Get to know the most interesting cultural spaces and museums in Medellín!
The cultural offer in the Aburrá Valley is as wide and diverse as the ways to say “yes” in paisa. Therefore, we want to show you the most outstanding museums in Medellín that are definitely worth visiting.
For example, have you ever been to the open air cinema of the Museum of Modern Art? Or do you know the painful history of the armed conflict in Colombia in the Casa de la Memoria? Probably yes since these are the most prominent museums in Medellín in the travel guides.
However, the city has a lot more history to offer and we want to make sure you are aware of that.
For instance, did you know that Medallo has a medieval gothic castle in the city that you can visit? Or, did you know that you could discover the aquatic world of Colombia here in Medellín? There certainly are so many possibilities to expand your knowledge or just have a good time exploring the city. For example, how about a night tour in the cemetery of San Pedro? You’ll see, Medellín is even more interesting than you thought. For this reason we gathered all the information you need to discover the best museums in Medellín.
Escape from the routine and dare to visit the museums in Medellín!
1. Casa de la Memoria
The Casa de la Memoria Museum is a political project initiated by the Victims Attention Program of Medellín Mayor’s Office in 2006. It seeks to give a voice to the victims of the conflict and creating a space for dialogue. The museum creates awareness and gives importance to memory. Furthermore, they offer guides (in Spanish but also in English) that explain the complex armed conflict in Colombia and its actors.
Schedule
Monday: closed (Except when the Monday is a holiday, then it’s open on Monday and it closes the Tuesday after)
Tuesday to Friday: 9am – 6pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10am – 4pm
Entry
Free entry
How to get there?
Location: Calle 51, # 36-66, Parque Bicentenario
Metro: San Antonio then take the Tram to the Bicentenario station.
Bus: Buses Caicedo 093, 094 or 095 on the Oriental Avenue to Parque Bicentenario
2. City Museum
The City Museum promotes urban development through temporary exhibitions with an artistic, photographic and architectural focus. Due to its location in Cerro Nutibara, the visit of the museum can be combined with a visit of Pueblito Paisa. Watching the sunset over the incredible panorama of Medellín is indeed the best way to end your day.
Schedule
Monday to Sunday: 10am – 6pm
Entry
Voluntary contribution, there is no fixed price.
How to get there?
Cerro Nutibara, Pueblito Paisa
There is no public transports to get on the hill except for taxis
Metro: Industriales, then 30 minutes walking
Metroplús: Nutibara
3. El Castillo Museum
Before becoming a museum in 1971, the castle built in 1930 served as the residence of a Colombian-German couple. Their vision was to create a space that preserves and promotes arts and culture. Nowadays, it’s a cultural space where the halls and extensive gardens host the exhibitions. The non-profit private foundation that manages the cultural space and its events also offers picnic or breakfast plans.
Schedule
Monday to Friday: 9am – 12pm and 2pm – 6pm
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 10am – 5pm
Entry
General: COP 13,000
Student: COP 9,000
How to get there?
Location: Calle 9 Sur, # 32-269 Loma Los Balsos, near the Santa Fé Shopping Center.
Metro: Aguacatala + Metroplus (Poblado Ruta 133IIA or 132I).
Bus: Comercial Hotelera ruta 305 from Parque Berrío, Stadium, UPB, South Terminal, El Poblado Park
4. MAMM – Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is a very important cultural center in Medellín. The combination of events such as outdoor cinema, extended nights, concerts and temporary exhibitions bring together people of all social backgrounds and ages. Before 2013, it was located in the Carlos E. Restrepo neighborhood. Now that it has been relocated in Ciudad del Río, the museum helped this industrial district to develop itself into a place of meeting and socialization.
Schedule
Monday: closed (Exception: Monday open holidays, closed on Tuesday after)
Tuesday to Friday: 9am – 6pm
Saturdays: 10am – 6pm
Sundays: 10am – 5pm
Entry
Adult: 10,000 COP
Children (<12 years) and Students (<25 years): 7,000 COP
MAMM Friends: Free
The admission is free on the last Friday of each month between 6pm and 10pm for the extended night.
How to get there?
Location: Carrera 44 # 19a-100, Ciudad del Río.
Metro: Industriales, plus 10 minutes walking.
Encicla: MAMM station
Bus: all those that drive along Las Vegas Avenue.
5. San Pedro Cemetery Museum
Two decades ago, the San Pedro Cemetery Museum allowed children, young people and adults for the first time to get to know this place where history never dies. Since then, there steadily has been a touristic offer: guided tours are organized with different focuses (History, Art, Society). For those who dare, there is a nighttime visit or the “Full Moon Nights” event.
Schedule
Monday to Sunday: 7.30am – 5.30pm
Entry
Free entry
The cost of the guided visits depend on the group size and the type of visit.
How to get there?
Location: Carrera 51, # 68-68, Manrique, near the Botanical Garden
Metro: Hospital Station
Bus: All buses that head to “Hospital”
Encicla: Line N or Universities station, then 5 minutes walking
6. Parque Explora
The Parque Explora is an interactive museum with a focus on innovation, science and technology. Furthermore, it has the largest aquarium of South America and a planetarium in the middle of the city. Hence, it is definitely an exciting place for all those who want to live an adventure of science.
Schedule
Closed on Mondays
Tuesday to Friday: 8.30am – 5:30pm (the box office closes at 4pm)
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10am – 6.30pm (the box office closes at 5pm)
Entry
Per person: 27,000 COP
Planetary Combo and Explora: 40,000 COP
How to get there?
Location: Carrera 53, # 73-75, near the Botanical Garden, the UdeA and the North Park
Metro: University
Bus: Bus 024 Playón de los Comuneros, Bus 006 La Francia, Bus 283 Barrio Nuevo Carrera . 70, Bus 286 Termina del Nortel, among others.
Encicla: University Station
7. Museum of Antioquia
The Museum of Antioquia is the oldest of all museums in Medellín and the second in all Colombia. With only few transitional periods, it is open since 1881. Its aim is to promote the cultural heritage of the department of Antioquia. The aim of the exhibitions is to contribute to social transformation through art, culture and regional heritage.
Schedule
Monday to Saturday: 10am – 5.30pm
Sundays and Holidays: 10am – 4.30pm
Entry
Nationals: 12,000 COP
Foreigners: 18,000 COP
Free Admission for the students of the Aburrá Valley
Children and other students get a 50% discount.
How to get there?
Address: Calle 52, # 52-43, in Plaza Botero
Metro: Parque Berrío
Encicla: Museum of Antioquia
8. Water museum
The Water Museum (Museo del Agua) was founded by EPM (Empresas Públicas de Medellín). It is a learning and teaching space for children and adults alike. For this reason, this place is much more original than the other museums in Medellín. The halls of the permanent exhibition focus on demonstrating the essential nature of water for our planet. Also, they try to show how to take care of water as a natural resource.
Schedule
Closed on Monday
Tuesday to Friday: 8.30am – 4.00pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10.30am – 5.00pm
Entry
General: 6,000 COP
The entrance is free for Social classes 1, 2 and 3 with Sisbén, children and adults over 60 years.
How to get there?
Location: Carrera 57, # 42-139, in the Parque de los Pies Descalzos
Metro: Cisneros or Alpujarra
MetroPlús: Plaza Mayor
Encicla: Parque de los Pies Descalzos I and II
9. MEMAB – Miguel Angel Builes Ethnographic Museum
Did you know that more than 60 different languages are spoken in Colombia? In case you travelled to the Amazonas, the Chocó or the Caribbean Coast, you already know some of the indigenous communities of Colombia. This Museum has exhibitions in five rooms divided by region. Specifically, Antioquia has more than two thousand ethnographic pieces. Furthermore, they offer a varied cultural and educational program in the temporary exhibition mall. So the objective of the museum is to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Colombia’s ethnic groups.
Schedule
Monday to Friday: 8am – 12pm and 2pm – 5.30pm
Saturdays: 8am – 12pm
Sundays and Holidays: Closed
Entry
Everyone: 6.000 COP
How to get there?
Metro: Floresta, then Integrado Blanquizal
Bus: Calazans – Boston 311th or the Salud line to Ferrini and Calazans
Well, now that you have a complete list of the best museums in Medellín, the hard part is to choose what to do first. Anyway, at least you have ideas to keep you busy during the next week ends.
However, if you don’t feel like visiting museums and are looking for other activities to do, don’t hesitate to visit our blog. You will find much more information about Medellín and lots of ideas to enjoy the city.
