Plaza Botero

Sometimes known as Plaza de las Esculturas, Plaza Botero is a key fixture on most Medellín city tours—whether you want to explore on foot, by Segway, or from the top deck of a hop-on hop-off bus, there’s a tour option to suit most. Choose from excursions which focus on graffiti, history, food, and more, including those which typically combine visits to Plaza Botero with trips to Comuna 13 and Pueblito Paisa.

• Legend has it that rubbing Botero’s statues will bring good luck—test the theory for yourself in Plaza Botero.

• Plaza Botero is a pickpocketing hotspot, so be sure to keep your valuables in zipped purses or pockets.

• To get the best photos of Botero’s statues, arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the largest crowds have dispersed.

• There are plenty of street vendors and souvenir stalls in and around Plaza Botero; make sure to sample obleas, green mango, and empanadas.

• Plaza Botero is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Plaza Botero is situated at the heart of Medellín’s Old Quarter, within easy walking distance of other top attractions such as the Antioquia Museum and the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria. You can also arrive by metro, departing at the nearby Parque Berrio station, or as part of a guided walking tour of Medellín.

Plaza Botero is accessible year-round and is free to access. Visit by day to fully appreciate the corpulent majesty of Botero’s bronze sculptures, arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon to snap photos without the crowds.

One of Colombia’s most renowned artists, Fernando Botero was born in Medellín in 1932 and is best-known for his curvaceous, bloated, and oversized bronze sculptures, such as those on display in Plaza Botero. His work often has political overtones and can also be found on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, as well as on Park Avenue, New York.