Medellín has quickly become one of the must see destinations in South America. From food to culture to great landmarks, there are so many different parts of Medellín to explore.
With so many different neighbourhoods and hotels to choose from, finding the right place to stay in Medellín can be an overwhelming task. Having visited Medellín a large number of times, I am very familiar with Medellín’s best and safest areas to stay in and rounded up my favourites for every budget in this article!
Introduction To Medellín City
Medellín is a large city located in a valley between two mountains, in the Aburrá Valley in the Andean Region in the middle of Colombia. Founded in 1616 by a Spanish explorer and was named after the small town of Medellín, Spain.
The city and urban area cover a large area of land, from the bottom of the valley to over the mountains. Medellín’s José María Córdova International Airport airport is located outside of the city in Rionegro which is around 20km south-east of Medellín. The area between the city and the airport is mainly mountainous with coffee farms, agricultural land, the waters of Guatape.
Medellín has won major awards in Latin America for its metro and transit system which also includes more than two cable cars (Metrocable) which join the metro train system to the surrounding mountain areas of the city. These outer mountain areas were the poorest areas of the city but now the cable cars have reduced the time it takes to get to the city by 3 hours, giving people who live in the mountains the opportunity to work in the city easily, and in turn reducing the crime rate.
Top 10 Things To Do In Medellín
Medellín is a large city and offers lots of things for visitors to see and do when they visit the city. These are my top 10 things to see and do during your stay in Medellín.
- Take a day trip to Guatape, and visit the colourful town, El Peñol, rock, and you can even take a boat trips on the river network.
- Take a city tour of downtown Medellín, visit the Botero Plaza with Botero’s famous sculptures, museums, and other attractions.
- Explore Comuna 13 with a local tour guide. Once one of Medellín most dangerous neighbourhoods, Comuna 13 has undergone major urban renewal with escalators replacing thousands of stairs and street art being displayed.
- Walk around the Botanical Garden with over 4,000 flowers and 139 species of birds.
- Visit the Museo de Antioquia.
- Take a trip on the cable car and metro system over for great views of the city and to see different areas of the city.
- Party and dance in Parque Lleras.
- Go on a coffee farm tour, and learn all about how coffee is grown, manufactured, and exported all around the world.
- Try Bandeja paisa which is native to the area, it is made up of rice, plantain, arepa, chorizo, minced meat, beans, and a fried egg.
- Take a walking tour of the city and discover plazas, gardens, and great views of the city.
Overview Of Medellín Neighbourhoods
Medellín is Colombia’s second-largest city with a popular of just over two and a half million. Medellín is known as “the city of eternal spring” for its year-round constant sunshine and temperatures staying between 28c (82f) and 17c (64f).
Depending on your preferred location and budget, you can find something in Medellín to suit your requirements, from boutique hotels to luxury chain brands.
A little bit of research (or this guide!) will help you in finding quality accommodation for your perfect trip!
The Historic Center Of Medellín: El Centro or La Candelaria
El Centro, or La Candelaria as it is otherwise referred to, is the centre and historic downtown area of the city. This neighbourhood is home to a vast number of museums, government buildings, plazas including Plaza Botero, Casa de La Memoria, and Parque de Las Luces.
This area is the main centre of the city, but it is also the busiest and most dangerous area of the city. This neighbourhood has great transportation links to other parts of the city through the Metro system.
While this neighbourhood might have a large number of attractions, it is also the place where visitors are most likely to come into contact with pick-pockets, so caution should be taken when walking through this neighbourhood during the day. At night it is best to use taxis booked through hotels to get around and never walk even one block after dark.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In El Centro
PROS
- Lots of restaurants
- Great shopping
- Walkable
- Home to the main attractions in the city
- Great transportation links to other areas of the city
CONS
- Don’t walk around here at night
- Be aware when walking around in the day for pickpocketers.
Luxury Hotels In El Centro
Mid-Range Hotels In El Centro
Budget Hotels In El Centro
The Lively Expat Area Of Medellín: El Poblado
El Poblado is considered the ultimate place for backpackers and travellers to stay. It is also very popular with ex-pats.
This neighbourhood is so popular thanks to its large selection of restaurants, bars, night clubs, transportation links, and Parque Lleras which is a lively area filled with international chain restaurants. While the whole neighbourhood isn’t filled with parties and dancing, this is the area where you will find the best hotels and luxury accomodation.
This area is safe to walk around but beware that many pick-pocketers pray on the intoxicated in the early hours. This neighbourhood has a young and vibrant crowd with some of the best restaurants in the city.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In El Poblado
PROS
- Lots of restaurants
- Great shopping
- Walkable
- Home to the main attractions in the city
- Great transportation links to other areas of the city
CONS
- This area can be noisy in the evening
- Be aware when walking around at night for pickpocketers
Luxury Hotels In El Poblado
Mid-Range Hotels In El Poblado
- Hotel Dann Carlton Belfort Medellin
- Binn Hotel
- NH Collection Medellin Royal
- Novotel Medellin El Tesoro
Budget Hotels In El Poblado
The Residential Area Of Medellín: Laureles
Laureles is considered a primarily residential area of the city, with many upper-class apartments and accommodation. Laureles has a more laid-back vibe and feel than other neighbourhoods with nightlife and bars restricted to two areas – La 70 and Calle 33.
The rest of the neighbourhood is filled with small boutique cafes, coffee shops, and fashion stores. It is fairly safe to walk around this neighbourhood at all hours, but there are a limited number of hotels or accomodation choices compared with other livelier neighbourhoods.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Laureles
PROS
- Lots of small cafes and bars
- A popular nightlife destination
- A residential area
- Upper-class area
CONS
- A safer place to stay and walk around than other areas
- Easy access to attractions
Luxury Hotels In Laureles
Mid-Range Hotels In Laureles
Budget Hotels In Laureles
The Fancy Area Of Medellín: Envigado
Envigado is a large neighbourhood located around 20 minutes from El Poblado and feels like a neighbourhood with many smaller neighbourhoods. Envigado is a favourite for many Colombians with tree-lined roads, one or two-story houses, and quiet streets.
This area is very residential with very few hotels, but a large number of apartments and houses. Evigado is known for its traditional Colombian fell and culture, with neighbors saying hi in the streets and communities working together. Envigado has large open green spaces and is safe to walk around, walking around is a great way to see the neighbourhood.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Envigado
PROS
- Tree-lined streets
- Great shopping
- Lots of restaurants
- Lots of green spaces
CONS
- Not many hotels in this residential neighbourhood
- Located quite far from major attractions
Luxury Hotels In Envigado
Mid-Range Hotels In Envigado
Best Hotels In Medellín Wrap-Up
We hope this guide will help you plan your stay at some of the best hotels in Medellín next time you visit! It is a beautiful city with lots of character, islands, history, and experiences.
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Medellín and stay at some of these great hotels. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
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We Are Travel Girls Junior Editor Anny Wooldridge of AnnysAdventures.com
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