Parque El Poblado is the small square that gave the whole district its name. In 1616 the first settlement in the Aburrá Valley was laid out here — centuries before Medellín’s downtown existed — and today it is a calmer, more local counterpart to Parque Lleras, a short walk away.
Where Medellín started
On 2 March 1616, Spanish official Francisco de Herrera Campuzano marked out the boundaries of a settlement called San Lorenzo on what is now this square. A church went up alongside it, and the parish of San José del Poblado still faces the park today.
The settlement did not become the city. In 1675 the Spanish Crown ordered the population moved north, and the Villa de la Candelaria — today’s Medellín downtown — was founded there. That is why locals celebrate two dates, and why the district is called El Poblado: “the village”.
What to do in and around the park
Look for the small founding monument and step into the San José church. Then sit on a bench and watch the neighbourhood go by — it is one of the few places in El Poblado that feels the same as it did before tourism arrived.
Calle 10 connects the two parks. Walk it uphill in the evening and you move from Parque El Poblado’s low-key bars to the louder strip around Parque Lleras, with Salón Amador and the Calle 10 clubs in between.
See more of the city’s history
OverviewCity tour plus Comuna 13
Most bookedComuna 13 tour with cable car ride
SnacksGuided tour with snacks included
Hotels between the two parks
Area photoThe Charlee Hotel
Best for: Being central to every restaurant on this site
Consider: Weekend nights are loud by design
Area photoHotel Marquee Medellín
Best for: Couples and groups who want polish on the square
Consider: Location over quiet
Area photoThe Click Clack Hotel Medellín
Best for: Playful design, rooftop pool bar (La Deriva), a hotel with a sense of humour
Consider: The rooftop is a scene on weekends
Parque El Poblado: common questions
Why is Parque El Poblado important?
It is where the first settlement in the Aburrá Valley, San Lorenzo, was laid out in 1616 — the origin of the district’s name.
Was Medellín founded in Parque El Poblado?
Not exactly. The 1616 settlement started here, but in 1675 the population was moved and the Villa de la Candelaria, today’s Medellín, was founded in what is now the city centre.
How far is Parque El Poblado from Parque Lleras?
A short walk along Calle 10.
What is the nearest metro station?
Poblado station on Line A.
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