In the early 1990s Medellín had one of the highest murder rates of any city on Earth. Since then it has built cable cars up its hillsides, outdoor escalators into its steepest neighborhood, and libraries where there were none. In 2013 the Wall Street Journal, Citi and the Urban Land Institute named it Innovative City of the Year. It still has real problems, like every big city, but the change is real and you can feel it.
Is Medellín worth visiting? Yes. The city that cartel violence once defined now has cable cars, outdoor escalators and one of Colombia's best food scenes, and in 2013 it was named Innovative City of the Year. Stay in El Poblado or Laureles, and see Comuna 13 with a community-led tour.
Key facts
- Where to stay: El Poblado for restaurants and hotels, Laureles for a more local feel.
- Don't miss: Comuna 13's outdoor escalators and murals, with a guide who grew up there.
- Safety: Colombia is Level 3 on the US advisory as of October 2026. Read my honest Colombia safety guide before you book.
- Our trip: Medellín isn't on the Colombia Experience, which is based in Cartagena, but we can plan it as an add-on.
The Turning Points
Photo: Joel Duncan / Unsplash
| Year | What Changed |
|---|---|
| Early 1990s | Peak violence during the cartel era |
| 2004 | The first Metrocable line opens, linking hillside neighborhoods to the metro |
| 2011 | Outdoor escalators open in Comuna 13 |
| 2013 | Named Innovative City of the Year |
Neighborhoods to Know
| Neighborhood | Feel | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| El Poblado | Upscale and international | Restaurants, nightlife, hotels |
| Laureles | Local and leafy | Cafés, neighborhood restaurants |
| Comuna 13 | Transformed and artistic | Street art and community-led tours |
| Centro | Historic and busy | Botero Plaza, markets |
| Envigado | Quiet and local | Paisa food, calm evenings |
For where to sleep, Elcielo Hotel in El Poblado was the first hotel in Colombia to earn a MICHELIN Key.
Photo: Courtesy of Elcielo Hotel
Photo: Courtesy of Elcielo Hotel
The Food Scene
Medellín's restaurants have grown up fast. El Cielo, chef Juan Manuel Barrientos's tasting-menu restaurant, started here. Carmen serves modern Colombian food built on local ingredients. For the classic, order a bandeja paisa, the region's famously generous plate of beans, rice, chicharrón, egg and arepa. Ask your hotel which spots are open the week you're there, because the scene moves quickly.
If coffee is your love language, Medellín pairs well with a few slow days in Colombia's Coffee Triangle.
Comuna 13
Comuna 13 was once Medellín's most feared district. The outdoor escalators that made life easier for residents on the steep hillside are now a symbol of the city's comeback. Murals cover almost every wall, and many tours are led by young people who grew up there and tell their neighborhood's story in their own words. Choose a community-led tour, so your money stays in the neighborhood.
Photo: Néstor Morales / Unsplash
Medellín isn't part of our Colombia Experience, which is based in Cartagena. Read my Cartagena luxury guide to see where you'd spend the week. If you'd like to add a few days here, we'll plan it for you. Talk to us about Medellín, or see the Colombia Experience.
Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destination Guide