Attraction
Calle del Recuerdo
Paved alley with Zócalos that were rescued from houses in the district flooded for the reservoir.
Colombia
Guatapé
City
Guatapé is a village with around 10,000 inhabitants on the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir, about two hours east of Medellín.
by Felix Gillen
Guatapé is a village with around 10,000 inhabitants on the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir, about two hours east of Medellín. People visit for its colorful Zócalos on the house facades and the Piedra del Peñol, a 220 m high granite rock with stairs to its summit. It's a popular day trip; it gets crowded on weekends.
Sights in Guatapé
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Park
Plazoleta de Los Zócalos
Small square on Carrera 29, lined by particularly elaborate facades. Here you'll find handicrafts and cafés.
Attraction
Malecón de Guatapé
A roughly 900m long promenade along the reservoir. Boat, kayak, and sailing tours launch from here.
Attraction
Piedra del Peñol
The 220m high monolith is climbed via 740 steps to its viewing platform, a 30-minute ascent. Open daily 8am-6pm, admission 2025: 30,000 COP. Up top, overlook the reservoir with its many islands.
Church
Parish Nuestra Señora del Carmen
The colonial-style parish church is on the village's main square.
Restaurants in Guatapé
Grill restaurant (Parrilla Bar) with steaks and Colombian dishes, with water views. In recent reviews, one of the best-rated places in the area.
Grill restaurant open-air opposite the lake. Known for grilled trout (trucha).
Food & Drink in Guatapé
At the reservoir east of Medellín, savor classic Paisa cuisine and trout. Numerous eateries line the Malecón and main square.
Trout on the grill
Grilled trout is on the menu in many lakeside restaurants. Alongside Bandeja Paisa, it is the most common dish in town.
Bandeja paisa
The large Paisa platter with beans, rice, chicharrón, egg, and arepa is available almost everywhere in Guatapé. Some places also offer a vegetarian version.
Fiambre
Traditional food, wrapped in banana leaves, once serving as travel provisions. It's often served on boat trips on the reservoir.
Uchuva with panela
Cape gooseberries with Panela, a specialty from El Peñol across the reservoir. It's often offered as a tasting on many excursions.
Village of Squares
Zócalos are painted cement reliefs on the base of house facades. The first date from around 1919; newer motifs recount the history of the indigenous people and settlement by Antioqueños.In the 1970s, EPM built the reservoir, displacing the old town of El Peñol.
Getting here and around
Bus: Direct buses from Medellín's North Terminal, approx. 25,000 COP each way (2026).Car: About two hours from Medellín.Locally: Explore the village on foot. It’s a few kilometers to the rock, and boats on the lake leave from the Malecón.
Accommodations in Guatapé
Find perfect stay in Guatapé
Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
Search Hotels
Agoda* (Affiliate link)
Search Hotels
Airbnb
Vacation Rentals
* Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.
Plan your trip to Guatapé
Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.
- 1
- 2
Plan your trip
The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.
- 3
Use it on the road
Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.
