Best Neighborhoods in Medellin, Colombia

The best neighborhoods in Medellin offer unique experiences for tourists and locals alike. From shopping to dining to partying, Medellin is the place to be.

Medellin is the second-largest city in Colombia. Popularly known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” the city is divided into 16 Communes. In turn, these communes are made up of neighborhoods (barrios in Spanish) and Institutional areas.

There are roughly 249 neighborhoods and 10 institutional areas in Medellin. Institutional areas are large sectors with neighborhood characteristics. Their population is not permanent and they lack housing. An example of which is a university campus.

If you are planning to stay in Medellin, choosing the right neighborhood can make or break your time in the city.

There are several factors you need to consider before choosing the best neighborhoods in Medellin to stay. Ask yourself these questions before deciding:

What’s my budget? The cost of living in Medellin varies in different areas. Rent might be higher in some neighborhoods and food might be more reasonably priced in some.

What kind of lifestyle do I want? If you are into cafés and high-end restaurants, you’ll find they are easier to spot in some neighborhoods than others.

Do I want to be close to the nightlife? Areas like Parque Lleras offer an abundance of clubbing and partying during the night. These areas can get loud at night, which might be good or bad, depending on your lifestyle.

Do I want to stay with tourists or locals? Tourist areas might be more expensive than blending in with the locals, but they are definitely safer and more convenient for travelers and digital nomads, as tourist necessities are usually within reach.

The Best Medellin Neighborhoods for Tourists

Out of 249, we’ve narrowed your choices to four of the best neighborhoods in Medellin. Each neighborhood in Medellin offers its unique blend of flavors and experiences. From shopping to dining to touring to clubbing, Medellin has them all. Here are some of our top choices for the ultimate Medellin experience.

El Poblado

El Poblado is one of the wealthier neighborhoods in Medellin. It offers an upscale and sensory kind of experience. As an upper-class neighborhood, it is home to some of the best malls and hotels in the city.

The neighborhood is bustling with cafés, restaurants, hostels, coworking spaces for digital nomads, shopping malls, and nightlife. If you are the type who likes never-ending adventures and parties, you are in the right place.

Parque Lleras is the neighborhood’s epicenter for nightlife. Clubbing options line the area, staying open until the wee hours of the morning. If a loud nightlife isn’t your cup of tea, spots along Milla de Oro, on the western edge of the barrio, offer a quieter night’s atmosphere.

English is more widely spoken in El Poblado than in any other neighborhood in Medellin. Albeit not always perfectly spoken communication in English shouldn’t necessarily a problem.

You can get the best views of Medellin in El Poblado since the neighborhood is located on a hilly slope. The downside is that you’ll have to work your way through sloped terrain, which means walking around can be tiring. But if you love working out and fancy an active lifestyle, the sloped roads and walkways are experiences you’ll definitely enjoy.

With the influx of tourists, you can be sure that the area is pretty safe. Staying in El Poblado will bring you closer to all the action in the bustling city of Medellin.

You can find some of Colombia’s largest shopping malls in Medellin. With over 100 shops to choose from, you will find everything you need during your stay in the city.

Laureles

Laureles is a bit less glitzy than El Poblado. The neighborhood is a popular alternative to El Poblado if an active nightlife and upscale experience are not for you. Here, you can still enjoy the best restaurants and cafés without the raucous nightlife.

Unlike El Poblado, Laureles more or less sits on flat land. The neighborhood is unique because it has no hills, despite Medellin being in a hilly area. You can easily walk around Laureles without encountering strenuous sloped terrain.

There are two experiences in Laureles that you shouldn’t miss: a trip to Estadio Atanasio Girardot, and a stroll down La 70. Estadio Atanasio Girardot is the home stadium of Colombia’s soccer team, Atlético Nacional, while La 70 is a big-time party street lined with bars, restaurants, and street vendors. It is located just south of the stadium.

Laureles will make you fall in love with its tree-lined streets and relatively quiet vibe. The neighborhood offers a balance between being a tourist and a local area where people just go about their normal lives. On top of that, Laureles is more affordable than El Poblado.

Sabaneta

Sabaneta is a hidden treasure tucked away just south of Medellin. It is a small, quaint, typical Colombian town that is mostly residential. The barrio is known to be charmingly family-oriented, flat, and walkable. The neighborhood is not as touristy as the first two neighborhoods on our list.

While Sabaneta offers little to no high-end boutiques and cafés, it is known for its outdoor restaurants with Latin music wafting through the air. If you ever decide to stay in the neighborhood, you might want to brush up on your Spanish-speaking skills because very few people speak English in the area.

But even with the language barrier, you’ll find that locals in Sabaneta are very friendly and are always open to lending a hand. More and more expats are discovering the beauty of this authentic Colombian hamlet.

In the heart of the neighborhood lies Parque Sabaneta, with its large, majestic white church surrounded by trees and fountains. The park comes alive on the weekends as it becomes filled with families, vendors, music, and events brimming with activity.

Despite being the smallest municipality in Medellin, Sabaneta is home to the city’s largest shopping mall, Mayorca. It has more than 400 shops and everything a tourist could possibly need, making it the best neighborhood to stay in Medellin.

Parque Berrio is just a stroll away from the well-known Antioquia Museum. The park offers activities that both tourists and locals can enjoy.

El Centro

Spanish for “The Center,” El Centro is Medellin’s primary economic artery. While El Poblado is the most well-known part of the city, the downtown area contains amazing hidden gems and secrets.

The streets of El Centro are full of music, restaurants, local markets, and some of the best bars and cultural hubs in the city. The buzzing neighborhood is where you’ll find the Antioquia Museum, which is just a quick stroll from the Parque Berrio metro station.

Bolívar Park is also located in downtown Medellin. Here, you’ll find open spaces to hang out and historical statues that are part of the city’s colorful history. You’ll also find the Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellin and Plaza Botero in the neighborhood.

The area is buzzing with activity during the day, while at night, it can become a little sketchy for foreigners. If you are planning to explore the city during the night, it is recommended you don’t go alone, so you won’t have to constantly look over your shoulders. Other than that, the neighborhood is fairly safe and offers tourists a glimpse of authentic Colombian life.

So if you are looking for great Medellin neighborhoods for your next Colombian adventure, don’t miss out on this selection. No matter your lifestyle, we are sure you can find a neighborhood in Medellin that suits your needs.