Stand on the Junin pedestrian street in the downtown area, on the cobblestones between the Colteger building and Bolivar's park, and the city's history is laid out in its shopfronts, its tea salons and its crowds. Medellín sits in the Aburrá Valley in the Andes, and much of what a visitor does here happens either in that dense centre or on the hillsides above it.
This guide suits anyone planning a short stay who wants the landmarks, museums, parks and viewpoints that are easy to reach, most of them close to a metro station. It covers the places worth your time in the city itself, with practical notes on how to combine them.
Top things to do in Medellín
1. Pueblito Paisa
A reconstruction of a typical but tiny Antioquia village, sitting on top of el Cerro Nutibara with a pleasant view over the city. The same hill holds the Museum of the City, which houses photos from the city's past and a large 3D scale model.
It is within walking distance of the metro station Industriales, but the walk to the top requires hiking uphill for a while, so a taxi ride is a smart choice. The area around El Cerro Nutibara is also one of the three places in the city with a high concentration of sculptures.
2. Plaza Botero and Museo de Antioquia
The Plaza Botero holds several large sculptures just in front of the museum and is free of charge. The Museo de Antioquia, at Cra 52 #52-43, holds a collection of contemporary art including many pieces, paintings and sculptures of Fernando Botero.
The museum is at metro station Parque Berrío and opens Mon–Fri 10AM–5PM and Sun holidays 10AM–4PM. The plaza connects directly to Parque Berrío and Plazuela Nutibara, so you can see all three in one stop.
3. Parque Berrío
In the heart of town at the crossroads of Carrera 50 and Calle 50, this park holds the buildings of the Stock Exchange, Bank of the Republic and La Candelaria Church, and the busiest metro station. It is the unofficial meeting place for locals, right at the sculpture of the 'Fat Woman' or 'La Gorda de Botero'.
Use metro station Parque Berrío. From here you can walk directly into Plaza Botero and Plazuela Nutibara, and the Parque del Periodista is nearby.
4. Junin pedestrian street
A cobblestone street in the downtown area running from the Colteger building to Bolivar's park, showing the history of the city with the Astor tea salon and the Versalles salon.
Pair it with Parque Berrío, which sits at the end of the walk, and treat the salons as a pause rather than a destination in themselves.
5. Los Alumbrados
The Christmas lights decorating Medellín, which stay put from the beginning of December to mid January. The most impressive parts are centred around the Rio Medellín at the 'puente de Guayaquil' and downtown, and large statues made of lights can be found throughout the city.
If your trip falls in that window, plan an evening walk rather than trying to fit the lights around daytime sightseeing.
6. Metropolitan Cathedral
Along the Bolivar Park in the city heart, at Cra 48 calle 56, this cathedral holds the record as one of the buildings in the world with the most bricks, over 1.1 million.
Reach it via metro station Prado. It fits naturally into a downtown walk that includes Junin and Parque Berrío.
7. Plazuela de San Ignacio
A little plaza depicting Colonial and Republican style buildings, which witnessed in 1803 the birthplace of the largest university in town. The main lecture hall, the Paraninfo de la Universidad de Antioquia, is still in use and available for public view, even though the university moved 45 years ago to a big campus 2 km north.
It is at Cra 44 at calle 48, near metro station Parque Berrío, with a walk uphill of six blocks east.
8. Parque San Antonio
A large, newer development right downtown, hosting a handcraft bazaar and an infamous sculpture of a fat dove, bombed by criminals a couple of decades ago during the hard times of violence. By request of the artist the piece of art has not been repaired.
Use metro station San Antonio. The bazaar makes this a reasonable stop for picking something up rather than only looking.
9. Jardín Botánico
Mid-size gardens at Calle 73 # 51-298 with a vast collection of orchids and many tropical flowers, plants and trees, and a beautiful lake. The covered area for display of flowers is an architectural marvel, and the annual orchid exhibit every August is world class.
Take metro station Universidad. Entry is free except during the orchid exhibit, and you must present an ID such as a passport to enter. No information is provided on the plants except for their name, so bring a smartphone if you are botanically curious. The gardens close for one or two days each month for private events, so check their website.
10. Parque de los Deseos and Parque de los Pies Descalzos
Parque de los Deseos, near Antioquia's University, has an Indian context, beautifully imbued with the planetarium and large display of science experiments. You can find free open air movies and discussions with film directors on Saturdays at 7PM.
Also visit the Parque de los Pies Descalzos for a Zen experience in the heart of town, with outdoor cafés and cultural activities. Both are served by metro station Universidad, and the Parque de los Pies Descalzos is also near Alpujarra or Cisneros.
11. Museo Interactivo EPM
A 'please touch museum', great for kids, at Cra 57 # 42-139 on Parque de los Pies Descalzos and next door to the Plaza Mayor convention center.
It opens Tu–F 8AM–5:30PM and Sa Su 11AM–5:30PM, and is closed Mondays, or Tuesdays after a holiday Monday. Metro station Alpujarra or Cisneros.
12. Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín (MAMM)
The museum has two sites. The original is a small building near the Suramericana and Carlos E. Restrepo neighborhoods, hosting the traditional exhibits, at Carrera 44 Nº 19A-100. The new space in Ciudad del Río is a large and old industrial warehouse, at Carrera 64B Nº 51-64, opened in October 2009 near metro station Industriales.
There is a good café and restaurant on the Ciudad del Río premises, which makes it easy to combine with a visit to Pueblito Paisa and the Museum of the City on the same hill.
13. Museo Universidad de Antioquia
At Calle 67 N° 53-108, this museum represents the merge of six collections: Visual Arts, Natural Science, University History, Galileo Interactive Room, Human Being and Anthropology. The attraction for foreigners is the Anthropology Collection, with the largest number in Colombia of pre-Columbian ceramic pieces, near 20,000 objects.
It is in Bloque 15 of the University's main campus, closed Sundays, and free. Metro station Universidad, which also serves the Jardín Botánico and Parque de los Deseos.
14. Museo Pedro Nel Gómez
This museum shows artwork by this local artist. It opens M–Sa 9AM–5PM and Sundays and holidays 10AM–4PM, and is free.
It is not near the metro; the closest stations are Prado or Hospital.
15. Museo Etnográfico Miguel Angel Builes
A large display of everyday use articles crafted by natives from all over the country: tools, textiles, bijouterie, pottery, little boats, small tents, at Cra 81, No. 52B-120.
The museum is off the beaten path. The closest metro station is Floresta, but the walk is over 1 km.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at Parque Berrío, where the Stock Exchange, Bank of the Republic and La Candelaria Church sit around the busiest metro station, and find the sculpture of the 'Fat Woman'. Walk straight into Plaza Botero to see the large sculptures, then go into the Museo de Antioquia for the Botero paintings and sculptures. From there, walk the Junin pedestrian street from the Colteger building toward Bolivar's park, and continue to the Metropolitan Cathedral at Cra 48 calle 56.
Afternoon. Head to metro station Universidad for the Jardín Botánico, its orchid collection and its lake, then cross to the Parque de los Deseos and the Parque de los Pies Descalzos. If you are travelling with children, the Museo Interactivo EPM is next door to the Parque de los Pies Descalzos.
Evening. Take a taxi up to Pueblito Paisa on el Cerro Nutibara for the view over the city, and visit the Museum of the City on the same hill for the photos and the 3D scale model. If you are in the city between the beginning of December and mid January, finish with Los Alumbrados, concentrated around the Rio Medellín at the 'puente de Guayaquil' and downtown.
Frequently asked questions
When can I see Los Alumbrados?
The Christmas lights stay put from the beginning of December to mid January. The most impressive parts are centred around the Rio Medellín at the 'puente de Guayaquil' and downtown.
Which sights are easiest to reach by metro?
Parque Berrío, Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia are at metro station Parque Berrío. The Jardín Botánico, Museo Universidad de Antioquia and Parque de los Deseos are at metro station Universidad. Pueblito Paisa is within walking distance of Industriales, though the walk to the top is uphill.
Do I need to bring identification to any of these places?
Yes, for the Jardín Botánico, where you must present an ID such as a passport to enter. Entry there is free except during the orchid exhibit.
Is the Museo Interactivo EPM open every day?
No. It opens Tu–F 8AM–5:30PM and Sa Su 11AM–5:30PM, and is closed Mondays, or Tuesdays after a holiday Monday.
Decide which of these fit your dates, check the metro stations nearest to them, and start building your days in Medellín around the downtown core and the hills above it.