Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour Medellín: Street Art & Colombian Emerald

Walk the streets where art replaced danger, and leave with a piece of Colombia

A guided graffiti and cultural tour through Medellín's Comuna 13 neighborhood, led by a live English or Spanish-speaking guide, takes you through three hours of street art galleries, the famous Electric Stairs, and live hip-hop performances. You'll taste craft beer and single-origin coffee, receive a certified Colombian emerald, and hear stories from people who lived through the neighborhood's transformation from one of the city's most dangerous areas to a center of art and culture. The tour is wheelchair accessible and welcomes children from age one.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Comuna 13 transformation and culture

• Walk through Comuna 13 streets
• Visit graffiti art galleries
• Watch breakdancing and hip-hop shows
• Explore the escalators and learn history
• Discover neighborhood's transformation story
• Sample craft beer or single-origin coffee
• Receive a Colombian emerald souvenir

The Experience

You arrive in Comuna 13 with a guide who knows the neighborhood's history firsthand. The tour moves through streets now covered in graffiti art—walls that were once blank or marked by violence are now galleries of expression created by local artists. You'll stop at these art installations, learning how each one connects to the community's story and what the artists chose to paint and why.

The Electric Stairs are the centerpiece: a public escalator system built into the hillside that transformed how residents move through the neighborhood and became a symbol of the area's renewal. Your guide explains the architecture and its impact on daily life. Along the way, you'll watch breakdancing and street hip-hop performances that capture the energy of the community. The three-hour pace lets you absorb the details instead of rushing between stops.

Midway through, you'll taste craft beer and single-origin Colombian coffee—the flavors change depending on what's available that day. Before you leave, you receive a fully certified Colombian emerald, a tangible reminder of the country's natural wealth. The tour includes insurance, and a speaker is provided if your group is large. Public transportation options are nearby if you need them after.

What’s included

• Three hours with a live guide in English or Spanish.
• entry to the Electric Stairs and art galleries of Comuna 13.
• craft beer and single-origin coffee tasting.
• a fully certified Colombian emerald.
• insurance.
• a speaker if your group is large.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour y Fotos y video con Dron

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have a free afternoon in Medellín and want to understand how a neighborhood transformed itself through art and community effort, rather than just see the murals and move on. The live guide and the stories from people who lived through the change are what make the art mean something—you're not walking past walls, you're learning why they matter.

Traveler reviews

4.85★★★★★★★★★★

781 verified traveler reviews

5 ★716

4 ★41

3 ★8

2 ★7

1 ★9

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly is the Electric Stairs and why does it matter to Comuna 13?

The Electric Stairs are a public escalator system built into the hillside of Comuna 13 that transformed how residents travel through the neighborhood. Before the escalators, climbing the steep streets took significant time and effort; the project made daily movement easier and became a symbol of the community's renewal and investment in itself.

Will I see actual graffiti artists at work, or just finished murals?

The tour takes you through art galleries of graffiti and street art created by local artists—you'll see the finished works and learn the stories behind them from your guide. Whether you encounter artists actively painting depends on the day and time, but the focus is on understanding the art and its role in the neighborhood's transformation.

Is this tour safe to visit now, and what was it like before?

Comuna 13 was once considered one of Medellín's most dangerous neighborhoods; the tour includes stories from people who lived through that period and witnessed the change. Today it is a recognized center of art and culture that attracts visitors. Your guide will provide context on both the past and the present as you walk.

Can I bring young children or a stroller on this tour?

Children are welcome from age one, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces you'll visit are accessible. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to the walking and terrain involved.

What's included in the tasting, and will there be food?

The tour includes a tasting of craft beer and single-origin Colombian coffee. The specific varieties change depending on availability. Food beyond the tasting is not part of the standard tour; plan accordingly if you want a meal before or after.

What language will my guide speak?

Your guide speaks either English or Spanish, depending on which option you select at checkout. Both guides are live and familiar with the neighborhood's history and culture.