I was very surprised to discover that Medellín has an official list of 27 museums. official list of 27 museums. This enormous amount can be overwhelming for visitors to the city. That is why I chose 5 that, in addition to their museum value, are also of great tourist interest.

In my selection of the best museums in Medellín you will find as much quality as variety, since these museums not only speak of art, nature, science, history and memory, but of the life of the place they inhabit: their neighborhood. Getting to know them means delving deeper into the curious dynamics of the paisa capital.

You may be surprised not to see here some popular ones such as the Castle and the Pablo Escobar Museum (which for political reasons is not included in the official list of the Mayor’s Office). I wanted each destination to offer an educational and fun experience for all types of audiences.

If you have any suggestions or would like to change the order of our top according to your own tastes, leave us a comment for future guides. What I can guarantee you is that the following museums made me love Medellín even more and you must visit at least one during your stay.

Museum of Antioquia

Ideal place for art lovers. It is the first museum of its kind founded in the department and also the best, because it houses the largest collection in the city, exceeding the number of 5,000 art pieces.

Among them are works by Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Alejandro Obregón, Débora Arango and Fernando Botero. The latter has been very important for the history of the entity and the city itself.

His donations from the 1970s onwards led to the rebirth of the museum, which , thanks to Botero’s help, was able to move in 2001 to a new location, just across the street from the Plaza Botero. Botero Squarewhich houses 23 large-format sculptures by the artist.

The Museum of Antioquia has managed to transform society beyond its walls and for this very reason it is capable of leaving a mark on its visitors. If you want to know more about this destination visit our post about it.

Address

The Museum of Antioquia is located in the center of Medellín, in the Candelaria sector, at the intersection of Av. Carabobo con Calibío. The exact location is: Carrera 52 No. 52 – 43.

It is located near the Botero Square, the Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe UribeIt is close to Botero Square, Rafael Uribe Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture, La Veracruz Church, Berrío Park and the Metro station of the same name.

Price

In the following table you will find the prices and discounts offered by the museum. To access the latter you must show your identification document at the ticket office, but if you do not want to bring the original with you for fear of losing it, photocopies are also accepted.

You can schedule guided tours in Spanish and English as long as you are accompanied by a group of at least 5 people. Write to info@museodeantioquia.co

National$ 16.000
Foreigners$ 40.000
Students and seniors over 60 years of age$ 10.500
Groups of nationals (min. 5 persons)13,000 each
Groups of foreigners (min. 5 persons)34,000 each
People of strata 1, 2 and 3 (presenting a utility bill)Children under 7 years of ageStudents of the Metropolitan Area (from 3 p.m. presenting their ID) Free admission

Schedules

The Museo de Antioquia is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visit its official website before you go to avoid surprises due to changes in programming.

Explora and Planetarium

Perfect mix of entertainment and scientific learning. Together, Parque Explora and the Planetarium make up the most important interactive center in the city, so you are the one who brings the experiences to life by involving all your senses and different technologies.

On the one hand, at Explora you have access to close to 300 attractions in the 8 areas within its facilities, including the largest freshwater aquarium in Latin America and a vivarium with exotic species such as the golden dart frog. Undoubtedly one of the best museums in Medellín.

On the other hand, in the Planetarium you will find 2 floors of permanent exhibitions dedicated to astronomy and an audiovisual domewhere immersive family shows are projected.

In addition, both destinations are part of a very attractive area for its abundant tourist offer. Discover in these articles some of the surprises that await you during your visit to the Explora Park Park and the Planetarium.

Address

It is located in the northern area of Medellín, in the Aranjuez district, in one of the most touristic sectors of the city, due to the number of interesting destinations it houses, such as the Botanical Garden and the Parque Norte.

Its exact address is: Carrera 52 No. 73 – 75, right in front of the Universidad del Metro station, next to the Parque de los Deseos. Parque de los Deseos.

Price

Admission is free for children under 3 years of age and Medellín residents living in neighborhoods of strata 1, 2 and 3.

For the rest of the people the ticket prices are in the following table:

PlanPrice for nationalsPrice for foreigners
Individual $ 45.000$ 55.000
Family (for 4 people)$ 161.000$ 198.000
Explora-Planetarium Combo (both destinations in one ticket)$ 67.000$ 83.000

Schedules

This year the Park resumed its regular programming. From Tuesday to Friday it opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. with ticket sales until 4 p.m.

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the box office closing at 5 p.m.

Monday (or Tuesday after a holiday) closed for maintenance.

Museum of Modern Art of Medellin (MAMM)

Art, cinema and delicious gastronomy: all in the same place. That’s why going to MAMM is one of my favorite patches in the city. By staying within River Citythe offer around the museum is quite varied.

Now, talking about the museum itself, it is a space that constantly questions the limits of art, where people can interact with works by artists with wide national and international recognition.

The history of the MAMM dates back to 1978, when its headquarters was located in the Carlos E. neighborhood. Since then it has changed location and has undergone numerous renovations, which have consolidated it as one of the most impressive buildings in Medellin.

Its permanent collection has more than 2,000 pieces and its Theater specializes in showing high quality independent films. If you want to know more visit the following article.

Address

You can find it inside Ciudad del Río at Carrera 44 No. 19A – 100. You will recognize it immediately by its imposing structure, which looks like a series of concrete boxes stacked and rotated one on top of the other.

Price

The cost to enter the MAMM changes according to the services. In general, admission is $16,500 and $24,000 for non-resident aliens.

If you want to go to the movies, admission to the theater costs $10,000 (2.15 usd) for the general public and $7,000 for adults over 60, children under 12 and students with ID.

Please note that, although you can purchase your tickets online, these discounts only apply if you buy them directly at the museum’s ticket office.

Schedules

The schedule varies according to the services you want to access in the MAMM, so these are divided into 3 sections: Museum, Shop and Study Room. Their respective schedules are:

  • Museum: Tuesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sunday and holidays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

* Mondays and Tuesdays after holidays the Museum and the Study Room are closed.

  • Store: Monday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sunday and holidays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

  • Sala de Estudio / Free admission: Tuesday to Friday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

* Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

MAMM’s programming, both at the Museum and the Theater, is subject to change due to special events or contingencies. Before you go be sure to check out their website.

Casa de la Memoria Museum

This space is for those who want to know the reality of Medellín beyond tourism. Here resist the multiple testimonies of the armed conflict and social problems that have been affecting the city, the region and the country since the middle of the last century.

The exhibitions are composed of stories, photographs, documents, art objects, audiovisuals, cartographies and texts that bring together a wide range of perspectives on this phenomenon.

Its purpose is to be a symbolic refuge for the victims and to raise public awareness in order to overcome ignorance and indifference, thus contributing to cultural transformation in the search for peace.

If you are interested our review of this about this museum, which contains several useful recommendations when planning your visit.

Address

It is located in La Candelaria, Boston sector, inside the Bicentennial Park, three blocks from the Pablo Tobón Uribe Theater up 51st Street. Its exact address is Calle 51 # 36 – 66.

This is not the most popular area of the city among tourists, but it has some very interesting things to explore, such as the pedestrian walkway of La Playa with its Gastronomic Market inspired in River Markets and the theater route downtown.

Pricing and schedules

Admission is completely free. As for the programming, I think it’s best to call before you go, because sometimes there are inconveniences or events that are not updated on their website. Although it is there where the info is to contact them.

Water Museum

I think this place is a good intermediate between the interactive centers dedicated to scientific dissemination such as Explora and museums in the traditional sense of the word, with the advantage of being one of the cheapest destinations on the list.

The Water Museum offers a journey from the Big Bang itself, through the conformation of the Earth and the emergence of the first species, to the way in which humans have been relating to water, including some measures for its care.

In its 9 interactive rooms, the immense value of our water resources is highlighted through a guided tour that takes approximately 1.5 hours. This option may be the right one if you are looking for a simple and educational plan for your family, especially if you have children, as this is its target audience.

For more information, read our article about the museum and the other tourist attractions near the area.

Address

The Water Museum is located in the center of the city in the Barefoot Park. Barefoot Parkbetween the Intelligent Building and Plaza Mayor. Its exact address is: Carrera 57 N° 42 – 139.

Nearby are also River ParksThe Metropolitan Theater, the administrative center of the Alpujarra and the Parque de las Luces, making it an interesting destination if you are going to visit the Candelaria area.

Price

Admission is free for:

  • People living in strata 1, 2 and 3 presenting the EPM utility bill (maximum 3 people per bill).
  • Educational institutions of strata 1, 2 and 3.
  • Teachers who present a card or a letter from their educational institution.
  • Children under 5 and adults over 60 years of age.
  • People with disabilities.

For the rest of the public the entrance fee is $6,000 (1.28 usd) per person.

Schedules

Not open on the first business day of the week.

Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. with box office closing at 4:00 p.m.

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. with box office closing at 4:00 p.m.

For more details of the program, please visit the website.