Laureles
Medellín, Colombia
A more local, residential grid of leafy streets, with excellent restaurants and bars along La 70 and Avenida Jardín, and a genuine paisa feel. Increasingl…
Places in Laureles
- Uno Mas Uno Widely called the best restaurant in Laureles, a stylish bistro with creative, well-executed cooking. The heart of the neighbourhood's dining.
- Delirio Exquisito A creative Mexican-Asian fusion restaurant with inventive plates, popular across the city. Fun and flavourful.
- Café Velvet / Laureles coffee shops Stylish specialty-coffee shops across the city serve single-origin Colombian coffee to a mix of locals and nomads. The city's coffee culture at its best.
- Fidelina (Laureles) A characterful bar-restaurant with two Laureles locations, its decor evoking Budapest ruin pubs, with a wide cocktail-and-beer selection. A local favourite.
- Son Havana A vibrant salsa venue with live son, guaguancó and timba, and dance classes — the place to experience Colombia's love of dance. Authentic and joyful.
- La Charcu (Laureles) A go-to for cocktails, imported beers and picadas (shared meat-and-plantain platters). Relaxed and local.
Practical notes for Medellín
- Best time to visit
- Medellín's spring-like climate is pleasant year-round (around 22°C). December to March and July to August are driest. The Feria de las Flores (flower festival) in early August is the city's spectacular highlight.
- Getting around
- The clean, cheap Metro — with its cable-car lines climbing the hills — is a source of civic pride and the best way around, linked to escalators and the tram. Taxis and apps (Uber, Cabify) are cheap. Poblado and Laureles are walkable within.
- Currency
- Colombian Peso (COP $)
- Language
- Spanish. English is limited outside El Poblado.
- Timezone
- COT (UTC-5)
- Current trends
- A booming modern-Colombian and fusion dining scene (Carmen leading the way); a wave of celebrity-backed venues; a strong specialty-coffee and craft-cocktail culture; and the city's digital-nomad influx reshaping Poblado and Laureles.
Other neighborhoods in Medellín
- El Poblado — The upscale, leafy district of Parque Lleras, most of the city's hotels, rooftop bars, restaurants and nightlife. The main base for visitors, if the most touristy.
- El Centro — The gritty, vibrant downtown, of the Botero sculptures in Plaza Botero, markets, museums and history. Best explored by day, ideally with a guide.
- Comuna 13 — A hillside barrio once among the world's most dangerous, transformed by escalators, vivid street art and a proud community. A moving, essential tour.
- Envigado & Sabaneta — Quieter southern districts with a traditional paisa town feel, good local food and a slower pace. The authentic, everyday city.
Read the full Medellín guide