Sabaneta: The Last Town of Medellín That Doesn't Want to Grow

Introduction: The Town That Said No to Skyscrapers

Don Carlos, a 78-year-old man who has been selling empanadas on the corner of Sabaneta's main square since 1985, remembers the exact day everything changed. It wasn't when the first shopping mall arrived, nor when the metro station was built. It was one morning in 2022, when a group of neighbors stood in front of the machines that were going to erect the Altos de Sabaneta building, a 25-story project in the middle of a residential area. “That wasn't a building, it was a Tower of Babel,” says Don Carlos as he flips an empanada. “And we, the locals, said: enough is enough.” That fight, which ended up in court and halted construction, became the symbol of a neighborhood that, in the middle of 2026, continues to resist becoming just another part of the Medellín metropolitan area.

Sabaneta is not just any neighborhood. It is the smallest municipality in Colombia by area (barely 15 square kilometers) and, until recently, the one that most proudly refused to grow. While Itagüí, its neighbor to the north, filled up with office towers and gated communities, Sabaneta maintained its village atmosphere for decades: single-story houses, narrow streets, and a square where people still sit down to chat. But real estate pressure doesn't stop. In July 2026, the debate on how to grow without losing identity remains the daily bread on the corners of the park.

What to Do in Sabaneta: The Beating Heart of a Town

The first thing to understand is that Sabaneta is not a tourist destination in the traditional sense. There are no giant museums or world-famous attractions. Its charm lies in the small things, in the everyday. Here, what works is walking, eating, and listening.

Sabaneta's Main Square

The heart of the municipality is the Main Square, officially called Parque Simón Bolívar, but known to everyone as “Sabaneta's park.” It is a wide plaza, with a church at the front (Parroquia Santa Ana), wooden benches, and a kiosk where on weekends the municipal band plays. It is the perfect place to sit on a Sunday afternoon, buy a coconut ice cream from the lady who has been there for 30 years, and watch people go by. On Saturdays, there is a crafts and organic products market from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Calle 44: The Commercial Soul

Calle 44, which crosses the center of the municipality, is Sabaneta's commercial artery. Here you will find everything from clothing stores to hardware stores, passing by bakeries that smell of freshly baked mantecada. But what truly makes it special are its long-time shopkeepers. Doña Lucía, owner of the tailor shop “El Buen Vestir” since 1992, says that before, the street was just houses. “Now there are shops, but the owners are the same. The children inherited the businesses. That's Sabaneta: it's not sold, it's inherited.” A good plan is to walk Calle 44 from the metro station to the park, stopping at every business with a village façade.

Cerro de la Virgen Hill

For those who want a view of the valley without going all the way to Parque Arví, Cerro de la Virgen is a local option. It is a short hike (about 20 minutes from the park) that goes up to a chapel with a white virgin. From the top, you can see all of Sabaneta, and in the background, the skyline of Medellín. It is a pilgrimage site in December, but any day of the week it is quiet. There is no entrance fee, but it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially if you go in the afternoon.

Sabaneta Coliseum

If you like sports, the Sabaneta Coliseum (located at Carrera 43A # 44-50) is the epicenter of physical activity in the municipality. Basketball, volleyball, and futsal tournaments are held there, as well as cultural events. On weekends, there are usually amateur games that anyone can watch for free. It is a good place to feel the community atmosphere that Sabaneta still preserves.

Where to Eat and Drink: Town Flavors

Sabaneta's gastronomic offering is modest but honest. Don't expect haute cuisine restaurants, but rather home-style dishes that taste like grandma's recipe.

La Terraza de la Abuela

At Calle 44 # 42-15, this restaurant has been open since 1998 and is famous for its bandeja paisa and sancocho de gallina. Prices are as of July 2026: dishes between $18,000 and $25,000 COP. They are open Monday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The owner, Don Pedro, says the key is the hogao: “I make it the way my mom taught me, with long onion and chonto tomato. Nothing fancy.”

Don Carlos's Empanadas

It's not a restaurant, it's a cart. Don Carlos sets up on the corner of the park (in front of the church) from Tuesday to Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. His shredded beef and potato empanadas are legendary. They cost $2,500 each (reference price). They don't accept cards, only cash. “I've been here for 41 years, and the same customers have been buying from me since they were kids, now with their own children,” he says.

La Heladería del Parque

On the south side of the park, a small shop with a red awning has been selling coconut, arequipe, and guanábana ice creams since the 90s. Prices range from $3,000 to $6,000 COP. It is the meeting point for young people after school. Order a “mixto” (coconut and arequipe) and sit on one of the park benches.

Saturday Farmers Market

Every Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., a farmers market sets up on Calle 44 with Carrera 42. There, they sell fruits, vegetables, cheeses, jams, and artisan bread from local producers. It is ideal for buying a picnic lunch or simply to see what commerce was like before supermarkets. Prices are fair: a pound of chonto tomato is around $3,000 COP.

How to Get There and Transport: The Metro and Buses

Getting to Sabaneta from Medellín is simple. The Sabaneta metro station (line A) is the last station heading south. From downtown Medellín, the trip takes about 30 minutes. The fare in 2026 is $2,880 COP. Once at the station, the main square is a five-minute walk east (exit through the north exit and follow Calle 44).

There are also bus routes from downtown Medellín, such as the “Sabaneta” route that leaves from Plaza de Cisneros. The trip can take up to 40 minutes during rush hour, and the fare is around $3,200 COP. To get around within the municipality, the best option is to walk (everything is close) or take a mototaxi, which costs about $4,000 COP per trip. There are no Ubers or formal taxis in abundance, but mototaxis are safe and fast.

If you come by car, from Medellín take the Autopista Sur south, pass Itagüí, and continue to the Sabaneta exit. The nearest public parking lot is at Carrera 43A # 44-30, with rates of $3,000 COP per hour.

Local Tips: How to Get Around Like a Sabaneteño

• The climate: Sabaneta is hotter than Medellín, averaging around 24°C. Wear light clothing but bring a light jacket for the evening, as it drops to 18°C.
• The language: Although Spanish is spoken in the tourist area, English is not common. Learn basic phrases like “¿cuánto vale?” and “gracias, parce”.
• Meal times: Lunch is served between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Dinner, between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Many restaurants close after 8:00 p.m., so plan ahead.
• Cash is king: Although some places accept cards, most street stalls and small shops only take cash. There is an ATM in the park, but it sometimes runs out of bills.
• Party noise: On weekends, especially in December, the park fills with music and people. If you are looking for peace and quiet, go during the week.
• A fun fact: Sabaneta is the only municipality in Colombia that has an official “Town Day” on August 15, when the streets are closed and everyone goes out to the square to dance and eat. In 2026, the celebration will include an exhibition of old photos of the municipality.

The Fight Against Skyscrapers: The Altos de Sabaneta Case

In 2021, a construction company presented a project to build a 25-story building on Carrera 42 with Calle 43, two blocks from the park. The neighbors organized into the “Sabaneta No Se Vende” committee and managed to halt the construction license, arguing it violated the local Land Management Plan (POT), which limits the maximum height to 12 stories in residential areas. The case went to the Administrative Court of Antioquia, which in 2023 ruled in favor of the neighbors. “We are not against progress, but progress cannot be a tower that blocks the sun for the whole block,” says María Elena, the committee leader. Today, on the lot where the building was supposed to go, there is a community garden that the neighbors themselves tend.

This case has become an emblem. While Itagüí (5 minutes away by metro) fills up with vertical housing projects and shopping malls, Sabaneta maintains a low density. According to data from the Mayor's Office, in 2025 the municipality had barely 3,200 inhabitants per square kilometer, compared to 8,000 in Itagüí. “Here, people prefer the house with a patio over the apartment with a view,” says a local official who asked not to be named.

Testimonies from Calle 44: The Pride of Not Gentrifying

Doña Lucía, the seamstress, says her business has survived because “I didn't sell my soul to the bank.” When the big clothing chains arrived, many local shops closed, but she held on. “People come because they know I can fix their pants in two days, not in a month like at the mall.” Next door, at the candy store “La Sabaneteña,” Don Jorge has been selling cocadas and brevas with arequipe since 1995. “Young people now buy at the supermarket, but us old folks still come here. This isn't a business, it's a meeting point.”

The “non-gentrification” has become a local pride. On social media, the hashtag #SabanetaNoSeVende is used by residents to denounce projects they consider invasive. In July 2026, a new 15-story building project on Calle 44 faces another legal battle. “As long as there is a single sabaneteño with a memory, this won't become another Medellín,” says Don Carlos, and flips another empanada.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sabaneta Safe for Tourists?

Yes, Sabaneta is one of the safest municipalities in the Medellín metropolitan area. The theft rate is low, especially in the center and the park. As anywhere, avoid displaying valuables at night and do not walk alone on very deserted streets after 10:00 p.m. The local police are visible, and neighbors look out for each other.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Sabaneta?

Any time of year is good, but the best months are December to February and June to August, when the weather is drier. If you want to experience the “Día del Pueblo” (Town Day), visit on August 15. Avoid Easter week if you dislike crowds, as many locals return to visit family.

Are There Accommodation Options in Sabaneta?

Yes, although the offering is limited. There are a few small hotels and hostels, such as Hotel Sabaneta Plaza (Calle 44 # 43-20) and Hostal La Villa (Carrera 42 # 44-10). Prices range from $60,000 to $120,000 COP per night. Most tourists prefer to stay in Medellín and visit Sabaneta as a day trip, as it is only 30 minutes away by metro.

What Is Transport Like from Sabaneta to Other Municipalities?

Excellent. The metro connects Sabaneta directly with Itagüí, Envigado, and Medellín. There are also buses to La Estrella and Caldas. The Sabaneta metro station is a transport hub, so you can easily reach any point in the Aburrá Valley.

What Does the Hashtag #SabanetaNoSeVende Mean?

It is a local movement slogan that translates to “Sabaneta is not for sale.” It emerged in 2021 as a protest against large-scale real estate developments that threaten the municipality's traditional character. It represents the resistance of residents against gentrification and uncontrolled urban growth.