Medellin: El Poblado Street Art & Food Walk with Craft Beer

Summary

El Poblado’s street art flavors, local stories & Medellin nightlife

You’ll walk Medellin’s El Poblado with a local guide who knows every corner—from street art at CuadroaCuadro to legends in Ballerina Park and food on Calle Provence. Taste Colombian snacks, hear real stories behind the murals, then unwind with craft beer and live music as night falls. Expect surprises—and maybe find your own lucky moment along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I thought I knew what El Poblado was about—just bars and shiny cafés, right? But the first thing that hit me on this tour wasn’t the nightlife at all. It was the way our guide, Andrés, talked about Parque Lleras like he’d grown up on every corner. He pointed to an old tree and said something about how his abuela remembered when this whole area was just quiet houses and dust. The smell of fresh arepas from a street cart kind of mixed with the city air—honestly, it made me hungry before we’d even started walking.

We ducked into CuadroaCuadro and suddenly I was surrounded by these wild splashes of color—graffiti that actually means something here, not just random tags. Andrés explained some of the symbols (I won’t pretend I got all of it), but one mural had a jaguar with blue eyes staring right at us. Someone in our group tried to snap a selfie and almost tripped over a curb—so yeah, watch your step if you’re as clumsy as me. The artists were hanging around too; one guy nodded at us and kept painting like it was no big deal.

I didn’t expect Ballerina Park to feel so peaceful after all that color and noise. There’s this statue of a dancer—I guess everyone takes photos there—but Andrés told us some old legend about her shoes bringing luck if you touch them (I did it, just in case). Later we wandered through Calle Provence where everything smelled like coffee beans and perfume from those little designer shops. I bought a tiny ceramic cup I’ll probably never use but couldn’t resist.

The last stop was Colombia Craft Brewing Company for a beer—cold glass sweating in my hand while we swapped stories about Medellin’s brewing scene. The music from Masaya drifted over; someone was playing guitar and laughing loud enough to make people turn their heads. Honestly, I still think about that jaguar mural sometimes when things get too quiet back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore El Poblado's culture and art

• Begin tour in El Poblado park
• Discover street art at CuadroaCuadro
• Explore murals at Pictopia graffiti
• Relax in Ballerina Park
• Visit Parque de la Presidente
• See authentic corners of Lleras Park
• Enjoy Colombian food at Wanitta Via Primavera
• Shop and browse Calle Provence
• End with craft beer at Colombia Craft Brewing

Top questions

How long does the El Poblado street art & food tour last?

The tour covers several stops in El Poblado including parks, galleries, and food spots; expect to spend most of an afternoon or evening exploring.

Is Lleras Park included in this Medellin walking tour?

Yes, Lleras Park is one of the main stops on the tour where you’ll hear stories beyond its nightlife reputation.

Are food tastings or drinks included during the tour?

You’ll try Colombian food at Wanitta Via Primavera and enjoy craft beer at Colombia Craft Brewing Company as part of the experience.

Will there be a local guide leading the group?

Yes, a certified professional guide leads each group through El Poblado’s neighborhoods.

Is this day trip suitable for families or children?

The route is suitable for all fitness levels; infants can ride in strollers and service animals are allowed.

Does this Medellin tour include live music?

You can listen to live music at Masaya during the evening portion of the tour.

What kind of art will we see on this El Poblado walk?

You’ll see urban murals by local artists at CuadroaCuadro and Pictopia graffiti gallery—each with its own story or message.

What’s included

Your day includes a certified professional guide leading you through El Poblado’s parks, galleries, cafes, and breweries; you’ll get a free map for exploring more on your own later. Food tastings at Wanitta Via Primavera plus artisan cocktails or craft beer are part of the experience—and there’s always time for live music or another story before heading home.