Shopping in Medellín
Shopping in Medellín can be done in large luxury shopping centers, more intimate “green” malls and all kinds of specialized stores in el Centro. Two of the largest shopping malls, Viva Envigado and Mayorca Mega Plaza, are located in Envigado and in Sabaneta. Despite their location outside Medellín’s tourist center, these malls are easily accessible by subway. Some of the larger malls are also located in El Poblado and Laureles. Read on soon for our shopping tips and for a list of the best shopping malls in Medellín.
5 shopping tips
1) Do you like large, upscale shopping malls?
Then check out the shopping malls in El Poblado like Santafé or Viva in Envigado
2) Would you prefer a smaller, intimate mall, where you can shop “green?”
Then Oviedo is probably more your thing. “Drive-thru” and dog friendly Oviedo is a picture to behold. Really everywhere you look you see green! Besides stores of famous brands, you will find beautiful interior and antique shops and nice coffee shops. Also top: you can grab a book in the reading cafe and plop down on the couch. Oviedo is located opposite Santafé on Avenida el Poblado and is easily recognized by the red “apple”!
3) Are you more of a bargain hunter?
Then shop at Mayorca Mega Plaza in Sabaneta or at Palacio Nacional in el Centro.
4) Eating in a food court with a view?
Then order your food in Santafé’s food court and grab a table on the terrace overlooking the city.
5) Do you need new glasses?
Then head to Centro Comercial Colombia Optico in el Centro. In this mall you will find numerous opticians and eyewear stores for a consultation. (Eye measurement and comprehensive eyewear advice) We paid COP30,000/€7.50 for this consultation and COP130,000/€32.50 for a pair of (monofocal) glasses, which were ready the same day. The service in this mall was top notch! Tip: el Centro is crowded and chaotic. If you shop here, pay extra close attention to your belongings.
Read on quickly for more info on the shopping malls and how to get there.
VIVA ENVIGADO
Largest mall in Colombia
- Location: Envigado
- Envigado metro station (line A) + 5 min. walk
- Exito “Wow” store, Homecenter
- Great Viva play park
- Website: Viva Envigado
MAYORCA MEGA PLAZA
For the best bargains
- Location: Sabaneta
- Itagüí metro station (line A). Via pedestrian bridge to the mall
- Outlet stores
- Exito supermarket, Flamingo and Home Sentry
- Happy City for the kids
- Website: Mayorca Mega Plaza
EL TESORO
Shopping with a view
- Location: El Poblado
- El Poblado metro station (line A) + cab 15 min.
- Mirador with a view
- Carulla supermarket
- Play park and Afterland amusement park
- Website: El Tesoro
UNICENTRO
In the heart of the city
- Location: Laureles
- Metro station Industriales (line A) + cab (10 min.) or: Metroplús bus to Fatima station + 10 min. walk
- Exito
- Happyland play park
- Website: Unicentro
SANTAFÉ
Shop in style
- Location: El Poblado
- Aguacatala metro station (Line A) + 15 min. walk
- Jumbo supermarket
- Falabella department store
- I-shop (Apple store)
- Nice outdoor terrace at food court, overlooking Medellín
- Happy City and Extreme Zone
- Website: Santafé
PALACIO NACIONAL
Scoring bargains at the old Palace of Justice
- Location: El Centro
- Metro stations Parque Berrio, San Antonio (line A) + 3-4 min. walk
- Not a state-of-the-art mall like the other malls. You go here mostly for the architecture and atmosphere
- More than 200 budget stores, with mostly clothing and shoes
