The transformation of Medellín: a city that flourishes

Nestled in a lush green valley and surrounded by the Andes Mountains, Medellín has long stood as a symbol of Colombia’s transformation. Where drug cartels once shaped the cityscape in the 1990s, innovation and sustainability now define its identity, revealing a new face of Colombia.

With an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the city welcomes visitors year-round. The dry season, from December to March, is especially popular for travel.

By cable car through the metropolis

The best way to begin exploring Medellín is aboard the Metrocable. Six cable car lines connect the hillside neighborhoods with the city center, offering panoramic views over the verdant Aburrá Valley. For locals, the Metrocable is more than a tourist attraction—it’s an essential part of daily life and a symbol of urban inclusion.

Back on the ground, Medellín’s bustling downtown invites endless discovery. The pedestrian zone, known as El Hueco—«the hole»—stretches for more than 13 blocks. It’s a sensory feast of small shops, cafés, and market stalls, where fruit vendors call out their offers and street musicians fill the air with rhythm.

Amid the urban hum, stately buildings stand as reminders of the city’s layered history—churches, a former castle, and elegant patrician houses. Here, visitors can find everything from handmade jewelry to tropical juices, designer pieces, and colorful souvenirs.

When night falls, Medellín dazzles in a different way. Neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles come alive with bars, restaurants, and live music venues. For sweeping views, rooftop spots such as Envy or the bars atop the Click Clack Hotel are favorites—where a sea of twinkling lights stretches endlessly across the valley.

Creativity and art in Comuna 13

Once one of Medellín’s most dangerous districts, San Javier, known as Comuna 13, has transformed into a vibrant canvas of creativity and resilience. In the 1990s, it was notorious for gang violence and poverty. Today, it stands as a living testament to community renewal and artistic expression.

Bright murals cascade down stairways and walls, accompanied by the beats of hip-hop and spontaneous dance performances. A conversation with residents reveals their pride in what they’ve built together: a lively neighborhood pulsing with color and hope. Bars, cafés, and art shops now fill the winding alleys—accessible even by outdoor escalator.

A particularly popular photo motif are the giant street art images of the famous graffiti artist Chota13. Where violence once dominated everyday life, today boundless creativity and pure joie de vivre are the order of the day.

The Moravia district also demonstrates how much Medellín has changed. This former slum, once a garbage dump, is now a thriving cultural district full of plants and color. Anyone who truly wants to experience Medellín should take the time to talk to artists, dancers, or residents who are proud of their city.

Bogotá and Cartagena are accessible non-stop from Zurich with Edelweiss. Medellín can be reached by domestic flight (approximately one hour) from Bogotá.