Medellín: Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Snacks & Local Stories

Summary

See Medellín’s Comuna 13 street art, taste local snacks, meet families

You’ll walk Comuna 13’s lively streets with a local guide, tasting fresh empanadas and mango ice cream while hearing real stories behind the murals. Visit two neighborhood galleries and meet families who’ve lived here through big changes. Expect laughter, color, and moments that stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me in Comuna 13 wasn’t the graffiti — it was the sound. Kids shouting somewhere above us, music spilling out of a window, and the clack of the escalators (yeah, actual outdoor escalators climbing up the hill). Our guide, Andrés, started pointing out murals before we’d even left the main street. He knew everyone — people waved or called his name as we walked. I tried to keep up but honestly got distracted by a woman frying something that smelled like corn and onions. Empanadas, Andrés said. He bought some for us to try right there on the sidewalk; greasy fingers, hot inside, just salty enough.

I thought I knew what to expect from a graffiti tour in Medellín but I didn’t. The walls here aren’t just painted — they’re layered with names and faces from the past few decades. Andrés stopped at one mural and told us about his cousin who used to live in this very block when things were rougher (he didn’t go into details but you could feel it). There was a group of dancers practicing nearby and a little kid kept running through their routine; nobody seemed to mind. We ducked into two art galleries tucked between houses — both run by local artists who still live upstairs. One guy showed us how he mixes colors using whatever paint he can get his hands on.

Somewhere along the way we got handed mango ice cream with lemon and salt — apparently it’s a Comuna 13 thing? I still think about that flavor: sweet then tart then salty all at once. We climbed higher for a view over Medellín that made my knees wobble (not sure if it was the height or just everything hitting me at once). Andrés’ family invited us in for a quick hello; his mom offered us tiny sausages on toothpicks and asked where we were from in slow Spanish. She laughed when I tried to answer — probably butchered it.

It’s strange how much you can feel in just a few hours: pride, pain, hope. By the time we rode down those escalators again I felt lighter somehow but also more awake to what this place means to people who call it home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Comuna 13 art and culture

• Visit escalators in Comuna 13
• See graffiti and art exhibitions
• Watch dancing and singing performances
• Learn about Comuna 13 history and culture

Top questions

Is food included on the Comuna 13 graffiti tour?

Yes, typical snacks like empanadas and mango ice cream are included during the tour.

How long does it take to get around Comuna 13 on this tour?

The walking route covers several stops including art galleries and viewpoints within a few hours.

Are guides locals from Medellín?

Yes, guides are locals who share personal stories about Comuna 13’s history and culture.

Is this graffiti tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas visited during the tour are wheelchair accessible including transportation options.

What kind of art will I see on this tour?

You’ll see large-scale graffiti murals as well as exhibitions inside two local art galleries.

Do I need to speak Spanish for this day trip?

No, guides can communicate with visitors who don’t speak Spanish.

Can children join this walking tour?

Yes, infants and children can participate; strollers are allowed too.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through Comuna 13’s streets with stops for empanadas and mango ice cream (with lemon and salt), entry into two neighborhood art galleries run by locals, plus time spent meeting your guide’s family along the way before returning down Medellín’s hillside escalators together.