Medellín and its Communities
The real story of Medellín is written on the hillsides. In the barrios that were once the most marginalised, communities have turned violence and neglect into art, culture and pride – and today they welcome visitors to tell that story themselves.
Life in the barrios
Medellín grew fast in the second half of the 20th century, as families fleeing violence in the countryside built their homes on the steep slopes around the valley. For decades these comunas lived with poverty, armed groups and little state presence. What changed them was a mix of public investment and, above all, the people themselves: cable cars and outdoor escalators connected the hillsides with the city, and young people answered with hip hop, graffiti, dance and community projects.
Comuna 13 in the west of the city has become the symbol of this transformation: its murals and breakdance shows tell the story of the neighbourhood, including the military operations of the early 2000s, from the point of view of those who lived through them. Moravia, in the north, was built on the city’s former garbage dump; today its residents run urban gardens, recycling workshops and cultural programmes, led by women like Doña Marina who helped found the barrio.
On the hillsides of Comuna 1, the first Metrocable line opened in 2004 and connected neighbourhoods like Santo Domingo Savio with the metro – a ride that still offers one of the best views of the valley.
Our community experiences
Travel respectfully
- Our tours are led by guides from the neighbourhoods themselves.
- Ask before taking photos of people, and follow your guide’s advice.
- Buying art, snacks and souvenirs locally supports the families.
Good to know
- Bring comfortable shoes – the barrios are built on steep slopes.
- Mornings are quieter and cooler than afternoons.
- All tours are private and can be combined in one day.
