Medellin

Medellin, set in a lush green valley in the Andes, is one of the great urban transformation stories of recent times, a city that has reinvented itself as a vibrant, innovative and welcoming hub of culture, business and paisa warmth. Blessed with a spring-like climate year-round, it is famous for its integrated metro and hillside cable cars, its Botero sculptures, its flower festival, and the remarkable regeneration of once-troubled barrios like Comuna 13.

History

Spanish explorers first reached the Aburrá Valley on the night of 23 August 1541; they called it the Valley of Saint Bartholomew, but the native name Aburrá stuck. In 1616 the colonial visitor Francisco de Herrera y Campuzano founded a settlement of 80 Amerindians, Poblado de San Lorenzo - today's El Poblado district. The valley sat between the gold mines of Antioquia and the old provincial capital, Santa Fe de Antioquia, and grew as trade moved here; Queen Mariana of Austria signed the edict creating its council on 22 November 1674, and on 2 November 1675 it was proclaimed the Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Medellín (Wikipedia, Medellín).

What to look for

• The metro and cable cars - the transport system linking hillside barrios.
• Comuna 13 - the transformed barrio of street art and escalators.
• Plaza Botero - the square of the artist's plump bronze sculptures.
• The spring climate and flowers - the year-round greenery and flower festival.

When to go

Year-round, thanks to its famous spring-like climate; the vibrant Feria de las Flores flower festival in August is a highlight. The pleasant temperatures make any time a good time to visit.

Things to know

Its transformation is real and remarkable, but it remains a big city with its problems, so take normal urban precautions, avoid flashing valuables and be wary of drink-spiking and scams in nightlife areas. The Comuna 13 tours are best done respectfully with a local guide, remembering it is a real community with a painful past, not a spectacle.

Nearby

The colourful town of Guatape and its great rock, and the coffee region, are within reach.

Key facts