Pueblito Paisa, Medellin: A Glimpse Into Old Antioquia Neighborhood

Where is Pueblito Paisa in Medellin?

Pueblito Paisa is located on top of Nutibara Hill in Medellin. The height of the hill is around 80 meters (262 feet). And since Pueblito Paisa is located at the top, get ready to walk uphill.

There’s a road that will lead you all the way to the top. So, you don’t have to worry about getting lost. In terms of difficulty, this road is pretty easy to access. Even if you decide to hire a taxi, the driver will drop you right in front of the gate of Pueblito Paisa. However, there are some other things you can see on your way up, such as the Sculpture Park and Carlos Vieco Theater. If you’re not in a rush, I recommend you to discover them on foot. It’s also a great activity to burn all the calories from your last Menu del Dia!

To get to Nutibara Hill, you can hop on a metro and stop at Exposiciones station. Look up “Cerro Nutibara” or “Pueblito Paisa” on Google Maps for directions to walk. From there, it takes about 15 minutes to get to the foothill and another 15 minutes to walk uphill. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes!

What is Pueblito Paisa?

Loosely translated to “Little Town Folk”, Pueblito Paisa is a recreation of the Paisa Region of the old Antioquia. It’s a small town square with old houses, a church, and a café, all surrounding the town’s courtyard. It was built in 1977 and has been a popular attraction ever since. Sometimes, the local community will gather for celebrations like Christmas here. But even on a regular day, Pueblito Paisa is still worth a visit to see and feel the nuance of old Antioquia.

Walk around the town square and take photos of some of the unique buildings. Some houses are also open to the public. You can go inside and take a look at the old furniture and things like kitchenware.

The old church

A town is not complete without a church where people gather and pray. You can find a replica of the old Antioquia church right here in Pueblito Paisa. It stands tall right by the courtyard. You will not miss it! That being said, it’s a small and intimate church. Inside, there’s a beautiful wooden altar that dates back to the 1920s. It is open to visitors every day except Sunday or in any other religious days and holidays.

Take home some unique souvenirs

Unlike most souvenir shops around Medellin, the shops in Pueblito Paisa offer crafts and food unique to the indigenous tribes. Even the most commonly found souvenirs, such as keychains, are handmade to capture the nuance of Paisa. It’s definitely worth buying!

These shops are located right in the courtyard. So, you can check it out while looking around the square. And if you want a quick bite or a drink, there’s a designated area in front of Pueblito Paisa. Here you will find all kinds of food stalls, from the popular empanada to French fries or papas fritas.

Stop by the Museo de Ciudad

Right next to Pueblito Paisa, you will find Medellin’s City Museum, or Museo de Ciudad. It’s a small museum but contains plenty of information about the city of Medellin. You can see interesting photos dating back to the 1890s. Also, you can learn about how the city transformed from the old Antioquia way to what it is today.

The museum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. There’s an entrance fee of 2.000 COP (around 0.5 USD) per person. However, when I got there, the museum was closed due to the area’s renovation. If you’re interested in visiting the museum, you may call up in advance to make sure they are open.

Museo de Ciudad

Address: Cerro Nutibara, Medellin

Phone: +57 4 444 2633 Ext. 113 and 114

The view from the top

Do not miss the unobstructed view of Medellin from the top of Nutibara Hill. You can see it from the observation area located next to Pueblito Paisa. Take the stairs to Museo de Ciudad and just keep walking straight towards the back. The observation area is wide enough for everyone to have a view. See all the red-brick apartment buildings of Medellin with the beautiful mountains in the background. And if you feel like relaxing here, you can have your own picnic on the grassy area!

Wrap up your visit at the café

While there are many food stalls and kiosks available, this café is where you should go if you’re looking for something more filling. The café offers a selection of drinks, and of course, a Menu del Dia. Plus, there are seats on the balcony, overlooking the whole town square area. Perfect to wrap your visit to Pueblito Paisa!