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Medellín guideThings to Do in Medellín: Plaza Botero, Pueblito Paisa, Metrocable and Other Must-See Places
The places you can’t miss on your first visit to Medellín, when to go and how to plan your route.
By Viajes Maxitours TeamUpdated: October 19, 20267 min read
- Altitude
- About 1,500 m
- Weather
- 21 to 24 °C on average
- Metro
- Since 1995
- Plaza Botero
- 23 sculptures
- Feria de las Flores
- August
- Christmas lights
- December
Medellín is the city of eternal spring: a valley surrounded by mountains, with pleasant temperatures all year, a transit system that climbs the hillsides by cable car and neighborhoods that reinvented themselves through art and public space. There is a lot to see, but some places are a must on your first visit.
In this guide we cover the best things to do in Medellín: Plaza Botero, Pueblito Paisa, the Metro and Metrocable, Comuna 13 and other must-see places, with tips for planning your route.
Plaza Botero and downtown
Plaza Botero is the starting point for almost every tour. It opened on October 14, 2000 and brings together 23 bronze sculptures donated by master artist Fernando Botero, who was born in Medellín: human and animal figures with the generous volumes that made the artist famous. It is a free open-air museum.
On one side stands the Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe (Palace of Culture), built between 1925 and 1937 to a design by Belgian architect Agustín Goovaerts, with its striking black-and-white checkered facade. Across the square is the Museo de Antioquia (Museum of Antioquia), with a large collection of works the artist donated to his city.
Pueblito Paisa and Cerro Nutibara
At the top of Cerro Nutibara (Nutibara Hill), right in the middle of the city, is Pueblito Paisa, opened on March 3, 1978. It is a replica of a traditional Antioquian village, with its church, town hall, barbershop, school and a square with a fountain. Its viewpoints offer one of the best views of the Aburrá Valley.
It is a good place to try traditional food, buy handicrafts and see what the region’s towns were like before the city grew.
The Metro and Metrocable
Medellín has the only metro in Colombia. It began running on November 30, 1995, and for paisas (people from the Antioquia region) it is a source of pride: it is always clean and people take care of it. Riding it at least once is part of the experience.
The system is completed by the Metrocable, cable cars that connect the hillside neighborhoods with the valley. Line K opened on August 7, 2004 and was one of the first aerial cable cars in the world used as mass public transit. From the cabin you can see how the city climbs up the mountains.
If you want to keep going up, Line L (Arví), opened in 2010, takes you to Parque Arví (Arví Park), a reserve of about 16,000 hectares of forest with trails and farmers’ markets.
Comuna 13
Comuna 13 is the most visited place in the city: graffiti, hip hop, outdoor escalators and viewpoints in a neighborhood that went from violence to a symbol of transformation. We tell you everything in our guide Comuna 13 in Medellín: history, graffiti and how to visit.
Recommended tour
Medellín City Tour + Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour
- Plaza Botero, Pueblito Paisa and Parques del Río
- Metro, Metrocable and outdoor escalators
- Local guide in Comuna 13
- Lunch and a traditional dessert
From COP 119,000 per person · no deposit
You can pay in US dollars at the day’s exchange rate. Ask your advisor for the current rate.
Other must-see places
- Parques del Río: a linear park built over the road that runs alongside the Medellín River, with green areas, water play features and space for walking. Its first phases were completed between 2016 and 2019.
- Jardín Botánico (Botanical Garden): open since 1972, with an orchid house, a butterfly house and tree-lined trails. Admission is free.
- Parque Explora: an interactive science museum, opened in 2007, with one of the largest freshwater aquariums in Latin America.
- Parque de los Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Park): a space for walking barefoot through sand, water and a bamboo forest, next to the EPM building.
- El Poblado and Laureles: the neighborhoods with the most restaurants, cafés and nightlife.
Weather and best time to visit
Medellín sits about 1,500 meters above sea level and has a mild climate all year, with average daytime temperatures between 21 and 24 °C. It rains most in April, May, October and November, usually in the afternoon. Two special dates: the Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival) in August, with the parade of silleteros (traditional flower carriers), and the Alumbrados (Christmas lights) in December.
How to plan your route
In one day you can combine downtown, Pueblito Paisa, the Metro, the Metrocable and Comuna 13 if you follow a logical order: start early downtown, go up Cerro Nutibara, take the Metro toward San Javier and finish in Comuna 13 in the afternoon. That is exactly the route of the Medellín City Tour + Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour, which includes lunch and a local guide.
Tip: downtown is very busy. Carry only what you need, don’t show off your phone on the street, and use the Metro or trusted transportation to get around.
Frequently asked questions
What places can I visit in Medellín in one day?
Plaza Botero, Pueblito Paisa, a ride on the Metro and Metrocable, and Comuna 13. With a good order you can see them all in one day.
How many sculptures are in Plaza Botero?
It has 23 bronze sculptures donated by Fernando Botero. The square opened on October 14, 2000.
Where is Pueblito Paisa?
At the top of Cerro Nutibara, in central-western Medellín. It is a replica of a traditional Antioquian village, opened in 1978.
How much does the Medellín Metro cost?
A ride costs a few thousand pesos, and the fare includes transfers to the Metrocable lines, except Line L to Parque Arví, which is paid separately.
What is the best time to visit Medellín?
Any time of year, because the climate is mild year-round. The Feria de las Flores is in August and the Christmas lights (Alumbrados) are in December.
Which tour covers the most important places?
The Medellín City Tour + Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour covers Plaza Botero, Pueblito Paisa, Parques del Río, the Metro, the Metrocable and Comuna 13 with a local guide.
Keep planning your trip
Viajes Maxitours TeamTour agency in Medellín, registered with Colombia’s National Tourism Registry (RNT 172253). We run day tours from Medellín and write these guides based on what we see on every trip.