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TLDR? If it’s local fashion you want, Via Primavera is one of the best places to go shopping in Medellin.
Want to pick something special up for your loved ones back at home? Rather than just grabbing a bag of coffee at the airport, explore Colombia’s rich artisanal heritage and pick the perfect gift.
In the land of a thousand different hats and bags, there are plentiful options for souvenir shopping in Medellin.
Explore the city’s impressive selection of designer boutiques, art galleries, flea markets, and expansive malls for an uplifting shot of retail therapy.
Here are the best spots for some shopping in Medellin!
Via Primavera, just above Parque Lleras should be celebrated for bringing together Medellin’s most talented local designers. Showcasing the city’s rich textile traditions, Medellin’s fashionistas and design talent, have made this street a must for those in search of unique
Chic boutiques mix with great cafes and two of our favorite brunch joints to create an idyllic, Saturday experience for shopaholics.
Carrying everything from recycled sunglasses and Hawaiian shirts up-cycled from plastic bottles to haute-couture, Via Primavera’s boutiques are obligatory for a hit of retail therapy in Medellin.
These are just two of our favorites.
For excellent locally-produced menswear, Mon & Velarde stocks tailored floral shirts, trendy hats, and shoes. They also have boots and leather accessories to combine with the brand’s superbly tailored suits.
Best of all, they have a second branch in Laureles. That’s super-handy for any of the digital nomads staying in this part of town!
IG: @mon_velarde
Address: Calle 8 #37-25, Poblado, Medellin
Ground zero for fashion, art, and jewelry by Medellin’s best designers, Makeno is a stylish warehouse-style space with a carefully curated mix of Colombian talent.
Ceramics, swimwear, jewelry, and Colombian artisanry with a designer flourish make this a wonderful Aladdin’s cave of Colombian creativity.
Address: Cra 37 #10-35, Int 402, Poblado, Medellin
IG: @Makeno.co
Show someone you love them with a little something from Medellin.
Whether it’s a miniature Botero sculpture or a bag of magical beans from the country with the world’s best coffee, going home empty-handed is not an option in the land of a thousand hats and bags.
Here are some of our favorite places for gifts for your loved ones back at home.
This sophisticated Colombian cosmetics, skincare, and perfume company work in the fragrances of the Andes into its luxury soaps, creams, aromatherapy oils, and scented candles.
Bonus points are guaranteed with every box of delights.
You’ll probably be sent back to Colombia to get more when they run out. The brand has a store in El Tesoro Shopping Center.
Address: Carrera 25A #, Cl. 1A Sur #45 Local 1169
The MAMM has one of the best-stocked museum shops in Medellin, with some great coffee table books on Colombian art, photography, architecture, and culture as well as a selection of creative gifts for kids.
There are art-inspired mugs, notebooks, pens, Designer Ts, hoodies, and tote bags that will impress your hipster friends back home.
Address: Cra. 44 #19a-100, Ciudad del Rio, Medellín
Stocking all things Botero and much more, Museo de Antioquia has all sorts of stylish gifts and 100% Medellin souvenirs. Any of these will make you very popular with your friends and family when you get home.
Address: Cl. 52 #52-43, Centro, Medellín
If you are a collector of all things old like vintage books, vinyl, or antiques, Parque Bolivar holds a flea market on the first Sunday of every month.
Although, it may leave visitors who’ve perused the flea markets of Buenos Aires, Paris, or London, feeling underwhelmed by the experience.
There are a handful of quaint shops selling vintage finds in Poblado. If you want top-notch antiques, Jorge Ramos’ institution is a treasure trove of objets d’art and there are some other smaller Aladdin’s caves in the barrio Manila on Calle 8.
Additionally, the undisputed mecca for random shopping is the Centro. Plus, the area that surrounds the Palacio Nacional is a good spot to check out.
Nowadays the ‘National Palace’ is home to a selection of fake fashion brands and all sorts of household goods. The area around it is known as “El Hueco”, the hole.
This is where you’ll find congregations of second-hand booksellers and hawkers of second-hand vinyl selling their wares on the street or in run-down 1960s shopping centers.
On the other hand, if it’s vintage vinyl you’re looking for, there are some record shops clustered near the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana.
That’s where Laureles meets Belen.
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Medellin is the Colombian capital of malls and the paisas love to spend the day checking each other out in a centro commercial.
The biggest malls are all home to the same collection of popular Colombian clothing brands. However, the more exclusive malls in Poblado – Oviedo, Santa Fe and El Tesoro stock some better-known international brands.
Better yet, if you’re staying in a Casacol luxury vacation rental or penthouse in Poblado you probably won’t need to venture much further than this triumvirate of temples to consumerism for a dose of retail therapy.
Both Oviedo and El Tesoro have more open-air space and you can’t beat the view from El Tesoro. So, if you’re looking for something for a first date then you’ll find something comforting and familiar at H&M, MNG, Pull & Bear, Tommy Hilfiger, and Zara.
Or, if you’ve been invited to leave town by some new friends but didn’t pack your trekking gear, there’s a branch of The North Face in El Tesoro.
Oviedo Shopping Center: Cr 43A #6S-15, Av. El Poblado, Poblado, Medellin
El Tesoro Shopping Center: Carrera 25A #1A Sur-45
Santa Fe Shopping Center: Carrera 43A, Calle 7 Sur #170, Poblado, Medellín
Grocery stores are important when you need to replenish travel essentials, especially when you’re a tourist. Fortunately, Medellin has some of the best grocery shops in various neighborhoods.
If the US has Walmart, Colombia is not Colombia without Éxito. You can practically find everything in this huge supermarket. And the plus is everything is affordable!
Medellin has more than 20 stores around the city. There are bigger Éxito stores that sell appliances and clothes alongside food and essential grocery needs. But there are also express and smaller supermarkets that offer quick neighborhood purchases. However, you must know that express stores can be more expensive.
Another advantage when you are a regular shopper at Éxito are the Colombia Puntos or points you can earn through Éxito’s loyalty program. The supermarket allows customers to use the points for cashback purposes.
Carulla has a reward system that works like Éxito’s too!
Carulla is another supermarket owned by the Éxito group. This is different because it offers higher-end selections if you’re willing to spend more on your grocery needs. Plus, most Carulla branches are also larger than typical Éxito stores.
As we’ve mentioned, Carulla also has a loyalty program like Éxito. So if you’re a consistent returning customer, expect hefty cashback and promotional discounts.
Jumbo is another huge supermarket in Medellin, similar to Éxito. The largest branches even have a clothing line, a bakery, an electronics section, and a delicatessen for fish and meat. Jumbo’s prices are almost at par with Éxito’s, but you can also find cheaper and pricier selections.
What we like the most about this supermarket is that you can enjoy discounted items and promotions almost daily!
A supermarket offering cheaper selections is Tiendas D1. It’s an ideal grocery shop for your basic needs with smaller price tags. But, naturally, you won’t find every item on your shopping list at Tiendas D1.
Surprisingly, Tiendas D1 also offers quite a selection of luxury items, including almonds, prosecco, pesto, and wine. Overall, locals love shopping for basic essentials in Tiendas D1 because they frequently enjoy 40% on grocery items.
Medellin also has a central mall for your electronics needs. Whatever your gadget, Centro Comercial Monterey has got everything for you.
Would you believe Centro Commercial Monterrey is a huge mall with over 200 stores for electronic repairs? You can also find a wide variety of game consoles, phones, printers, and computers.
Plus, if you’re an advocate of Apple products, Centro Commercial Monterrey is your one-stop shop for repairs. This huge mall features licensed Apple shops with service fees almost similar to the shops in the US.
However, there’s one thing to remember. If you have your Apple products repaired in Monterrey, you’ll lose the Apple guarantee. But the good news is that the shops in Monterrey can return your gadgets the same day after repair.
Address: Cra. 48 #10-45, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Medellin will also not disappoint when it comes to shopping for your furniture, appliances, and other home designs. There are various shops for homeware, but Homecenter and Tugo are the most famous shops.
If you love shopping at IKEA for homeware needs, check out Homecenter in Medellin. This enormous homeware and furniture store is a go-to place for locals planning to renovate or elevate their home designs.
Homecenter features a wide variety of decorations, mattresses, and even electronics. But if you’re too lazy to head to the branch, online shopping is also possible in Homecenter. Prices are not expensive, but not all products can last a lifetime.
Tugó is another famous homeware store in Medellin. And you can find several of them around the neighborhood. This shop features modern and chic items, ideal for homeowners who prefer to keep their decorations as minimalist as possible.
What we love about Tugó shops are their stylish and classy designs. It’s the same reason they are often featured in Danish Hygge guides. If you’re comparing prices, selections are more expensive in Tugó. But you can guarantee they are more unique.
If you love discovering other malls and shopping centers in Medellin, we’ve also listed the must-go plazas and commercial centers below.
Did you know that Viva Envigado is South America’s biggest mall? It consists of four floors with more than 400 stores! Plus, it’s one of the newest shopping centers in Medellin because it only recently opened in 2018.
Weekends are when this mall is typically the most crowded. You can see most of the tourists visiting this mall because almost every international brand can be found here. Expect Decathlon, Nike, and American Eagle, as well as more independent and local brands.
Moreover, a wide variety of restaurants also exist. And they feature local and international cuisines. And did we forget to mention that the outdoors also has a rooftop football pitch and a Ferris wheel?
Address: Cra. 48 #32B Sur-139, Zona 1, Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia
Centro Comercial Unicentro is another shopping center worth visiting in Laureles. With over 270 stores, you can check out various international brands, including Tennis, Arturo Calle, Maybelline, Hush Puppies, and more.
We love shopping here because it’s far from the central city. Plus, it’s not as crowded as the malls in Poblado. Happy Land Park is another famous spot in this mall, where you can bring your kids to enjoy amusements and other games. It’s located on the second floor.
If you’re on a budget and looking for cheaper finds, try El Centro. It’s a mecca for boutique markets, bartering, street stalls, and impressive replicas. We recommend this shopping center if you want to score affordable shoe selections.
Los Molinos Shopping Center is a must when you want to explore Western shops in Medellin. It’s along Belen Comuna and features several stores ranging from luxury to affordable boutique stores.
Casual restaurants are also famous in Los Molinos, as well as a playing area where you can leave your kids as you shop your hearts out! Los Molinos Shopping Center also has a movie theater where you want to watch the latest hit Colombian movies.
Address: Cl. 30A #82A-26, Medellín, Belén, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Sometimes, all you need are fashionable clothing and jewelry pieces to look unique and trendy. And Medellin definitely has a handful of fashion and designer stores for your needs.
It’s no surprise that Colombian fashion is unique and trendy. And if you want to check out local brands, Ocho43 might be the store you need. It features more than 70 local fashion icons showcasing beautiful patterns for women.
Moreover, you can also find different accessories to match any wardrobe from the store. Ocho43 is most famous for its ruffled tops and stylish prints by Eugenia Fernandez.
This store is also known for its friendly and reliable staff. And there’s also a small corner if you want to shop for children’s wardrobe.
Address: Cl. 8 #43C-05, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Medellin is also famous for bespoke jewelry pieces, especially selections from Innata. Most fashion icons love wearing the brand’s bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings. This is because Innata specializes in boho and hippy fashion trends inspired by indigenous cultures.
We recommend Innata when you want to look unique, trendy, and chic all in one! It features a beautiful fusion of meron and traditional fashion.
Address: Cra. 36 #10B – 130, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Another luxury fashion label in Medellin is Andrés Pajón, which features colorful tropical vibes in its clothing pieces. Andrés Pajón has taken pride in unique, glamorous fashion trends for over ten years. But you need to book a private appointment when you want to visit the brand’s showroom.
Address: Cra. 36 #10 37, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
We all know Oropendola is a famous Colombian bird that knows how to weave intricate domed nests. And it’s also because of this iconic specie that Oropendola, a designer store, was born.
Oropendola specializes in creating handwoven patterns and designs combining traditional and indigenous techniques. Plus, it’s also known for having a unique contemporary edge.
For the best finds, purchase Oropendola’s handwoven necklaces to make your look fashionable in Colombia.
Address: Cra. 25 #12 Sur – 59 Int 9908, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
The right jewelry piece can totally elevate your overall outfit. And if you want the best contemporary designs, Makua Jewelry is the right place. Featuring indigenous patterns and unique techniques, Makua takes pride in combining the works of two indigenous communities:
You can find a wide variety of colorful beaded bracelets made using reverse appliqué sewing techniques.
Address: Carrera 73, Cq. 2 #6, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
If you’re looking for the ultimate tailor-made retail therapy experience in Medellin contact one of Casacol’s concierges to arrange a session with a personal shopper. That’s someone who loves nothing more than helping you to spend your money wisely.
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