Envigado is a pretty municipality which is a short drive south of Poblado. While it is incredibly close to the main tourist areas of Medellin, it has retained a much more relaxed and small town feel. The people are very warm and friendly, while there is a lot to do in and around the center of Envigado.
It is one of my favorite places to visit and hangout and in this article, I will discuss some of the best things to do in Envigado. You can enjoy great local food, easily explore the surrounding nature, connect with the culture, party and attend some of the region’s most important events.
Viva Envigado
Cra. 48 #32B Sur-139, Zona 1, Envigado, Antioquia
Viva is a huge mall that sits between Las Vegas Avenue and the southbound highway next to Envigado metro station. The mall was opened in 2018 and is one of the best in the region. Viva has a huge number of local and international shops. There is a massive cinema with VIP seating options and the only full IMAX screens in Medellin.
Up on the roof you will find fairground rides with a big wheel, soccer pitches, beach volleyball and lots of games for children. There is a large food court as well as a nice range of more upmarket, sit-down restaurants with table service. Very easy to access from Medellin and one of the best things to do on a rainy afternoon.
Calle Buena Mesa
Zona 2, Envigado, Antioquia
Envigado has become famous for some excellent restaurants and many are located on the pedestrian stretch of ‘Calle de La Buena Mesa’ which is literally ‘Street of the Good Table’ in English. The street is located in the Jardines neighborhood of the municipality, just across the border from the South of Poblado.
The local government redeveloped the area in 2022 and it now has lots of trees, modern seating and is a very comfortable place to go for a stroll as you decide what to eat. The are seventy stores and restaurants along the street offering local and international food of good quality. A very nice introduction to the municipality and one of the best things to do in Envigado when you are ready for a tasty, filling lunch.
Parque Principal
Cra. 42 #37S-60, Zona 9, Envigado, Antioquia
Parque Principal Marceliano Vélez Barreneche, as is the official name, is at the heart of the town and a great place to hang out with a coffee.
The Santa Gertrudis church stands to one side in a striking Greek-Roman style with a white facade, columns and towers. Construction began on the church in 1859 but construction was halted in 1860 because of the civil war in Colombia. The church was finally completed in 1897 and it was fully restored in 2006. The interior is beautiful with stained glass windows and an incredible central altar.
The park hosts musical events and is at the heart of Christmas celebrations in the region. You can find sellers offering drinks and snacks in the park while there are bars and restaurants surrounding the park.
Polideportivo Sur
Cra. 42 #37S-60, Zona 9, Envigado, Antioquia
The Polideportivo Sur is a sports complex that is the home to Envigado Futbol Club, a small but hugely important professional team in Colombia. Envigado is known for its incredible youth academy which has produced players such as James Rodriguez, Jhon Jader Duran, Juan Fernando Quintero, Matheus Uribe, Jhon Cordoba, Fredy Guarin, Frank Fabra, Yaser Asprilla and dozens of other international stars.
The stadium has a capacity of 11,000 and you can buy tickets for games online here. Many of Envigado’s supporters either come from the surrounding neighborhoods or families of academy players. The ground has a nice community feel and it is a more relaxed experience unless they face the likes of Nacional, DIM, Millonarios or America when they will sell out with away fans. While the atmosphere isn’t usually as intense as at the giant clubs, catching a game is one of the best things to do in Envigado if you want to spot the next Colombian wonderkid.
Mahalo Action Sports Cafe
Cl. 36d Sur, Envigado, Antioquia
Up on the hill overlooking Envigado you can find Mahalo Action Sports Cafe. The views across the municipality and north into Medellin are amazing with a large grassy bank in front of the restaurant. Mahalo has a relaxed vibe with lots of wood, cozy fireplaces, pool tables, arcade machines and table football. It has the feel of a beach bar or a laid back skiing spot.
The food is pretty good but not spectacular with friendly, attentive service. Don’t expect anything too fancy but what they offer has good ingredients and is well prepared. They also have a halfpipe which adds to the feel, alongside trampolines for the kids and you can book a game of paintball to the side with friends. A relaxing Sunday afternoon watching the sunset is one of the best things to do in Envigado.
Oye Bonita
Cl 38A Sur #43-37, Zona 9, Envigado, Antioquia
If you are looking to party in Envigado Oye Bonita is always a good option. Oye Bonita runs over two stories with a traditional Colombian look. The music is ‘crossover’, a local term indicating you can enjoy a bit of everything. Expect salsa, reggaeton, merengue, bachata with a touch of electronica, hip hop and dancehall from time to time.
The place has a typical Colombian layout with dancing around the tables and chairs that fill the venue. There is bar service at all tables and prices are reasonable for bottles, beers and cocktails. Early in the evening it has the feel or a more relaxed bar with dancing and partying intensifying as the guarro starts to flow. You will also find the occasional live performance.
San Carlos Waterfall
San Carlos, Antioquia
San Carlos is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region and a short distance from Envigado. With two drops of 30 and 12 meters respectively, you can enjoy the fresh air and cool off in the water.
There are also other waterfall options closer to the city such as Salto del Angel in Envigado, La Cascada in Santa Elena, Cascada El Hato in Bello and Cascada Tequendamita in El Retiro. On a sunny day a trek out to San Carlos waterfall is one of the best things to do with friends and family. This is a bit of a hidden gem that few foreign visitors know about.
Parque el Salado
Vereda el Vallano, Envigado, Antioquia
Located up in the hills, the natural park is a great place to connect with nature a very short distance from the central park, making it one of the best things to do in Envigado. A river runs through the center of the park and children will often swim and paddle. There is a climbing wall, a canopy through the trees and a fun, fast zip-line that runs from the top to the bottom of the park.
There are yoga and pilates classes offered in the park and guided bird watching tours on the third Saturday of every month. There are picnic areas and they even offer pots for visitors to make their own sancochos, a local stew packed full of meat and vegetables. Just outside the park is a skatepark that young visitors enjoy.
You can get a bus up to El Salado from the metro station or take a short taxi ride. There is a small fee for entry and you can pay extra for the climbing, canopy and zip lines.
