if you uncover it little by little with unexpected corners and a fresh check.
Medellin is much more than yesterday’s violent story.
It went from bullets to art, from cracks in the wall to murals and colorful graffiti, from crying to hip hop, to cumbia.
Medellín is the most, much more than they say it is.
Inês with one of the works we liked the most in the Comuna 13 tour
Inês with one of the works that we liked the most in the tour of Comuna 13
Contents [hide]
When to go to Medellin
How many days to spend in Medellin
Guide to enjoy Medellín to the fullest
What to see in Medellin
Plaza Botero and its sculptures
Museo d’ Antioquia (also known as Museo Botero)
Graffiti at Comuna 13: from bullets to art
El Poblado
Buenos Aires and its Street Art
Parks and green areas
Botanical Garden
Arvi Park
Explora Park
Other parks
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Pueblito Paisa: Medellín by night
Museums
What Not to Do in Medellín: Narcotourism
Where to eat
Where to take sth.
Where to sleep
Where to Sleep in the Village
Where to sleep in Laureles
Where to sleep in Envigado
Around Medellín
Guatapé and the Stone of Peñol
Garden
Santa Fe de Antioquia
Other towns in Antioquia
Coffee Axis
How to get to Medellín
By plane
How to get from the airport to downtown Medellín
By road (by bus/car)
How to move
Safety: precautions and advice
Don’t give away papaya.
When to go to Medellin
As its nickname “the city of eternal spring” indicates, there are no bad dates to visit Medellín since due to its location in the Aburrá Valley, at an altitude of between 1500 and 1800 meters above sea level, it enjoys a pleasant spring climate with temperatures between 16º and 28º all year round, with an annual average of 22º.
At the level of rains, these are relatively abundant throughout the year, being the driest season, with less days of rain, which includes the months of December to March, ideal months also for other areas of Colombia as the Caribbean, the coffee axis, etc.
How many days to dedicate to Medellin
We understand that in a 2 week trip through Colombia you can’t dedicate all the time you deserve to Medellin but you can save at least 2 full days for the city and count on investing at least one more day in one of its surrounding towns.
Guide to enjoy Medellín to the fullest
What to see in Medellin
Plaza Botero and its sculptures
Adam and Eve in the Plaza Botero
Adam and Eve in the Plaza Botero
An open-air sculpture parade of what is probably the most internationally known Colombian artist: Fernando Botero.
The artist has donated 23 bronze sculptures, exhibited right here in the open air in the heart of the city.
Plaza Botero and Culete
Plaza Botero and Culete de Adán
Even though the square is an artistic marvel (it’s a luxury to be able to contemplate such works outdoors for free), we were not happy with the security level.
.
.
Many local people warned us that it’s a dangerous square at any time (but more at dawn and dusk that there are less people) so we were already suspicious.
The truth is that when you arrive you don’t feel comfortable at all (many looks, a lot of people going everywhere) so our advice is to go around 11, 12 in the morning, enjoy the square as much as you want and enter the museum.
Reclining Woman, Plaza Botero, Medellín
Reclining woman, Plaza Botero, Medellín
Woman with fruit, Plaza Botero, Medellín
Woman with fruit, Plaza Botero, Medellín
Inês con Gato, Plaza Botero, Medellín
Inês con Gato, Plaza Botero, Medellín
Rapture of Europe, Plaza Botero, Medellín
Rapture of Europe, Plaza Botero, Medellín
Museo d’ Antioquia (also known as Museo Botero)
In the same square is the city’s most famous museum, with many of the artist’s works (including the famous paintings he painted on the death of Pablo Escobar), also donated by him: the Museo Antioquia, although it is also known as the Museo Botero and it is easy to understand why.
Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:30, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 16:30.
Admission fee: 18,000 COP for foreigners, 12,000 COP for nationals
How to get there: Metro line A (blue) and get off at Parque Berrío.
Inês loves Medellín (the famous little signs in front of the Antioquia Museum at Plaza Botero)
Inês loves Medellín (the famous little signs in front of the Antioquia Museum at Botero Square)
“Pablo Escobar dead,” 2006.
Fernando Botero’s work at the Museum of Antioquia
“Pablo Escobar dead,” 2006.
Fernando Botero’s work at the Museum of Antioquia
“The Death of Pablo Escobar,” 1999.
Fernando Botero’s work at the Museum of Antioquia
“The Death of Pablo Escobar,” 1999.
Fernando Botero’s work at the Museum of Antioquia
In addition to several works by the renowned artist in different rooms (some of which are highly recommended for children), the museum also has an interesting collection of works (many installations) of contemporary art.
Inês at the Museum of Antioquia
Inês at the Museum of Antioquia
Graffiti at Comuna 13: from bullets to art
What was once the most dangerous area of Medellín (and one of the most violent in the world) is now an open-air art gallery and the graffiti at Casa Kolacho is a must in the city.
Daniel, our guide at Casa Kolacho, in front of one of the works in Comuna 13
Daniel, our guide from Casa Kolacho, in front of one of the works in Comuna 13
This commune of Medellin (the 13th of the 16) was created with the displacement of many peasants who were fleeing from the guerrillas (especially from the Colombian Chocó) in the 60s and 70s.
It was also, because of its strategic location, a mountainous corridor that links the southwest region of Antioquia with the sea, a very interesting place for arms trafficking and cocaine export.
.
.
View of Comuna 13, Medellín
View of Comuna 13, Medellín
With Pablo Escobar behind it, Medellín became the most dangerous city in the world in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Escobar died in 1993 and the idea that the city would move to a transition of peace is a utopia.
New criminal groups emerged and Comuna 13 remained under their control, with many innocent casualties month after month.
A boy improvises a slide in his home, Commune 13, with a huge plastic bag, water and soap
A child improvises a slide at his home, Commune 13, with a huge plastic bag, water and soap
Another particularity of commune 13 was the CAP (Comandos Armados del Pueblo) which did not depend on either the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) or the ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) but shared with both the need to confront the State.
The CAPs were very successful as they were formed by people from the commune and put political action before military action.
Graffiti in Commune 13
Mural in Commune 13: “The 13th is World”
It is important to tell you all this so that you understand the context of commune 13.
At the beginning of the 2000’s, the government of Alvaro Uribe decided to “get their hands on” Medellín and the CAPs (and basically anything that was resistance, especially violent resistance) did not enter into the plans they had for the city.
.
.
So in 2002 they began a series of military operations (according to what they told us, operations with war tanks, helicopters shooting at rooftops, 3000 uniformed people.
.
.
) and the confrontations between the armed groups and the police began.
Art in Commune 13
Mural in Commune 13
In one of these confrontations, a stray bullet kills a six-year-old boy, Sergio Cespedes.
In the place where the little boy was killed today there is a playground named after him (‘Parque Infantil Sergio Céspedes’) and some slides in his honor.
We were told that there is only one requirement to go down them: that while you go down, you smile.
That’s what we do 🙂
The slides at Sergio Céspedes Children’s Park in Comuna 13, Medellín
The slides at Sergio Céspedes Children’s Park in Comuna 13, Medellín
Nearby, in the high zone of commune 13, there is a place called “La Escombrera”.
It is where many tons of garbage are dumped each year (more than 900, we are told.
.
.
), making it one of the largest in all of Latin America.
It is here that the bodies of all the people who disappeared during such operations are believed to be.
View of Commune 13
View of Commune 13
At the same time, in the 2000s, a group of young people began to use art as a response to violence and to transform their commune, their home, with graffiti, hip hop and break dance.
One of the pioneer groups of this transformation is precisely Casa Kolacho with whom we recommend you to make the tour and enter commune 13 of his hand.
Daniel (our guide) tells us that it was thanks to the migration of many young people to the United States that they received this hip hop influence, directly from the Bronx.
Mural in Comuna 13: “Transformation” 😉
Mural in Comuna 13: “Transformation”
So commune 13 also has a hip hop collective for young people: Black and White Crew.
The only requirement to be part of the crew is.
.
.
to keep studying.
The Black and White crew of Commune 13 in action 😉
The Black and White crew of Commune 13 in action
Many of the graffiti and murals in Commune 13 speak of freedom and transformation.
And what a transformation Commune 13 has undergone in recent years.
By the way, do you know what the difference is between “graffiti” and “mural”? We learned it here: graffiti is done with spray paint and murals with brushes.
Besides learning a lot and enjoying this gallery, they let us try to do graffiti at the end of the tour.
You don’t need anything else to convince you to do it, right?
You can go on your own to Comuna 13 but in this case, we highly recommend you to do it with Casa Kolacho.
Not only will you learn about what is behind each graffiti or mural, but also the context in which they came about, the history of the artist who made them and, in addition, you have the opportunity to support a local project that deserves it (the “Graffiti Tour” is one of the ways in which the Casa Kolacho Foundation finances it).
You also have the opportunity to tour Comuna 13 with a free tour, something we never recommend since in most free tours the people who do them have a very precarious income and are usually very large (hindering the lives of local people).
Randomtrip in Comuna 13 by Casa Kolacho
Randomtrip in Comuna 13 by Casa Kolacho
There are 2 options to hire the tour with Casa Kolacho:
Hire it with Toucan Cafe, it costs 80000 COP/person (22 ?) from Poblado.
The one we did (for not knowing the second option which is the one we recommend).
You have to sign up on the web (we did it the same day at 8am) and be at Toucan Cafe at 9, to leave around 9.
30.
Ellxs take you by metro from Poblado to San Javier (Comuna 13), and then by bus to the upper part.
In theory 22% of the price goes to Casa Kolacho.
This option is perhaps better for English speaking people, as most of our group did not speak Spanish (we were lucky as the Spanish speaking pocxs were in a separate group in the end, much smaller)
Contract it directly with Casa Kolacho: the one we recommend.
You can contact Casa Kolacho directly through their facebook and pay them the tour directly to ellxs, at a much more affordable price (30,000 COP/person, 8 Euros).
You will have to get on your own (it is easy) to the meeting point they tell you.
How to get there: by metro from Poblado on the blue line, change in San Antonio to the orange line and get off at San Javier.
There we leave and get on a local bus (it is all included in the price of the tour with Toucan Cafe), which takes us to the top of the mountain and then down on foot.
Is it safe? Although it was once one of the most dangerous areas in the world, it is no longer so.
This does not mean that it is a completely safe area, as there are still occasional confrontations between gangs (although not in the area visited on the tour), and it is possible that sporadically some days the tour does not leave if they consider it is not safe.
That’s why we recommend to do it on tour (not on your own) with Casa Kolacho.
Daily “Life” in Comuna 13
Everyday “life” in Commune 13
El Poblado
The best thing you can do in the Poblado is get lost in the streets until you reach Lleras Park (the neuralgic point of the neighbourhood) enjoying all the urban art that the neighbourhood has to offer.
It is also, in our opinion, the best neighbourhood to stay in (see the section on where to sleep) and where you can eat and go out for a drink, as it has a lot to offer in terms of gastronomy and leisure activities.
Inês in front of a colourful wall in El Poblado
Inês in front of a colorful wall in El Poblado
El Poblado is so called because it was literally the first populated place in the area and that is why it is so important in the city.
It is the 14th commune of the city and it was the first colonized neighborhood, where the city of Medellin was founded.
There is a sculpture representing this first settlement with an indigenous woman with her breasts exposed: the church across the street forced the statue to turn around.
.
.
Another manifestation of the hypocritical double standard of the Catholic institution that cries out for “Free the nipple”.
By the way, the explosion of urban art in the streets of Medellín was the result of a long process, as we were told in the tour of Commune 13.
And the Poblado (Commune 14) together with Commune 13 were among the communes that were most transformed.
As you can see from the metro cable or one of the city’s viewpoints, Medellín has a lot of bricks and little by little its inhabitants began to give life to the city by giving it color.
The government reacted to this by painting it over gray and people reacted by painting it over coarser (for example, the typical penis painting) so the city government decided to organize a street art project.
Currently there is an official project called Pictopia Medellin that is updating the city’s street art every 3 years, it seems.
A mural in El Poblado
A mural in El Poblado
Impressive mural in the village
Impressive mural in the village
It won’t take long for you to notice, walking the streets of El Poblado, that you are in one of the most expensive and exclusive areas of the city.
This is where many expatriates live and the gastronomic and accommodation offer is immense.
That’s why we propose other areas where we also explore and stay overnight if you want to stay in a more local neighborhood.
Inês in one of the streets of Poblado
Inês in one of the streets of Poblado
A corner of Poblado
A corner of Poblado
On Sundays, it is also a great plan to rent a bike at the Ciclovía el Poblado (calle 10 #52A-18).
Yes, every Sunday there are arteries to travel around the main sites of the city while practicing some sport.
You can rent a classic, modern or two-seater bike (yes!) and go from El Poblado park to La Frontera in Envigado and return to the starting point.
Bike rental starts from 13000COP/h (4 euros), you can book by whatsapp with 1 hour in advance.
If you are in Medellín just for Christmas don’t miss La Ramada Casa de Oficios (only in December): where you can learn about traditional crafts, get close to local design (and try not to be tempted to buy everything), support entrepreneurs and chat 🙂
Buenos Aires and its Street Art
Besides getting to know one of the most modern systems of mobility in Latin America (although it doesn’t beat the very modern cable cars in La Paz, Bolivia), the controversial new tram (since its construction affected the neighborhood in a negative way) takes you to one of the most traditional neighborhoods in the city: Buenos Aires.
An incredible mural in Buenos Aires, Medellín
An incredible mural in Buenos Aires, Medellin
The tram is taken at the San Antonio metro station and paid for with the same metro card.
We got off at Alejandro Echavarría and made our way along the tram track, enjoying such a corridor of urban art.
There are several murals and, in theory, they continue to do many more.
When we arrived at the Bicentenario station, we got on the tram again to go back to San Antonio and from there we took the subway.
View of the Buenos Aires neighborhood from the tramway
View of the Buenos Aires neighborhood from the tramway
Street Art in Buenos Aires
Street Art in Buenos Aires
The tramway track in Buenos Aires
The tramway track in Buenos Aires
Building in Buenos Aires
Building in Buenos Aires
Parks and green areas
Medellín has many parks and green areas to visit, here we list some of them:
Botanical Garden
A green corner and oasis of peace in which to disconnect, in the middle of the city, and learn about different species of plants, where the butterfly farm and the orchid garden stand out.
Lake of the Botanical Garden
Lake of the Botanical Garden.
Photo of Vientodelcaribe
Admission is free and open every day from 9 to 16:30.
Arvi Park
Located in the town of Santa Elena, this 16,000 hectare ecotourism destination offers 54 kilometers of walking trails with 9 different degrees of difficulty for you to choose from.
Are you ready to enjoy the diversity of Medellín’s flora and fauna?
Arví Park in Medellín
The Arví Park in medellín.
Photo by csaldarriagamusic
Here you have more information about the trails you can walk.
To get to Parque Arví by public transport: for example by metro/metrocable you can get on Acevedo, line K to Santo Domingo and there transfer to line L which will take you to the park.
You also have the possibility to get to know Parque Arví with a tour, like this one which costs 35
Explora Park
It is actually an interactive museum for the popularization of science, and although it may seem like something for children, many adults also go for how well done it is.
If you want to learn science interactively, this is the place!
Learn about science at Parque Explora in Medellín
Learn about science at Parque Explora in Medellín.
Photo: airpanamaviajes
Unfortunately, there is one part of the centre that we cannot recommend: they have an aquarium and vivarium where they keep animals in captivity, something that involves animal abuse and irresponsible tourism.
If you go, please do not visit these spaces.
Other parks
Other interesting parks you can find in Medellín
Barefoot Park: a zen park where they invite you to go barefoot and walk around its fountains, the forest of lovers (made of bamboo), its zen garden or the sand park.
Lleras Park: the nerve centre of Poblado, if you stay there you will visit it for sure
Parques del Rio: yes, Medellin has a river! The problem is that it was not cared for for years and is mostly contaminated.
A few years ago, a project was created to reuse the spaces next to the river (which in 2019 is still not finished) and is becoming an interesting tourist attraction in the city
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Get away from noise and tourist pollution and live a quieter experience close to nature at the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain (the Colombian version of Rio de Janeiro’s famous giant).
To get to the top, at 2138 meters above sea level, you must follow the Way of Life, a stone path reminiscent of indigenous trails and surrounded by different species of trees.
The best: the panoramic view of the city that the viewpoint offers 🙂
The sunset from the Pan de Azúcar Hill.
The sunset from the Pan de Azúcar Hill.
Photo by sabiasqantioquia
Pueblito Paisa: Medellín by night
View of Medellín at night in Pueblito Paisa
View of Medellín at night in Pueblito Paisa
The Pueblito Paisa is a recreation on top of a hill of how a little town of Paisa (in the Antioquia region) used to be in the 20th century.
The place itself is a tourist attraction, but its privileged location gives you great views of the city.
So if you want to get a glimpse of the city of eternal spring at night, we recommend that you go to Pueblito Paisa at sunset (or a little earlier if you’re interested in seeing Pueblito Paisa itself) and prepare your eyes (and camera) to enjoy the views.
Museums
Apart from the museum of Antioquia, which we told you about at Plaza Botero, Medellín has many more that are worth a visit.
Modern Art Museum of Medellín (MAMM): our favorite and highly recommended is the MAMM
Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
Closed on public holidays.
Admission fee: 12,000 COP, 9,000 for children under 12 or over 60 and students.
Free entrance the last Friday of each month between 18:00 and 22:00.
How to get there: Metro line A (blue) and get off at Industriales.
You can also walk from Poblado (that’s how we were)
Inês in one of the works at the MAMM
Inês in one of the works at the MAMM
The museum is very complete and ideal to get into modern and contemporary Colombian art.
It also has something that we loved: each work is accompanied by the context in which it was created, a brief description of the author, and an interpretation.
🙂
In addition, it has a view of the city on its terrace, on the 5th floor:
Views of Medellín from the 5th floor of the MAMM
Views of Medellín from the 5th floor of the MAMM
Not only all this: in the museum there is also a movie theater, where we went to see the film about the Wayuu community (the largest indigenous community in Colombia) highly recommended: “Pájaros de Verano”.
The entrance to the MAMM cinema cost 8000 COP (2 Euro) per person.
Other museums that look very good to which we came to go are
Water Museum EPM
Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 a.
m.
to 5:30 p.
m.
(last admission at 4:00 p.
m.
) Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:30 p.
m.
to 6:30 p.
m.
(last admission at 5:00 p.
m.
).
Entrance fee: 6000 COP (1.
6 euros)
An interactive museum in which to learn about our most precious asset: water.
House of Memory Museum
Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 a.
m.
to 6:00 p.
m.
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 a.
m.
to 4:00 p.
m.
Mondays closed, except holidays (in that case, closed on Tuesdays)
Built in 2006, it is a place to learn about the armed conflict in Medellin and Colombia in general
What Not to Do in Medellín: Narcotourism
With the success of the series “Narcos” (by Netflix), several tours related to Pablo Escobar (the so-called ‘narcotours’) have emerged in Medellín and the surrounding area.
These tours pass by several emblematic points of the patron saint’s life (the prison ‘La Catedral’ is one of them for example) and even his grave.
On the one hand, personalities like Escobar are part of the recent violent history of the country and one must talk about it to understand the current moment that Medellín and Colombia are going through – and what a transformation he has undergone! as you will have seen from the amount of cultural offerings, a transformation that to a greater or lesser extent also occurred with Escobar.
On the other hand, in many of these tours (if not all) the drug trafficker is spoken of as a “hero” while many of the victims’ relatives are still alive, witnessing all this, with the wounds caused by that tragic period still open.
Painted by Pablo Escobar with a play on words on the wall of a bar in El Poblado
Painted by Pablo Escobar with a word game for a shot of Tequila on the wall of a bar in El Poblado (aimed at guiris and expats)
For example, the official caretaker of the Escobar family’s bed in Medellín’s Jardines de Montesacro cemetery tells how some people (such as the famous rapper Wiz Khalifa) have had their photos taken, have brought flowers, or have paid homage to the bloodthirsty capo by smoking a joint or putting a line of cocaine on his grave.
The mayor of Medellin says that something is being done wrong when in the ‘narcotours’ the tribute is being paid to the murderer instead of the victims.
From our 3 months in the country, we can assure you that the vast majority of people we have met are not happy with this type of tourism, the series “Narcos” (yes, refrain from making jokes with the “hijoeputamalpario”) and how the story of this character is being told.
It is also true that there are many people who continue to admire him (especially in poorer neighborhoods that have been totally forgotten by the Colombian government) since one of the strategies of the drug trafficker Escobar was to “buy” the most disadvantaged population by giving houses to those who didn’t have them, medical services to those who needed them, schools where there were none, etc.
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For example, it seems that the neighborhood of the same name in the city (the Pablo Escobar neighborhood, which he created) refuses to change its name today despite several attempts by the government.
Graffiti from the Buenos Aires neighborhood
Graffiti in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Medellín
Apart from the ‘narcotours’ you will also find T-shirts, mugs and other souvenirs of the narco.
People who sell this type of product to tourists hide behind the fact that they have lived through such a hard time that now that they can benefit from it, they want to take advantage of it.
In our opinion, in this type of tour, morbidity wins over historical memory and, since we promote responsible tourism, our advice is that you should not contribute to and be an accomplice of morbidity tourism (which is also irresponsible tourism).
So if you come to Medellín, remember that there is much more to it than the drug world, and we have taught you that.
Where to eat
Here we recommend some pearls that we discovered during our two weeks in Medellin when you want to give a break from the street food and markets that are, in our opinion, highly recommended.
How can you be in Colombia without eating their arepas and carimañolas?
Restaurant Justo: I think we can say that it is the best vegan restaurant of all these 7 months of travel.
How wonderful.
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Whether you are a vegan or not, go there and let yourself be surprised by how delicious and creative all their organic dishes are.
In addition to the space that is beautiful and a great selection of craft beers.
They also have an organic market so if you are in an apartment with a kitchen it is a good option for shopping.
The dishes are around 20,000 to 25,000 COP (between 5 and 7 euros), expensive for Colombia, cheap for the quality it offers.
A marvel all that we tried in the restaurant Justo, in Poblado
A marvel all that we tried in the restaurant Justo, in Poblado
Bonhomie: Excellent thin crust pizzas.
One da for 2 (from 28.
000 COP to 32.
000 COP – between 7 and 9 ?).
Pizza from Bonhomia Pizzeria
Bonhomia Pizzeria’s pizza
La Bronca: Rich and creative food and excellent cocktails.
It is for a whim (30,000 to 60,000 COP each dish – between 8 and 16 euros) but very tasty.
Our dinner at La Bronca
Our dinner at La Bronca
Crepes&Waffles: Yeah, okay, it’s a chain.
But we are going to tell you why we put it here.
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.
In the months we spent in Colombia enjoying its gastronomy, sometimes we needed a break from the arepas, carimañolas and, in short, from the “fritanga” and our bodies asked for something healthy.
Well, this chain has a buffet in all its branches just like the one you see in the picture, where you can make a salad to your liking for 11,900 COP (3 euros approx.
).
What do you want me to say, for us it was a discovery that we resorted to several times.
You have for example one in Poblado and another one near the MAMM (Modern Art Museum)
The Crepes and Waffles Salad Buffet
The Crepes and Waffles Salad Buffet
Where to take sth.
As far as going out for a few beers (or dancing) in the evening, the Poblado is “the place to be”.
More specifically, the neighborhood of Provence.
Ideally, you should stroll through its streets and drop in wherever you feel like it because of the atmosphere or the music.
We recommend a few of them that we liked:
La Perla: Food and Dance in BulkLa Perla: Food and Dance in Bulk hahaha (Poblado, Medellín)
La perla: food and dance in bulk jajaja (Poblado, Medellín)
La Central de Amigos: a place whose terrace is ALWAYS full.
Lots of vine to drink beers and some snacks (tequila and little more) from where you surely won’t leave without meeting someone 😉
Still: Here, besides having a drink (indoors or outdoors) you can also have lunch and dinner
Where to sleep
There are three options for us to make a base in Medellin: The area where we recommend you to sleep and where we stay in the city is El Poblado: very nice, very green, with a lot of offer but very expat.
If you are looking for something more local, another option would be to stay in Laureles (that’s where we stayed the last few days) and finally an area that is gaining more visibility with several accommodations is Envigado.
We don’t recommend you to stay in the centre (where Plaza Botero and surroundings) as even in broad daylight it gave us a bad feeling about security.
Where to sleep in the village
El Poblado has a wide range of accommodation, plenty of food on offer and it is also where there is an interesting variety of bars at night if you want to get a bit carried away.
It’s a pretty safe area (we don’t feel insecure at any time of the day or night) unlike downtown (where the locals themselves constantly warn you) and we found a hotel with one of the best value for money in our Colombian months.
In the Poblado we stayed at the Hotel Casa La Fleur.
Very recommendable as it is in the heart of Poblado (a short distance from the famous Lleras Park) but in a quiet street which has a good location but allows you to rest at night.
The double room with private bathroom costs about 27 euros/night.
In the same street there are many restaurants and shops.
Chris just showered in the courtyard of the hotel la Fleur where they serve breakfast
Chris just showered in the courtyard of the Hotel la Fleur where they serve breakfast
Our room at the Hotel La Fleur.
It has light but no noise when it faces the courtyard.
Our room at the Hotel La Fleur.
Facing the courtyard, it has light but no noise.
Another excellent option to sleep in Poblado is the Selina, a chain that always guarantees a level of quality and coking that is above the average of accommodations.
Here the double room with private bathroom costs about 50 euros.
Room of the Selina.
Photo of Booking
Selina’s room.
Photo by Booking
You also have the Hotel Florencia Plaza Medellín, which has a rooftop jacuzzi where you can relax with views after touring the city.
You have the option of a bunk bed for 47000 COP/person (13 euros), or a double room with private bathroom and breakfast for 180000 COP (49 euros)
The Jacuzzi on the rooftop of Florencia Plaza, where you can relax after a day of sightseeing in Medellín
The Jacuzzi on the rooftop of Florencia Plaza, where you can relax after a day of sightseeing in Medellín
Where to sleep in Laureles
Another area where you can sleep, less expat and more local but also safe is the Laurel area.
As we stayed in the city for quite some time we wanted to explore it too so we decided to spend the last days in the city there.
In this case we rented a small apartment with kitchen and.
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surprise of surprises, with jacuzzi!
We said goodbye to the year in the kitchen jacuzzi of our apartment in Laureles
We say goodbye to the year in the kitchen jacuzzi of our apartment in Laureles
The thing is that the jacuzzi was in the same kitchen (yes, yes, overlooking the sink hahaha) but hey, a jacuzzi as well that we enjoyed to the fullest.
The apartment costs 27 euros/night and you can book it here.
Also, if you register at Airbnb with this link you will get 25 euros for your first booking, a bargain! Another option in Laureles is this one with a view, for the same price.
Where to sleep in Envigado
Finally, the other increasingly fashionable area where you can stay overnight is the neighborhood where Escobar was born: Envigado.
If you prefer to stay here, a good option is this apartment that is good for up to 8 people (43 ? per night depending on the number of people).
Apartment in Envigado
Apartment in Envigado
Around Medellín
Medellín also has interesting escapes that can be done in the same day, although if you have days and want to stay overnight, you know, better than better.
Guatapé and the Stone of Peñol
Escape from Medellín and go and see (2 hours by bus!) the colorful town of the zocalo (really, it must have been one of the most colorful towns we’ve been to) and the imposing stone of El Peñol.
Inês in one of the streets of colorful Guatapé
Inês in one of the streets of colorful Guatapé
In Guatapé all the houses have baseboards on their facades: all different representing the family that lives/works in that house, the trade/business they are engaged in or directly portraying the inhabitants of the house.
Literally.
(see photo below hahaha)
“That nose doesn’t suit me.
“
“That nose doesn’t suit me.
“
It is said that the plinths in Guatapé began in 1919 with José María Parra Jiménez who began to portray daily scenes in cement reliefs in the hallway of his house.
A baseboard in a bar in Guatapé
A baseboard in a bar in Guatapé
From there the art went to the street, from the street to the plaza and grew until it became a pride of Paisa (we have already told you that Paisa is the pride of all the people of the region of Antioquia, right?)
Guatapé Street
Guatapé Street
However, in most of the baseboards we saw little representation of the life of the women of Guatapo and when (rarely) we found them, they were represented in some work of care.
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.
Let’s hope that this will change, that the baseboards of Guatapo will adapt to the 21st century and will invade facades doing things as diverse and varied as the women of Guatapo do.
Two women in the zócalo: one pushing a baby carriage, the other doing the shopping.
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Two women in the zócalo: one pushing a baby carriage, the other doing the shopping.
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Touch the zócalo!
Apart from many zocaloes, in Guatapé there are also many tourists! But it’s really worth dodging them to get lost in the streets.
Look at all the colors:
But there’s also another reason to come here.
Next to Guatapé is the imposing Piedra del Peñol, also known as Peñon de Guatapé: a 220-meter monolith that you can climb (700 steps to be exact) and contemplate the magnificent view from above.
The impressive views from the top of the Piedra del Peñol
The impressive views from the top of the Piedra del Peñol
But these views hide a sad story behind.
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This water is from an artificial reservoir and its construction meant the disappearance of an entire village.
Yes, as you read it.
At the beginning of the 20th century, other ways of supplying energy to the country began to be appreciated.
And of course, this space turned out to be strategic in the industrial boom of the region, since it had a very desirable river for a hydroelectric power station.
What happened then? Well, in 1961, the construction of the reservoir became official and ten years later, in 1971, something inevitable became part of the construction: its flooding.
The vast majority of the people of Peñol opposed the project (of course, it was their house they wanted to flood) and demonstrated to make their position clear.
However, other voices were heard louder (for example, those of the EPM – Empresas Públicas de Medellín), the population was relocated to another town that was built nearby with the same name – El Peñol – and the flood took place in 1978.
In the meantime, a replica of the old town of Peñol was built near the current Peñol and can be visited.
Today, it seems to be an important source of energy for the country.
The town of Guatapé (which also underwent some changes with the construction of the new reservoir) faces this “inland sea”, as it is called.
The people of Peñol, on the other hand, don’t.
Not looking at it, they say, was the way to heal this very resistant people.
The Stone of Peñol
The Stone of Peñol
How to get there: Buses from the Sotra Sanvicente company leave every few days from the north terminal in Medellín.
We buy on the same day (around 8am) for 14000 COP / person (3,7 Euro), and you can get off either at the Peñon or in the village.
Between the Peñón and the village you can move around in the same bus stopping it on the road (2000 COP, 0,5 euro) or in tuk tuk (10000 COP, 2,6 euro).
To climb the Rock you have to pay an entrance fee of 18000 COP (5 Euro)
If you don’t dare on your own and/or want to see more, there are tours from Medellin that take you to both places and make some extra stops, like this one that costs 34
If you prefer to stay overnight in Guatapé, you can stay at La Madriguera which offers simple rooms with spectacular views of the Penol for 29 ? per night for 2 people with private bathroom:
Views of Peñol de Guatapé from La Madriguera accommodation
Views of Peñol de Guatapé from La Madriguera Lodge
Or if you want to indulge yourself, the Bosko (160 euros/night approx.
for 2 people) offers you more than just a room, a unique experience where you can sleep under the stars, with all the luxuries.
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El Bosko, a suite with views of the stars and the mountains in Guatapé
El Bosko, a suite with views of the stars and the mountains in Guatapé
Garden
This small, colorful Paisa town is located about 140 km from Medellín, and is surrounded by nature, so besides taking a few pictures of its colorful houses, you can venture out on a hiking trail and visit some of its nearby caves.
Colors in Garden (Antioquia)
Colors in Garden (Antioquia) – Photo by Eddy Milfort
From Medellín you can get to Jardín by bus from the southern terminal in about 3 hours.
Two companies that make the trip are Rápido Ochoa and Transportes Suroeste, and the ticket costs about 25000 COP (7 euros).
If you have time, the ideal is to stay a few nights in Jardín, to be able to visit the town and its surroundings more calmly.
For example at Fami Hotel Vive Jardin (80000COP – 22 Euros – double room with shared bathroom) or Hosteria El Paso (170000 COP – 46 Euros – double room with private bathroom) If you want more info about Jardín, check out this post by Travelgrafia Santa Fe de Antioquia One hour from Medellín is Santa Fe, a small city where you can stroll around admiring its historic colonial buildings and get a closer look at its long hanging bridge, an important Colombian engineering work from the end of the 19th century.
The Cathedral of Santa Fe de Antioquia The Cathedral of Santa Fe de Antioquia.
Photo: Rainero Cobos More information on how to get there and what to see and do in Santa Fe de Antioquia in this Travelgrafia article If you don’t want to go on your own, you have the possibility of hiring a day tour to Santa Fe de Antioquia from Medellín, like this one for 25 Other towns in Antioquia The region of Antioquia (to which Medellín belongs) has many more interesting towns and places, so if you have time, don’t miss out on exploring them.
Here is a list of Travelgrafia with a selection of 10 towns Coffee Axis Medellín is also the gateway to our favorite region of the country: the coffee belt.
So if you also want to go deep into the green of the coffee plantations dotted with those thousand colored villages, in this guide to the region we tell you everything you need to know to enjoy it to the fullest.
Don’t miss it 🙂 How to get to Medellin By plane If you arrive in Colombia from another country, it is likely that you will arrive by plane to one of the main cities (Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena.
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), Medellín being a fairly common option.
If you are going from Spain, there are direct flights to Medellin, although they are usually more expensive.
We recommend that you search and compare on comparators such as Skyscanner and Kiwi and be as flexible as possible with the dates.
If you don’t mind making stops, you have low cost flights like Norwegian and Level to points near Colombia and you can get a good price (we did Madrid > Florida > Cartagena for less than 350 ? one way) If you come to Medellin from another city in Colombia and want to do it by plane, the cheapest is usually VivaAir, a low cost company with fairly cheap flights.
Of course, they are Ryanair style and similar, so pay attention to the small print, especially with the luggage.
We also recommend that you take a look at flight comparators such as Skyscanner and Kiwi as sometimes you can find offers from other companies.
In our case, we flew to Medellín from Cartagena, with checked baggage and fast track for 35 euros/person, with VivaAir.
How to get from the airport to downtown Medellín You will most likely arrive at José María Córdova International Airport, which is quite far from the city (in a town called Rionegro, about 30km from the city).
As always, you have options for all tastes, cheaper or more expensive depending on waiting time, comfort and whether you are left in your accommodation or not: Hire a private transfer that waits for you at the airport to take you to your accommodation, like this one that costs 25 euros/person Going by official private taxi when leaving the airport, costs 70000 COP (19 euros) for the whole taxi.
There are also shared taxis (you have to wait until they are full), and they cost about 17000 COP (5 euros) per person Finally, the cheapest option is a bus that drops you off in the centre for about 10,000 COP (3 euros) per person.
It drops you off at the San Diego Shopping Center, and from there you would have to take another taxi to your accommodation or some kind of public transportation.
By road (by bus/car) If you come by road, Medellín is well connected to most cities and points of interest in Colombia, so you will have no problem finding transport that suits your needs.
We recommend that you consult buses and timetables, and buy your tickets, on websites such as Redbus or Pinbus, which work very well and you can choose your seat (be careful because on those websites not all options appear, so there may be more timetables and/or companies).
You can also check information (not always updated) at https://www.
horariodebuses.
com.
co/ How to move around Metro/metrocable/tram: yes, Medellín has a modern metro that is also the pride of the city (they will often tell you that Medellín has a metro and Bogotá doesn’t, there is a rivalry hahaha).
In order to use it, you must buy a card that can be recharged.
In our case, we buy the white card that says “Viaje Metro”, which can be recharged and/or purchased at station machines or ticket offices.
The card is valid for all three transports.
The trips cost between 2000 and 4000 COP (between 0.
55 and 1.
10).
When the card is at 0 it is swallowed by the machine, and in some machines you can only buy the card with one trip (it would be a one-time use).
If you need help ask the staff and they will help you for sure.
Our two ‘MetroCards’ in the Medellín metro Our two ‘MetroCards’ in the Medellín metro With this card you can also use the modern tram (we talk about it in this article to go to Buenos Aires neighborhood), and the cable car (for example, in Comuna 13) Uber and taxis: Uber is illegal in Colombia, although it exists and many people use it because it is cheaper and safer than taxis.
As it is illegal, there must always be a passenger in the front, next to the driver, to hide in case the car is stopped.
As they do not recommend using the taxis that stop on the street, there is another app, Easy, which now belongs to Cabify, from which you can order normal taxis.
In Uber, the shortest journeys usually cost about 9000 COP (2.
50 euros), and for example from the center to Poblado between 15000 and 30000 COP – 4 to 8 euros – (watch out for traffic, we take an hour and a half for the traffic jam and pay 27000 COP) Safety: precautions and advice Don’t give away papaya.
The advice that local people all over Colombia will give you most regarding security is: Don’t give away papaya! It’s an expression they use to indicate that you don’t become an easy target: don’t go around showing off things of value (smartphone, camera, money) and thus avoid attracting attention.
Chris exemplifying what “Dar Papaya” means Chris exemplifying what “Dar Papaya” means Obviously, as tourists/travelers, we like to photograph the places, look for information on our smartphone, etc.
, and this doesn’t mean you can’t do it.
Just be more cautious than usual and try to limit the camera hanging out in the street.
We were in Medellin for 2 weeks (and 3 months in Colombia), we took pictures of everything we wanted, we used our smartphones, and we didn’t have any problems (although it’s true that we were more careful and tried to keep the camera or smartphone in our backpacks/pockets when we weren’t using it) In any case, always travel with travel insurance: medical expenses, theft or problems with your plane on a trip can make you a lot of money, so ideally you should take out travel insurance.
We always use IATI and we recommend it (in this 7 month trip through Latin America we bought the IATI Estrella Premium).
If you take out your insurance through this link you get a 5% discount So, Medellin! So, Medellin! Isn’t there a reason why you want to visit the city of eternal spring? I don’t know what you’re waiting for.
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But please tell us in comments when you go!
Characteristics of Medellin
Medellin is the capital of Antioquia.
Modern, cultural, it is also the second largest city in the country.
Medellin is known for its festive atmosphere and its flower fair.
Number of Inhabitants
The city of Medellin has a population of approximately 3,831,000 (2013 estimate).
History of Medellin
The valley in which the city of Medellin now stands was originally occupied by Amerindians (from the 5th century BC).
The conquistadors landed in the area in 1541 and named the valley “Valle de San Bartolomé”.
The site of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Ana was founded in 1646.
In 1649, the great cathedral was built there, which marked the Spanish colonial period.
The official foundation of the city of Nuestra Señora de la Candeleria de Ana was pronounced by the provincial governor, Francisco de Montoya y Salazar on March 20, 1671.
The locality is therefore no longer attached to Antioquia.
Nuestra Señora de la Candeleria de Medellin, with a population of 3,000 inhabitants at the time, obtained the status of “city” on 22 November 1675, following the ratification of the royal certificate by Queen Doña Ana of Austria.
Governor Miguel de Aguinaga was charged with announcing the creation of the city.
King Carlos II affixed his coat of arms to the city in 1678.
The famous University of Antioquia, formerly known as the Real Colegio de Franciscanos, was built in 1803.
In 1808, a census was taken to count the number of inhabitants in the city.
Medellin had 15,347 inhabitants.
Medellin became the capital of the province in 1826.
The population of the city increased sixfold during the first half of the 20th century.
The city’s Chamber of Commerce was built in 1904.
Industries flourished.
In 1950, foreign architects drew up the current town plan.
In the 21st century, the city’s ambition is to become an important business centre on the South American continent.
Geography
Located in the northwest of Colombia, the city of Medellin is part of the Aburra Valley.
Crossed by the river Medellin, it has an area of 380.64 square kilometers.
It is located in an area of high relief and has an altitude of 1538 meters.
How to get around the city?
The city of Medellin offers various modes of transport, Metro, Bus, Taxi.
Metro: The city is served by five metro lines, thus avoiding traffic jams.
The metroplus: Medellin’s metroplus (a kind of bus) has been providing transport in the city since 2010.
Stops are frequent.
The bus: The city has a well-developed bus network that operates with the Metroplus.
Taxi: There are several taxi companies in the city of Medellin.
It is advisable to make a reservation by phone.
It is also possible to take a collective taxi.
What to see?
The city of Medellin has many sights to see.
Tourists will mainly go to the statue of Simon Bolivar.
Other sites such as the monument “La raza” (in the administrative centre of La Alpujarra), Cisneros square, San Antonio square (the largest in the city centre), the “biblioteca España”, the interactive museum, the museum of Antioquia, the museum of modern art, The El Castillo Museum, the Metropolitan Theatre, the Francisco Lui Gallego Ethnographic Museum, Berrio Park, the Park of the Descalzos Magpies, the Cerro el Volador Ecopark, Simon Bolivar Park, Boston Park, the Botanical Garden and the North Park will also attract visitors.
Website of the tourist office of Colombia
What to do?
– Visit all the museums.
– Taste specialities in one of the restaurants in the “Poblado” district, in the “Avenida las Palmas” or in the “Buena Mesa” street.
– See the parade of myths and legends.
Shopping ?
Don’t leave Medellin without bringing back some souvenirs of your stay such as scarves (bufandas), a ruana (Colombian poncho), Indian pottery and leather goods as well as beautiful blankets and gold jewellery.
Gastronomy and local recipe(s)
The dishes: La bandeja paisa (made with beans, rice, fried eggs, chorizo, etc.); arepa (corn cake); tamal (made with grilled pork, rice and vegetables).
Desserts: La mantecada (vanilla cake); postre de nata (milk cream cake).
Beverages: Colombian coffee, fruit juice, sodas, rum.
What to see in the region?
In the surroundings of Medellin, there are various sights to see.
Health?
Before departure it is strongly advised to consult your doctor and to subscribe to an insurance covering medical expenses and medical repatriation.
For any emergency dial 123.
The hospitals of the city:
Clinica Las Americas
Diagonal 75 B-2 A-80
Medellin, Colombia
+ 57 4 342 1010.
Clinica Medellin
Sede el Poblado
Carrera 7 N.
39-290
Medellin, Colombia
+ 57 4 311 2800.
Time difference
In summer : -7h
In winter : -7h
What to see in Medellin Area ?
Emblematic statue of Botero.
Medellin, which is gradually developing its business tourism offer, is an important center for fashion in Colombia and the cradle of culture with its music and dances.
Here you can discover:
The Metropolitan Cathedral, an imposing, romantic-style building made of terracotta bricks.
The Botero Square, guarded by 23 statues of the famous Colombian artist.
The Bolivar square, beautiful park with trees where the monument to the glory of the liberator of the nation is located.
The residential district of the “Poblado”, place of foundation of the city, animated by its numerous bars, discos and restaurants.
The museum of Antioquia, whose top floor is dedicated to the works of Botero, a native of Medellin.
The Botanical Garden, one of the most beautiful in the country.
Guatapé and Peñol’s Rock
Near Medellin (about 1h45 drive), the region of Lake Guatapape represents a relaxing stopover thanks to its green setting and its sumptuous lagoons.
Climb to the top of the Peñol Rock (an impressive granite monolith, 750 steps high) to enjoy a magnificent view of the lake, stroll through the village with its colourful walls (listed as a natural and environmental heritage site) and enjoy a dish made with trout, a specialty of the region.
Santa Fe de Antioquia
Located about 1h30 drive from Medellin, this village is a real jewel of colonial art from an architectural point of view, with its narrow cobbled streets, shaded by houses with white facades and pretty balconies carved in wood.
The town has four churches, the prettiest and most important of which is that of Santa Barbara, in Baroque style.
Santa Fe de Antioquia is the former capital of the department, supplanted by Medellin in 1826.