How to Get to Girardota from Medellín

TLDR: You can get to Girardota by Metro System and it takes 30 to 35 minutes!

If you’re looking for a place to spend a few days in the country without having to venture too far from Medellin, the small town of Girardota is the place for you. Here, you can rent a country house for a weekend getaway and enjoy the solitude and calm of nature. 

Located close to Medellin and no more than an hour from Valle de Aburra, there are many ways and means to get to Girardota, from private car, to bus, to the Metro System. 

If you’re looking to spend some time in Girardota, read ahead! I’ll walk you through all the available options so you can choose the one that best suits your taste. 

Where Is Girardota?

Girardota is a town bordering Barbosa and Copacabana in the north of Valle de Aburrá, home to  approximately 60,700 inhabitants.

Less touristy than towns like Guatape or Jardin, Girardota isn’t too crowded with travelers, although its rural areas are visited more frequently. 

To get to Girardota, you’ll need to exit through Bello and cross Copacabana. It takes about 35 minutes to get there from the center of Medellin, depending on the day you chose to travel and your means of transport. 

The town is about 25 km or 16 miles from the San Antonio Metro Station, and 29 km or 18 miles from the Poblano Station. 

Now let’s talk about the best means of transportation to get to Girardota! 

Metro System Bus 

Taking the Metro System to Girardota is simple, comfortable, and affordable. 

Get on from any Line, be it Metro Cable, tram, or Metroplus. Then, get to Line A by taking the train from Niquia, the last Metro station going north. 

Once you’ve arrived there, just take a bus to Girardota from the integrated system. Super simple, cheap, and fast! 

It’s best to avoid traveling during peak hours, as the system gets very crowded. I recommend traveling north at 10 am or 2 pm! 

Rent a Car 

If you’re looking for optimal comfort and independence while traveling, consider renting a car in Medellin. You’ll be able to make stops at your leisure and see some sights on the road to Girardota. 

I suggest stopping at one of the most recognized traditional Colombian restaurants on the highway, famous for their chicken-filled pastries, empanadas, and Antioquian food. 

You can also stop at El Rancherito, a great place for gourmet Colombian cuisine!

Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay a toll if driving to Colombia. Don’t worry, it’s cheap, only $3,000 COP or $1 USD. If you’d rather avoid the tollbooth, you can take an alternate route, but it’ll add about ten extra minutes to your journey. 

I also recommend avoiding rush hour, as many cars will be passing through the Bello area, and traffic jams can get unpleasant. 

Private Driver to Girardota

If you want to avoid using public transportation, but feel uncomfortable driving on Colombia’s roads,  hiring a private driver is a safe, comfortable, and reliable alternative to travel to Girardota.

You can request this service at your hotel or Airbnb, or contact a tourism agency offering bilingual drivers and tour guides. 

Renting a car allows you complete control over the journey, minus the stress of driving yourself. It’s a bit more expensive than simply renting a car, but if you’re traveling in luxury, don’t hesitate to hire a personal driver!

What to Expect in Girardota

Girardota’s tourism industry focuses on the town’s rural areas, but in the urban areas you can enjoy restaurants, cafes, and a quiet, relaxing Antioquian atmosphere. 

Surrounded by mountains, Girardota is enveloped in nature and greenery. The climate is usually cool, similar to that of Medellin, but may be a bit chillier in the mountains. 

The town’s main religious attraction is the Catedral de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, a brick church built over 100 years ago in a traditional architectural style. The church is located in Girardota’s main park, which has a main square like all the towns of Colombia. 

Getting to Girardota from Medellin is a quick, easy and cheap trip, so if you’re in need of a  weekend getaway or want to experience something different, make your way to this lovely little town. 

Visit Girardota

The town of Girardota is the perfect natural getaway for travelers looking to enjoy a rural experience in a quiet environment on the outskirts of Medellin. 

Decide which means of transport is best for you, and visit Girardota! 

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