Colombia World Cup 2011: Medellín

The FIFA U20s World Cup in Colombia kicks off tomorrow and in anticipation of this huge event we’ve been taking you city-by-city to each of the venues featured in the tournament. We’re down to our final two, Medellín and Bogotá. Today we’re taking a look at ‘The City of Eternal Spring’, Colombia’s second city, Medellín.

Once center of Pablo Escobar’s infamous drug cartel, Medellín’s transformation is one of Colombia’s most extraordinary achievements. Through a series of ingenious projects, such as the city’s Metrocable which now links the once trouble Comunas to the city centre, the city has rapidly become one of the most talked about destinations for travelers.

Medellín boasts a vibrant nightlife, a wide selection of museums and one of the best culinary scenes in the country. On top of that, there’s plenty to see in the city such as the Plaza de Botero, Museo de Antioquia and the aforementioned Metrocable, which offers stunning views of the city.

For your dose of Medellín gastronomy, be sure to head El Poblado. We can recommend Carmen for a cheap but delicious bite of lunch and Shawarma if you’re fancying some Arabic food. If you’re looking to splash out a little, try El Cielo

If you’re planning on donning your gladrags and hitting the town to throw some shapes, we suggest heading to El Poblado and following the crowds, there’s so many options you can’t really go wrong.

Football is huge in Medellín. The biggest teams in the city are Atletico Nacional and Independiente who regularly battle it out for the crown of national champion. Atletico Nacional were the first Colombian team to win the Copa Libertadores.

Playing in Medellín will be England (UP THE ENGLAND!!), Argentina, Mexico and Korea, as well as a 2^nd Round match and a Semi-Final.