Viewpoints in Medellín
Viewpoints: the best places in and around Medellín, verified one by one.
- 9 places
- 7 zones
- average
Mirador Cerro El PicachoEl PicachoOne of the most dramatic guardian hills overlooking Medellín, rising above 2,100 meters above sea level in the northwestern mountains. Crowned by the Christ the Savior monument, it provides the most comprehensive 360-degree vista of the Aburrá Valley, accessible via the Metrocable Line P.
Mirador de San FelixBelloSan Félix is Bello's high district, about forty minutes by car from Medellín, and its viewpoint is one of the best panoramas in the metropolitan area: from there the Aburrá valley reads whole, with the city spread out below.- Top ratedMorro El Salvador y Monumento a Cristo Rey (Jericó)JericoMorro El Salvador is the sacred natural viewpoint that crowns the 'Athens of the Southwest'. At its summit stands a sculpture of Christ the Redeemer surrounded by botanical gardens, stations of the cross and a 360-degree panoramic viewpoint over the Piedras river canyon, the coffee mountains and the clay roofs of the historic centre. It connects with the Las Nubes Natural Park by the Jericó Cable Car.
- Santuario De La CruzNorte del ValleThe Santuario de la Cruz crowns a hill in the El Cabuyal hamlet, in Copacabana, with a metal structure some twenty-five metres tall that is visible from the valley.
- Top ratedAlto de La CruzCaldasAlto de la Cruz is Caldas' short climb: about thirty minutes on foot from the main square, on a moderate path with steep stretches that tops out at 2,168 metres.
- Top ratedMirador comuna 13Las Independencias, San JavierThe Comuna 13 viewpoint sits at the top of the Las Independencias hillside, where the escalator climb ends. From there the western side of the Aburrá valley opens out below, with the neighbourhood's rooftops in the foreground.
- La MesetaBelloLa Meseta is Bello's go-to viewpoint: a high, open esplanade from which you see the whole town and, turning round, a good part of Medellín.
- Mirador las palmas No2Vía Las PalmasThe Las Palmas road climbs from Medellín towards eastern Antioquia and the airport, and along the way it leaves several public viewpoints leaning out over the valley. This is one of the most used.
- Morro de la virgen Barbosa AntioquiaNorte del ValleMorro de la Virgen is Barbosa's go-to viewpoint: a short hill you climb in about twenty minutes on a well-marked path, with the whole town laid out below.
Before you go
Medellín sits in a narrow valley with mountains on both sides, so almost any high point gives you a huge view. The viewpoints in this category are places whose main draw is exactly that: looking out over the valley. They range from the Comuna 13 lookout, right in the city, to hills at the edges of the metropolitan area, such as Alto de la Cruz in Caldas or Santuario de la Cruz in Copacabana. Nearly all of them are free.
The best times are early morning, when the air tends to be clearer, and sunset, when the city starts to light up. Afternoons often bring cloud or rain, so check the sky before setting off. Those on the Las Palmas road and in San Félix are easy to reach by car or taxi; the ones in Caldas, Barbosa or Copacabana usually involve an uphill walk.
Bring water, sunscreen and a jacket, because the wind cools you quickly up there. If you are walking up, start in daylight, tell someone your route and do not stay on the trails after dark; to see the city at night, choose viewpoints you can drive to.
