Poblado is the most popular neighborhood with foreign visitors and understandably so given there is so much to do. From bars, clubs and restaurants to children’s activities, shopping, outdoor spaces and kart racing you can have a lot of fun. In this article I will detail some of the best things to do in El Poblado.
Originally from the UK, I have lived in Colombia for sixteen years and I have spent much of that time in Poblado. After all that time I am still loving life in Medellin and these are some of my favorite things to do in Medellin.
- OS Mirador
The atmosphere, juicy burgers, tasty cocktails and amazing views over the city makes this restaurant one of the best in El Poblado at sunset night before heading to Provenza.
- Sunday Ciclovia
Going for a Sunday morning run is one of the best things to do in El Poblado on a Sunday morning. Joggers, cyclists, dog walkers and strollers take over Poblado Avenue until midday and it is a great way to get up and enjoy the sunshine.
- Envy Rooftop
For over a decade visiting the spectacular Envy Rooftop has been considered one of the best things to do in El Poblado by locals and tourists. Great views, a classy, sophisticated feel, tasty cocktails and nice food; perfect for drinks with friends or a first date.
- El Cielo
Enjoying the unique gastronomic experience at El Cielo is definitely one of the highlights of Medellin. The Michelin star restaurant offers 21 culinary moments at one of the region’s most beautiful and celebrated restaurants.
- Perro Negro
Partying at one of Medellin’s top reggaeton spots is one of the best things to do in El Poblado on a Saturday night. The underground club has welcomed superstar international acts like Bad Bunny, Karol G and J Balvin over the years.
- Xtreme Karts
On a rainy afternoon indoor karting at Santa Fe mall. Few people know about this excellent track with fast karts and a nice airy space. Prices are reasonable and it is a lot of fun with friends. A real hidden gem.
- Enigma Escape Room
One of the on a quiet Monday or Tuesday is to book into an escape room with friends. Enigma has a great set up and multiple locations in Medellin. Something a bit different offering a fun challenge.
- Metropole Beer Lab
Whether you are a passionate cerveza connoisseur or you just like a tasty tipple, a visit to Manila’s ‘craft beer corner’ is one of the the weekend or for a cheeky midweek pint.
- Mercado del Rio
If you want to sample a variety of local and international flavors then heading to Mercado del Rio. A converted warehouse offers a wide range of vendors offering local and international meals, snacks and desserts with live music and a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
- Dance Free Classes
When in Colombia you need to dance and a free salsa or bachata dance class is one of the ebay things to do in Poblado. You can make new friends, have fun and learn some new steps to impress the locals.
- Cine Colombia
If you want to save some money in Medellin then a discounted wednesday night visit to the cinema is a great option. You can go to air conditioned, big modern cinemas in Santa Fe, Vizcaya and Oviedo with English language films and cheap prices.
- El Castillo Museum
If you want to take some amazing pictures and experience something very different, then a visit to El Castillo. The unusual building looks like a gothic European castle with a very interesting history and great views of the city.
- Pub Rock Lleras
If you want to drink, sing and dance to live rock with English and Spanish language classics from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000 then heading to Pub Rock is something that should be high on your to-do list.
- Museo de Arte Moderno
When you want a bit of culture then a visit to Museo de Arte Moderno is one of the best things to do in El Poblado. The museum has beautiful, thoughtful work from local artists and hosts regular cultural events.
Best Things to Do in El Poblado
Overlook the lights of Medellin with cocktails at OS Mirador
Cl. 19a #27231 a 27-259, Medellín
Sitting in a deep valley surrounded by mountains, there are many places you can enjoy an incredible view in Medellin. OS Mirador is an excellent and conveniently located option and is certainly one of the best things to do in El Poblado.
Up above Poblado and close to the exit of the mountain tunnel you will take from the airport, this restaurant and bar has a great location. Lit only by candles on the tables, you get a perfect view of the whole city. They offer simple food options as well as cocktails, beers and sangria. Seating all face out to the view with bean bags and sofas.
Price: Burgers are good and prices range from 30,000 COP (US$7.30) to 35,000 COP (US$8.50) with cocktails 23,000 COP (US$5.60) and a large jar of sangria for 95,000 COP (US$23).
Why I like it:
- Amazing views over Medellin with fresh air high above the city
- Good value cocktails and really good sangria
- A good selection of tasty burgers
Enjoy a cocktail with a spectacular view at the sophisticated Envy Rooftop
Cl. 9A #37-16, El Poblado, Medellín
Envy is a rooftop bar at the top of the Hotel Charlee which is the tallest building in Parque Lleras. You have amazing views across Medellin at any time of the day with sunset particularly spectacular.
The bar has a great selection of cocktails, a good menu and the DJs are always very good at setting the mood. It is a great option to impress on a date or to hang out with friends and survey the city. A cocktail or two at Envy and then on to dance at a club is a perfect Saturday night recipe.
Price: Food is priced around 30,000 COP (US$7.30) to 50,000 COP (US$12) with cocktails around 35,000 COP (US$8.50) to 50,000 COP (US$12).
Why I like it:
- Amazing views of the city in the early evening
- Perfect way to stay your night out and enjoying great music
- Delicious cocktails and some tasty food
https://www.thecharlee.com/es/espacios/envy-roof
Join the locals on a job, stroll or cycle along the Sunday Ciclovia
Parque Poblado, Calle 10 Con Av. El Poblado,
Every Sunday morning Poblado Avenue is closed for traffic and turned into a running and cycling track for locals and visitors to enjoy exercising in the sun.
The ciclovia runs from Parque Poblado south to Envigado and north to downtown Medellin. You can rent bicycles along the route, buy freshly squeezed orange juice and pets are very much welcome. It is great to see all sorts of people running, cycling, skating and walking on Sunday morning with their friends and families.
Price: Free
Why I like it:
- It is a fun physical challenge to run down to Envigado back on a Sunday morning
- The orange juice and fruit on sale is delicious and perfect to enjoy in the sun
- They often also have free dance and aerobics classes in front of Santa Fe and Oviedo malls
https://twitter.com/INDERMEDELLIN
Half price movies on Wednesdays at Cine Colombia
Vizcaya Centro de Negocios Calle 10 # 32-115, Medellín, El Poblad
On every Wednesday at Cine Colombia, the country’s biggest chain of movie theaters, tickets are half price to see any film. Poblado has Cine Colombia cinemas at Oviedo mall, Santa Fe mall and Vizcaya, which is just a few streets up from Parque Lleras and Provenza.
Price: Cinema tickets at Vizcaya on Wednesday’s are just 5,400 COP (US$1.30) up until 5pm and then from 8pm to midnight. From 5pm to 8pm they are 6,200 COP (US$1.50).
Why I like it:
- All of the cinemas are very modern and well maintained with large screens
- Vizcaya in particular is exceptionally cheap
- They have all of the latest films with both Spanish dubbed and English audio with Spanish subtitled screenings
https://www.cinecolombia.com/medellin/multiplex/vizcaya
Experience an incredible culinary treat at El Cielo Restaurant
Calle 7D #43c36, El Poblado, Medellín
El Cielo is Medellin’s most internationally celebrated restaurant, with Chef Juan Manuel “Juanma” Barrientos using high quality Colombian ingredients combined with innovative modern cooking techniques to create a special culinary experience of 21 moments.
Set aside at least 2-3 hours and book well in advance, particularly at the weekends. El Cielo opened in Medellin in 2007 with a second restaurant in Bogota in 2011 and they have now expanded to Miami and Washington. While the Michelin Guide doesn’t yet have a book for Colombia, the Washington branch does have a Michelin star.
This beautiful restaurant really does provide a truly world-class experience with each moment offering something new. You are encouraged to use your hands, connect with the food and each moment provides something truly unique.
Price: The full tasting menu is US$93 per person
Why I like this place:
- This is a truly world class culinary experience of Michelin star quality
- An amazing place to spend hours enjoying and connecting with food
- The perfect date restaurant or an amazing place to enjoy with family
https://elcielogroup.com/el-cielo
Sing along to classic 80s and 90s hits at Pub Rock Lleras
Cra. 37a #8-12, El Poblado
The incredible live band at Pub Rock play excellent covers of the biggest rock hits from the 80s and 90s in English and some in Spanish. The crowd is filled with regulars who are ready to sing along to every word as the band plays the hits.
The atmosphere is great, the music is loud, the drinks are fairly reasonably priced and they have decent food and is definetly one of the best things to do in El Poblado. A consistently fun night to be enjoyed with friends.
Price: Beers cost around 15,000 COP (US$3.60), cocktails are 30,000 COP (US$7.30) and food prices are from 25,000 (US$6) COP to 55,000 COP (US$13.40).
Why I like it:
- An incredible band playing excellent covers of beloved rock hits
- Decent prices on cocktails
- A great atmosphere with the crowd singing to all of the words
https://www.instagram.com/pubrocklleras/?hl=en
Learn to salsa and bachata at one of the Dance Free group or private classes
Cl 10A #40-27, El Poblado, Medellín
Dance Free hosts free salsa and bachata classes as well as language exchange events at their own venue and on the rooftop bar at Masaya Hostel. The dance teachers are enthusiastic and have a lot of experience. The free classes can get quite busy but it is a great way to learn some new steps (of your first steps) and meet new people.
They also offer private classes which can be booked most days from 9am to 9pm.
Price: You just need to bring ID to join up to one of the free salsa or bachata classes. Prices for private classes range from 55,000 COP (US$13.40) to 75,000 COP (US$18.27) per hour for a single person depending how many hours you book.
Why I like it:
- Great way to meet new people in a relaxed atmosphere
- The free classes really are free and provide a good way to learn the basics
- Teachers are all experienced and enthusiastic
Experience some contemporary culture at the Museo de Arte Moderno
Cra. 44 #19a-100, El Poblado, Medellín
The Medellin Museum of Modern Art was founded in 1978 and moved to Ciudad del Rio in 2015, with its new home a renovated former steel mill which dated back to 1938.
The museum includes modern and contemporary art from important Colombian and Latin American artists including Débora Arango, Beatriz González, Hernando Tejada, Bernardo Salcedo, Álvaro Barrios and Edgar Negret.
As well as showcasing some of the region’s most important works, it is also a meeting place for cultural and artistic projects. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday at 11am to 7pm and from 11am to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.
Price: General entrance costs 20,000 COP (US$4) with discounts for students and over 60s.
Why I like it:
- The space has been beautifully renovated and provides a peaceful, inspirational backdrop
- The art on show is thought provoking and fascinating and makes it one of the best things to do in El Poblado.
- The museum has become an important cultural and artistic meeting place
Race against your friends and family at Xtreme Karts
Carrera 43a, Calle 7 Sur – 170, El Poblado
On the bottom floor of the Santa Fe mall is a really fun karting track which I would highly recommend. Surprisingly very few foreigners or Colombians seem to have found this place but I have been twice and it was great.
The track is challenging and it is a great place to race against your friends. Lap times are recorded as well as top speeds. In my experience you can arrive and then you should be able to schedule your race within an hour with helmets and a full briefing provided.
Price: Obligatory membership is 10,000 COP (US$2.45) and races cost 25,000 COP (US$6) for 5 minutes.
Why I like it:
- Great fun to race against friends and family
- The electric karts have fast acceleration and are fun to handle in the corners
- Staff are friendly and ensure safety for everyone taking part
https://www.santafemedellin.com/marca/xtreme-karts
Party at the famous reggaeton spot Perro Negro until the sun comes up
Cra. 35 #7-83, El Poblado, Medellín
Medellin has become one of the global capitals of reggaeton and Perro Negro in Provenza, Poblado is probably the city’s best known reggaeton club. Global superstars including Bad Bunny, Karol G, Maluma and Feid have been seen at the club.
Perro Negro is always very busy and very lively. You enter down the stairs and the tight space is filled with people dancing. The dark red and blue lighting really sets the tone and the whole club will sing along to the music all night. You really do feel at the heart of one of the world’s biggest music scenes at this club.
Price: Entrance is around 35,000 COP (US$8) and prices for drinks are above Colombian average but still reasonable.
Why I like it:
- An increasingly famous club that still remains lively, energetic and authentic
- The club delivers the wild feel of an intense, underground reggaeton club
- It is great to feel at the heart of what is now a huge international musical movement
https://club-perro-negro.cluvi.co/club-perro-negro/reservar
Have fun with friends and try to get out of the Enigma Escape Room
Cl. 8 # 43A-89, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado
These are great fun as you and a group of friends have 60 minutes to decipher codes, search for clues and crack all of the mysteries to escape from the room.
The Poblado location has a revolution theme set in 1819 and you are tasked with liberating Colombia. It is located conveniently just one block from Parque Poblado.
Price: A game costs 45,000 COP (US$11) per person for 2 players, 40,000 COP (US$9.75) per person for 3 players and 35,000 COP (US$8.50) per person for 4 to 6 players.
Why I like it:
- A great way to spend an afternoon with friends
- Really challenging but also really rewarding (if you can escape!)
- When you get out you can take a great selfie with friends holding up funny signs in triumph
https://enigmamedellin.com/poblado
Sample some of the best local craft beers at the Metropole Beer Lab
Cra 43C #9 – 03, El Poblado, Medellín
Located in the “craft beer corner” of the Manila area of Poblado, Metropole has a wide variety of local beers on tap or in bottles. You can order a sampler which has four small glasses, allowing you to try a range of local options and find your favorite.
The bar has a nice industrial style with a fun atmosphere and offers tasty pizzas if you want something to eat.
Price: Prices typically range from around 10,000 COP (US$2.45) to 15,000 COP (US$3.65) for most beers.
Why I like it:
- A really stylish industrial style to the bar
- An excellent range of tasty local beers on offer
- The opportunity to sample a number of options to find your favorite
https://www.instagram.com/metropole.beer
Enjoy a range of local and international food at Mercado del Rio
Cl. 24 #48-28, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado
Mercado del Rio is a converted warehouse which now includes restaurants and food stalls offering food, drinks and desserts from around the world.
The space was inspired by gastronomic delights such as El Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid and Chelsea Market in New York. There is huge variety and if you go with a group of friends you can each find exactly what you are craving.
As well as a nice range of delicious food, they also have live music and performances which add to the great vibe.
Price: Main courses from 15,000 COP (US$3.65) up to 60,000 COP (US$15) depending on the restaurant with a range of snacks, drinks and desserts available.
Why I like it:
- A wide range of international food options including Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Colombian and barbeque
- Live music and performers in the evenings which adds to the fun atmosphere
- Cocktails, wine and a good range of beers available as well as delicious ice creams and desserts
https://www.medellin.travel/mercado-del-rio/
https://www.instagram.com/mimomotea/?hl=es
Bounce and play at the Summit Trampoline Park
Cl 10 #50-267, Guayabal, Medellín
Located just across the river from Poblado metro station, Summit Adventure Park is the perfect option for children to have fun and burn off some excess energy.
The huge space includes over 3,000 meters of fun activities including trampolines, ninja warrior assault course, free fall area, rotating wipeout obstacles, giant airbags, dodgeball, climbing walls, zip wires, trampoline basketball and many more activities.
Price: One hour costs 37,000 COP (US$9) and two hours is 50,000 COP (US$12).
Why I like it:
- A huge variety of activities for children to enjoy
- Lots of fun for a couple of hours
- Parents can relax and grab a coffee while their kids wear themselves out
Step back in time at El Castillo Museum
Calle 9 Sur #32-269, El Poblado, Medellín
El Castillo was built by Jose Tobon Uribe in 1930 in the style of the French castle Valle del Loire. The castle is filled with antiques and art dating back to the early twentieth century and is surrounded with beautifully maintained gardens that overlook the city.
It is the perfect place to take photos and enjoy a relaxing picnic in an amazing setting. A very unusual building that has become an important Poblado landmark.
The museum is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on the weekends and is one of the best things to do in El Poblado.
Price: 20,000 COP (US$4.90) to visit the gardens and for a tour of the house or 17,000 COP (US$4.15) to just visit the gardens.
Why I like it:
- The castle is filled with beautiful art and furniture
- There is an amazing view over the city
- It is a nice place to walk and enjoy a relaxed afternoon
