*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!
Medellin
Overview:
At roughly 3 million people, Medellin is Colombia’s second largest city, but for many, it’s also Colombia perfect large city. Nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring, it sits in the central region of the Andes mountains, giving it a warm, yet cool climate that matches its personality. Medellin has one of the more picturesque mountain backdrops around, but the beauty doesn’t stop there. From the neighborhoods to the people to the metro’s cable car views, Medellin is easy to fall in love with. In my opinion, it’s a top 3 city in South America, especially to live, which seems to be backed up by all the expats moving here. It also makes it a great city for some street photography. And to top it off, it’s gone from one of the most dangerous to one of the safer big cities you’ll find in Latin America.
So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Medellin has to offer before you even arrive!
Map:
- Plaza Botero / Parque Berrio
- Plaza de San Antonio
- Comuna 13
- Jardín Botánico
- Poblado / Parque Lleras
- Sabaneta
Bonus: Parque Arvi / Cable Cars
Top 5 Street Spots:
1. Plaza Botero / Parque Berrio
Plaza Botero centers the most active part of the city in the heart of the Old Quarter. This 7,000 meter outside park is always filled with people and is most known for its 23 sculptures by Colombian artist Fernando Botero on display. Not many cities are connected to an artist like Medellin, but Botero’s full-figured, and sometimes cartoonishly fat, sculptures have become a symbol of the city. You also have the Museum of Antioquia here, so this area is a top destination for tourists, but the location and Parque Berrío Station brings tons of local foot traffic too.
It’s one of the best areas for street photography in the city if you want activity. But it also provides in an interesting mix. While the Plaza is very nice and you’ll see plenty of families and tourists, you’ll also see some seediness and prostitution. To one corner by a church, you’ll run into a red-light district too, where it can feel even edgier, but not dangerous. Police are everywhere here. There’s a mix of character in this area that is great for exploring with your camera. Some of it, really nice, while other areas, a little edgy. With endless shopping streets and attractions, it’s kept relatively safe for the many visitors too. And for street photography, starting at Plaza Botero and exploring around down to San Antonio is one of the most interesting walks you’ll find in Medellin.
2. Comuna 13
Comuna 13, also known as San Javier, was once known as arguably the most dangerous community in the world. The poor, over-populated favela stacked up Medellin’s west hills by the main highway was a perfect location for drug trading and gang activity. During the days of Pablo Escobar, this was the center of drug cartels and rebel forces in Colombia. Today, though, it’s seen a dramatic and successful push for urban renewal. Over the last decade, Comuna 13 has transformed from a place no one would dare come near to a popular tourist attraction. A center for creativity now, the walls are covered in street art and the crime has dropped significantly. Even more unique is how the city built a continuous set of outside escalators up the hills, making the residents commute much easier. It’s unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere.
The area is still not completely safe, but around the escalators there’s always security for the many visitors. You can explore the nearby streets here without much worry, although most travel here in groups. I came alone and explored much further, around and to the very top. It’s a very interesting character filled area to explore, along with some of the most incredible views of the city you’ll find, but I wouldn’t recommend exploring as much as I did. I did run into some trouble at the top with a local gang. I got away, but I was lucky enough to be a step ahead or it would have been different. Still, staying near the escalator provides plenty of interest for street photography on its own and is a must visit in Medellin for its uniqueness.
3. Jardín Botánico
The Joaquin Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden of Medellín is a 14 acre botanical garden near the center of Medellín. It’s also free to enter, which makes it not only a beautiful area to enjoy, but a popular spot for local friends and families to come relax and hang out. There’s a maze of areas to explore here, including gardens, a lagoon, butterfly farm and even an outdoor theatre. For street photography, there can be a variety of activity going on. Everyone from young to old comes here. It’s a nice spot to stop for a change of scenery within the urban city.
4. Poblado / Parque Lleras
El Poblado is one of the more upscale neighborhoods in Medellin, providing the safest and maybe the prettiest neighborhood near the center. For the last decade plus, it’s been growing fast, as everyone wants to move here, including expats. You’ll find tree-lined streets, path lined streams, parks, high-end shopping, restaurants, and more. You’ll also find Parque Lleras, the center for visitors and nightlife. This entertainment district is full of tourists, bars, clubs, hotels, restaurants and everything else you could want. It’s also a picturesque area to walk with a mix of nature and city attractions. Somewhat of a playground for the hip, wealthy and beautiful.
One of the best parts of Parque Lleras is how safe it is walking around. Even at night, it’s generally safe. It’s a good spot to stay in while in Medellin, with a metro station nearby, but it’s also a decent area for street photography. The mix of clubs, bars and restaurants provide color while all the activity provides plenty of life.
5. Sabaneta (especially on Sunday)
With more and more people moving to Poblado, Medellin’s southern valley is quickly growing. If you want to escape the city without really having to leave it, Sabanata makes for a quick and easy metro ride. This small municipality is very compact and makes for a nice change of scenery that is easy to explore with your camera. It has more of small town feel and while there’s not too much to do, the center around the main square contains some nice character worth the short trip down here. And Sundays are the best day to come. On this day, many locals come to enjoy their time with friends and family. Parque Principal fills with life by Igelesia de Santa Ana, while the surrounding area is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants. There’s even a very small amusement park for the children. In a few block radius you’ll have streets full of activity that are great for people watching and street photography. It’s also very safe here and you can explore further without worry. While spending time in the big city life of Medellin, Sabanata provides a refreshing change of pace and small town atmosphere great for a quick metro ride south on Sundays.
Bonus: Parque Arvi / Cable Cars
Arví Park is so big, the cable car just to get over the mountain and acres of forest takes time. It covers 16,000 hectares, which include an ecological nature preserve, Pre-Hispanic archeological sites, 54 miles of walkable trails, lakes and more. The long cable ride costs extra, over the normal metro fare, but it provides an amazing ride of views, which I honestly enjoyed more than anything. For street photography, you will find activity, sites and an outdoor food market, but its more for the overall experience than an abundance of street photo style opportunities. Taking the cable car ride there, you can stop at favela stations too, if you’d like.
*Pueblito Paisa
Pueblito Paisa is one of Medellin’s most popular attractions, a replica of a typical turn of the century Antioquia town. I’ve never gone, but I still wanted to mention it for others due to its popularity. Personally, the idea of a completely fake city for tourists is about the least appealing thing I could imagine for photography, but for others, they love it.
Sample Street Walk:
For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Medellin:
- Start your morning exiting at Parque Berrio station and explore it and, especially, Plaza Botero (1) and the street market just north
- Walk south throughout the historical center down to and around Plaza de San Antonio
- Hop on San Antonio station and either take the metro up to Universidad station to explore Jardín Botánico (3) or take it east to San Javier to explore the nearby Comuna 13 (2)
- Now, finish your day with the cheapest city view ride in the world on Medellin’s cable cars:
- If you went to Jardín Botánico (3), take Universidad station up Acevedo station where you can ride Cable Car Line K
- If you went to Comuna 13 (2), you can ride Cable Car Line J from San Javier statoin
- Both Cable lines take you on amazing overhead views up the mountains above the favelas for the price of a metro ticket
- At night, head to Poblado and Parque Lleras (4)
4 Things I’ll Remember Most about Medellin:
1. Colombia’s best big city. Safety, Weather, Beauty, Vibe, Interest, Friendly, the list goes on.
From years of travel and city exploration, I find I enjoy different qualities in a city. “What’s your favorite city?” is the most common question I get, but the answer really depends. Some cities are amazing to visit, but I’d never want to live in them. Some cities would be great for living, but not the most exciting to visit. And then there’s a few very special cities where it’s great for both. For me, Medellin is great for both, but even greater for living. If you’d ask me the best city to live in South/Central America, Medellin would be a solid top 3 pick for me.
When living in Latin America, you’re dealing with a few issues, but Medellin is like an oasis within. You have absolutely everything you could want, except the ocean. Known for eternal spring, you have one of the best climates. You have a big beautiful city full of parks set inside scenic mountains, and filled with beautiful people. You have modernities you won’t find in most other latin cities, while still keeping a vibrant culture and history intact. You have a passion for art, and nightlife. You have some of the friendliest people around that help give the city a positive vibe. All in a city that continues to strive for improvement and growth. It’s no secret, though, as it became a place for expats to move to years ago. But it’s not to the point where it’s any less great yet so don’t let that stop you. It’s an amazing place to be. And live.
2. Mix of seediness in cleaned up city, interesting contrasts
What once was called the most dangerous city in the world 20 years ago, feels like the safest major city in Colombia today. Escobar is long gone and the city, and country, has made a strong effort to clean up crime. After Bogota and some other cities in Colombia, walking around Medellin gives a very different feeling when it comes to safety. The local warnings are much less extreme too. While I still wouldn’t call it safe compared to cities outside Latin America, there’s many areas you can walk around without much worry.
One of these safest feeling areas is Parque Lleras. Also known for its nightlife, people freely walk around this beautiful area in El Poblado from day to night. The large neighborhood of El Poblado in general feels pretty safe, while Laureles-Estadio and Sabaneta are a couple mores neighborhoods that give off a safer vibe. As for the rest of the city, while you will find some dangerous and sketchy areas, it’s still an overall safe feeling compared to the rest of Colombia city life. Even many of the favelas here have been noticeably cleaned up and made safer today.
Saying all that, there’s still plenty of danger and edginess mixed in. You’re still in Colombia and you still need to be cautious. This mix of danger and edge within a beautifully cleaned up city provides some interesting contrasts when walking the city, though. Around Parque Botero and the old town is one area where you’ll notice this blend. Families, tourists and Botero sculptures by prostitutes and red light streets. In Comuna 13, you have brand new escalators winding up through favelas. It’s all part of the experience exploring Medellin.
3. Botero’s art
Plaza Botero is the center of showcasing the city’s pride and love for their Colombian artist Fernando Botero, but you’ll see his artwork and sculptures throughout the city, inside and out. Other than Barcelona with Gaudi, not many cities take to an artist as a symbol of their city quite like Medellin. After visiting here, you’ll always remember his cartoonishly full-figured characters.
4. Beautiful City, Beautiful People
Medellin is a beautiful city, especially compared to most other larger Latin American cities. You have the mountainous backdrops surrounding you with plenty of green space to enjoy within. If you like to mix park life with the concrete streets when out shooting in the city, then Medellin has you covered.
The most famous park is the massive Parque Arvi. The long metro cable car journey up out of the city and over the valley to get there is beautiful enough, but once you get there you have 16,000 hectares of ecological nature preserves and archeological sites to explore. In the center of the city you have Jardín Botánico, which is a beautiful and popular place to relax and enjoy some wildlife. Some others parks to check out include Parque Bolivar and El Salado. And of course there’s Parque Lleras, which is most know for its surrounding clubs and nightlife, but very picturesque little oasis within the city during the day.
Walking around Medellin with your camera is an enjoyable experience due to its urban beauty, but the people supply plenty of beauty themselves. Medellin is famous for their beautiful paisas and it’s as noticeable as about any city I’ve been to. People here take great care of themselves and looks, fitness, style and image are all very important. Medellin might come from a rougher past, but today it’s very easy on the eyes.
What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:
Bandeja Paisa, Arepas & Cable Car rides
Bandeja Paisa is Colombia’s national dish and will definitely fill you up. It usually comes with steak, chorizo sausage, pork crackling, beans, rice, avocado, banana chips and a fried egg. Arepas, cornmeal bread, are the most common food and come served on their own or in a variety of dishes. And for a picturesque break, one of my favorite things to do in Colombia is to take one of the cable car ride lines over the city. The best, but most time consuming one, takes you over the mountain and forest to Parque Arvi.
Street Safety Score: 6-7
*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!
As far as Colombia and Latin America go, Medellin can feel like one of the safest cities in many areas. You have to come to South/Central America realizing it’s not as safe as most of the world, but Medellin is a fresh breath of air for safety in this region. It wasn’t always the case, as it used to be known as one of the most dangerous cities in the world, mainly due to drug cartels. But you’re not going to find many places that have changed for the better like Medellin has over the past 20 years. They’ve successfully cleaned up the city so much that you have many areas where you can freely walk around without worry and enjoy the beautiful city. As long you still bring your street smarts and realize its South America, Medellin will feel very safe for street photography.
People’s Reaction Score: 8
For a major city in South America, I find Medellin as one of the more street photography friendly cities. Colombia is one of the warmest, friendliest countries to begin with, and much of that transfers over to photo friendliness. Still, street photography isn’t as common in Latin America so you might get some reactions wondering what you’re doing, but overall it’s pretty good here. The main thing to pay attention to is where and who you photograph, as criminal activity doesn’t like to be photographed, of course. So, just watch who you’re photographing and you should be fine in Medellin.
Street Tips:
Take the Metro!
Medellin has one of my favorite metro systems in the world. It’s definitely the most modern and one of the best you’ll find in South America for getting around the city, but what makes it one of my favorites in the world are the cable car sections. The continually expanding system of cable cars takes you on scenic trips over the city for the low price of a metro ticket. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere.
Medellin is filled with favelas covering the mountainous city. While transportation used to be a nightmare for locals living here, the city has completely changed this. Now, you have brand new, top of the line cable cars crossing up and over everywhere in Medellin. And some of these lines go on forever, making it an incredible ride above. I highly recommend taking all the cable lines for the ride, views and to see the colorfully vibrant sections of the city you wouldn’t be able to see in any other city like it.
Take Uber too
While not as bad as Bogota, Taxis aren’t as trustworthy in Medellin, either. Even locals advise to call Uber instead. Ubers are all fully checked, professional, trustworthy and usually even cheaper. While I’d take the metro when convenient during the day, I’d recommend Uber at night or when you need to get somewhere far away from a metro station.
Inspiration:
For some more inspiration, there’s not too many street photographers in Colombia, but you can look through the Street Photography of Medellin on Flickr and check out 33 of my photos taken in Medellin.
Conclusion:
If it’s not clear already, Medellin gets a high recommendation from. Much of my love comes from a non-photographic place, as it has so much going for it as a place to live too, but it also makes for a good city to explore for street photography, especially in South America. From the friendliness of the people to the positive vibes of the city, Medellin has an atmosphere that makes you not want to leave. The safer feeling walking its streets compared to much of South America is a big plus too. It’s a fast changing city that you’ll want to visit sooner than later.
I hope this guide can give you an idea of the city from a street photographer’s perspective and maybe even help you prepare to experience Medellin yourself. So grab your camera and capture all that Medellin has to offer for Street Photography!
If you still have any questions about shooting in Medellin, feel free to comment below or email me!
(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)
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