Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín
Slide Nr 1Medellín is known as the City of Eternal Spring, thanks to its pleasantly warm climate and beautiful Festival of Flowers – and it is truly a city in bloom. Surrounded by imposing mountains and home to renowned artists who have made the local ‘Paisa’ culture famous, recent years have seen Medellín transform into a travel must for visitors to Colombia. Local travel blogger Isabel Puerta shows us the city’s top sights – and shares a few secrets.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 28:30am. Fuel Up With A Traditional Breakfast – We start our day in the Las Palmas area at Chuscalito, a traditional restaurant that serves delicious breakfasts from Medellín and the surrounding the Paisa region. On the menu you’ll find arepa de chócolo con queso (cornmeal pancakes with cheese), empanadas (fried pasties), pasteles de pollo (chicken wrapped in pastry), pandebonos (Colombian yuca bread), pan de queso (Colombian cheese bread), calentao paisa (traditional breakfast from the Paisa region), patacones con hogao (fried green plantains with tomato and onion sauce) and a range of other options to choose from. Even the drinks are a delight – you can’t go wrong with limonada de coco (coconut limeade). [Photo: Chuscalito]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 39:30am. The Writing On The Walls – Take the metro to San Javier station, the starting point for the popular ‘graffiti tour’ of the Comuna 13 neighbourhood. The tour lets you experience the transformation this district has undergone; years ago it was one of the most violent areas of the city, but cultural expressions such as graffiti have helped it to progress, and have even generated income for the community through tourism. On the tour, you’ll discover the different forms of street art which have brought new opportunities to the area. Don’t leave without trying the famous paleta de mango (mango popsicles). [Photo: Medellín Travel]
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24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 412:00pm. ‘Fly’ Over Comuna 1 – After learning about part of the city’s history, take the metro to Acevedo station, where you can catch the Metrocable Line K and discover one of the most innovative means of public transport in Medellín, as you enjoy sweeping views over the city. Arriving at Santo Domingo station, head to the Biblioteca España library with its stunning architecture, and take in the panoramas from the nearby viewing point. Be sure to try a delicious oblea (a wafer-like dessert filled with Colombian caramel) or a raspado (shaved ice with fruit) while you’re there. [Photo: Omar Uran/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 51:30pm. A Very Local Lunch – We’re going to take the metro again, this time heading for Parque Berrio station. Once we arrive, go straight to Hacienda Origen – Junin, the best place to get authentic ‘Paisa’ food, including the region’s signature dish: bandeja paisa. This traditional dish includes frijoles (beans), plantains, chicharrón (fried pork belly), white rice, ground beef, fried egg, arepas (cornmeal pancakes) and avocado. Sure, it sounds quite rich – and believe me, it is – but it’s so delicious, you’ll probably even want more! I recommend the empanaditas de iglesia (mini pasties) as a starter while you wait for the main meal. [Photo: Hacienda Origen]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 62:30pm. Discover Botero’s Famous ‘Gorditas’ – As they say here, “full belly, happy heart” – with that in mind, we walk towards Plaza Botero (in the centre of the old town) where you can admire 23 works by Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero, famous for his depictions of plump ladies, known here as gorditas. Nearby you’ll find the Museo de Antioquia (Museum of Antioquia), which houses an extensive selection of works by the sculptor and other artists, and where you can discover more about the art of the city. Still at Plaza Botero, you’ll find the Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe (Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture), worth visiting simply to admire the architectural style of its façade. [Photo: Museo de Antioquia]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 73:30pm. Stroll Through The Historic Centre – The centre of the city is the perfect place to discover the culture of Medellín in all its splendour, and a stroll through the old town is the best way to get a feel for the pace of the city. Wander along streets like Calle Junín, Calle Carabobo and Calle Ayacucho, taking time to browse the local shops. I’d recommend popping into the Centro Comercial Palacio Nacional shopping centre; formerly Medellín’s courthouse, it has been transformed into a space for local businesses – and the place to find the best souvenirs. [Photo: Medellín Travel]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 85:00pm. Discover Local Fashion – Medellín is the fashion capital of Colombia, and in the popular El Poblado area, you’ll find Vía Primavera – a street packed with boutiques, where you’ll want to visit every store. It’s the perfect place to shop all sorts of Colombian clothing, footwear and accessories, and you’re sure to come away with a purchase or two, because it’s simply impossible to resist the swimsuits at entreaguas or agua bendita, or the fashions by Vida mía. If you’re looking for a designer store, head for Makeno, which brings together creations from over 90 up-and-coming designers. [Photos: Makeno]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 96:30pm. Tea Time, Paisa-Style – For a delicious late afternoon or early evening snack (known here as onces) while you enjoy one of the best views of the city, I recommend Zarzal Parrilla, a charming spot in Las Palmas where you can enjoy traditional food at great prices. My favourite dish is the arepa de chócolo con queso (cornmeal pancake with cheese), served with a hot chocolate. [Photo: Zarzal Parrilla]
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24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 108:30pm. Explore The Golden Mile – Stroll along the streets of Parque Lleras and up to Provenza. Known as the milla de oro, or Golden Mile, this is the perfect place to go out, both at night and during the day, as it’s always buzzing with both locals and tourists. You’ll find clothing stores and boutiques, in addition to all kinds of restaurants, bars and discos. Choose any of the local restaurants for a bite to eat, and when you get to Provenza, the most exclusive part of El Poblado, head for the Panorama Rooftop Bar and get yourself a jug of sangria. [Photo: Panorama Rooftop Bar]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 1110:30pm. Move To The Beat! – If you’re not tired yet and you want to hit the dance floor, try La Oculta, Vintrash Bar or Perro Negro for the best in urban music. If salsa, merengue, vallenato and bachata are more your thing, then Carito or Bendito Seas are the places for you.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 12Time For Bed – Medellín offers accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets; after enjoying some Latin music, you can rest your head at a hostel like Selina, with its young, colourful designer style, or at a prestigious hotel like the Dann Carlton. Sweet dreams! [Photo: Selina]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 14Read Before You Go – Medellín es así is a collection of articles and stories by Ricardo Aricapa, who draws on his experiences as a journalist, as well as newspaper clippings about different events in Medellín during the ‘80s and ‘90s, to show how the City of Eternal Spring has changed over the years – all written in an entertaining style that’s easy to read.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Medellín.
Slide Nr 15Isabel Puerta is a travel blogger from Medellín, who has spent the last seven years travelling the world – and the last 2 years sharing her experiences on her Instagram and her blog, Las Rutas de Isa. There, Isabel proudly showcases the best places to visit in her beloved Colombia, as well as the many destinations she’s visited around the world.
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