Belén: the neighborhood of the electric staircases

Belén: the neighborhood of the electric staircases

If there is a place in Medellín that breaks the postcard and skyscraper image, it is Belén. But not the Belén of shopping malls or the Sports Unit: I am talking about the Belén of the hillsides, the one that climbs up the hills and where public transport doesn't arrive by bus, but by outdoor escalators. Yes, you read that right. While in the city center people complain about traffic, here locals go up and down on public electric staircases that cross steep streets, among colorful houses and views that take your breath away. In July 2026, these staircases remain one of Medellín's best-kept secrets, and I'm going to tell you everything you need to know to experience them like a local.

Historical or contextual introduction

Belén was not always the neighborhood of the electric staircases. To understand them, you have to know the neighborhood. Belén is one of the largest communes in Medellín, with over 200,000 inhabitants, and is divided into several sectors: Belén Los Alpes, Belén Rincón, Belén Las Playas, Belén Zafiro, among others. But the area we are interested in is the upper part, where the streets become impossible slopes and walking becomes an extreme sport.

The history of the electric staircases began around 2015, when the Mayor's Office of Medellín, in its effort to connect marginalized neighborhoods with the rest of the city, started installing unconventional transportation systems. They had already done it with the Metrocable in Comuna 13, but in Belén it was different: there was no space for an aerial cable car, so they opted for outdoor escalators, covered with metal roofs to protect them from the sun and rain. The first stage was inaugurated in 2016, connecting the lower part of Belén Los Alpes with the upper part, and it was an immediate success. Residents went from spending 40 minutes walking up to just 5 minutes on the staircase.

Today, the system has several stations, with staircases totaling more than 200 meters in length, and it has become an icon of local urban mobility. It is not a tourist project; it is a real solution for a community that previously depended on informal mototaxis or exhausting walks. And although it does not have the fame of Comuna 13, for those in the know, Belén is the perfect example of how infrastructure can change lives without needing to be spectacular.

What to do

Visiting the electric staircases of Belén is not just about going up and down. It is a neighborhood experience, the kind that shows you the real Medellín, far from Instagram filters. Here is a step-by-step plan:

Walk the staircases of Belén Los Alpes

The starting point is the Belén Los Alpes sector, specifically at Calle 30 with Carrera 80. From there, you will see the first electric staircases, ascending in sections of about 20 meters each, with landings and small plazas. Go up to the top, where there is a sports court and a panoramic view of the entire Aburrá Valley. On clear days, you can even see the hills of Santa Elena. Don't rush: the staircases operate from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., so you can go at sunset and watch the city lights turn on.

Explore the neighborhood on foot

Once at the top, walk through the streets of the sector. The houses are brightly colored, many with exposed brick facades and balconies full of plants. The locals are friendly; if they see you with a tourist face, they will greet you and ask where you are from. Take the opportunity to go into the corner stores, where they sell freshly baked empanadas and pandebono. There are no marked routes, so the best plan is to get lost for a while and let yourself be carried away by the slopes.

Visit the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario

In the lower part of Belén, near the Belén metro station, is this modern-style church that is a local landmark. It is not huge, but its concrete and glass facade contrasts with the traditional houses of the neighborhood. It is worth going in if it is open, especially on Sundays, when there is mass and the neighborhood comes alive.

Climb to the Mirador de Belén Rincón

If you still want more views, walk 15 minutes from the staircases to the Mirador de Belén Rincón, a small park with benches and a sign that says "Belén Rincón". From there, the view is even wider, and at night you feel a cool breeze that contrasts with the heat of the day. It is a popular spot for couples and groups of friends who bring speakers and beers.

Where to eat or drink

Belén is not the Zona Rosa, but it has food options ranging from home-style to gourmet, all at prices that don't hurt. These are my recommendations, all verified in July 2026:

Restaurante El Hueco

Located on Carrera 80 with Calle 30, right next to the first staircase. It is a small place, with plastic tables and a menu written on a board. Specialty: bandeja paisa ($22,000 COP) and sancocho de gallina ($18,000 COP). Open Monday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The owner, Doña Martha, has been cooking for 20 years and treats you like family.

Panadería Belén Alpes

Halfway up the staircases, on one of the rest plazas, there is a bakery that sells pandebono, almojábanas, and buñuelos. A pandebono costs $1,500 COP. It is perfect for a quick breakfast or a snack while you rest. It has no name on the facade, but you will recognize it by the smell of freshly baked bread.

La Casa de la Arepa

In the lower part, on Calle 30 with Carrera 78, this restaurant has all kinds of arepas: chócolo, peeled corn, stuffed with meat, chicken, or cheese. Stuffed arepas start at $12,000 COP. Open every day from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The place is spacious and has air conditioning, a luxury in the neighborhood.

Local bars

If you want a drink, look for the neighborhood stores that sell cold beer. One of the busiest is Tienda La 80, on Carrera 80 with Calle 32. It doesn't have a cocktail menu, but they sell Aguardiente Antioqueño and Águila beer at neighborhood prices: a beer costs $3,500 COP. On weekends, locals sit on the sidewalks with plastic chairs and play music like vallenato or reggaeton. It is the best way to feel the local atmosphere.

How to get there and transportation

Getting to the electric staircases of Belén is easy if you use Medellín's public transportation system. Here are the routes:

By metro

Take line A of the metro to the Belén station. From there, go up to the surface and walk 10 minutes north along Carrera 80, to Calle 30. The staircases start right on that corner. The metro ride from the center (Parque Berrío station) takes about 20 minutes.

By bus

Several buses on the "Belén Los Alpes" or "Belén Rincón" routes run along Carrera 80. Ask the driver to let you off at "the entrance to the staircases". The fare is $2,900 COP. If you are coming from El Poblado, take a bus that goes to the Belén metro station and then walk.

By taxi or app

A taxi from El Poblado costs around $15,000 COP. On apps like Didi or Uber, the price is similar. Set the destination as "Calle 30 con Carrera 80, Belén Los Alpes". The driver will know exactly where it is.

On foot from the metro station

If you like walking, from the Belén station it is a 10-minute flat walk to the staircases. The area is safe during the day, but at night it is better to go with company, as in any popular neighborhood.

Local tips

To make your visit authentic and hassle-free, keep this in mind:

• Ideal time: The staircases operate from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. If you go on a weekday, before 8:00 a.m. you will see locals going to work. It is a live urban mobility show.
• Safety: Belén Los Alpes is a quiet neighborhood, but as in all of Medellín, don't walk with your phone in your hand on the staircases. Keep your valuables in a closed backpack.
• Hydration: The climb is on an escalator, but the heat in Medellín can be intense. Bring a water bottle; in the neighborhood stores they sell it for $2,000 COP.
• Don't use flash: If you take photos, don't use flash. The locals are friendly, but the flash can bother them, especially in the houses near the staircases.
• Fun fact: The electric staircases of Belén were designed by the same team that made those in Comuna 13, but in Belén there are no graffiti or tourist murals. It is a purely functional project, without adornments. That makes it more authentic.
• Connect with the locals: If you see someone sitting on one of the plazas, say hello. Locals are used to seeing tourists in Comuna 13, but in Belén they are still pleasantly surprised when someone visits their staircases. A conversation can lead you to learn incredible stories.

Frequently asked questions

Are the electric staircases of Belén free?

Yes, they are completely free. They are maintained by the municipality of Medellín and do not require any type of card or ticket. You just go up and enjoy.

Is it safe to visit Belén Los Alpes as a tourist?

Yes, it is safe during the day, especially during the busiest hours (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.). At night, it is better to go with company and not stray from the staircases. As in any popular neighborhood, use common sense and avoid showing valuables.

How long does the full staircase route take?

Going up from the base to the top takes between 5 and 7 minutes if you don't stop. But if you want to enjoy the views, the plazas, and the shops, you can easily spend an hour. I recommend dedicating at least 2 hours to explore the surrounding neighborhood.

Are there public restrooms near the staircases?

There are no public restrooms on the staircases. You can use the restrooms at nearby restaurants, like El Hueco or La Casa de la Arepa, if you buy something. There is also a gas station on Carrera 80 with Calle 30 that has restrooms.

Can I take a bicycle on the electric staircases?

It is not allowed. The staircases are narrow and designed for pedestrians. If you have a bicycle, you will have to carry it up the manual stairs that are next to them, or leave it locked up at the bottom.