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Medellín is located in the Aburrá Valley in the Andes mountains, offering fantastic panoramic views of Medellín. This gives the second most populated city in Colombia, an incomparable charm with many very scenic views in the city. And we look at seven of the best views in the city.

For a photographer like me, Medellín offers breath-taking scenic viewpoints (miradors) over the entire city which makes it a wonderful opportunity to contemplate the horizon with friends (and a drink)!

We discovered the seven best panoramic views that Medellín as to offer. Stay seated for these scenic views!

View from Mirador Las Palmas

View from Mirador Las Palmas

Panoramic Views #1: Mirador Las Palmas

There are two Las Palmas Miradors. But the most exceptional view can be seen from the second mirador.

It is located on the Las Palmas road 56, on the way to the airport. Buses run from and to Medellín metro station Exposiciones. Another alternative, is to take a taxi. There normally are a few taxis waiting on Las Palmas to drive you back to town.

For example, one of the most popular drinks that you will find in this place is chocolate with cheese, something very typical of the paisas. In addition, I recommend that you also read our blog about the drinks that cannot be missed if you visit Colombia. 

View from Mirador Las Palmas

View from Mirador Las Palmas

This view is great and is known to be the best look out view of Medellín. I will let you judge after reading this entire article.

In addition, there are vendors selling food and drinks to satisfy your sudden thirst probably caused by the spectacular view.

View from Cerro Nutibara

View from Cerro Nutibara

Panoramic Views #2: Cerro Nutibara

Cerro Nutibara (Nutibara Hill) is the hill where the popular Pueblito Paisa tourist attraction is located. It is the most central, and the most accessible viewpoint of all the miradors in this article.

Another advantage here, you will have enough space for you and your friends to sit and chill. And you will also be able to enjoy typical Antioquian foods such as bandeja paisa, chicharrón and buñuelos, in this article about 16 Traditional Colombian Food Dishes You Must Try in Colombia you will be able to learn more.

Panoramic view from Cerro Nutibara at night

Panoramic view from Cerro Nutibara at night

The easiest way to get to Cerro Nutibara (Pueblito Paisa) is to take a taxi as every driver in the city knows where it is. The taxi cost from many locations in El Poblado should be less than 20,000 pesos. In addition, when you leave it is typically easy to catch a taxi since it’s a popular tourist destination.

View of Medellín taken from Pueblito Paisa on Cerro Nutibara, photo by Jenny Bojinova

View of Medellín taken from Pueblito Paisa on Cerro Nutibara, photo by Jenny Bojinova

View of El Poblado taken from Pueblito Paisa Cerro Nutibara, photo by Jenny Bojinova

View of El Poblado taken from Pueblito Paisa Cerro Nutibara, photo by Jenny Bojinova

It is also possible to reach Cerro Nutibara (Pueblito Paisa) by walking from the Industriales metro station on Line A of the Medellín metro. But it’s a long walk uphill. And sometimes the road is lonely. So, to be safe we recommend taking a taxi.

Address: Calle 30 # 55-64, Tel: 57(4) 235 83 70

Hours: The park on Cerro Nutibara is open from 5am to midnight daily. The stores and restaurants are open from 10 am to 8 pm. We recommend going when the stores and restaurants are open.

View of Medellín from Cerro de Las Tres Cruces

View of Medellín from Cerro de Las Tres Cruces

Panoramic Views #3: Cerro de Las Tres Cruces

Cerro de Las Tres Cruces (Hill of 3 Crosses) in Medellín is definitely worth visiting, as it’s a hill that has some amazing views of the city. Also, it’s a great place to take photos.

However, not many expats living in Medellín or tourists visiting know about Cerro de Las Tres Cruces, as it’s not found in the English language travel guidebooks such as Lonely Planet. 

Cerro de Las Tres Cruces along with Cerro Pan de Azúcar, Cerro El Picacho, Cerro El Salvador, Cerro El Volador, Cerro La Asomadera and Cerro Nutibara, make up the group of seven so-called tutelary hills of the city of Medellín.  

Hiking to the top of Cerro de Las Tres Cruces is a short 30 to 45 minute hike for most people or even longer depending on your fitness level and pace. It’s a steep and moderately difficult hike.

For example, for the people of Medellín, a good plan on Sundays is to go exercise up this hill, while listening to music and going with family and friends.

Cerro de Las Tres Cruces has some amazing views of the city of Medellín and is definitely worth visiting. Also, it’s a relatively short hike up and down that can be done in about two hours including taking a break at the top.

View from Cerro El Volador

View from Cerro El Volador

Panoramic Views #4: Cerro El Volador

Cerro El Volador (Flying Hill) is reportedly the largest natural park located in the city of Medellín, sized at 262 acres.

In addition, Cerro El Volador was even named a natural Colombian heritage site in 1993. The large hill and park is located in an area that was once sacred ground for Indians, the original inhabitants in the Aburrá Valley.

Panoramic view from Cerro El Volador

Panoramic view from Cerro El Volador

Cerro El Volador rises to an elevation of 269 feet and offers stunning views of the city as it has a privileged position in the middle of the Aburrá Valley.

Also, it’s a good place to hike or jog while enjoying the views, read a book or have a picnic and get away from the city. Police regularly patrol the park, but it’s a large park. So, we recommend sticking to the main paths with other people around.

One hiking entrance to Cerro El Volador is located 10 minutes from the Estadio metro station or a 25-minute walk from the Laureles neighborhood. On the other side of the hill in Robledo is the main entrance to the park with a paved road up the hill.

Also, all taxi drivers in the city will know were Cerro El Volador is located.

View from Comuna 13

View from Comuna 13

Panoramic Views #5: Comuna 13

Comuna 13 is today known for its graffiti and street arts which attract tourists every day. But the location of Comuna 13, up the western hills of Medellín, also makes it a viable contender for one of Medellín’s best look out points.

Panoramic view from Comuna 13 at night

Panoramic view from Comuna 13 at night

Note that Comuna 13 is not really a place for foreigners once the sun goes down. We recommend visiting during the day. And we strongly recommend going with at least one other person (Colombian if possible) or on one of the Comuna 13 Graffiti Tours.

Currently, Comuna 13 is one of the most touristic places in Medellín, it is even estimated that up to 6,000 daily visitors can arrive on weekends, so it is a must during your stay in the city.

View from Santo Domingo

View from Santo Domingo

Panoramic Views #6: Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is the last station on the Metrocable line K before you take the metro cable to Parque Arvi.

As you walk down from the Santo Domingo metro cable station, there is a nice, and seems to be popular, viewpoint. This location is popular among tourists but also locals, especially kids.

Panoramic view from Santo Domingo

Panoramic view from Santo Domingo

Notoriously known to be a dangerous neighborhood, I still decided to go solo with my camera bag. Which might be perceived as unwise.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened. And while being careful, I realized that my presence didn’t raise any particular interests. This is likely due to many tourists visiting this area during the day. Also, there is a visible police presence at the metro station.

Cable cars on Metrocable Line K

Cable cars on Metrocable Line K

I still advise that you go with a group of friends and definitely avoid the area at night. How? Take the Medellín metro Line A to Acevedo station. And then take the Metrocable Line K for a 10-minute ride to the Santo Domingo station.

Nighttime view from La Octava Marvilla Mirador

Nighttime view from La Octava Marvilla Mirador

Panoramic Views #7: La Octava Maravilla Mirador

La Octava Maravilla Mirador is a popular restaurant in Sabaneta located high up the hills in Sabaneta with an amazing view of Medellín and the Aburrá Valley.

La Octava Maravilla Mirador means “The Eighth Wonder Lookout”. In addition, La Octava Marvilla is a hidden gem, which hasn’t yet been discovered by many foreigners. Also, many Colombians in the Medellín area I have talked to don’t know about this restaurant with a view in Sabaneta.

This restaurant offers an amazing view of the entire Aburrá Valley from high up the hills of Sabaneta, which is located in the southern part of the Aburrá Valley.

The Best of Medellín

Besides this article about the seven best panoramic views of Medellín, Medellin Guru has several additional best of Medellín articles:

Also, Medellin Guru has several more articles about the best restaurants and coffee shops in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley:

  1. 31 Best Restaurants in Sabaneta, Colombia
  2. 20 Best restaurants in Laureles in Medellín
  3. 16 Best Restaurants in Envigado, Colombia
  4. 15 Best Pizza Places in Medellín: The Best Pizzerias in the City
  5. 12 Best Burgers in Medellín: Best Burger Places in the Aburrá Valley
  6. 12 Best Steakhouses in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley
  7. 12 Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in El Poblado
  8. 13 Best Mexican Restaurants in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley
  9. 8 Best Colombian Restaurants in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley
  10. 9 Best Italian Restaurants in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley
  11. 8 Best Places for Brunch in El Poblado
  12. 5 Best Independent Coffee Shops in El Poblado
  13. 8 Top Coffee Shops in Laureles
  14. 5 Best Nano/Micro Breweries in Medellín

The Bottom Line: 7 Best Panoramic views of Medellín: The Best Scenic Views

Medellín has many scenic viewpoints. But we chose what we believe are the seven best panoramic views of Medellín for this article.

Also, with Medellín’s location in a valley surrounded by mountains, many apartments in the city have stunning and scenic views of the city and mountains.

Sign up for the Free Medellin Guru Newsletter – You can see all of the previous Medellin Guru weekly email newsletters and sign up here.

Editors note: updated on July 16, 2019 to add Cerro de Las Tres Cruces, which has a great panoramic view of Medellín.

Editors note: updated on September 23, 2019 to add La Octava Maravilla Mirador, which has a fantastic view of the entire Aburrá Valley from high up the hills of Sabaneta.

Editors note: updated on June 22, 2023 to add new information about these panoramic views and prices.

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