Downtown Free Walking Tour (Real City Tours)

Real City Tours has run this tour since 2013. The guides are from Medellín and tell how the city was founded, what happened in the years of violence and how it changed afterward. The main group is in English; for Spanish speakers there's a separate group run by Itawalk.

The route passes the old railway station, the La Alpujarra administrative center, the Monumento a la Raza, Plaza de la Luz, the Vásquez and Carré buildings, Paseo Carabobo, the Palacio Nacional, the Veracruz church, Plaza Botero and Parque Berrío. It ends at Parque San Antonio.

There's no fixed price: at the end, each person gives the guide whatever tip they think is fair. It lasts 3 to 3.5 hours with a break along the way and goes ahead even if it rains. You book on the website with no credit card; when a time slot fills up, there's a waiting list.

What to see

• La Alpujarra and the Monumento a la Raza.
• The Vásquez and Carré buildings and Paseo Carabobo.
• The Veracruz church.
• Plaza Botero and Parque Berrío.
• Parque San Antonio, where it ends.

Getting there

• Metro: Alpujarra station (Line A). Go up to the pedestrian bridge at the north exit; the guides wear red T-shirts and carry red umbrellas.
• Taxi or Uber: ask for Alpujarra station; in Uber you can type Real City Tours as the destination.

Tips

• Book on the website a few days ahead; spots fill up.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen, a cap, water and an umbrella in case it rains.
• Bring cash for the tip.
• When it's over, Salón Málaga is a couple of blocks from Parque San Antonio.