El Poblado Neighborhood Guide: Medellín’s Big Barrio

TLDR? El Poblado is the most visited and exciting neighborhood in Medellin whether you want to party, drink good coffee, or explore the city’s culture.

Comuna 14, more commonly known as the El Poblado neighborhood in Medellin, is one of the top 52 places to visit in 2023, according to New York Times magazine.

Besides its incredible nightlife and plethora of fine dining restaurants, this place is friendly, welcoming, and just a great place to explore on your travels to Medellin in general!

If you’ve already read the New York Times article, then you already have an idea of what makes this neighborhood so great. In this guide, we’ll go even more in-depth and give you all the ins and outs of what to do during your visit here!

El Poblado Neighborhoods

This is called the Big Barrio (neighborhood) because it is indeed the biggest one in the city. As mentioned El Poblado, is one of the 16 communes of Medellin, and as such, it has several neighborhoods within it. 

If we want to be a little more specific, the whole commune has an area of ​​23 square km (about 9 square miles). It’s also made up of 24 neighborhoods, the majority of which are the better neighborhoods in the city:

• El Tesoro
• Los Naranjos 
• Altos del Poblado 
• El Poblado
• Lalinde
• Manila 

As some of the most representative ones of the commune. It’s surrounded by other communes such as La Candelaria, Buenos Aires, and Guayabal as well as the nearby towns Envigado and Santa Elena. 

How to Get to El Poblado 

The metro system runs through a lot of El Poblado, making it a convenient way to get around the area. There’s Estación Poblado if you’re in a central part of the neighborhood. Otherwise, take Estación Industriales or Estación Aguacatala. 

Even Though you have that option, you’ve also got the option of taking taxis or using transportation apps in case you want to avoid public transportation. Or, they’re a great way to get around more quickly.

Another option is renting a car. If you go this route, you should check the GPS. Traffic in El Poblado can get pretty bad, especially around midday.

What Can You Find in the Neighborhood 

The El Poblado zone is known for its boutique and luxury hotels, food and dining, shopping, and nightlife.

From visiting different restaurants and discovering different malls and museums, El Poblado is a remarkable place to visit.

Let’s take a look at a couple of things you can do in El Poblado. 

Modern Art Museum of Medellin

This museum, also called by its Spanish acronym MAMM, is a great place for those who want to check out Medellín’s art scene.

At the museum, you can not only check out modern art, but also make some of your own. Participate in one of the cultural events or workshops to learn more about Medellín.

Website:  https://www.elmamm.org/  

Address: Cra. 44 #19a-100, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia 

El Castillo Museum 

This attraction is basically a big castle in the heart of the city. The architecture of this building is inspired by castles like the ones in Loire Valley in France.

Because of its gardens and good-looking spots, it is perfect for an excellent photo shoot or a lovely romantic date. Also, since it’s a museum, the place has temporary exhibitions and special events for decorative arts, antiques, and more. 

The entrance fee is around $4 USD, but this is subject to change. Make sure to check their website to get the most accurate and up-to-date info.

Website: https://www.museoelcastillo.org/  

Address: Cl. 9 Sur #32-269, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia  

Malls in El Poblado

El Poblado is a symbol of luxury and exclusiveness. If you want to really experience that, a great way to do so is to check out one of the many malls in the area!

One great mall is the Santafe mall. In the middle of the mall, there’s a giant space that’s decorated according to the current season or cultural events happening in the city. For instance, if you go to this mall during Ferias de las Flores or Christmas, you’ll get to check out some amazing indoor displays.

Another mall is El Tesoro Mall. This is a smaller one (but it’s still huge!), for chilling and having a meal or a snack. Sometimes there are concerts for you to attend. Or, you can catch a movie at Cine Colombia in the mall.

Other Recommendations 

If you’re looking for something more natural, like parks and hiking, there are a couple of things you can do.

Firstly, you’ve got Parque Lineal Ciudad del Río. This is an open space to have fun while doing exercise, skating, or visiting urban art.

Another place to check out is Mercado del Río, or Mercado del Río la Strada. This place has over 50 restaurants where you can try different types of food.

Finally, you can head over to Parque Lleras. Although this isn’t actually a park, it’s a leafy green neighborhood that’s nice to hang out in for a wall. Here you’ll find a good chunk of bars, live music events, and restaurants, so it’s a great place to go for nightlife.

Spend a Day in El Poblado

El Poblado is easily one of the biggest and best neighborhoods in the city. Whether you’re looking to get your dancing shoes on or you’re wanting to find a new place to eat, El Poblado has something for everyone.

If you like this blog, you might like the Casacol Instagram page to keep up with all the new articles. Anything we need to update or correct? Care to contribute? Email us at blog@casacol.co.