A city that surprises you from the start
Medellín was one of those places that surprised me almost immediately. I wasn’t expecting it to feel so dynamic, so easy to move through, or so full of life. From the moment I arrived, there was a sense that everything just worked—but more than that, there was an energy that’s hard to explain until you experience it.
Walking through Comuna 13: stories behind the colors
One of the most impactful experiences I had in Medellín was visiting Comuna 13.
Before going, I had seen photos—colorful murals, urban art, vibrant streets. But being there felt completely different. Walking through the neighborhood with a local guide changed everything. What at first looked like art quickly became something much deeper. Every mural had a story behind it—stories of resilience, transformation, and community.
Some of them weren’t easy to hear, but that’s exactly what made the experience feel so real. As I moved through the streets, I could feel how alive the neighborhood is. Music in the background, people gathering, artists working… nothing felt staged. It felt authentic.
One thing that really stood out to me was how you move through Comuna 13. The outdoor escalators slowly guide you up through the neighborhood. There’s no rush—you naturally take your time, stopping, observing, listening. And that pace makes all the difference.
Seeing the city from a different perspective
After being inside the neighborhood, I experienced Medellín from a completely different angle. Taking the metrocable was one of those simple moments that stays with you.
As I went up, the city opened up beneath me. You begin to understand how Medellín is built into the mountains, how the neighborhoods connect, how big it really is. It felt quieter up there. Slower.
That contrast—being immersed in the streets and then seeing everything from above—is what made this part of the experience so powerful.
More than just a tour
Later, walking through the city center, everything started to connect. Passing by the sculptures of Fernando Botero added a completely different tone—something lighter, almost playful after the intensity of earlier in the day.
Looking back, this wasn’t just about visiting specific places. It was about understanding how the city has transformed, how people have shaped it, and how those stories are still present in everyday life. What stayed with me most was the feeling of moving through those different layers—from the streets of Comuna 13 to the views above the city.
If you’re looking to go beyond the surface of Medellín—understanding its history, its transformation and its energy through real, local experiences—this is one of the most meaningful ways to do it.
Experiences to explore in Medellín
- Discover Comuna 13 with a local guide and understand its transformation
- Ride the metrocable for a different perspective of the city
- Explore Medellín’s city center and its cultural highlights
