Then
The city we remember
Origins, industry, the cartel years and the long, difficult path out.
Read the story →Past / Present / Future
The Medellín you remember is not the whole story.
Remember Medellín from the terrifying headlines of the 1980s and ’90s? Those events were real. So is the city's transformation. Discover what changed, what didn't, and why this remarkable valley deserves a closer look.
Explore the history →Thinking of visiting?Beyond the headlines
One city. More than one truth.
Medellín survived a period of extraordinary violence. Its residents also created a vibrant modern city of transit, art, universities, neighborhood life and stubborn optimism. Both truths deserve space.
Now
The city you can see
Architecture, streets, murals and public spaces reveal how Medellín has changed.
Read the story →Next
The city still being built
Transportation, housing, green space and the difficult decisions ahead.
Read the story →
To the American traveler
Is Medellín still dangerous?
It's a fair question, especially if you remember the city from the news. Medellín today is different from the city of the cartel era, but crime and tourist-targeted scams remain genuine risks. The right story is neither panic nor a sales pitch.
Our visitor guide explains what has changed, what to be cautious about, and where to find official, current travel advice.
Read the honest visitor guide →The unfolding storyBefore 1541 1616 / 1675 1900s 1980s–1990s 1995 onward 2026 and beyond Read the complete story →
Medellín, by the years
Indigenous communities lived in the Aburrá Valley long before Spanish expeditions arrived.
San Lorenzo de Aburrá was established in 1616; the Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Medellín was founded in 1675.
Textiles, commerce and migration helped shape a major industrial city.
Cartel violence and broader armed conflict inflicted tremendous harm on residents.
The Metro became an enduring part of the city's transformation, followed by new public transport and public-space initiatives.
Residents weigh the promises of major transit projects against housing pressures, inequality and environmental challenges.
Not a before-and-after fairy tale
The people made the difference.
A city is more than its most notorious names. Meet everyday Medellín through the photos, streets, communities and stories of those who lived its history.
Keep exploring
Longer reads
Responsible travel
Beyond Escobar tourism
Understand the harm without glorifying those who caused it.
Read the story →What will Medellín become next?
The next chapter is being written in transit projects, riverside parks, housing debates and neighborhood decisions. Follow plans alongside reality.
Explore the future →