If you want to know the best viewpoints in Medellin and its surroundings, in the following article we recommend several spectacular sites, some very famous and others that are real hidden gems. This plan is perfect for hiking, having lunch, watching the sunset, eating at night or spending a romantic evening. Enjoy the magic of our heights from different points of view!
The department of Antioquia is crossed by the Central and Western mountain ranges, which is why it has one of the steepest reliefs in the world. And Medellín, its capital, is right in a valley where much of the terrain is sloping, so there are many points where you can climb to contemplate the scenery.
The viewpoints in Medellín are mainly divided into 5 categories. There are the public viewpoints, whose entrance is free and freely accessible to anyone; the commercial viewpoints that have an owner; the mall type, which bring together several establishments in the same place and therefore enjoy a wider gastronomic offer; the glamping in the mountains and, finally, the rooftop.
Our list has a little bit of all of these, but we don’t just stay in the city. We also include recommendations outside the metropolitan area, for those adventurous people who want to escape the urban and explore the rich and diverse nature of our region.
Best viewpoints in Medellín
For our selection we collaborated with the team of miradores.co, who are the experts when it comes to viewpoints within the city. Follow them on Instagram as. @miradores.med!
The 15 viewpoints in the list are organized by zones (from north to south), but their order does not correspond to any top because, in addition to the different views, each one offers different atmospheres. There are family, romantic, sports, rumba, among others. Which one is the best will depend on your tastes.
Of course, the Picacho Hill is the viewpoint with the most beautiful views of Medellin and where the sunset is seen like nowhere else. So let’s start with this iconic place of the city.
El Tesoro UVA
Located in front of El Tesoro Shopping Center, this large park called UVA (Unidad de Vida Articulada) has one of the best views of the south of the Aburrá Valley. Besides being a super nice and safe public space, in recent months it has been surrounded by incredible gastronomic businesses, which give it a special touch, especially at night.
El Cristo Viewpoint (El Picacho Hill)
This is one of the 7 tutelary hills of Medellín and is located in the northwestern area. In addition to its enormous attraction, it is also a place of religious pilgrimage because it has a monument to Christ on its summit. At the base of the hill there are food stores and a parking lot with people who can take care of your vehicle.
Price: Access to this and all the other tutelary hills of Medellín is free of charge.
How to get there: you can go by car to the base of the hill, but to access this part of the city you need to be an experienced driver and quite familiar with the city, as the roads are very narrow and steep. Also can also be reached by public transportation..
Hangar M45 Rooftop (Manrique)
Another type of viewpoint is the rooftop. This one belongs to a gastrobar located in the center east of the city, on the famous 45th street of Manrique. Here you will have a night plan, in a restaurant with delicious food and good atmosphere to be with your partner, family or friends.
Price: as it is a private establishment you must consume to enter. You can find dishes from $19.000 COP to $100.000 COP. But the average price is $30.000 COP.
How to get there: The address of the site is Carrera 45 #69-57 (fifth floor). The easiest way to get there is by Metroplús taking the line that passes by 45 in Manrique.
Visit her Instagram at. @hangarm45azotea!
El Volador Hill
This tutelary hill is the largest ecological reserve of our urban perimeter. Its main viewpoint faces the east of the city. People go there to play sports, have a picnic or fly kites, and on the way up there are stands selling juices, fruit and snacks. It is a family plan, but it is recommended to go during the day for security reasons.
Price: as it is a public space , admission is free.
How to get there: you can go by car and leave it parked free of charge in a lot a few meters from the entrance. The rest of the journey must be done on foot and takes about 20 minutes.
For more information about Cerro El Volador click here.
Pueblito Paisa (Nutibara Hill)
At the top of Cerro Nutibara there is a reproduction of the traditional villages of Antioquia, a museum with old photos of the city and a large 360° viewpoint that, due to its central location, offers a very complete view of the city. The main attractions of the place are the typical gastronomy, handicrafts and the ecological tour.
Price: Entrance to the reserve and the viewpoint is free, but inside the Pueblito Paisa the establishments may have different rates. For example, entrance to the museum costs $5,000 COP.
How to get there: you can go in your own vehicle and leave it parked at the entrance to make the rest of the journey on foot, which has an hourly cost. You can also take a cab to the Pueblito Paisa.
For more info about Pueblito Paisa click here.
San Javier (Commune 13)
The Graffitour is a tour through some neighborhoods of San Javier, where you can see more than 300 graffiti painted by local artists that tell the story of violence, displacement and rebirth of the territory through art. Be prepared to climb stairs, because at the end of the tour you will find viewpoints, cafes and bars that offer a very rewarding landscape.
Price: although access to this part of the city is free, it is recommended to take a tour. You can book a great free tour here . a great free tour here!
For more information about Comuna 13 click here.
Viewpoints in Belén (Loma de los Bernal)
In the sector of Belén, in the southeast of the city, there are several viewpoints for you to choose your favorite type of environment. On one side is the Cerro de las 3 cruces, a free access hill ideal for sportsmen.
On the other hand, there are two private viewpoints: Mirador del Cielowhich has a restaurant and a family atmosphere with amusement rides, farm and paintball; and the Mirador de Yeyowith a much more relaxed and youthful atmosphere, perfect for going out with friends, eating and having a few drinks.
Rooftops in El Poblado
Rooftops are a trend that has gained a lot of strength in El Poblado in recent years. They are the terraces of very tall buildings where they usually place restaurants, bars and sometimes even jacuzzis or swimming pools. They usually have lively atmospheres to party with DJs or live music and, of course, a magnificent view of the city.
One of the most famous is the Envy Rooftop (pictured above), which is located on the terrace of The Charlee hotel in Lleras. But this space has a dress code and reserves the right of admission, so for a much more relaxed plan, you can also visit The Rooftops at Los Patios Hostel in Manila.
Viewpoint in Las Palmas
The Las Palmas road, which connects Medellín with the Rionegro airport and other eastern destinations, has one of the most iconic and frequented viewpoints in the city at night.
Actually there are several viewpoints on this route, but the one we refer to here is the “second viewpoint”, famous both for the view and for the sale of chocolate with cheese and other foods at a very economical price of between $5,000 COP and $20,000 COP.
Price: Being at the viewpoint is free. The cost of the plan will depend on your means of transportation and what you consume there. Parking has no fixed cost, but it is customary to pay something to those who take care of the vehicles.
How to get there: you can get there by car, either by cab or mobility apps. If you go in your own vehicle keep in mind that sometimes the parking lot can fill up quickly (especially on weekends), so some people park on the side of the road.
Viewpoints near Medellín
Rancho Alto Mirador (Bello)
This viewpoint is located in the municipality of Bello, on the road to San Pedro de Los Milagros. It stands out among the others on the list because it is a farm that offers sunbathing and lodging, in addition to having great attractions for the whole family such as a swimming pool, canopy and an extreme swing.
Learn more in their networks @ranchoaltomirador
Viewpoints in San Felix
San Felix is a small town in the municipality of Bello and is located northwest of Medellin. This place has become very famous among the residents and visitors of Medellín because the extreme sport of paragliding is practiced from there.
Among the many establishments that enjoy a spectacular view in this territory, we highlight 2: the first one is the Waira Restaurant Bar Picnica family and pet friendly space that has a bonfire, cabins for lodging and attractions for children.
The second is La Palma Gastropuba restaurant with a privileged view of the north, east and south of the city, which offers a romantic atmosphere for couples.
The Thinking Mountain (Itagüí)
This place in El Manzanillo, in the Pedregal neighborhood, is an example of community entrepreneurship. It is the headquarters of the Corporación Artística La Tartana, where there is theater, painting workshops, clay sculpture and even cabins to house the artists who come from all over.
In addition to all the creative atmosphere, its main attraction for visitors is the restaurant – museum – viewpoint, where you can taste the most typical preparations of our region and other dishes that meat lovers will love.
Learn more about this dream at @lamontanaquepiensa
Nawaké (La Estrella)
If you are looking for a place with excellent outdoor views, a bit rustic and above all romantic, Nawaké may be the option for you. The touch of this space is the decorations they make for special events such as birthdays and other types of celebrations.
Address: Calle 73 Sur # 64 91, Santa Catalina, La Estrella.
Visit their networks @refugionawake
The Eighth Wonder (Sabaneta)
We arrived at the last commercial viewpoint on the list and closed with a very picturesque one, because at La Octava Maravilla, in addition to having a great view of the south of the valley, each space is decorated with a carnival touch that gives a very festive air to the place, perfect for meetings and special events .
Prices: The menu shows that an average meal can cost around $40,000 COP.
Address: Carrera 32B # 63B sur – 33, Sabaneta, Antioquia.
More information on her Instagram @laoctavamaravilla_mirador
San Sebastián de La Castellana Reserve
Now we are leaving the city to more unknown places. The San Sebastian de la Castellana Reserve is located in the municipality of El Retiro about 28 km southeast of downtown Medellin. This is one of the best places for bird watching in the territory due to its great diversity. A plan for adventurers who want to go deep into nature.
I suggest you to go accompanied and guided by a reliable tour guide. Visit this page for more info.
Enchanted Lagoon (El Romeral)
The name of this site tells you that it is a hidden gem in our mountains. It is located in the Romeral Reserve, which crosses several municipalities in the sector. This is undoubtedly the most demanding hike on the list and should be done with a guide who knows the territory very well.
Recommendations
Here are some tips that will be helpful if you are not familiar with the viewpoints in Medellín and its surroundings:
- Be well prepared in terms of clothing. The weather in Medellín can be very changeable, but usually the viewpoints are in very high places where it is cold, so take a coat just in case and a hat or visor to protect you from the sun.
- If you go hiking remember to bring enough fluids to hydrate yourself. You can also buy some healthy snacks in the shops near the viewpoints.
- Several of the sites on the list are very commercial and easy to access, however there are others that are nature reserves or involve travel for which I advise you to have a local guide.
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