Day Trip to Guatapé and the Rock of El Peñol

Climb about 740 steps for one of Colombia’s great views, then wander a lakeside town painted in every color.

Guatapé is about two hours east of Medellín by road and is the most popular day trip from the city. The trip pairs two highlights: La Piedra del Peñol, a granite monolith rising some 200 meters above the landscape, and the colorful town of Guatapé on the shore of a sprawling reservoir.

Climbing El Peñol

A zigzag staircase of roughly 740 steps is built into a crack in the rock. The climb takes 15 to 30 minutes for most people. At the top you look out over a maze of green islands and inlets created when the area was flooded for a hydroelectric project in the 1970s.

The town of Guatapé

Guatapé is famous for its zócalos, the painted and sculpted panels along the lower walls of its houses. They show animals, farm scenes, local trades and family histories. The Calle de los Recuerdos and the main plaza are the best places to see them.

Getting there

• Buses leave from Terminal del Norte (Caribe metro station) throughout the day.
• Organized tours often include a boat ride on the reservoir.
• Start early. Lines at the rock grow after 10am, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Bring sun protection; the top of the rock has little shade.

Quick facts

• Distance: ≈2 hours by road
• Steps to the top: ≈740
• Bus terminal: Terminal del Norte