Things to do in MedellinPueblito Paisa
One of the things to do in Medellin, is to visit the Pueblito Paisa. I confess, I was deeply skeptical. It's basically a fake "traditional" Antioquenian town built atop the Cerro Nutibara standing 262 feet (80 meters) above the city. 
The park itself is large with paths climbing toward the summit but for me the attraction all boiled down to one thing; the view. Is it worth the trek or drive (there is parking at the top) to see Medellin that is easily seen from it's surrounding hills and mountains? Well, yes. Mainly because the view is almost from the very heart of the city so you can see North to Bello, South to Itaguii, East and West. Downtown is not far off. 
The constructed village was however surprisingly fascinating and comprises a church, a small schoolroom, barber shop and some buildings that mainly serve as tourist shops and a restaurant with a decent view. These surround a cobblestone square and the atmosphere was friendly. The detail and texture of the old and genuine furniture and fixings was interesting. Beautiful large flags of Colombia and Antioquia pride the parking lot just below the summit. Make sure to walk to the highest point where people laze on the grass and fly kites from where you will pretty much all of Medellin. El HuecoEl Hueco is colourful, vibrant and filled to the brim with great deals. Looking to explore?
El Hueco, located in El Centro (downtown Medellin) in a very busy part of the city. Thus is an exciting place to visit. Please keep in mind that this is Colombia and a crowded part of a major city so keep an eye on your wallet and do not flaunt you money around. I do not recommend visiting this area at night. 
This is an excellent place to find cheap deals on anything from jewellery to fine leather shoes. Take your time as you walk around the corridors with its abundance of small retail stores. 
There are several floors to the complex and some of the best deals can be found on the upper floors where there are small restaurants and cafes hidden away in unexpected corners. Calle JuninCalle Junin in Medellin is so much an institution, that the name has become a verb: to "Juniniar"; to go window shopping. How about that?CALLE JUNIN IN MEDELLIN (Junin Street - located downtown) Although Medellin, like so many modern cities, tends to have a concentration of commercial activity centered in shopping malls, it is still possible to enjoy a day of shopping in this traditional area of Medellin that has from the beginning been at the center of the cities development. This is one of the more "authentic" things to do in Medellin. There, the Junin theater was founded in 1924, an urban happening, with a capacity of 4500 people that at the time, was the 7th largest theater in the world. 43 years later it was demolished and replaced by the Coltejer Building that now appears as one of the emblematic Antioquean tourist sites.Along the Junin is where a lot of retail sales take place in Medellin. Both formal and informal. The pedestrian section spans from “The Beach” (Literally, a road called La Playa: the beach) to the Bolivar Park, abounding with street stalls, selling snacks, traditional candy, fruits and flowers. Throughout the street there are benches where you can relax and take in the color and vibrancy of the area. To walk the Junin, has become such a vital part of Medellin life that the name has long since been used a verb; it's said “let's go and Juniniar”. Nowadays, to go window shopping is to “Juniniar” in whatever part of town you might be. To walk the street, is to experience the local flavor. It is a dense experience of the Paisa idiosyncrasy. You can take in old-school local cafes and restaurants like the Salones Astor (Astor Halls) or Versailles (Argentine favorite of mine), mixed in with newer shopping malls, bookstores, supermarkets, Herbarios (places to buy herbs), jewelry shops and warehouses. Here you will find “Prada” sunglasses for 2000 pesos (US$ 1), exotic birds and small turtles – you get the idea. It's a worthwhile experience and a rather hip one in many ways. Enjoy walking the Calle Junin - one of the "typical" things to do in Medellin. Parks in MedellinOf the things to do in Medellin, going to parks did not used to be one of them but that is changing.PARQUE DE LOS PIES DESCALZOS (Barefoot Park) The park is part of the initiative of the last administrations and their intention of modernizing and to embellish Medellin. Inspiration for the design is Eastern, with fountains, bamboo forests, gardens of sand, stones and wood. It is framed within an urban setting with buildings such as the EPM headquarters called the “Intelligent Building” (Edificio inteligente) with its' interactive museum that accounts for the numbers of tourists, both local and foreign, who visit the park. The park is designed to cross itself in a therapeutic way emphasized by its' name; Barefoot Park. The guides within the park do a good job of leading you through it's different areas, materials and textures. If that's not enough, there are plenty of places to eat or have a drink, a coffee or beer perhaps, while enjoying the breeze. We hope you enjoy these things to do in Medellin!Return from Things to do in Medellin to Medellin ColombiaReturn from Things to do in Medellin to Colombia Travel Guide New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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