Belén: The Hidden Murals That Tell the Neighborhood's Story

Belén: The Hidden Murals That Tell the Neighborhood's Story

Belén is not your typical graffiti destination in Medellín. While Comuna 13 grabs headlines with its escalators and massive tours, here in Belén street art has a different vibe: it doesn't seek to go viral, but to tell the neighborhood's memory. Walking through its streets, among single-story houses and the smell of arepa de chócolo, you'll come across murals that narrate everything from the neighborhood's founding to the struggle of its women. If you're one of those looking for something more authentic, far from selfies with spray cans, this is your plan. In July 2026, Belén remains a living canvas, and here I'll tell you where to find the best works and what stories they hide.

Context of Urban Art in Belén

Unlike the explosion of graffiti downtown or in Comuna 13, urban art in Belén was born from community processes. Since the 2000s, local collectives like "Belén Graffiti" and "Mujeres de Barro" began painting walls with the neighbors' permission, not as a forced intervention. Many murals were funded by the Junta de Acción Comunal or the Medellín Mayor's Office, but with a stamp: the artists are from the neighborhood or have roots here. You won't find foreign signatures or tags from international celebrities. It's homegrown art, for the home.

Today, Belén has over 30 active murals, but most are hidden in alleys, on the facades of family homes, or on the sides of soccer fields. There is no official map (although several neighborhood WhatsApp groups share one), so you'll have to walk with curious eyes. That said, the reward is great: each mural has a story that connects you to the neighborhood's identity, from the era of pastures to the arrival of the metro.

What to Do: Route of 5 Key Murals

Here's a route I put together with help from Don Carlos, an elderly neighbor who has seen the neighborhood grow, and Laura, a local artist who painted several of these walls. They are five murals you can't miss, each with its own story. The route is done on foot (about 3 hours if you stop to take photos and chat with the homeowners).

Mural 1: "The Founding of Belén" on Calle 33 with Carrera 80

This mural, painted in 2019 by the collective "Raíces de Belén", covers the entire facade of a corner house. It shows the first settlers of the neighborhood: peasants who arrived from Amagá and Caldas at the beginning of the 20th century, with their mules and carts. In the background, you can see the old Belén chapel (the one that is now the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Belén) surrounded by green pastures. The coolest detail: in the lower right corner, the artist included a dog named "Trompudo", who was the block's pet in the 1950s. Neighbors say that if you stand in front of the mural at 4 pm, the sun hits the dog's face just right and it looks like it's looking at you.

Practical info: Address: Calle 33 # 80-45 (exterior facade, visible from the corner). Open 24/7 (it's public space). Recommended to visit between 9am and 5pm for good light.

Mural 2: "The River Washerwomen" on Carrera 76 with Calle 30

In an alley connecting Carrera 76 with Quebrada La Hueso, this 2021 mural is a tribute to the women who washed clothes in the Medellín River before the neighborhood was urbanized. The artist, a 58-year-old woman who signs as "Mona Lila", used blue and gray tones to represent the water, and the women's faces are made with stencil technique. They say Mona Lila was inspired by her own grandmother, who washed by hand until the 1970s. The mural is half-hidden, behind a green gate, but it's worth peeking in. However, the alley is narrow and sometimes there are parked cars, so watch out for side mirrors.

Practical info: Access via Carrera 76 # 30-12 (pedestrian alley). No set hours, but it's better during the day as the area is residential and quiet. Bring your phone's flashlight if you go at dusk.

Mural 3: "The Carnival of Belén" at Cancha de la 33

This is the largest mural in the neighborhood: it covers the entire side wall of the soccer field on Calle 33, between Carreras 79 and 80. Painted in 2022 by a group of 10 young people from the neighborhood, it represents the carnival that was held in Belén every December until the 1990s. There are figures in costumes, a music band with drums, and a parade of floats made with paper flowers. The coolest thing is that the artists included real photos of the neighbors who participated in those carnivals: if you look closely, in the upper left part there is a photo of Doña María, who is 85 years old and still lives two blocks from the field. She herself will tell you stories of the carnival if you find her sweeping the entrance of her house.

Practical info: Address: Calle 33 # 79-50 (public field). Free access. Best light between 10am and 2pm. On weekends there are soccer games, so there might be noise but also more atmosphere.

Mural 4: "Afro Identity" on Carrera 77 with Calle 32

Belén has a significant Afro-descendant community, and this 2023 mural is a recognition of its roots. Painted by the artist "Kike Graf", it shows an Afro-Colombian woman with a red turban and a basket of tropical fruits (mango, papaya, soursop). Next to her, there is a map of Colombia with the Pacific routes that many Afro migrants used to reach Medellín. The mural is on the facade of a hair salon called "Estilo Afro", and the owner, Doña Patricia, offers coffee while you look at the work. She can tell you how her family arrived from Tumaco in the 1980s and how the neighborhood welcomed them.

Practical info: Address: Carrera 77 # 32-15 (salon facade). Salon hours: Monday to Saturday, 8am-6pm. The mural is visible from the street, but if you want to go in for better angle photos, you can ask for permission.

Mural 5: "The Trades of Yesteryear" on Calle 34 with Carrera 78

This 2020 mural is a trip to the past. It shows a cobbler, a knife sharpener, a milkman with his cart, and a coconut ice cream vendor. These are trades that are almost no longer seen in Belén, but that the neighborhood's elders remember fondly. The artist, a 24-year-old who signs as "Zorro", interviewed 15 elderly neighbors to draw every detail. Look at the cobbler's face: he has a scar on his eyebrow, which is the same scar as Don Jesús, the real cobbler who worked on that same block until 2015. The mural is on the facade of a bakery, "Pan de la 34", where you can buy a pandequeso while appreciating the work.

Practical info: Address: Calle 34 # 78-30 (bakery). Open Monday to Sunday, 6am-8pm. The mural is visible from the street, but the bakery has a small terrace where you can sit and look at it calmly.

Where to Eat or Drink

After walking, you'll need to recharge. Belén is not Zona Rosa, but it has authentic and affordable options. Here are three recommended stops near the mural route.

Pan de la 34

I already mentioned it: it's the bakery from Mural 5. Besides the pandequeso (which is delicious, $3,000 COP each), they have almojábanas, buñuelos, and pan de bono. The coffee is from the local brand "Café de Belén", roasted in the neighborhood. A full breakfast (bread, coffee, and juice) costs about $12,000 COP. They open from 6am, ideal for starting the route early.

Address: Calle 34 # 78-30.

La Casa de las Arepas

On Carrera 79 with Calle 33, half a block from Mural 1. It's a small place run by Doña Rosa, who has been making arepas de chócolo with cheese, arepas de huevo, and arepas stuffed with shredded beef for 30 years. The arepas cost between $5,000 and $10,000 COP each, and come with hogao (tomato and onion sauce) and suero costeño. The place has tables outside, so you can eat while looking at the founding mural. Don't expect luxury: it's home-style food, simple but tasty.

Address: Carrera 79 # 33-12. Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7am-8pm; Sundays, 8am-3pm.

Helados de la 33

A cart of artisanal ice cream that parks on the corner of Cancha de la 33 (Mural 3). The owner, Don Jairo, makes ice cream from natural fruits: mango, soursop, lulo, and passion fruit. A single cone costs $3,500 COP. It's perfect for hydrating after walking. Don Jairo will also tell you stories of the neighborhood if he doesn't have a long line. Open Thursday to Sunday, from 11am until the ice runs out (usually until 6pm).

Location: Calle 33 with Carrera 80 (corner of the field).

How to Get There and Transportation

Belén is in the southwest of Medellín, and it's easy to get to from any point in the city. The mural route I put together is walkable, but you need public transport to get to the starting point.

By Metro

The nearest station is Estación Belén (Line A, the only metro line). From downtown Medellín (Estación Parque Berrío), it's about 20 minutes by metro. The fare is $3,180 COP (reference price for July 2026). Upon leaving the station, walk south on Carrera 76 until you reach Calle 33. That walk is about 15 minutes, and along the way you'll already see some small graffiti. If you want to start the route from Mural 1, take a feeder bus (route "Belén 33") from the station to Calle 33 with Carrera 80. The bus costs $2,500 COP and runs every 10 minutes.

By Bus or Taxi

From downtown or El Poblado, you can take a bus to Belén. The most common routes are "Belén" (which goes along Avenida 33) or "Belén San Javier" (which goes along Avenida 80). The bus fare is $3,000 COP. By taxi, from El Poblado to Mural 1 is about $15,000 COP, and from downtown, $10,000 COP. Use apps like Uber or Didi, which work well in the area.

On Foot

The route of the 5 murals is completely walkable. The distances between murals are short: from Mural 1 to Mural 2 is 4 blocks (about 500 meters), from Mural 2 to Mural 3 is 6 blocks (700 meters), from Mural 3 to Mural 4 is 3 blocks (400 meters), and from Mural 4 to Mural 5 is 5 blocks (600 meters). In total, you walk about 3 kilometers. The streets are flat, with no steep inclines, so you don't need to be fit. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially if it's sunny.

Local Tips

Here are tips that only a local would give you, so you can enjoy the route without messing up.

• Greet the neighbors. In Belén, people are friendly and curious. If they see you taking photos of a mural, they'll likely approach and ask what you're doing. Tell them you're getting to know the neighborhood and they'll tell you stories you won't find on Google. They might even offer you tinto.
• Don't use flash in photos. Several murals are on the facades of houses where elderly people live. The flash can be annoying, especially in the afternoon when neighbors are resting. Use natural light or increase your camera's ISO.
• Avoid Sunday mornings. Many neighbors go to mass at Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Belén (Calle 33 with Carrera 78) and the neighborhood fills with cars. Also, bakeries and stores open late. Better on Saturday or during the week.
• Bring cash. In Belén, many food stalls and stores don't accept cards. Don Jairo's ice cream is cash only. There is a Bancolombia ATM on Carrera 76 with Calle 33, but it sometimes has a line.
• Respect the houses. Some murals are on private property. Don't go into the garden or touch the walls. If you want a closer photo, ask permission by knocking on the door (carefully). Most owners are friendly and will let you in if you explain you're a tourist.
• Bring a notebook or notes app. Neighbors will give you interesting facts (like the name of the dog Trompudo). Write them down to share later on social media or remember them. They'll come in handy for the photo caption.
• Watch out for stray dogs. In Belén, there are several loose dogs, especially near Quebrada La Hueso (Mural 2). They are not aggressive, but if they see you running or scared, they might bark. Walk calmly and ignore them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the murals painted with the neighbors' permission?

Yes, the vast majority. Urban art in Belén is done with the authorization of the homeowners or the Junta de Acción Comunal. There is no vandalized graffiti or tags without consent. If you see a mural on a facade, it's because the owner requested it or accepted it. This makes the experience more respectful and safe.

Can I take photos for Instagram or sell them as stock?

You can take photos for personal use and share them on social media without any problem. If you want to sell them or use them commercially, you should ask permission from the artist (look them up on social media by their signature) or the owner of the facade. In Belén, people are protective of the neighborhood's image, so it's better to ask before profiting from the photos. Also, tagging the artist (e.g., @KikeGraf or @ZorroArte) is a gesture they greatly appreciate.

Are there guided tours of the Belén murals?

There are no established commercial tours like in Comuna 13. However, some local collectives offer free walks or at a symbolic price (voluntary donation) on weekends. Ask at the Junta de Acción Comunal de Belén (Carrera 78 # 33-20) or search on Facebook "Ruta de murales Belén Medellín". You can also contact Laura, the artist from Mural 2, who sometimes organizes tours on Saturdays. If you don't find a tour, the route I gave you here is easy to do on your own.

Is it safe to walk alone in Belén?

Yes, Belén is one of the safest neighborhoods in Medellín, especially in the areas I mentioned (around Calle 33 and Carreras 76-80). As anywhere, don't display valuables and avoid lonely alleys after 8pm. The area has good lighting and there are always neighbors at their doors. If you go with a professional camera, try not to draw attention with large equipment.

What is the best time to photograph the murals?

Natural light is key. Between 9am and 11am, the sun illuminates the murals on Calle 33 (Murals 1 and 3) from the front. Between 2pm and 4pm, side lighting favors the details of Mural 2 and Mural 5. Avoid noon, when the sun is very high and creates harsh shadows. If you go in the afternoon, bring a small reflector or use the shade of trees to soften.