Decided on Medellín, Colombia, as your next travel destination and now wondering which neighbourhood to base yourself in?
I understand the daunting feeling of opening up Booking.com or Airbnb and being flooded with choice; not knowing if where you’ll select will make or break your trip.
In the case of Medellín- there can actually be too much choice, it’s hard to narrow down which area let alone which accommodation.
Yes you can turn to comments and reviews, and I nearly always do, but every person has their own benchmarks, needs and expectations of a place which may have altered their experience.
In other words, people have their biases and what may be great to them would be your worst nightmare, and vice versa.
I’m going to break down each popular area for tourists in Medellín, what it has to offer, and who I think would benefit- from my experience as a tourist first, and then ended up living there for a year.
If you’re still unsure on whether to visit Medellín, Colombia or not, I have a whole guide on How To Plan Your Trip To Medellín, and what to know before you go.
Every part of the city has its own distinct feeling. El Poblado, whilst a very popular neighbourhood for tourists, may not be the right kind of location if you’re wanting off-the-beaten-path.
Laureles may be the perfect balance of safety, modernity and comfort, but you want to be within walking distance of Calle 10 and among the party.
This goes without saying, but I simply can’t write about every single barrio, one because I haven’t visited them all but two because we’d be here all day.
However, I have included some areas of the city which I love and can vouch for, but don’t appear on every single travel guide of the city.
Without further ado, here is my breakdown on the best areas to stay in Medellín, Colombia.
Where are the most popular places to stay in Medellín, Colombia for tourists?
Without a doubt, the two most popular neighbourhoods to stay in Medellín, Colombia are El Poblado (or shortened to just Poblado), and Laureles. These two neighbourhoods are pockets with lots of accommodation choice, ranging from budget hostels to luxury boutique hotels, close proximity to bars, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs.
In a city with a reputation for not being the safest, being close to everything is a huge draw. But more on safety in Medellín later.
These areas are also absolutely beautiful. The streets are tree-lined, the architecture is either clean and modern or beautifully preserved traditional Colombian, and generally feels walkable and calm.
You’ll also find a plethora of tourism agencies in these areas, should you want to book excursions or daytrips such as Guatapé, flower farm tours, food tours, city tours, coffee tours, language schools, the list goes on.
Basically, these are the standout areas of the city in terms of infrastructure, activities, nightlife, beauty and safety. No wonder they’re tourist hotspots.
I’d also like to propose two alternatives if you’re looking for something off the tourist trail: Envigado and Sabaneta.
I frequent both, and lived in Envigado for one month and absolutely loved it.
Finding hotels in both areas is possible- you may not have the overwhelming choice like in Poblado and Laureles, but this may be a benefit rather than a downside.
I would recommend both Envigado and Sabaneta if you’re looking for a calm, truly local experience in Medellín, and actively trying to avoid the hordes of tourists.
This is where you can enjoy a slower pace of life, get to know your local tiendita (corner shop) owners, and get a good night’s rest.
Simply put, these neighbourhoods feel like a home away from home, just dropped into a completely different culture.
Both Envigado and Sabaneta are safe. I’d actually go as far as saying they’re safer than Poblado, as high tourist volumes can actually attract petty thieves like pickpockets.
Where to Stay in El Poblado, Medellín
Best fit for: Someone coming to Medellín to socialise, experience the Colombian luxury lifestyle with many home comforts and be generally “in the middle of it all”. Or, if you’re a backpacker and need the buzzy, young crowd to make friends and swap travel recommendations.
Nearby local attractions: Calle 10, Provenza, Parque de El Poblado, Museo del Arte Moderno
Hotels in El Poblado, Medellín
If you’re wanting to go the hotel route, most are concentrated in the Poblado area.
With hotels, you have the benefit of tourism agencies picking you up from the hotel when you book excursions, and the even better benefit of that amazing hotel bed sleep.
One standout hotel is the El Cielo Hotel. It’s a luxury hotel in El Poblado with incredible attention to the interior design throughout. Attached is the revered El Cielo Restaurant, experimental dishes on the tasting menu and an experience that takes about 3-4 hours total.
For something more mid-range in the same area as El Cielo, there’s Golden Valley Hotel. This has a beautiful rooftop garden and incredible views of Medellín city, for a reasonable price. It’s also situated just a block away from my favourite restaurant/bar: Mal de Ojo.
If you’re the type of traveller that prefers traditional hotel chains and likes to take advantage of point systems, don’t worry, Medellín also has you covered. The “Milla de Oro” or “Golden Mile” is a stretch of road in Poblado with luxury apartments, but also where the likes of the Dann Carlton, Marriott, Landmark and Sheraton can be found.
Hostels in El Poblado, Medellín
Hostels can be found a plenty in Medellín and especially in El Poblado. This is where the bigger players like Viajero and Masaya can be found, but there are also some incredible independent hostels like Los Patios, Black Sheep and Purple Monkey.
These are great options if you’re on a budget, and most offer both shared accommodation and private rooms.
I never used to understand private rooms in hostels (why not just stay in a hotel?) but after travelling whilst in a relationship and not wanting to bunk bed it together, I realise they are the BEST place to stay if you still want that social aspect and younger, cooler energy.
The hostels in Medellín are also super clean, well kept and have great amenities too, compared to many other cities I’ve travelled to. They really do feel like a Millennial/Gen Z hotel in how comfortable they are.
If you want to learn more about my favourite Medellín hostels, I have a whole post deep diving into The Top Medellín Hostels I’d Recommend.
Where to stay in Laureles, Medellín
Best fit for: someone wanting a modern, comfortable, but less “glitz and glam” experience.
Nearby local attractions: Carrera 70, Atanasio Girardot football stadium, Parques del Rio, Primer and Segundo Parques.
Laureles is the second most popular neighbourhood in Medellín, and it is much larger than people think.
This is the best area to stay if a football game is high up on your Medellín bucket list, as the Atanasio Girardot is nearby this area.
Laureles also has Carrera 70, a whole strip of bars, restaurants and clubs, including my favourite salsa bar, El Tibirí.
I will say that the energy on Carrera 70 is very different from the nightlife in Provenza in El Poblado. The bars here are much more local – expect neon lights, extremely loud reggaeton, and reps drawing you in with the promise of a free shot of aguardiente.
This is something Poblado also has, but there’s something that feels distinctly “older” about the nightlife in Laureles.
However, Laureles in my opinion shines in the restaurant and cafe scene. There’s so much great international and local cuisine in this area- like Mekong, Pane e Pomodoro, Mondongos, Barbaro, Puerta Inka, just to name a few of my favourites.
Check out my post on My Favourite Cafes To Visit and Work From In Medellín.
The food in Colombia gets a mixed bag review from many people, and yes specifically the international restaurant scene in general isn’t as developed as other parts of the world, but you can find some seriously good food in Laureles!
Hotels in Laureles Medellín
Laureles is where you’ll find more boutique hotel stays compared to the international chains in Poblado. Hotel Casa Laureles is a calm and local option with a great coffee shop on the ground floor.
Sonata 44 close to Carrera 70 has Piso 10, a famous rooftop bar in Medellín, on the top floor. The location makes it easily accessible to Laureles’ nightlife, but off the main strip so you can still enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Amelier Café is practically next door – I love their coffee and it also has coworking rooms for a small fee if you need a quiet place to take a work meeting.
These are just a few of my suggestions based on location, amenities and price – but there are so many choices in this area. And best of all? The independent hotels almost always come with Colombian customer service, which is some of the best I’ve ever received in the world.
Hostels in Laureles
Laureles also is home to many different hostels, such as The Wandering Paisa I wrote about in my Medellín Hostel Guide.
It’s the calmer location choice compared to El Poblado, but with hostels this often means deeper connection with other guests and hostel workers, a better chance to learn and experience life in Medellín, curated choice of activities, and amazing home style food.
Something else I noticed about accommodation in Laureles is the number of homestays and coliving spaces.
Because of its calmer, more “liveable” energy, it attracts digital nomads and people staying on a longer term temporary basis, such as a few months to a year.
There are opportunities in Laureles especially to rent out a private room in a shared living space with other international travellers to live and work at a slower pace of life than those travelling or holidaying.
Where to stay in Envigado, Medellín
Moving further down the list of neighbourhoods, we come to Envigado. I’ve spoken to many local Paisas and Colombians who mentioned if they would move to any neighbourhood in Medellín, it would be here.
Envigado has everything you could need for a comfortable life in Medellín. It has close access to universities and schools, huge shopping centres (Viva Envigado), local bars and restaurants, and generally a high quality of life.
It also has a lot of bus routes and the metro nearby which makes getting to areas like Poblado or El Centro easy and convenient, without being too out of the way that you’ll spend an hour commuting.
Envigado, located in the south of Medellín, also is the hub for many bus routes going out of the city into the mountains, such as Santa Elena. You can easily take day trips or break up your trip to spend a couple of days in nature, without going too far. Read more about that in my Top Day Trips From Medellín post.
The accommodation is also very reasonably priced and you can get a larger space here for much less than in Poblado.
If I were to stay in Envigado, I would go the Airbnb option so you can fully feel at home and safe in Medellín. Specifically, I would look around the main Envigado plaza, Calle de la Buena Mesa, or close to Parque La Heliodora for a very safe and charming part of the neighbourhood.
This would also be a great option for group trips as, like I mentioned, you can get a much larger space here for a great price than Poblado or even Laureles.
I have not personally stayed in any hotels in Envigado, but I will share the link to the specific Airbnb I stayed in, which was perfect for 1-2 people staying for a month.
You can also find a great list of Envigado hotels on sites like Booking and Expedia. They tend to be simpler, but clean and secure, and with great reviews.
One thing to note: Envigado is not a main tourist destination and so restaurants and “attractions” are less common here. If you’re wanting to go out partying every night and don’t want to be ordering Ubers multiple times a day, I’d stay in Poblado.
If you’re wanting to experience nature, practise your Spanish, stay in a local neighbourhood and be the only gringo, this is the perfect place to settle.
Where to stay in Sabaneta, Medellín
Sabaneta is the furthest south neighbourhood in Medellín (well, aside from La Estrella) and extremely charming. It’s not sleepy per se, but it does feel more like visiting a smaller town rather than being in the bustling city.
And that makes sense, because Sabaneta used to be a nearby village on the outskirts of Medellín, before the city grew and swallowed it up.
Here, you’ll find a mix of old and new apartment blocks and Colombian architecture, restaurants and local bars with a slight “cowboy” feel to them, local fairs every Sunday in the main square where families gather and enjoy street food snacks, and generally just a pleasant place to be.
It does not have the energy of Poblado, the refinement of Laureles, or the connection of Envigado, but it definitely has peace and charm.
In fact, know that Sabaneta is a popular place for western retirees to come and move to because of the pleasantness. Don’t let that statement put you off coming for a holiday, just let it confirm to you that it’s safe, calm, enjoyable and you’ll get to experience the warmth of the Colombian people in what I would consider “the suburbs” of Medellín.
What is the safest area of Medellín?
The topic of safety will always come up when planning your trip to South America, as sadly, whilst it has made huge strides in improving overall safety and quality of life, it’s still not perfect.
You may think that El Poblado is the obvious choice for safety due to the high volume of tourism it sees. And yes, whilst you would be correct in thinking that as it’s much safer than neighbourhoods in the outskirts or in the city centre, I would say my top neighbourhood for safety would be Sabaneta.
This is an area I felt comfortable walking around at night, no “creepy” feeling, and truly could do everything I wanted as a female traveller – not something you can say for all locations in SA.
If safety is your number one concern before travelling here, I would choose to stay in either Laureles or Sabaneta.
Laureles is safe and gives you the feeling of comfort with things like a higher level of English spoken, a middle class neighbourhood, busy areas and well lit streets.
Sabaneta may feel more local and outside of your typical cultural norms, but it truly is an extremely safe neighbourhood for tourists and locals alike.
El Poblado, whilst safe, can experience petty and opportunistic crime surrounding busy nightlife areas like Parque Lleras and dimly lit streets. Because of such a large influx of tourists, you can understand why pickpocketing and robberies do occasionally occur.
Just make sure you stick to well-lit, busy roads, in a group if possible, take taxis at night and exercise all the general safety precautions, and you’ll have an amazing time.
I also have a whole Safety In Medellín post outlining general safety tips and things to know when visiting the city.
If you’ve come to the end of this post and you’re still not sure on where to stay, I’ve got a 3 Day Medellín Itinerary which breaks down the best places to eat, visit and go based on if you’re staying in El Poblado or in Laureles, Medellín.
Happy travelling!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best area to stay in Medellín?
El Poblado and Laureles are the two most popular and well-equipped areas for tourists. El Poblado suits those wanting nightlife, luxury and convenience, while Laureles offers a slightly more local feel with an excellent restaurant scene. Envigado and Sabaneta are worth considering if you’d rather stay off the beaten path.
What is the safest area to stay in Medellín?
Sabaneta and Laureles are generally the safest neighbourhoods to base yourself in, with a lower risk of petty crime than the busier tourist zones. El Poblado is still safe overall, but its nightlife areas, like Parque Lleras, see more opportunistic crime because of the high volume of tourists.
Are there areas to avoid in Medellín?
The outskirts of the city and the city centre tend to carry more risk than the main tourist neighbourhoods. Within El Poblado itself, it’s worth being extra cautious around busy nightlife strips and dimly lit streets at night, where petty theft is more common.
Should I stay in El Poblado or Laureles?
Choose El Poblado if you want to be close to nightlife, tourism agencies and a wide range of hotel and hostel options. Choose Laureles if you’d prefer a calmer, more local base with standout restaurants and easy access to Carrera 70’s nightlife without staying right in the middle of it.
Is Envigado a good place to stay in Medellín?
Yes, especially if you want a quieter, more local experience with good access to universities, shopping and public transport. It’s not a major tourist hub, so restaurants and attractions are more limited than in El Poblado or Laureles, but it’s one of the safest and most liveable areas in the city.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Medellín?
El Poblado or Laureles are the easiest starting points for first-time visitors, thanks to their concentration of hotels, hostels, tourism agencies and English-speaking locals. If safety is your top priority, Laureles is a strong choice for a first trip.
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