Plaza Botero & Museo de Antioquia — Medellín’s Open-Air Art

Downtown Medellín’s open-air museum: Plaza Botero is scattered with 23 of Fernando Botero’s famously plump bronze figures — fat cats, voluptuous women, a hand, a horse — all donated by the paisa master himself.

PREMIUM Guatapé Tour: Rock, Luxury boat ride, Meals & Llamas

Guatapé Tour: Piedra del Peñol with Boat Tour, Breakfast, Lunch

Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Street Food

“Exclusive Mountain Escape : ATV Tour from Medellin with lunch

Pablo Escobar Tour : Museum, History and Beer

Coffee tour in Medellín with tastings and transportation

City Tour + Commune 13 Medellin

Paragliding flight in Medellin

Medellin : Off-Road Adventure in ATV, Quad-Adrenalin-waterfall

Comuna 13 Tour with Cable Car Ride

Medellin Rafting day-trip, Rio Calderas

Guatapé Full Day Tour – Piedra del Peñol with meals & boat tour

Plaza Botero

The sculptures sit in front of the gorgeous black-and-white Palacio de la Cultura, making it one of the most photographed spots in the city. Rub a sculpture for luck like the locals do.

Museo de Antioquia

Right on the plaza, the Museo de Antioquia holds the city’s best Botero collection plus Colombian art and history — well worth an hour or two.

Visiting Plaza Botero

Plaza Botero sits in the heart of Medellín’s historic centre, La Candelaria, and is free and open to the street, so you can wander among the sculptures at any time of day. The 23 bronzes — rounded figures of people, animals and everyday objects — were donated by Fernando Botero, the city’s most famous artist, and have become an emblem of Medellín.

Set aside time for the adjoining Museo de Antioquia, one of the oldest museums in the country, which holds the largest public collection of Botero’s paintings and sculptures alongside pre-Columbian, colonial and contemporary Colombian art. Together, the plaza and the museum make an easy half-day in the centre.

The square is liveliest and most comfortable to visit during daylight on weekdays, and it pairs well with other downtown landmarks within walking distance.

A few tips help. First, visit by day, because the centre is liveliest then. Then, see the museum too, since it sits right here. In addition, keep your phone away in the crowds. Meanwhile, take the Metro to Parque Berrío. Finally, join a walking tour for the backstory.

In short, plan it simply. First, come by day. Then, see the museum. Also, watch your phone. Meanwhile, ride the Metro. Finally, consider a guide.

Getting there & safety

Take the Metro to Parque Berrío — the plaza is right there. It’s busy and lively by day; keep your phone tucked away and visit in daylight, ideally with a downtown walking tour.