Introduction: Envigado, where the craft is still respected
If you walk through the main park of Envigado on a Saturday morning, you will hear the sharp thud of a hammer against leather, the hum of a wood lathe, and the smell of varnish mixed with freshly brewed coffee. In a city that moves as fast as Medellín, Envigado holds a secret half an hour from the metro: here, traditional trades are not museum pieces; they are the daily bread of entire families who have been working leather, wood, and ceramics for four generations.
I grew up watching don Alberto, the leatherworker from calle 37, fix horse cinches while the neighborhood kids played soccer in the street. Today, in May 2026, that workshop is still open. And it is not the only one. Envigado concentrates the largest number of active artisan workshops in the Valle de Aburrá, according to the Chamber of Commerce of Medellín for Antioquia. It is no coincidence: here, tradition did not break when the shopping malls arrived.
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This article is for you who want something more than a refrigerator magnet. For the traveler seeking the smell of freshly planed wood, the texture of hand-tanned leather, and the story behind every stitch. We are going to tour the workshops that keep alive the trades that have already been lost elsewhere.
What to do: tour the workshops with all five senses
In Envigado there is no tourist route marked with arrows. The charm lies in letting yourself be guided by the smell of leather and the sound of tools. But if you want a starting point, these are the workshops you cannot miss.
El Abuelo leather workshop (calle 37 sur #43-12)
Don Alberto, the owner, is 74 years old and still sits in front of his 1952 Singer industrial sewing machine. Here they make everything from horse cinches to handbags, belts, and briefcases. All in vegetable-tanned cowhide, without harsh chemicals. A simple belt can cost you around 45,000 COP (reference prices from May 2026). If you want something customized, bring your design and they will make it in a week.
Fun fact: Don Alberto learned the trade from his father, who in turn learned from his grandfather who worked in the Marmato mines. The stitching technique they use is the same one used in the 19th century for horse saddles.
Cerámica San Lucas (carrera 43 #38-12)
María Eugenia has been working with clay for 30 years. Her workshop is an old house with an internal patio where the floor is covered in clay shavings. Here you can take a two-hour workshop (35,000 COP) and make your own piece. She guides you from kneading to firing in a wood-fired kiln built by her husband. The finished pieces are delivered a month later, once the clay has dried and fired properly.
Fun fact: The wood-fired kiln reaches temperatures of 1,200°C and uses guayacán wood, which gives a characteristic reddish tone to the pieces. No two are alike.
El Mueble Fino cabinetmaking (calle 38 sur #44-08)
Don Carlos is a third-generation cabinetmaker. His specialty is furniture in cedar and walnut, but he also makes decorative figures, cutting boards, and wooden toys. The workshop smells of fresh sawdust and beeswax, which is what they use to seal the wood. You can buy a cedar cutting board for 25,000 COP or order a custom piece of furniture. Furniture prices start at 300,000 COP and go up depending on complexity.
Fun fact: Don Carlos says the secret to good furniture lies in drying the wood. The cedar he uses is air-dried for at least two years before being worked. "If you rush it, it cracks," he told me the last time I visited.
La Abuela weaving workshop (carrera 45 #37-22)
Doña Lucía has been weaving on a handloom since she was 12. Today she is 68 and still makes ruanas, blankets, and bags from sheep's wool. Her workshop is on the second floor of her house, and from the window you can see the main park. A simple ruana costs around 120,000 COP. Blankets, which are larger and thicker, can reach 250,000 COP.
Fun fact: The wool she uses comes from sheep raised on the high plateau of Santa Rosa de Osos. Doña Lucía washes, cards, and dyes it with natural dyes such as achiote (orange color) or onion (yellow color).
Where to eat or drink near the workshops
After walking and seeing artisans, hunger strikes. Envigado has a gastronomic offer that ranges from traditional cuisine to more modern options, all just a few blocks from the workshops.
La Pérgola (calle 37 sur #43-20)
A restaurant with a terrace that has been serving Antioquian food for 25 years. The main dishes are the bandeja paisa (32,000 COP) and the sancocho de gallina (28,000 COP). Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am-9pm. It is two blocks from the leather workshop.
Heladería La 37 (calle 37 sur #44-15)
For a sweet craving after the ceramics. They sell artisanal ice cream made from tropical fruits like lulo, guanábana, and maracuyá. A cone costs 8,000 COP. Open every day from 10am to 10pm.
Mercado de Envigado (carrera 43 #38-01)
If you want something quick and authentic, go into the market. In the food court you will find arepas de chócolo with cheese (5,000 COP), empanadas (2,500 COP each), and mango in milk juice (6,000 COP). Open Monday to Saturday, 6am-6pm.
How to get there and transportation
Getting to Envigado from Medellín is simple. The metro is the fastest and most economical option.
- Metro: Take line A (blue) to the Envigado station. The trip from downtown Medellín takes about 20 minutes and costs 2,950 COP (reference price from May 2026). From the station, the workshops are a 10-15 minute walk east.
- Bus: If you are coming from the south of the Valle de Aburrá, you can take a bus that passes along the Autopista Sur and get off at the Envigado bridge. From there, walk 5 minutes to the park.
- Taxi or Uber: From downtown Medellín, a taxi costs between 15,000 and 25,000 COP depending on traffic. Uber is usually a bit cheaper.
- By car: If you drive, there is public parking on carrera 43 with calle 38 (in front of the market) that charges 3,000 COP per hour.
Recommendation: The workshops are concentrated within a six-block radius around the main park. The best way to get around is on foot. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle, because the Envigado sun is strong between 11am and 2pm.
Local tips
- Hours: Most workshops are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. Almost everything is closed on Sundays. If you come on a weekend, call ahead or stop by on Saturday morning.
- Cash is king: Many workshops do not accept credit cards or Nequi. Bring 20,000 and 50,000 COP bills. The nearest ATMs are on carrera 43 with calle 38 (Banco de Bogotá and Bancolombia).
- Language: The artisans speak Spanish. A couple of phrases in basic Spanish (like "¿cuánto cuesta?" or "gracias") make a difference. If you do not speak Spanish, bring a translator on your phone or come with a local friend.
- Bargaining with respect: In the workshops, you do not haggle like in a street market. If you buy several pieces, you can ask if there is a discount, but do not expect more than 10%. These are fair prices for handmade work.
- Photography: Ask before taking photos. Most artisans do not mind, but some prefer that their techniques not be seen. It is always polite to ask permission.
- Shop with awareness: If you buy a piece, you are helping to keep a trade alive. Do not buy industrial imitations sold on the street. The difference is noticeable in the quality and the story you take home.
Frequently asked questions
Are the workshops open to the public or only for orders?
Most are open to the public without an appointment. You can enter, look around, ask questions, and buy. If you want a hands-on workshop (like the ceramics one), it is better to book one or two days in advance, especially on weekends.
Can I pay with a credit card or only cash?
Most workshops only accept cash. Some, like Cerámica San Lucas, have Nequi or Daviplata, but it is not the norm. Bring cash in small bills to avoid change problems.
How much time is needed to tour the workshops?
At a relaxed pace, stopping to talk to the artisans and take photos, you can see the four main workshops in one morning (from 9am to 12:30pm). If you want to do a hands-on workshop (like the ceramics one), allow at least two additional hours. I recommend dedicating half a full day to enjoy it without rushing.
Are there options for children in the workshops?
Yes, especially at the Cerámica San Lucas workshop and the El Mueble Fino cabinetmaking shop. Don Carlos lets young children help sand wood (with supervision) and María Eugenia has children's clay workshops for ages 5 and up. However, there are no activities specifically designed for children, so parents need to be attentive.
Can international shipments be made from the workshops?
Some workshops, such as the El Abuelo leather workshop and the La Abuela weaving workshop, have experience shipping to the United States and Europe. But it is not a formal service. The best thing is to buy the piece, pack it well, and take it in your suitcase. If the object is very large (like a piece of furniture), ask the artisan if they know a parcel service that does international shipping. In general, the workshops do not have a website or online ordering system.