Free things to do · Medellín · Colombia
8 free things to do in Medellín
Medellín without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ALONSOZAR, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Medellín without paying an entry fee: Plaza Botero, Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa and Jardín Botánico de Medellín are all free. Use the Metro and a Cívica card rather than taxis for longer trips across the city.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- May and September–October
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Centro
1.Plaza Botero
Visit in the morning and keep your phone and bag close; the square is crowded and pickpockets operate.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Art
- Photo spot
Architecture · Centro
2.Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe
Look at it from the far side of Plaza Botero for the best view of its patterned stone façade.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- History
Viewpoint · Belén
3.Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa
Come at sunset and stay to watch the city lights come on.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Kids
- Photo spot
Garden · Aranjuez
4.Jardín Botánico de Medellín
Combine it with Parque Explora and the Planetarium, which are across the road.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Museum · Centro
5.Museo Casa de la Memoria
Allow time to reflect afterwards; the exhibits are moving and some are graphic.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
Park · Centro
6.Parque de los Pies Descalzos
Bring a small towel; children love paddling in the water features.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Nature · Laureles–Estadio
7.Cerro El Volador
Go early in the morning with locals, when it is cooler and busier.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Nature
Religious site · Centro
8.Basílica Metropolitana
Visit by day; Parque Bolívar is best avoided after dark.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- History
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centro | Plaza Botero, Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, Museo Casa de la Memoria, Parque de los Pies Descalzos and Basílica Metropolitana | 45 minutes + 30 minutes + 1.5 hours + 45 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Belén | Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa | 1–1.5 hours |
| Aranjuez | Jardín Botánico de Medellín | 1.5 hours |
| Laureles–Estadio | Cerro El Volador | 1.5 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Neighbourhood · San Javier
Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators
Take a tour led by a resident; they explain the murals' meaning and the neighbourhood's story far better than a solo visit.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Photo spot
Experience · Santo Domingo
Metrocable ride
Ride outside weekday rush hours; combining Line K with Line L to Arví makes a half-day outing.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Iconic
- Kids
- Photo spot
Nature · Santa Elena
Parque Arví
Bring a light jacket; it is noticeably cooler and often misty at Arví compared with the valley.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
More ways to save
- Use the Metro and a Cívica card rather than taxis for longer trips across the city.
- Eat the menú del día at lunch for the best-value meals.
- Stay in Laureles or Envigado for lower prices than El Poblado.
- Many sights are free: Plaza Botero, the Jardín Botánico, Casa de la Memoria, Pueblito Paisa and Cerro El Volador.
- Take public buses to Guatapé and Santa Fe de Antioquia instead of tours to save a lot.
- Use bank ATMs inside malls or banks, and decline dynamic currency conversion.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Medellín expensive to visit?
Medellín is affordable for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Medellín?
Plaza Botero: Visit in the morning and keep your phone and bag close; the square is crowded and pickpockets operate.