Colourful Medellín, with its rough past, has positively surprised us. Medellín has a lot of poverty and a rather turbulent past, but there are also very beautiful and interesting places that make the city definitely worth a visit. From Jardín we took the direct bus to Medellín. At the central bus stop we got in a taxi to the lovely Medellín Vibes Hostel.
From Medellín you can also make a nice (day) trip to Piedra de Peñol and the colourful village of Guatapé. Here are my highlights for Medellín (and surroundings):
Tip: In the map, turn the different layers on or off via the left square button in the grey bar.
1. Medellín Vibes Hostel
When we were at the Medellín Vibes Hostel (pronounced “Bibes Ostal”) in September 2019, the hostel had only just opened its doors. Actually, the name “hostel” does not do this place justice; it is rather a mini-resort with a lovely swimming pool, a nice bar and spacious rooms. The first few nights we even got an upgrade to the “suite” and we had our own jacuzzi in the bathroom.
The Medellín Vibes Hostel is also in a very good location as a base for all your activities. Within a few minutes you are at the metro! And the tourist area with all kinds of restaurants is also nearby, so with a taxi you are there in no time.
Tip: Despite the fact that it seems safe here, take a taxi or metro as much as possible and do not go for a walk in unknown places. It’s still Medellín, so stay on your guard!
Location: Medellín Vibes Hostel, Cra. 47 #7-60, Medellin, Antioquia, website
2. Comuna 13 graffiti tour & cable car San Javier J
Until recently, Comuna 13 (district 13) was the most dangerous neighbourhood in the world. Here the violent drug lords had free rein and the police had nothing to say. Because of the many cartels that were entrenched here and were constantly fighting with each other, you were never sure of your life in Comuna 13.
After the police – with the help of the army and paramilitaries -were finally able to put an end to the chaos here in 2002, the neighbourhood slowly but surely improved. The youth has seized the opportunity to make something beautiful of Comuna 13. The district has now been transformed into a large graffiti artwork. Furthermore, the young people try to earn some money from the tourists by performing breakdance acts in the area. Here you will find a really colourful part of Medellín.
The best way to understand the neighbourhood’s past is with a guide. There are many free English speaking guide tours available (do give a tip at the end of the tour, because that’s what the guides live on!). We also walked through Comuna 13 with a guide. Because of his story, the stories about the area really came to life. I really recommend this! After the tour, stick around in Comuna 13 and grab a nice local lunch.
Tip: For an even better view of the city, take the cable car up. If you don’t get off, but just stay put until the last station, your return ticket is free of charge.
3. Memory House Museum & Plaza Botero
To understand the eventful history of Colombia, a visit to the Memory House Museum is definitely worthwhile. We found this museum incredibly impressive. This gave us a much better picture of all the events that took place here, including the period when Pablo Escobar had the country in his grip.
Plaza Botero is of course also a must-see. On this busy square there are several statues by the artist Fernando Botero, with which many tourists take a picture. Pay attention to your pockets and do not take expensive items with you!
Tip: For delicious empanadas go to Salon Versalles; a well-known name in Medellín!
Locations:
Memory House Museum: Parque Bicentenario, Cl. 51 #36-66, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia, website;
Salon Versalles: Cra. 49 #53-39, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia, website
4. Brewery 20Mission Cerveza: Cerveza Artesanal & Gastropub
During our lunch in Comuna 13 in a local lunch place, we suddenly saw ‘witbier’ on the menu. We asked in our best Spanish how that Dutch beer had come on the menu and the owner gave us a flyer from Brewery 20Mission. This brewery turned out to be near our hostel, so we went exploring. And it turned out: we were there on the weekend that 20Mission existed for a year, so there was a party! There was live music, bingo, all kinds of (beer) games and a nice atmosphere in this huge building.
Be sure to take the beer tasting so that you can taste all the beers of 20Mission. And also take a tasty snack such as the mini burgers or cheese plate, then you may still perform during beer-pong 😉 The menu here consists mainly of tasty old school pub food.
Location: Cl. 16 #43F-66, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia, website
5. Mercado del Río
Mercado del Rio is a huge food hall in a building that once was a factory. This is a nice – non touristy – option if you want to have low-key drinks and bites from international kitchens. Like most food courts you’ll get an alarm and if it rings your order is ready. Find a nice spot and enjoy people-watching.
Location: Cl. 24 #48-28, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia (no website)
6. La Octava Bar: Bar with a ball pit
If you want to go out drinking and dancing in Medellín, you’ll probably end up in the area Zona Rosa. There are many options here to have a great night of fun. Do make sure to stop by at the basement of La Octava, because there is an enormous ball pit for “adults” there. Go back to the time you played in a ball pit, but now with a drink (or two).
Location: Cl. 8 ##37a-49, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia (no website)
7. Day trip: Piedra del Peñol & Guatapé
Vanuit Medellín kan je heel gemakkelijk een (dag)trip maken naar het uitkijkpunt Piedra del Peñol en het kleurrijke dorpje Guatapé. Vanaf de centrale busstation in Medellín rijden er meerdere bussen per dag naar Piedra del Penol.
Piedra del Peñol is een enorme uitstekende rots van circa 65 miljoen jaar oud. De trap naar de top telt maar liefst 649 treden. Een ticket om deze trappen te mogen trotseren kost 18.000 pesos. Het uitzicht over het water met de vele eilandjes in de omgeving vanaf de top van deze enorme rots is fantastisch!
From Piedra del Peñol it is only a short drive with a tuktuk to the colourful village of Guatapé. Guatapé seems to be made for Instagram: there are so many photogenic places to be found here! All houses have at least one bright color on the wall or even entire “paneling” full of coloured images. When you have collected enough photos, settle down on one of the terraces in the village or at a restaurant along the water.
Tip: Buy your bus ticket for the way back immediately upon arrival in Guatapé, so that you are sure that you can return at a time that you want.
We were only here for a day, but you could easily stay here for a night and explore a little more of the area.
Want to know more about the 3-week round trip I made in Colombia? Check out the top itinerary in Colombia (3 weeks) here and read the previously published blogs on TeppieTravels to get more travel inspiration for your own tour:
- Bogota and the Salt Cathedral – Round trip Colombia (part I);
- Beer and gunpowder! – Let’s play a game;
- Hike in Tayrona NP – The road less travelled;
- Coffee, Cocora & Cowboys – Round trip Colombia (part II);
- Hike in Tayrona NP – Weg van de massa.
Other round trips you can already find on TeppieTravels.com are: a 10-day road trip in Israel, my solo-trip to Bali (multiple posts), the highlights of central Chili in 2 weeks or a 3-week round trip in Sri Lanka. Click here for more travel inspiration in Latin America.
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