Laureles is a flat, tree-lined residential district on the west side of the Medellín River, known for its curving streets, neighborhood parks, local restaurants and the bars and salsa clubs of Carrera 70 near the stadium. It's the best choice for visitors who want a calmer, more local base than El Poblado while staying close to the metro.
Laureles at a glance
Laureles sits in Comuna 11, Laureles-Estadio, on the western side of the Medellín River. Unlike the steep hills of El Poblado, it's almost entirely flat, which makes it one of the most pleasant parts of the city to explore on foot or by bike. Streets are lined with big trees, houses and low-rise apartment buildings, and most blocks have a bakery, a corner shop or a small café.
It's a well-off, mostly middle-class district, and it still feels lived-in rather than built for visitors. You'll hear more Spanish than English, prices in neighborhood restaurants tend to be lower than in El Poblado and evenings are quieter away from the main nightlife strip.
A planned neighborhood
Laureles has an unusual layout for Medellín. In the 1930s and 1940s a housing cooperative bought what was then muddy farmland west of the river to build homes for employees, and the area took its name from the laurel trees that grew there. The streets were laid out by the Medellín artist and architect Pedro Nel Gómez, who designed a pattern of circular and diagonal roads around the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana and a series of parks, instead of the straight grid used elsewhere.
That's why getting lost in Laureles is easy: the "circulares" bend around in rings, and street numbers can seem to jump. It's also why the neighborhood feels so open and green. The university, founded in 1936, and the big Atanasio Girardot sports complex, whose land was bought in 1952, shaped how the district grew.
The parts of Laureles you'll use
Carrera 70 (La 70)
Carrera 70, near the stadium, is the busiest strip in the area. It's lined with bars, restaurants, fast-food spots and dance clubs, and it's one of the best places in the city for salsa. It's loud and lively on weekends and especially before and after football matches.
Primer Parque de Laureles and the circulares
The Primer Parque de Laureles is a small neighborhood park surrounded by cafés, bakeries and restaurants, and it's a good place to start a walk through the quieter residential streets. The ring roads around it are where many visitors rent apartments for longer stays.
Avenida 33 and Avenida Nutibara
These broad avenues have more restaurants, bars and shops, and connect Laureles with the stadium area and with Belén to the south.
Estadio Atanasio Girardot
The city's main football stadium is home to both of Medellín's big clubs, Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín. Going to a match is an unforgettable experience; buy tickets through official channels, wear neutral colors if you're unsure and follow local advice about which stand to sit in. The surrounding sports complex has pools, courts and tracks used by locals every day.
Where to eat and drink
Laureles is a good place to eat the way people in Medellín eat at home: set lunches, arepas, bakeries and simple grills. Our guide to what to eat in Medellín explains the dishes to look for. For bars and dancing, see our Medellín nightlife guide, and for cafés to work from, our best coffee in Medellín.
Where to stay
Laureles has fewer big hotels than El Poblado but a growing number of small hotels and plenty of apartments. Choose a street a few blocks back from La 70 if you want to sleep well on weekends. Our where to stay in Medellín guide compares the neighborhoods and lists stays we've checked.
Getting around
Metro Line B runs along the northern edge of the district, with Estadio and Floresta stations within reach of most of Laureles. Line B also takes you west to San Javier, the station for Comuna 13, and east to San Antonio downtown, where you can change to Line A. Taxis are easy to find, and the flat streets suit the city's EnCicla shared bikes. See getting around Medellín.
Safety
Laureles is generally considered one of the safer, calmer parts of the city. The usual precautions still apply: keep your phone out of sight on the street, take booked taxis late at night and be careful around the crowds of La 70 after dark. Read our safety guide before you go out.
Who Laureles suits (and who it doesn't)
Laureles suits travelers staying a week or more, remote workers, couples and anyone who'd rather live like a local than stay in a tourist zone. It's also good for runners and cyclists, thanks to the flat streets and sports complex.
It's less ideal for a very short first trip if you want the widest choice of restaurants and nightlife on your doorstep; in that case, El Poblado is easier. For something in between, look at Envigado.
Frequently asked questions
Is Laureles better than El Poblado?
It depends on your trip. Laureles is flatter, quieter and more local; El Poblado has more hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Many people who come back to Medellín choose Laureles.
What is La 70?
Carrera 70 is the main bar and restaurant street in Laureles-Estadio, near the stadium, known for salsa clubs and a lively weekend crowd.
Which metro line serves Laureles?
Line B, with Estadio and Floresta stations closest to most of the neighborhood.
Is Laureles safe?
It's considered one of the safer parts of Medellín, but take normal precautions with your phone and use booked taxis late at night.
