Rooftop in Medellín: what it is, where to find one and how to plan your visit

The city’s rooftops are spread across very different neighborhoods, so searching for a rooftop in Medellín brings up all sorts of results: bars with DJs, restaurants, hotel pools. This guide explains what a rooftop is, what changes from one area to another and what to know before you go up. We write it from Nemoratto, a rooftop in the south of the city, and it is not a ranking.

What is a rooftop?

Rooftop is the English word for the top of a building, azotea in Spanish. In Medellín it refers to a restaurant, a bar or a terrace on the upper part of a building, almost always open-air and with a view of the city. It is written as one word, though you will sometimes see “roof top”.

They are not all the same plan. The city’s official tourism guide points this out: some are restaurants or bars, others turn into places to dance later on and others belong to a place to stay. So besides where it is, it matters what kind of rooftop it is.

How to choose a rooftop for your plan

Which parts of Medellín have rooftops

The official tourism guide mentions rooftops downtown and in Laureles, Provenza, Perpetuo Socorro and Manila, and even in Manrique, Calasanz and Comuna 13. Broadly, this is what changes:

• El Poblado. Provenza and Manila are here, and the official guide names it as the part of the city with the most bars and clubs. The four rooftops from other businesses in our comparison are all in El Poblado, and three of them are in hotels.
• Laureles and Calasanz. They are west of the river, and the official guide also counts Laureles among the areas with the most bars. If you live or are staying there, you avoid crossing the city.
• Downtown and Perpetuo Socorro. They are close to metro stations, which helps if you would rather not drive. Do check what time it closes before planning the trip back.
• Manrique and Comuna 13. They are on the hillsides, so you see the valley from another angle. Before you go, find out how to get there.
• The south. This is where we are, minutes from El Poblado. Further down we tell you what you will find.

If you want to compare specific places, another of our guides brings together five rooftops in alphabetical order, with the address, hours and booking method each one publishes on its official website.

Rooftops in Medellín: what each one offers

What to know before you go up

• The time. The sun sets around six in the evening all year round. If you want to watch the sunset from your table, arrive before then and book ahead, because it is the most requested slot.
• The weather. Almost all have an open-air area and in Medellín rain can arrive with little warning. If the plan depends on the terrace, ask whether there is a covered area.
• Whether it belongs to a hotel. According to the official guide, some only sometimes admit people who are not staying there. Confirm before you go.
• The pool. A rooftop having one does not mean you can get in. The official guide recommends asking first.
• The music. There is often live music on weekends and some places end up as dance floors. If you are going to celebrate or to talk, ask what the atmosphere is like at the time of your booking.
• Getting home. If you are going to drink, leave the car and come back by taxi or app.

How much you spend at a rooftop

It depends on the place and on whether you are going to eat or just have a drink, and not all of them publish prices. The most reliable approach is to look for the menu before you go and, if it is not on their site, to ask through their booking channel. At Nemoratto the average spend is between 40,000 and 60,000 Colombian pesos per person, and the full priced menu is published.

Nemoratto, a rooftop in the south of the city

• Where: 6th floor of the 4 Sur Hotel, Calle 2 Sur No. 50G-19, in the south of Medellín, minutes from El Poblado. You come in through the hotel entrance and go straight up to the 6th floor.
• What it is: a restaurant and gastrobar serving Italian fusion, with grilled dishes and Peruvian cooking, and a full menu: starters, pasta, risotto, meats, pizza, desserts and cocktails.
• Spaces: an open-air terrace with panoramic views of the Aburrá Valley, and a private dining room.
• Hours: every day, 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m. Open to the public, even if you are not staying at the hotel.
• For celebrations: for anniversaries and birthdays we offer a complimentary dessert and table decoration, if you let us know at least a day ahead.
• Parking: you can park on the street in the area at no cost; there are paid covered public car parks nearby.
• Dress: there is no dress code; the restaurant reserves the right of admission.
• Bookings: on WhatsApp, at +57 323 311 9701, with the date, time and number of people. Booking is not required, but it is recommended at sunset and on weekends.

It is a plan for lunch, sunset or dinner with a view. If you are after a party until late, another kind of rooftop will suit you better: we close at 11:00 p.m.

Source for the areas and tips: Medellín.Travel, guía oficial de turismo

See the priced menu·Sunset dinner·How to book·Guide: where to watch the sunset in Medellín