Medellín is not a flat city. It is a “bowl,” a giant cup carved out by nature between the Central Cordillera of the Andes. This rugged geography, which sometimes complicates mobility, is at the same time its greatest aesthetic asset. Few cities in the world offer the possibility of being in the center of urban chaos and, twenty minutes later, observing that same chaos from a silent, misty mountain.
For travelers, climbing to a viewpoint is the best geography lesson. From above, you can understand the social division, the invasion of orange brick on the green of the mountain, the course of the Medellín River that divides the city into west and east, and the impressive density of the hillsides.
If you love photography, sunsets, or simply sitting and contemplating the horizon with a good coffee (or beer), this curated list of the 5 best viewpoints is your must-see roadmap.
1. Cerro Nutibara and El Pueblito Paisa: The classic 360
This is the viewpoint par excellence and the most accessible of all. Cerro Nutibara is one of the city's seven “guardian hills” and rises like a green island in the middle of the asphalt, right next to the river and the industrial area.
● The View: Geographically located in the center of the valley, it offers a true 360-degree view. You can walk around the top and see north (towards Bello), south (towards Envigado), east (El Poblado), and west (Laureles and Belén). It's perfect for getting your bearings on the first day of your trip.
● The Experience: At the top is the “Pueblito Paisa,” a replica of a traditional Antioquian village with its plaza, church, town hall, and fountain. Although it is very touristy, it has an undeniable charm. Recently, the city government renovated the trails and observation platforms, making them wider and safer.
● Best time: Sunset (around 5:30 p.m.). You'll see the sun set behind the mountains to the west and, little by little, the city lights come on.
● How to get there: It's very easy. You can take a taxi or Uber to the top (there is parking, although limited). There are also walking and sports trails if you want to walk up from the base (about 15-20 minutes of moderate climbing).
2. Las Palmas Viewpoints: The local nighttime plan
If you want to live the experience like a true “paisa,” you must go up to Las Palmas. This is the road that connects Medellín with the international airport and eastern Antioquia (Rionegro). Along the way up, there are several “pockets” or bays set up as viewpoints.
● La Vista: You are on the eastern slope looking west. The view is lateral and majestic. Here you can appreciate the length of the valley. It is especially impressive at night; the local metaphor says that Medellín at night looks like a giant “manger” or nativity scene because of the thousands of yellow lights climbing up the mountains.
● The Experience: It's cold. As you climb, the temperature drops dramatically. The traditional plan here is to park your car (or get out of the taxi), sit on one of the rustic wooden logs, and order a “hot chocolate with cheese” or an aguardiente, accompanied by chorizo or chuzos (meat skewers). It is a festive atmosphere, often with music coming from visitors' cars.
● Location: There are several spots, but the most famous are the “Mirador de Los Balsos” (going up the Los Balsos hill until you reach Las Palmas road) or the official viewpoints on the main road before the toll booth.
3. San Félix: Where paragliders fly
Located north of the metropolitan area, in the municipality of Bello but integrated into the dynamics of Medellín, San Félix offers a different and much more “aerial” perspective.
● The View: It's a “bird's-eye” view. You're very high up. From here, you can see the immensity of the north of the city and how the urban landscape gradually fades into the mountains. It's the most photogenic spot if you like photos where people seem to be floating above the city.
● The Experience: San Félix is a mecca for paragliding. Even if you don't dare to fly, sitting in one of the restaurants with a terrace and watching the colorful pilots take off is a mesmerizing spectacle. The climate here is “moorland,” very cool and frequently foggy, which gives it a mystical touch.
● Recommendation: Look for restaurants like “El Voladero” that have balconies designed specifically for contemplation. Avoid going if it's raining heavily, as the low cloud can completely block the view (the famous “refrigerator effect”).
4. Cerro El Volador: Nature and Archaeology
If you find Pueblito Paisa too concrete-heavy and touristy, Cerro El Volador is your eco-friendly alternative. It is the largest natural park within the urban area of Medellín and has archaeological heritage status.
● The View: It's a little lower than Nutibara, but much greener. You get close-up views of the university area (National University and University of Antioquia) and the Robledo sector. It's a view that conveys calm.
● The Experience: You don't come here to buy souvenirs, you come to picnic, birdwatch, and read a book. Vehicle access is restricted at certain times to favor walkers and cyclists. It is a quiet and safe place during the day, with permanent police surveillance.
● Cultural fact: It is an ancient sacred site and indigenous cemetery. There is a small museum at the top that explains the pre-Columbian history of the valley.
5. Metrocable Line L (Arví) and Santo Domingo
Sometimes, the best viewpoint isn't a fixed point, but one that's moving. Medellín's Metrocable system isn't just transportation; it's a panoramic window suspended from a cable.
● The View: Take Line K (towards Santo Domingo) and then transfer to Line L (towards Arví Park) for the most raw and real view of the city. You literally fly over the rooftops of the northeastern communities, understanding the density and informal architecture of the neighborhoods, then rise above the native forest and leave the city behind.
● The Experience: It's dizzying and fascinating. Seeing the city recede as you enter the forest reserve is a poetic transition. On the way back, when the cabin emerges from the forest and the valley opens up before your eyes, the visual impact is unforgettable.
● Tip: Try to take this tour on a clear day. If it's very cloudy, the experience on Line L loses visibility.
Tips for urban photographers
Capturing the magnitude of Medellín is no easy task. Here are three technical tips for your visits to these viewpoints:
1. Wide-angle lens: If you have a professional camera, bring your widest lens. If you're using a cell phone, the “0.5x” or panorama mode will be your best friend.
2. Night tripod: For photos in Las Palmas at night, you'll need stability to take long exposures and capture the light trails of cars without blurring the image.
3. The fog: Medellín often has a layer of fog or “calima” in the mornings. For sharp photos and saturated colors, afternoons (after a quick rain shower that clears the air) usually offer better visibility than mornings.
Safety at the viewpoints
Although these are tourist sites, common sense applies.
● At Cerro El Volador, avoid lonely forest trails; stay on the main paved road.
● At Las Palmas, if you are in a rental car, do not leave valuables visible inside the vehicle while taking photos.
● At Pueblito Paisa, beware of pickpockets if there are large crowds on the weekend.
From the infinite horizon to the intimacy of Manila
After a day spent exploring the heights, with the cold mountain wind on your face and your eyes filled with panoramic images, your body craves shelter. Descending from the mountain to the valley is like returning to the warmth of home.
The Manila neighborhood, where Hotel Sloh is located, offers the perfect counterpoint to the immensity of the viewpoints. While everything above is vast and distant, in Manila everything is close, walkable, and welcoming.
Our strategic location in the lower part of El Poblado allows you to easily access the roads that lead to Las Palmas or the Metro to go to the hills, but guarantees you a quiet rest when you return. Imagine finishing your photo tour by reviewing your best shots in our lobby with a cup of coffee, or relaxing in a smart room designed to disconnect from the outside world.
Medellín is a city to admire from above and experience from within. We make sure that your “inside” experience is as memorable as the view from outside.