Medellín Comuna 13: Graffiti Tour, Street Art & Escalators

Street art murals, dance shows and making graffiti in Medellín’s Comuna 13

You’ll wander through Comuna 13’s wild murals with a local guide who knows every story behind each splash of color. Watch street dancers spin on concrete steps, ride outdoor escalators with city views, try typical ice cream unique to this neighborhood, and leave your mark by making your own graffiti. It’s raw, lively, and full of small surprises you’ll remember long after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Comuna 13 art and history

• Ride public escalators
• Learn escalator construction history
• Walk through colorful streets
• Visit local art galleries
• See murals and graffiti
• Hear stories of community resilience
• Enjoy views from commune viewpoint
• Create your own graffiti design

The Experience

I’ll be honest — I got lost trying to find the meeting spot in Comuna 13. There was music echoing from somewhere uphill and a kid with blue paint on his fingers pointed me in the right direction (he just grinned when I tried my Spanish). Our guide, Laura, waved me over with this big smile and right away it felt less intimidating — she knew everyone on the block. The first mural we stopped at was so bright it almost hurt my eyes in the morning sun. Laura told us about the artist — apparently he lives two streets over and sometimes adds little details at night when no one’s looking.

The air smelled like fried arepas and spray paint, which is a weird combo but somehow works here. We ducked into a tiny gallery where an old man showed us oil paintings of what Comuna 13 used to look like before all the color. He didn’t say much but his hands shook a little as he pointed out bullet holes still patched over in some corners. Then outside again — kids breakdancing right on the steps, their sneakers squeaking against the concrete while someone clapped out a beat. I tried to join for half a second but nearly tripped over my own feet; Laura laughed and said “don’t worry, just watch.”

The escalators were next (I didn’t even know public escalators could be outdoors like that), and as we rode up you could see all of Medellín sprawled out below — hazy but kind of beautiful in its own messy way. At the top viewpoint, Laura handed us spray cans for our “first graffiti.” I wrote my sister’s name in wobbly letters; not exactly art but it felt good to leave something behind. And then there was this ice cream — apparently only found here? It tasted like mango and something else I couldn’t place. Still think about that view from up there sometimes, honestly.

Top questions

Is this Comuna 13 tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

Yes, all areas are wheelchair accessible and prams or strollers can be used throughout the tour.

Do I get to make my own graffiti during the tour?

Yes, you’ll have aerosol sprays provided so you can create your own design as part of an interactive activity.

Are there any food tastings included?

Yes, you’ll get to try typical ice cream unique to Comuna 13 during the tour.

How do we get around during the tour?

You’ll walk through streets and alleys of Comuna 13 and also ride the public outdoor escalators.

Is there a local guide leading the group?

Yes, an expert local guide leads you through murals, galleries, stories, and activities.

What languages are spoken on this day trip?

The main language is Spanish; guides may speak English depending on availability.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants can ride in prams or strollers or sit on an adult’s lap if needed.

What kind of art will we see in Comuna 13?

You’ll see murals, graffiti by local artists, oil paintings in galleries, and live street dance performances.

What’s included

Your day includes walking through mural-lined streets with a local guide who shares stories at every turn; entry into small art galleries; time to watch or join street dance shows; all materials needed for your first graffiti attempt; prizes from interactive activities; a taste of typical Comuna 13 ice cream; plus rides up South America’s only public outdoor escalators for sweeping Medellín views before heading back down again together.