The city of Medellin has changed a lot in time but over the last few years has really become one of the most visited cities in Colombia. Thanks to the newly built metro, moving around the city has become quite easy for all those wishing to sleep outside the center (most preferably in Poblado or Laureles) but still wanting to see the city’s landmarks.
After a long journey on a freezing cold night bus from Bogotà at 6am we hop down at the Northern Bus Terminal. Amazingly enough, the terminal is huge, well-organised (no more having to check company by company to know which ones are going where!) and also very well connected to the rest of the city by a modern metro system.
Back in the days when we tried to figure out which area of Medellin was the best to stay for sometime, we couldn’t get our head around that what were considered the “nicest & safest” neighbourhoods (as mentioned El Poblado & Laureles) were both pretty far away in the southern bit of the city. Whereas the neighbourhood of the center a.k.a. El Centro, closer to all monuments, museums and parks, it was the taboo zone for all tourists. Usually its the opposite in big cities no? Well, believe it or not for our first night in Medellin we decide to stay in the center and see by ourselves how the vibe was.
Have you ever happened to come across the word paisa? This is the word with which everybody else in Colombia refers to the citizens of Medellin!
Getting to the center ends up being easier than expected and for just 2100COP/each we take a local bus that drops us off no more than three blocks away from our accomodation. The place where we’re staying at is pretty basic but central enough to have the heart of Medellin at just a 10min walk range. The Plaza Botero, Plaza de Las Luces, EPM library, Parque San Antonio (and the Botero’s sculpture that was half-destroyed by a bomb), Parque de los Pies Descalzos (Barefoot park), Palace of Culture, Parque Berrio and the further away Pueblito Paisa are all places worth visiting but in all honesty, the city center is pure chaos!
EPM library
Plaza Botero
Government Plaza
The “bombed” pajaro and its more recent reproduction
Parque Los Cisneros
Truth to be told, walking around feels more having a stroll through a huge market rather than a city. Especially if you consider that the World Cup Match featuring Colombia against England is TODAY!
On the other hand, when the next day we decide to move over to the neighbourhood of El Poblado everything seems to go upside down! This part of the city is more like a residential / going out area full of bars and restaurants where there’s not really much to see (apart from the Pablo Escobar Museum and a couple of nice small parks). Thankfully, murals seem to have gained popularity around here, some street art is always welcomed!
Should we suggest a sleeping plan for Medellin ? Sleep one night in the center, visit what’s to see there and then spend the rest of your time based in El Poblado!
Park in El Poblado
Around the area Medellin, there also a couple of places to visit such as Santa Fe de Antioquia and La Piedra + Guatapé (check our post about Over the Top of the World | La Piedra de Guatapé) that can be both accessed by taking a bus from the Northern Terminal. Don’t expect a short ride though! To reach either of the two, account for at least 2h on a bus one-way!
All in all, Medellin left us with a slight bitter taste. Many people who came here before described it as a must-visit kind of city but could we have overestimated their stories? Sure, staying in Poblado can be cool but everything else inside the city definitely didn’t meet our expectations!
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We’ve had bunuelos, empanadas, arepas and cervezas. Our stomachs and hearts are so full, whilst enjoying Medellin!
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