Dec 11, 2024 鈥 11 min read
Leafy Laureles is a neighborhood worth exploring 漏聽Jesse Scott / 老澳门六合彩开奖记录
惭别诲别濒濒铆苍 breaks every stereotype imaginable and carries a comeback story that few cities have. As more folks venture to the City of the Eternal Spring, the Laureles-Estadio neighborhood has cemented itself among the best places to experience all that 惭别诲别濒濒铆苍 has to offer.
Spanning the bustling stadium home for the country鈥檚 most popular soccer team, one of the city鈥檚 most colorful streets to crack open a bottle of aguardiente and unwind, and avenues blossoming with lush fauna and towering brick buildings, there has never been a better time to be in Laureles.
Founded as a working-class neighborhood in the 1940s, the Laureles of today is a haven for middle to upper-class living. The barrio generally encompasses the urban mass south of Avenida Colombia, west of Autopista Sur, north of Avenida 33 and east of Avenida 80.
Estadio and La 70: goals and good times
The Estadio Atanasio Girardot complex is home to 惭别诲别濒濒铆苍鈥檚 two soccer teams that compete on a national and, occasionally, international level. On one end, is easily the most popular soccer club in all of Colombia. Its bitter intercity rival, (DIM), also calls the orange- and yellow-seated stadium home. On game days, the venue is drenched in either green (for Nacional fans) or red (for DIM fans). When the teams play each other, it can make for an even rowdier scene.
On game days, La Setenta (Carrera 70 or 鈥淟a 70鈥) is the place to be. Fans, proudly donning flags and tattoos of their team鈥檚 logos show up hours before the showdowns and spill out of La 70鈥檚 seemingly endless stretch of tiny bars, open-air clubs, Mom-and-Pop eateries and street food stands.
When there isn鈥檛 a game to be glued to, La 70 is still where folks from across the valley flock to party. You can take your pick of the hopping joints, but it鈥檚 hard to go wrong with buying a bottle of Aguardiente Antioque帽o at a liquor shop, cozying up with amigos at a roadside table and watching the madness swirl by. For that experience, one of several establishments along La 70 is your best bet.
The neighborhood's artistic side
There鈥檚 more to Laureles than the hustle and bustle. In fact, the neighborhood is home to a handful of the city鈥檚 best-kept cultural secrets. Nestled in a white building one block north of the generally-hectic Avenida San Juan is the . The small, gallery-esque museum with four principal rooms boasts a rotating collection of nearly 3,000 pre-Hispanic era statues and art pieces.
For a splash of modern art, an owns the walls of the aquatic complex near Estadio Atanasio Girardot. In total, there are 13 colorful, Instagram-worthy pieces displayed, all inspired by the people and activities that frequent the arenas, courts and areas that make up the complex.
Live performances in Laureles
Theater and comedy
On the theater front, is a glimpse into Medellin鈥檚 dynamic theatre scene. The group was established in 1982 by a handful of mime-enthusiasts at UPB. Today, it has its own 50-seat, black box theater and attracts talent from across the valley for weekly performances on Fridays and Saturdays. While its shows are in Spanish, their work visibly transcends languages. For comedy, the on Avenida Nutibara is stellar. The spot landed in the neighborhood in 2006 and has 250 seats.
A musical evening in 惭别诲别濒濒铆苍
For tunes, will be music to your ears. Tucked off La 70, the expansive, naturally-lit spot is a haven for remote-working warriors by day. On Friday and Saturday evenings, you can catch intimate sets from some of 惭别诲别濒濒铆苍鈥檚 best musicians, spanning Colombian rock and international genres.
Where to find the best eats
Taste Colombia's favorites
Laureles is loaded with family-owned restaurants and some of Colombia鈥檚 favorite chains including (anything imaginable stuffed in a crepe), (massive burgers) and (craft beer delights).
Steakhouses are quite popular in the neighborhood. leads the charge in this category, with a dimly-lit, no-frills ambiance and a buzzworthy 1,000-gram Tomahawk Steak that lives up to its hype. If you somehow have room for dessert, its banana lasagna (with layers of arequipe cream and caramelized bananas) will not disappoint.
For authentic Colombian fare and the best bandeja paisa (or slight variations) in all of 惭别诲别濒濒铆苍, head to Restaurante Las Delicias de La Nena (Carrera 70, Circular 3). Its bandejas include massive pinto beans, a giant chunk of avocado and perfectly grilled chicken (among other meat selections). You鈥檒l want to douse everything in its homemade aj铆, which is placed on every table and has a truly fiery yet infectious kick. The spot is located across the street from another Laureles-bred favorite, .
Go international
When you tire yourself of endless empanadas and arepas, Laureles has a number of international dining offerings, too. The gastronomic market opened in 2018 and is located just off the Primer Parque de Laureles. It has 14 fast-casual options under one roof, spanning Arabic, sushi, Mexican, pizza, Peruvian and more.
Get coffee-buzzed
And, of course, no day in Colombia is complete without coffee. Tucked off Avenida Nutibara, has the specialty coffee vibe down pat, with a pour-over bar (Kalita Wave and V60 devices, among others) and photos of the farmers they source beans from displayed throughout.
Where to stay
Inntu Hotel overlooks the Segundo Parque de Laureles, which hosts a lively local market on Saturday mornings. Its 18th-floor rooftop has panoramic views of the city as well as a Turkish steam room and jacuzzi. TRYP 惭别诲别濒濒铆苍 is on the northern edge of the stadium complex and is a short walk to the Estadio metro station.
Getting there
Whereas in some parts of 惭别诲别濒濒铆苍 (and Colombia in general) there is a somewhat logical street grid, the geography of Laureles can be tricky throughout, with periodic roundabouts and the circular streets just north of the (UPB) area.
Within 惭别诲别濒濒铆苍, Laureles is approximately eight kilometers northwest of and less than five kilometers west of El Centro. You can easily access the neighborhood by taxi, or 惭别诲别濒濒铆苍鈥檚 modern and extensive has an Estadio station, which is also a nice, central spot to start your Laureles adventure.
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