Medellin: Comuna 13 Graffiti Walk & Downtown by Metro

Summary

Medellin’s metro to Comuna 13 graffiti stories and city rhythms

You’ll ride Medellin’s metro and cable car with a local guide, wander among Plaza Botero’s sculptures, and walk through Comuna 13’s vibrant graffiti corridors. Taste street snacks and hear stories of transformation where art now covers old scars. Expect moments that stick with you long after you’ve left those hills behind.

What’s the experience like?

We squeezed onto the metro in downtown Medellin—everyone pressed close, but nobody seemed to mind. Our guide, Andrés, waved us over to the window side so we could catch the city sliding past. I noticed how people glanced up from their phones when he started talking about Plaza Botero—maybe they’re used to tourists, or maybe it was just his voice carrying over the hum. The sculptures looked bigger in person than I’d expected, almost comically round. There was a kid eating mango with salt nearby; I swear I could smell it even through my mask.

Switching to the cable car felt like stepping into another story. The city got smaller and greener as we climbed toward Comuna 13. Andrés pointed out rooftops painted all colors—he called them “the patchwork of hope,” which sounded cheesy but kind of fit. When we got off at the top, you could hear music echoing somewhere below and see families on their balconies watching us pass. It wasn’t quiet exactly, but there was this sense of everyone sharing space.

The outdoor escalators were wild—I mean, who puts escalators on a hillside? Kids darted past us while we stopped every few steps for graffiti photos (I probably took too many). One mural had a jaguar staring right at you; another was all swirling blues and oranges. Andrés explained how these walls used to mean something else entirely, before the art took over. He told us about his cousin growing up here, how things changed after the escalators came in. It hit different hearing it from him instead of reading some plaque.

I still think about that view from up top—late afternoon light over Medellin, smells of fried empanadas mixing with spray paint somewhere behind us. We finished with soda and snacks on some steps while Andrés joked about my Spanish (“You sound like you’re from Bogotá!”). I didn’t expect to laugh so much on this tour or feel so much energy just walking around. It’s not easy to describe what changed here—you kind of have to be there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Downtown and Comuna 13

• Visit Plaza Botero and see 23 artworks
• Walk through major graffiti galleries
• Ride train to Comuna 13
• Take cable car to hillside communities
• Explore Outdoor Escalators and murals
• Learn about Comuna 13 transformation

Top questions

How do you get to Comuna 13 from downtown Medellin?

You’ll take public transportation: first the metro train from downtown Medellin, then transfer to the Metrocable (cable car) that brings you up into the hills near Comuna 13.

Is Plaza Botero included in this tour?

Yes, you’ll visit Plaza Botero and see 23 works by Fernando Botero as part of the experience.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

Yes, soda/pop and snacks are included during your day exploring Medellin and Comuna 13.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health due to walking and stairs.

Does this day trip include use of public transportation?

Yes, your tickets for Metro, Metrocable (cable car), and bus are all included in the tour price.

Will there be a local guide during the tour?

You’ll be accompanied by a local guide throughout your exploration of downtown Medellin and Comuna 13.

What’s included

Your day includes all public transportation tickets—metro train, cable car up into Comuna 13, plus bus rides if needed—and plenty of time walking with a local guide who shares stories along every stop. Street snacks and soda are also part of it before heading back down into the city bustle again.