Parque de los Pies Descalzos, the Barefoot Park, is a free public park in Medellín's administrative center where you're invited to take your shoes off and walk through fountains, a sand pit, a Zen garden and a bamboo grove. It's an easy, relaxing stop between downtown sights, and a favorite with families and kids on hot afternoons.
What it's like
The idea is simple and a bit unusual: leave your shoes at the edge and walk barefoot. Parque de los Pies Descalzos was built by EPM, Medellín's public utility company, and designed by architect Felipe Uribe de Bedout as a calm, playful space in the middle of the city's busy civic center. It opened at the turn of the millennium, between 1998 and 2000.
The park is laid out in zones. In the water area, shallow pools and fountains invite you to wade, splash and cool your feet, and on warm days kids run straight through the jets. The sand area works like an urban beach. A bamboo grove gives deep shade and a sense of quiet, and a small Zen garden of raked gravel and stones encourages you to slow down. Between them are lawns where locals sit and chat or have a nap at lunchtime.
Around the park you'll see some of Medellín's landmark modern buildings, including EPM's headquarters, nicknamed the Edificio Inteligente, the Teatro Metropolitano and the Plaza Mayor convention center, with the La Alpujarra government complex close by.
Who it suits
It's a great stop with children, who usually end up soaked, and a pleasant break if you've been walking around downtown in the heat. It's not a big park and most people spend 30 to 60 minutes here. Bring a small towel and maybe a change of clothes for kids.
Tips
- Go on a sunny weekday morning or late afternoon; weekends are busier with local families.
- Keep an eye on your shoes and bag while you're in the water, as you would anywhere in a city.
- Combine it with a walk to Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia, about 15 minutes away on foot, or ride Line A one stop.
- The fountains may be switched off for maintenance at times, so don't plan your whole day around them.
Getting there
Take metro Line A to Alpujarra or Cisneros station; both are a short walk away. A taxi from El Poblado takes around 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic.
Frequently asked questions
Do you really have to go barefoot?
No, it's encouraged, not required. Taking your shoes off is the point, though, especially in the water and sand areas.
Is Parque de los Pies Descalzos free?
Yes. It's a public park with no entry fee.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. Children love the fountains and sand, and it's one of the city's best-known spaces for families.
What's nearby?
EPM's headquarters, the Teatro Metropolitano, Plaza Mayor and the La Alpujarra administrative center, with Plaza Botero about 15 minutes away on foot.
