Introduction: The Green Revolution That Climbed to Medellín's Rooftops
Medellín has always been a city of contrasts. But in recent years, something is changing in the skyline: it's no longer just the skyscrapers of El Poblado or the green mountains of the Aburrá Valley. Now, on the rooftops of hotels, hostels, and apartments, hanging gardens are sprouting that seem straight out of a science fiction novel. I'm talking about green roofs, a trend that has turned the city into a laboratory of urban sustainability. In July 2026, when the sun is strong, these spaces are an oasis of fresh air and tranquility.
The idea is not new: green roofs have existed in cities like Singapore or Berlin for decades. But in Medellín, where the temperate climate allows for cultivation almost year-round, it has become a local obsession. Hotels like the Hotel Jardín Escondido or the Hostal La Terraza de las Hierbas have bet on urban orchards on their rooftops, and eco-conscious travelers are loving it. It's not just about aesthetics: these spaces reduce the building's temperature, filter the air, and, incidentally, produce fresh food for breakfast. If you're one of those looking for a sustainable accommodation in Medellín without sacrificing comfort, this article is for you.
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Here I'll tell you about the best places, how to get there, what to do, and some tips that only locals know. Get ready to climb onto a roof that is not just a roof: it's a garden, an orchard, and an experience that connects you with the city from the heights.
El Jardín Colgante: A Boutique Hotel in El Poblado with an Organic Rooftop Orchard
Let's start with the most famous one: the Hotel Jardín Colgante, located on Carrera 35 with Calle 8, in the heart of El Poblado. This boutique hotel not only has views of Parque Lleras, but on its 200-square-meter rooftop, there is an organic orchard that supplies the hotel's restaurant. When you arrive, the first thing you see is a cascade of climbing plants hanging from the facade. But the real show is upstairs.
On the terrace, there are growing beds with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, basil, mint, and even strawberries. Everything is irrigated with rainwater collected in a channel system that the hotel installed three years ago. The restaurant's chef, a guy named Carlos, goes out every morning to harvest what he will cook. "Here, 30% of the vegetables we serve come from the roof," he once told me while cutting some arugula leaves. Guests can participate in the harvests on Saturdays at 9 a.m., at no additional cost.
The rooms have large windows overlooking the vertical garden, and the nightly rate is around $250,000 COP in low season (reference prices from July 2026). It includes breakfast with products from the orchard. If you want something more exclusive, the hotel offers a guided tour of the roof where they explain how the irrigation and composting system works. It's perfect for travelers who want to understand how an ecological hotel in Medellín works without losing the glamour.
Fun fact: the hotel has an agreement with a local university to measure the temperature reduction in the building. According to their studies, the green roof lowers the interior temperature by up to 4 degrees compared to a conventional roof. In a city that can reach 30°C, that's a luxury.
La Terraza de las Hierbas: A Hostel in Laureles That Grows Its Own Breakfast Ingredients
If you prefer a more relaxed and budget-friendly atmosphere, the Hostal La Terraza de las Hierbas in Laureles is your place. It's located on Calle 47A with Carrera 76, two blocks from the Estadio Metro Station. This hostel is known among backpackers for its green rooftop, where they grow aromatic herbs, lettuce, spring onions, and even small chili plants. Everything is used for the buffet breakfast they offer to guests.
The best part is that the hostel organizes urban gardening workshops on Wednesdays and Fridays at 4 p.m. For $15,000 COP, they teach you how to plant in recycled pots, make homemade compost, and care for plants in small spaces. At the end, they give you a basil or mint seedling to take home (or to your next destination). Travelers who have been there say it's an experience that transforms the way you see travel.
Beds in shared dormitories cost from $45,000 COP per night, and private rooms from $120,000 COP. Breakfast includes homemade bread, arepas, fresh fruit, and, of course, freshly cut herbs from the roof. The hostel also has an exchange program: if you help in the orchard for one hour a day, you get a 10% discount on your stay. It's ideal for eco-conscious travelers on a tight budget.
A detail few know: the hostel has an alliance with a local farmers' cooperative. Organic waste from breakfast is turned into compost for the orchard, and the surplus herbs are sold to a neighboring restaurant. So each visit supports a circular economy. If you're looking for a sustainable accommodation in Medellín that won't break the bank, this is the place.
Green Activities: Urban Gardening Workshops and Cooking Classes with Orchard Produce
Beyond sleeping, these accommodations offer experiences that connect you with the earth. At the Hotel Jardín Colgante, on Saturdays at 10 a.m., there is a cooking class with Chef Carlos. For $60,000 COP, you learn to prepare a garden salad, a fresh basil pesto, and a dessert with strawberries from the roof. All while watching the skyline of Medellín from the rooftop. It's an activity I recommend if you're traveling solo or as a couple.
At La Terraza de las Hierbas, the gardening workshops are more hands-on. They give you gloves, soil, and seeds, and in one hour you learn to plant in a recycled plastic pot. The instructor, a local biologist named Andrés, explains how plants purify the air and why green roofs are key to combating urban heat. "Medellín has the perfect climate for this," he says while watering a tomato. "You don't need to be an expert, just have the desire."
There are also options for those who want something more adventurous. Some hostels in the Buenos Aires neighborhood are starting to offer tours of green roofs in the area, visiting three or four rooftops with urban orchards. The tour lasts two hours and costs $25,000 COP. It includes a tasting of juices made with local herbs. If you're interested, ask at your accommodation's reception; many have agreements with local guides.
A tip: if you come in July, the weather is perfect for these activities. It doesn't rain as much as in October, and the sun isn't as strong as in January. So take advantage to do the workshop outdoors without breaking a sweat.
Benefits for the Guest: Fresh Air, Panoramic Views and Ecological Commitment
Why should you choose an accommodation with a green roof in Medellín? The answer is simple: quality of life. These spaces are not only beautiful but also improve your travel experience in ways you don't expect. First, the air. In a city with heavy traffic, green roofs act as natural filters. Plants absorb CO2 and polluting particles, so when you go up to the rooftop, you breathe cleaner air. Guests at the Hotel Jardín Colgante report sleeping better thanks to the natural ventilation generated by the garden.
Second, the views. Medellín is a city of mountains, and from a green roof, you see the Aburrá Valley in a unique way. At La Terraza de las Hierbas, for example, you have a panoramic view of Cerro Nutibara and the city center. It's the perfect place for a sunset with a craft beer (which the hostel sells for $8,000 COP). Additionally, street noise is muffled by the plants, creating an atmosphere of tranquility that few hotels in El Poblado can offer.
Third, the ecological commitment. By choosing these accommodations, you are supporting a tourism model that reduces the carbon footprint. According to data from the Hotel Jardín Colgante, its green roof captures 1.5 tons of CO2 per year. That's equivalent to planting 30 trees. And at La Terraza de las Hierbas, 80% of organic waste is composted on the same roof. It's not greenwashing: it's real action.
A fun fact: some guests have started replicating these systems in their homes after visiting Medellín. The hostel has a WhatsApp group where they share photos of their own urban orchards in cities like Bogotá, Buenos Aires, or Madrid. So you not only take away a memory but also an inspiration for your daily life.
How to Get There and Transportation
Getting to these accommodations is easy, even if you don't rent a car. Medellín has a public transportation system that is wonderful: the Metro. For the Hotel Jardín Colgante in El Poblado, take line A to the Poblado station. From there, it's a 10-minute walk along Carrera 35. If you're coming from José María Córdova Airport, a taxi costs around $80,000 COP (prices from July 2026) and drops you at the door in 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
For La Terraza de las Hierbas in Laureles, get off at the Estadio station on line A. Walk two blocks north along Carrera 76, and you'll arrive in five minutes. It's a safe area full of cafes and restaurants. If you prefer Uber, from downtown it costs about $12,000 COP and from El Poblado about $18,000 COP. The hostel also offers bicycle parking if you arrive on one.
A local tip: avoid peak hours (7-9 a.m. and 5-7 p.m.) if you use the Metro. The stations get crowded, but trains run every 3 minutes. And if you're coming from the airport, consider the direct bus that costs $12,000 COP and drops you at the northern transport terminal. From there, a taxi to the hotel costs $25,000 COP. It's cheaper than a direct taxi.
Local Tips
Here are some tips that only those of us who live in Medellín know:
- Book in advance: Green roofs are popular among eco-conscious travelers, and spots for workshops fill up quickly. Call the hotel or hostel a week in advance to secure your place in the harvest or cooking class.
- Wear comfortable clothes: In gardening workshops, you're going to get your hands dirty. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting stained. The hostel lends gloves, but better to be prepared.
- Try the local products: At the Hotel Jardín Colgante, the restaurant has a menu that changes according to the harvest. Ask for the herb juice of the day: sometimes they mix mint with lemon and ginger, and it's spectacular.
- Don't forget sunscreen: Even though the roof has partial shade, the sun in Medellín is strong, especially between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Bring sunscreen and a hat.
- Support fair trade: At La Terraza de las Hierbas, they sell seeds and gardening kits for $10,000 COP. The money goes to a foundation that teaches urban agriculture in the city's communes. Taking one home is a souvenir with a purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it expensive to stay at a hotel with a green roof in Medellín?
Not necessarily. There are options for all budgets. The Hotel Jardín Colgante is more exclusive, with prices from $250,000 COP per night, while La Terraza de las Hierbas offers beds from $45,000 COP. Both include activities related to the orchard, so the added value is worth it. Prices are reference from July 2026 and may vary depending on the season.
Can I visit the green roof if I'm not staying at the hotel?
In most cases, yes, but with restrictions. The Hotel Jardín Colgante allows visits on Saturdays at 11 a.m. for $30,000 COP, which includes a guided tour and a tasting. At La Terraza de las Hierbas, gardening workshops are open to the public for $15,000 COP. However, you must book in advance because space is limited to 10 people per session.
What if I have no gardening experience?
Don't worry. The workshops are designed for beginners. At La Terraza de las Hierbas, the instructor explains everything from scratch: how to prepare the soil, plant, and water. You don't need prior knowledge, just the desire to learn. And at the end, you take your own plant home, so you leave with a new skill and a living memory of Medellín.
Where to Eat or Drink
El Jardín de Tinto
This cozy café in the Laureles neighborhood combines a relaxed atmosphere with a focus on sustainability. Its green roofs are not only visually appealing but also help regulate the temperature of the place. Here you'll find a selection of locally sourced coffees and delicious vegetarian options.
Insider Tip: Try their carrot cake; it's a favorite among locals. Sit on the terrace and enjoy the view of the garden while relaxing with a good book.
Casa en el aire
Located in the El Poblado area, this restaurant offers a unique experience with its architectural design that incorporates natural elements. Its menu focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients, many of which come from its own urban orchard.
Insider Tip: Don't miss their tasting menu, which changes weekly. Book it in advance, as it sells out quickly on weekends.
La Pampa
An ideal place for meat lovers, La Pampa is known for its Argentine cuts and warm atmosphere. Although it focuses on the grill, it also offers vegetarian options and a couple of dishes that use ingredients directly from its urban garden.
Insider Tip: Order their red wine sangria; it's the best way to cool off while enjoying a good barbecue on their outdoor terrace.
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