Medellin: Historic Center Walking Tour & Botero Sculptures

Summary

Walk Medellin’s city center with locals, art stories and hidden plazas

You’ll walk Medellin’s buzzing center with a local guide who shares real stories behind its plazas and sculptures. Taste Colombian coffee in an old courthouse-turned-mall, see Plaza Botero’s art up close, and feel how resilience shapes everyday life here.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice in Medellin’s city center would be the sound — that low hum of buses mixed with street vendors calling out for empanadas. Our guide, Julián, waved us over by the old train station (it’s not even a station anymore but you can still smell metal and dust if you stand close). He started talking about how this spot was basically where modern Medellin began. I could tell he’d done this before — but he still seemed genuinely excited to share it all.

We walked under these giant concrete pillars that light up at night (I wish I’d seen them then), and Julián explained how they were part of the city’s transformation. There was a moment on Carabobo Street when a woman selling mango slices smiled at me — she had gold hoops and called me “vecina” like we’d known each other forever. The street used to be chaos but now it’s just people, music, fruit carts. The air smelled sweet and sharp at the same time. We ducked into an old courthouse-turned-mall for coffee; honestly, my Spanish isn’t great but the barista still laughed when I tried to order “tinto.”

Plaza Botero was wild — all those round bronze sculptures just standing there in the sun, kids climbing on them like playgrounds. Julián told us about Fernando Botero donating them to the city after everything Medellin went through. He pointed out scars on one of the birds from a bombing in ‘95 (I touched it — cold metal, rough patch). That story stuck with me more than I thought it would.

The last stop was outside Museo de Antioquia. There was this weird half-built-looking building nearby; apparently some Belgian architect left it unfinished on purpose? At that point my feet hurt but I didn’t really care. Someone played folk music across the square and for a second it felt like time slowed down. I keep thinking about that — how much history is just right there in the open if you’re willing to walk and listen.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Medellín's historic city center

• Visit Old Medellín Train Station
• Listen to guide's history of Medellín
• See Monumento A La Raza
• Explore 300 illuminated pillars
• View Vasquéz and Carré buildings
• Walk Carabobo Street green tunnel
• Visit former courts building for break
• See largest local art collection
• Discuss modern society at old church
• Learn about Fernando Botero's sculptures
• Pass by Antioquia Museum
• Pass by unfinished building story
• View Pedro Nel Gómez frescoes
• Visit oldest square with folk music
• See Birds of Peace sculptures

Top questions

How long is the Medellin historic walking tour?

The tour covers several main sites in downtown Medellin and typically lasts around 3–4 hours.

Is Plaza Botero included in this walking tour?

Yes, Plaza Botero is one of the highlights of this historic walking tour.

Does the tour include entry to Museo de Antioquia?

The tour stops outside Museo de Antioquia for context about its significance but does not include museum entry.

Are tips or additional payments expected at the end?

No further tips are expected; your booking covers the suggested tip for your guide.

Is this walking tour suitable for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible and infants can ride in prams or strollers.

Will there be breaks during the tour?

Yes, there’s a coffee break inside an old courthouse-turned-mall with toilets available.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is bilingual; guides speak both English and Spanish fluently.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through central Medellin with stops at Plaza Botero, Antioquia Museum (from outside), Carabobo Street, and more; plus a coffee break in a historic building, group photo opportunities, activity recommendations from your guide, and restaurant suggestions to keep exploring after you finish.