Where is the best area to stay in Medellin?
Bogota’s sophisticated sister, Medellin, is a cosmopolitan tropical metropolis encircled by beautiful green mountains, just one hour by plane from Bogota. Its positioning close to the Equator means that it enjoys year round spring temperatures of around 22 degrees, earning it the befitting title “City of the Eternal Spring”.
Medellin may have had the reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous cities, but has since then undergone a staggering transformation to become one of Latin America’s safest and most innovative cities. While navigating downtown’s La Candelaria, make sure you visit the bronze statue filled Plaza Botero, that marks the way to the Museum of Antioquia. A metro-cable ride to some of Medellin’s harder to reach and poorer neighbourhoods as well as Parque Arví is also a must do activity.
East of La Candelaria, upscale El Poblado is the safest and most popular place to stay. It borders La Candelaria and is within close proximity of the main sights via first-class transport links, making it the best area to stay in Medellin. It is home to some of Medellin’s main attractions such as the Castle Museum, wide shopping boulevards, excellent eateries and buzzing nightlife centred around the Parque Lleras.
Although El Poblado is not Medellin’s downtown area, for most, it is the best area to stay in Medellin. Glittering high-rise apartment blocks showcase the city’s leap forward into pioneering construction, while leafy green avenues make it a pleasant place to discover on foot. It is Medellin’s safest neighbourhood to stay in and is also the city’s most stylish and international. The area provides access to public transport, including the metro, buses and taxis, meaning you can reach downtown in no time.
La Candelaria is Medellin’s central area, otherwise known as El Centro, split down the middle by Avenida Oriental. A major draw, it's the place where many of Medellin’s main attractions are found and you can spend a day exploring most of the neighbourhoods attractions on foot.
The smaller, residential Laureles neighbourhood offers an up-and-coming yet more tranquil alternative to the El Poblado and La Candelaria areas. Located north of Belen and west of the Medellin River and La Calandrina, it is a 15-minute walk to Floresta metro. Many of the sun-dappled streets are lined with pretty Bay Laurel Trees which gave it its name and the whole area exudes a local ambience.
Belen is Medellin’s oldest working-class neighbourhoods that has seen a renaissance in recent times. Lying adjacent to Laureles its main draw is the Pueblito Paisa, a pretty cobbled square perched on top of a hill, with a church, museum as well as several restaurants where you can try local cuisine. The area is also host to a good variety of restaurants, shopping malls and night scene to keep you well entertained.)
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