Secret Urban Gardens of Medellín: Agriculture in the Middle of the City

The urban agriculture movement in Medellín

Medellín is known for its flowers, its eternally spring-like climate, and its urban transformations. But there is a green side that few tourists know about: the urban gardens that grow on rooftops, vacant lots, and steep hillsides. They are not decorative gardens; they are projects of food sovereignty, community resistance, and connection to the land amidst the concrete. In July 2026, as the city continues to grow upward, these spaces remain as silent lungs and living permaculture workshops. Here I tell you how to find them and why they are worth visiting.

Huerta La Candelaria: the hidden garden between buildings

In the heart of downtown Medellín, just a few blocks from Parque Berrío, there is an oasis that seems from another time. Huerta La Candelaria is wedged between colonial and modern buildings, right behind the Iglesia de La Candelaria. It has no big sign or ticket booth; just a wooden door that is sometimes open. Inside there are growing beds with lettuce, chard, aromatic herbs, and even medicinal plants. Everything is managed by a collective of neighbors and volunteers who take turns watering, harvesting, and giving workshops.

The interesting thing is that this garden is not a park or a municipal project; it was born from the initiative of a group of residents who wanted to reclaim an abandoned lot. Today it produces food that is distributed among the participants and, when there is a surplus, sold at symbolic prices in a small community store. If you arrive on a Saturday morning, you might find Doña María explaining how to prune rosemary or a volunteer agronomist showing composting techniques. There is no entrance fee, but a voluntary contribution or bringing seeds to share is appreciated.

Approximate address: Calle 10 # 4-45, behind the Iglesia de La Candelaria. Open Saturdays from 9am to 1pm and some Tuesday afternoons. It is recommended to check hours before visiting as they depend on volunteer availability.

What to do in La Candelaria besides the garden

The area has several attractions that complement the visit:

• Museo de Antioquia: three blocks away, with works by Fernando Botero and a spectacular view of downtown.
• Plazuela de San Ignacio: a colonial courtyard with leafy trees where organic markets are sometimes held.
• Librería La Fragua: an independent bookstore with cultural events and fair trade coffee.

Crops in Comuna 8: social projects that transform

Climbing up the eastern slope of Medellín, Comuna 8 (which includes neighborhoods like Villa Turbay, Llanaditas, and 13 de Noviembre) is an example of how urban agriculture can be a tool for peace. Here, organizations like Huertas de la Esperanza and Semillas de Cambio have turned eroded land and unused lots into productive terraces. It is not easy to get there: you have to take the metro to San Antonio station, then a bus to Villa Turbay and walk about 15 minutes uphill. But the effort is worth it.

These projects not only grow food; they also train at-risk youth, generate local employment, and recover ancestral knowledge. On a guided tour (coordinated weeks in advance through social media), you can see how they plant corn, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, and medicinal plants like calendula and lemon balm. The most impactful thing is that everything is done with permaculture techniques: rainwater harvesting, composting with organic waste from the neighborhood, and biological pest control without chemicals.

Reference prices for July 2026: group guided tours cost around $30,000 COP per person and include a tasting of fresh products. Permaculture workshops (3 hours) are $60,000 COP. It is recommended to contact the organizations directly via Instagram before going, as schedules change depending on the season.

An experience that changes perspective

I met Don Jairo, a 68-year-old urban farmer who grows on a 50-square-meter terrace. He told me: "Here we don't just plant food, we plant community." His garden produces enough vegetables for his family and to share with neighbors. Watching him water with a recycled hose while the noise of the city is heard below is an image that stays with you.

Permaculture workshops for visitors

If you want to learn how to apply these principles in your own home (or on your next trip), several spaces in Medellín offer workshops open to the public. The best known is Permacultura Medellín, a collective that operates on a farm in the corregimiento of Santa Elena, 30 minutes from downtown. There they teach garden design for small spaces, home composting, making liquid fertilizers, and pest management with repellent plants. The workshops are in Spanish, but sometimes there are volunteer interpreters for foreigners.

Another place is El Jardín Secreto, in the El Poblado neighborhood, which has a demonstration garden on a rooftop. They offer two-hour sessions on Thursdays at 4pm, costing $45,000 COP. It includes materials and a plant to take home. It is ideal for travelers who have little time but want to take away practical knowledge.

Fun fact: In Medellín, the average temperature of 22°C allows for year-round cultivation. While in other cities gardens shut down in winter, here there is always something to harvest. That is why permaculture workshops are so popular among foreigners who stay for several months.

How to support these initiatives

It is not all about visiting and taking photos. These gardens need constant support. Here are concrete ways to contribute:

• Half-day volunteering: many gardens accept volunteers with no experience. You can help plant, weed, or harvest. Wear comfortable clothes, sunscreen, and bring water. It is usually coordinated via WhatsApp or Instagram.
• Donation of supplies: seeds, gardening tools, potting soil, or composters. Ask beforehand what they need; sometimes they prefer money to buy specific materials.
• Purchase of products: some gardens sell their harvests at local markets. Look for the Mercado de la Tierra at Parque de los Deseos (first Saturday of each month) or the Feria Agroecológica de la 70 (Wednesdays and Saturdays).
• Promotion: sharing on social media with the hashtag #HuertasMedellin helps more people learn about these projects. Tag the organizations so they get visibility.

Example of volunteering in action

In 2025, a group of 12 German travelers spent a morning at the garden in Comuna 8. They helped build a drip irrigation system using recycled bottles. At the end, they shared lunch with the neighbors: arepas with cheese, avocado from the garden, and passion fruit juice. No one spoke the same language, but everyone understood the language of the land.

How to get there and transportation

Moving between these gardens requires some planning. The metro and metrocable system is your best ally:

• Huerta La Candelaria: metro to Parque Berrío station (line A), then walk 5 minutes south. You can also take a bus from downtown that goes down Carrera 4.
• Comuna 8: metro to San Antonio station (line A), then bus to Villa Turbay (route 300 or 301). Ask the driver to let you know at the "Huertas de la Esperanza" stop. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes and costs $2,800 COP.
• Permacultura Medellín (Santa Elena): metro to Acevedo station (line A), then metrocable line K to Santo Domingo station. From there, bus to Santa Elena (route 500). The total trip is 45 minutes.

If you come by car, keep in mind that parking downtown is limited and expensive (around $8,000 COP per hour). In Comuna 8, you can park on the street for free, but do not leave valuables in sight.

Local tips

These tips will help you make the most of the experience:

• Bring cash: many gardens do not have a card machine or accept cards. Workshops and donations are paid in cash.
• Dress in layers: although the climate is mild, on the slopes of Comuna 8 it can be cooler and windier. A light jacket never hurts.
• Respect the hours: these projects run on volunteers, not employees. If you arrive outside the agreed time, you will likely find no one.
• Do not use chemical repellent near plants: it can contaminate the crops. Opt for natural repellents based on citronella or eucalyptus.
• Ask before photographing: some communities prefer that you do not take photos of participants' faces for privacy. Always ask permission.
• Support the local economy: after the visit, buy fruits or vegetables from the farmers. Bring a reusable bag to avoid generating plastic.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the gardens without a reservation?

In most cases, yes, but it is better to contact them first. Huerta La Candelaria receives spontaneous visitors on Saturday mornings, but the projects in Comuna 8 require prior coordination because they sometimes have large groups or closed workshops. Write via Instagram or WhatsApp a few days in advance to confirm availability.

Are there urban gardens in El Poblado or Laureles?

Yes, but they are less visible. In El Poblado, El Jardín Secreto (mentioned above) has a rooftop garden. In Laureles, Parque de la 70 houses a small community garden, although it is not always open to the public. There are also private initiatives in residential complexes, but they usually do not receive outside visitors.

What should I bring for a permaculture workshop?

Clothes you can get dirty, closed-toe shoes (preferably boots or old sneakers), sunscreen, a hat, water in a thermos, and a notebook to take notes. Some workshops provide gloves and tools, but if you have your own gardening gloves, bring them. Do not forget a bag to take home the plants or compost they give you at the end.

If you want to keep exploring the green side of Medellín, do not miss our tour of unconventional botanical parks, where we visit vertical gardens, native forests, and green rooftops that few tourists know about. The city has much more to offer than just skyscrapers and nightlife.

What to do

Huerta La Esperanza

Located in the La Esperanza neighborhood, this garden is an example of how urban agriculture can transform forgotten spaces into sources of fresh food. Here, neighbors actively participate in growing vegetables and aromatic herbs.

Insider Tip: Visit on Saturday mornings when they hold local product fairs. It is an excellent opportunity to meet the farmers and learn about sustainable cultivation practices.

Huerta El Jardín

In the Manrique neighborhood, this garden offers a community space where agriculture and environmental education are combined. Workshops are organized to teach the community about the importance of urban agriculture.

Insider Tip: Participate in one of their composting workshops. You will learn how to transform your organic waste into fertilizer for your plants, as well as meet other gardening enthusiasts.

Where to eat or drink

El Chato

This restaurant stands out for its focus on local gastronomy, using fresh ingredients from nearby urban gardens. The menu changes regularly based on product availability. Insider Tip: Do not miss their dish of the day; they often use freshly harvested vegetables and herbs, guaranteeing an explosion of authentic flavors.

La Pampa

An ideal place to enjoy grilled cuts of meat, but they also offer vegetarian options that incorporate products from local gardens. The atmosphere is relaxed and perfect for sharing with friends. Insider Tip: Ask about the salad of the day option, which always includes fresh, seasonal ingredients from urban gardens.