Things to do · Medellín · Colombia
17 best things to do in Medellín
17 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User: (WT-shared) CONOCER at wts wikivoyage, Public domain
Quick answer
The essential sights in Medellín are Plaza Botero, Museo de Antioquia and Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators. Of the 17 picks below, 8 are free, 4 work on a rainy day and 6 suit children. Allow about 5 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Plaza Botero
- Free sights
- 8
- Good on a rainy day
- Museo de Antioquia
- Time to see the highlights
- 5 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaza Botero | Centro | 45 minutes | Free |
| Museo de Antioquia | Centro | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators | San Javier | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
| Metrocable ride | Santo Domingo | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
| Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe | Centro | 30 minutes | Free |
| Parque Arví | Santa Elena | Half a day | Low cost |
| Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa | Belén | 1–1.5 hours | Free |
| Jardín Botánico de Medellín | Aranjuez | 1.5 hours | Free |
| Parque Explora | Aranjuez | 3–4 hours | Mid-priced |
| Museo Casa de la Memoria | Centro | 1.5 hours | Free |
| Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín | Ciudad del Río | 1.5 hours | Mid-priced |
| Parque de los Pies Descalzos | Centro | 45 minutes | Free |
| Cerro El Volador | Laureles–Estadio | 1.5 hours | Free |
| Museo El Castillo | El Poblado | 1 hour | Mid-priced |
| Football at Estadio Atanasio Girardot | Laureles–Estadio | 3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Parque Lleras and Provenza | El Poblado | An evening | Mid-priced |
| Basílica Metropolitana | Centro | 30 minutes | Free |
The 17 best things to do
Landmark · Centro
1.Plaza Botero
Twenty-three large bronze sculptures donated by Fernando Botero, Medellín's most famous artist, fill this downtown square in front of the Museo de Antioquia. Rounded figures of people and animals, including the well-known 'Fat Woman' and a Roman soldier, make it the city's most photographed spot.
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
Museum · Centro
2.Museo de Antioquia
Housed in a 1930s art deco building that was once the city hall, the museum holds a large collection of Botero's paintings and sculptures alongside his private collection, pre-Columbian pieces and Colombian art from colonial times to the present.
Start with the Botero rooms on the upper floor, then look out over Plaza Botero from the windows.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Neighbourhood · San Javier
3.Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators
Once one of the city's most violent districts, Comuna 13 on the western hills is now known for colourful murals, hip-hop dancers and a series of outdoor escalators that replaced a long climb of stairs. Guided tours led by local residents explain its history and the art.
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
4.Metrocable ride
Medellín's cable cars, integrated into the Metro, carry residents up to hillside neighbourhoods. Line K from Acevedo station climbs to Santo Domingo Savio with views over the whole valley, and Line L continues over forest to Parque Arví.
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
Architecture · Centro
5.Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe
This striking black-and-white Gothic Revival palace, designed by Belgian architect Agustín Goovaerts in the 1920s, stands next to Plaza Botero. It was the seat of the departmental government and now houses cultural institutions and exhibition halls.
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
Nature · Santa Elena
6.Parque Arví
A large nature reserve in the hills east of the city, with cloud forest trails, picnic areas, a market of local produce and pre-Hispanic paths. It is reached by Metrocable Line L, which glides over the forest from Santo Domingo.
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
Viewpoint · Belén
7.Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa
A small hill in the middle of the city topped by Pueblito Paisa, a replica of a traditional Antioquian village square with a church, shops and cafés. The terraces give a 360-degree view over the valley, and a sculpture park lines the road up.
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
8.Jardín Botánico de Medellín
The city's free botanical garden next to the university metro station has orchid collections, a lake with turtles and iguanas, a butterfly house and the Orquideorama, a wooden canopy structure that hosts events and the orchid show.
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 · Aranjuez
1.Parque Explora
A large interactive science museum with hands-on rooms, a freshwater aquarium focused on Amazon and Colombian species, and a vivarium of reptiles and amphibians. It is one of the best indoor options with children.
Allow at least half a day and visit on a weekday to avoid school-holiday crowds.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Museum · Centro
2.Museo Casa de la Memoria
This museum near Parque Bicentenario tells the story of the armed conflict in Medellín and Colombia through testimonies, photographs and multimedia exhibits, with a focus on victims and reconciliation. It is a sobering and important visit.
Allow time to reflect afterwards; the exhibits are moving and some are graphic.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
Gallery · Ciudad del Río
3.Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín
MAMM occupies a converted steel works in the Ciudad del Río district, showing Colombian and Latin American contemporary art and a collection of works by Medellín painter Débora Arango. It also has a cinema and a café.
The Ciudad del Río park outside has a food truck scene on some weekends.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
Park · Centro
4.Parque de los Pies Descalzos
The Barefoot Park, beside the EPM headquarters, invites visitors to take off their shoes and walk through sand, water channels and a bamboo grove. It is a free, relaxing stop near the Museo del Agua.
Bring a small towel; children love paddling in the water features.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Nature · Laureles–Estadio
5.Cerro El Volador
A forested hill and archaeological site in the middle of the city, with walking paths to a summit viewpoint. Locals jog and walk here in the early morning, and the top looks out over the whole valley.
Go early in the morning with locals, when it is cooler and busier.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Nature
Museum · El Poblado
6.Museo El Castillo
A 1930s castle-style mansion in the hills of El Poblado, filled with European furniture and decorative art and surrounded by formal gardens with fountains. It is a peaceful break from the city.
The gardens are the highlight; visit on a sunny morning.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- History
- Couples
Experience · Laureles–Estadio
7.Football at Estadio Atanasio Girardot
Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín both play at this stadium in the Estadio district, and match days bring huge, noisy crowds in green or red. It is one of the most passionate football atmospheres in South America.
Buy tickets through official club channels or go with an organised group, and do not wear rival team colours.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Active
Neighbourhood · El Poblado
8.Parque Lleras and Provenza
The small park and the surrounding streets of El Poblado are the city's best-known going-out district, with bars, clubs and restaurants spilling out onto the pavements. Neighbouring Provenza has more stylish cocktail bars and restaurants.
Start in Provenza for dinner and cocktails; Parque Lleras itself gets rowdy and has a seedy side late at night.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Food
Religious site · Centro
9.Basílica Metropolitana
Medellín's cathedral on Parque Bolívar, completed in 1931, is said to be one of the largest buildings made of fired clay brick in the world. Its vast brick interior is cool and calm compared with the busy streets outside.
Visit by day; Parque Bolívar is best avoided after dark.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- History
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Plaza Botero, Museo de Antioquia, Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators and Parque Explora |
| History | Museo de Antioquia, Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators and Museo Casa de la Memoria |
| Views | Metrocable ride, Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa and Cerro El Volador |
| Outdoors and nature | Parque Arví, Jardín Botánico de Medellín, Parque de los Pies Descalzos and Cerro El Volador |
| Food and markets | Parque Lleras and Provenza |
| After dark | Football at Estadio Atanasio Girardot and Parque Lleras and Provenza |
| With children | Metrocable ride, Parque Arví, Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa and Jardín Botánico de Medellín |
| On a rainy day | Museo de Antioquia, Parque Explora, Museo Casa de la Memoria and Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín |
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Medellín?
Plaza Botero. Twenty-three large bronze sculptures donated by Fernando Botero, Medellín's most famous artist, fill this downtown square in front of the Museo de Antioquia.
+What can you do for free in Medellín?
Plaza Botero, Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, Cerro Nutibara and Pueblito Paisa, Jardín Botánico de Medellín and Museo Casa de la Memoria. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Medellín when it rains?
Head indoors to Museo de Antioquia, Parque Explora, Museo Casa de la Memoria and Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín.
+What is there to do in Medellín at night?
Football at Estadio Atanasio Girardot and Parque Lleras and Provenza are best after dark.