The famous transformed hillside barrio — Comuna 13, once the city's most dangerous, now a vibrant symbol of its rebirth, covered in street art and reached by outdoor escalators, best explored on a guided tour. Colourful, moving and uplifting, a metro-and-tour ride from the centre; a base here is unusual, but staying nearby puts you close to the city's most powerful story. Better visited by tour than stayed in, but unmissable. Inspiring and vivid.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€25–50
typical per night in Colombia
Easy on the wallet
Among the cheapest areas to sleep in Medellín.
Where it sits
The circle is Comuna 13 & the west and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Colombian coffee & a finca tour8 min taxi2.6 km
- Plaza Botero15 min taxi5.1 km
- Museo de Antioquia15 min taxi5.1 km
- A graffiti & city transformation tour17 min taxi5.6 km
- El Poblado & Parque Lleras20 min taxi6.8 km
- Paisa food & the bandeja paisa20 min taxi6.8 km
- Medellín nightlife20 min taxi6.8 km
- Guatapé & El Peñol146 min taxi48.7 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 1.Comuna 13 — The most powerful and uplifting thing to do in Medellín — Comuna 13, once the city's most violent barrio, now a dazzling open-air gallery of street art, music and hope, its steep hillside scaled by outdoor escalators. On a guided walking tour, hear the moving story of the neighbourhood's transformation from residents, marvel at the murals, and feel the vibrant energy of a community reborn. A profound, joyful and unforgettable window into the city's rebirth. Absolutely unmissable; go with a local guide.
- 2.The Metrocable & Parque Arví — Ride Medellín's pioneering cable cars — the Metrocable, built to connect the poor hillside barrios to the city and now offering breathtaking rides high over the valley, with sweeping views of the sea of red-brick houses climbing the mountains. Take it up to Parque Arví, a vast forested nature reserve with hiking trails and markets, for a cool escape and stunning panoramas. A brilliant, cheap and scenic experience that embodies the city's social transformation. A must-do; go on a clear morning for the best views.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Comuna 13 & the west; flights via Google Flights.