Medellín, Colombia
If you don’t know somebody who’s visited Medellín and instantly fallen in love with the city, you’re bound to before too long. Thirty years ago, it was a totally different scene, more or less controlled by Pablo Escobar and the national drug-trafficking pandemic. But forget all about that – because Medellín (and most of Antioquia, its district) is gorgeous, enchanting, and friendly as can be. Locals here welcome visitors who come with an open mind and an adventurer’s spirit; if you’re traveling to Colombia with a flexible itinerary, don’t be surprised if you get to Medellín and can’t bring yourself to leave.
Know Before You Go
Metro
The Medellín metro system is incredible. Not only does it make getting around the city a breeze, even for the uninitiated; it’s helped transform the city’s far-flung barrios from being too removed to achieve economic prosperity into connected citizens who can take part in Medellín’s renaissance.
Pick a Park
While Bogotá is mostly urban, nature grows through the cracks on practically every block in Medellín. Be sure to plan a picnic, jog, or game of pickup at one of the city’s many lush parks – like the Jardin Botanico, which is basically the city’s Central Park (only about 20 times as jaw-dropping).
Take a Ride
There’s a fantastic gondola system that connects barrio-dwellers to the city center - Medellín also famously erected a multi-million-dollar library in one of its historically dangerous areas and sat it right alongside the gondola route – that can take you all the way to Parque Arví, an incredible, sprawling park you’re going to love.
Colombian Cuisine
Sancochos, empanadas, marranitas, and, of course, fresh coffee are staples of the city’s food scene. A belly full of Colombian cuisine is the perfect start to an evening of clubbing and Latin dancing, so consider checking out El Mofongo ahead of a night out in El Poblado.
Language Lesson
Spanish dialect varies from country to country within South America, but Colombian Spanish is relatively easy for English-speakers to understand and learn. If you’re hoping for an immersive experience to get serious about your Spanish lessons, this is a great place to go.
Safety
One day in Medellín and you’d never believe the city’s history of violence. Not only is it exceedingly safe these days, if you open your heart to the locals, they’ll reciprocate by bending over backwards to make you feel at home.
Can’t-Miss Neighborhoods
El Poblado
While it’s common knowledge that El Poblado is the destination that travelers flock to in Medellín, it’s also the liveliest nightlife district in the city and full of restaurants, shops, and all sorts of other worthy attractions. Its many plazas are like little bursts of nature amid the concrete, and if you’re looking to escape the crowds or get some work done, seek out the Patio Bonito area within El Poblado. With lots of green spaces and coworking cafés, you can easily spend an afternoon tucked away.
Laureles
Football fan? You’ll no doubt become familiar with Laureles while in Medellín, as all the local teams play in this neighborhood’s stadium. Somewhat residential and undoubtedly one of the higher-end parts of the city, the vibe here is laid-back and caters to locals looking for a nice meal or round of drinks at a small bar. No matter where you’re from, Laureles is the type of neighborhood that will make you feel right at home – and perhaps even mull over the possibility of moving to Antioquia.
Sabaneta
This small area near Envigado isn’t likely to be among the first recommended to travelers in an average guidebook – for now, anyway. Parque Sabaneta is an incredibly charming plaza lined with tons of trees, a church, and a handful of local bars and restaurants. It’s gaining popularity among Medellín transplants, so before you spend your whole vacation around El Poblado and Parque Lleras, book it over to Sabaneta.
When To Go
Given that it’s sometimes referred to as the City of Eternal Spring, it should come as no surprise that the weather in Medellín is pretty much spectacular no matter when you visit. It’s warm without being hot, tropical without being humid, and though you’ll no doubt be rained on at some point, the storms never last for long. High season in Medellín is generally between December and April – but why not go during football season and take in a game or four?
Featured Local: Alexandra Rodriguez
I’m a journalist currently working at a television channel called Telemedellín. I was born in Cali, but one day I decided to travel to Medellín to study for a while – and the city and its people made me want to build my life in Medellín. It has always been my passion to work with people, share my knowledge with others, and help to positively impact local the communities. To me, the greatest wealth is what you learn from others, so surrounding myself with new people is a priority and a joy no matter where I go.
Alexandra’s Must-Dos
Alambique
Bottles of old sodas, photographs, books, and food packaging from another era make up the décor of this place – it’s also full of so many plants that it looks and feels like a forest. Alambique’s kitchen is a culinary laboratory and the chef is always ready to make the most incredible creations in their dishes and cocktails. Why not try some tuna wrapped in toasted quinoa and chontaduro, stuffed with pure sugar cane in a sauce of panela and oysters? Perhaps a black beer with coffee tequila, and Scrappy's bitters chocolat with a side of smoked bacon? The general rule here is if it sounds weird, order it.
Medellín Modern Art Museum
The MAMM is a very special place in the city, and my favorite museum by far. Beyond what you’d expect – impressive modern art from Colombia, South America, and beyond – they host various cultural events such as an outdoor cinema, live music, and a whole host of rotating events designed to help locals experience the community on a deeper, more expressive level. Don’t miss the museum’s public park, where you can sit and spend the afternoon with your friends over a lunch of whatever’s on offer from the nearby food trucks.
Vintrash
Looking for a night out but not sure what, exactly, you’re in the mood for? Come to Vintrash if you’re ready to dance but not ready to commit, genre-wise. On the first floor, you’ll find Reggaeton and Latin music; if you want something more private, you can go downstairs and dance to the same music but with dimmer lights. Do you prefer electronic music? On the third floor you’ll find a live DJ. Don’t forget to order Vintrash’s signature cocktail, so big it’s meant to be shared.
Salon Amador
The best electronic party in the city can be found at Salon Amador, a classy spot with international and local DJs spinning on a regular basis. The sound quality is great and the cocktails are good enough – go with a gin and tonic. In the back of the disco is a smoking area, free of noise where you can go to talk. But that's what you least want to do in this place. "Forbidden to talk about politics" is the message that’s literally written on the wall to explain to patrons that Amador is a place to let loose and dance.
La Octava
La Octava is a special place that’s a favorite for all types of locals; the only rule is that you enjoy yourself and have fun. Hang out with your friends over a strong cocktail with rock music playing, or head to the other end of the venue to enjoy an open-air backyard. The music out there varies and is usually pretty good, but the main attraction – as you may have guessed from the picture above – is the ball pit. I dare you to not have fun with a trip down memory lane via a ball pit!
