After visiting Bogotá for a few days, we took off for Medellín on Monday afternoon. This Colombian city is known as the city of eternal spring given its climate and is also famous because of the notorious Pablo Escobar.
Days 3 & 4 – Medellín
On Tuesday, we took the metro in Floresta until Acevedo. From there we got on the Metrocable which has changed Medellín completely. Given the city is located in a valley, the downtown area is in the flat part whereas the modest neighborhoods surround it and are spread throughout the hills. The Metrocable project has since then connected people with opportunities and is also a great way to have a panoramic view. We went on a ride towards San Antonio and continued all the way up until we reached Parque Arví.
Following the Metrocable ride, we headed to Parque Berrío, in the city center of Medellín. At walking distance you will find the Palacio de Cultura Rafael Uribe, the Museo de Antioquia housing famous works from Colombian artist Botero and the church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.
After lunch, we walked to Plaza Mayor and to Plaza de los Pies Descalzos. From there we took a cab to the beautiful Pueblito Paisa, which is a reproduction of how traditional villages looked like in the Antioquia region. Since it is located on a hill, there is a nice view from there.
Finally, we ended our day in the area of Parque Lleras – El Poblado, an area with many restaurants and bars.
On Wednesday, we just had time to walk around the nearby area of Laureles-Estadio, which was packed because of the Guns N’ Roses concert that evening. After that, we took a cab to the Rionegro airport in order to fly to Cartagena de Indias, the last leg of our trip.
Here are the details of our visit to Medellín:
– hostal Ondas: we loved this hipster hostel, especially its delicious breakfasts including exotic juices!
– Laboratorio del Café: delicious Colombian coffee next to the Museo de Antioquia. They have more branches across the city.
– Leomar n.2 (between calle 52 y calle 51, Cra. 52 #51-54): we tried the traditional bandeja paisa with agua de panela lemonade.
–Medellín Beer Factory: I had a delicious mango juice
– 37 Park: we loved this place in Parque Lleras, where we ate a casserole of mushrooms and blue cheese, a huerta salad and the excellent cocktail Chapalito 1800.
– Rionegro airport restaurant: I ate the famous Colombian arepa with carne desmechada.
And just in case we come back to Medellín some day, here are a few more tips:
– book a tour around Comuna 13
– visit Botero’s works at the Museo de Antioquia
– try a coconut lemonade
– stay at Apartahotel Affinity, located in El Poblado
