The Secret of the Water Tanks: Urban Viewpoints and Art on the Hillsides of Medellín

Introduction: When a water tank stops being just a tank

Have you ever looked up at the hillsides of Medellín and wondered what those cylindrical structures that look like giant concrete mushrooms are? They are not silos or abandoned storage tanks. They are EPM water tanks, and some of them have become the most fascinating—and least known—urban viewpoints in the city.

While all tourists fight for a spot on the Comuna 13 Cable Car or pay for the view from Pueblito Paisa, locals who truly know the city know there is an alternative circuit of viewpoints that few visit. They are in the higher areas, where the air is cleaner and the view spans from the Aburrá Valley to the peaks of the mountain range. And the best part: most are free.

The story of these tanks is not just infrastructure. It is a story of social transformation. In the first decade of the 2000s, the municipal administration and EPM realized they could turn those enormous water reservoirs into public parks, libraries, and community spaces for the poorest neighborhoods. The project was called UVAs (Unidades de Vida Articulada) and it changed the way locals view these concrete monoliths.

In September 2026, this route remains an open secret among photographers and urban travelers. If you want to see a sunset that doesn't appear in traditional guides, keep reading. I'm going to tell you exactly where the best tanks are, how to get there, what history they carry, and how safe it is to visit them.

Grab your camera, put on comfortable shoes, and get ready for a Medellín that few know.

What to do: Three tank routes you should know

Not all water tanks in Medellín are accessible or have a viewpoint purpose. But there are three clear areas where infrastructure became public space. I've organized them by routes so you can plan a half-day or full-day itinerary.

Route 1: The tanks of Comuna 13 (San Javier) and street art

Comuna 13 is famous for its escalators and graffiti, but there's an element almost no one mentions: the water tanks that crown the highest mountains in the neighborhood. These are not part of the escalator tourist circuit, so most visitors don't even know they exist.

One of the most well-known is the Tanque de la Independencia, located in the La Independencia sector, above the escalators. It's not a formal park like the UVAs, but from its base you get a 360-degree view that includes all of Comuna 13, downtown Medellín, and on clear days, even the Olaya Herrera Airport. The path to get there is steep, so be prepared to sweat.

The charm of this route isn't just the view. It's the journey. To reach the tank, you'll walk through streets full of murals that tell the neighborhood's story. You'll see the famous Graffiti Tour operating on the escalators, but if you keep climbing, you'll find art that isn't on the maps. The graffiti here isn't just decoration: it narrates the armed conflict, civil resistance, and the neighborhood's transformation.

Fun fact: In 2011, when the escalators were inaugurated, many residents thought the project was another "tanque" (a local slang for something that never gets finished). Today, those same residents are the ones guiding tourists and caring for the murals. The irony isn't lost on the locals.

If you want to do this route, I recommend going with a local guide. There are several community agencies in San Javier that offer tours of the upper area, away from the crowds. Ask about tours that include the La Luz or El Salado sectors, where there are other smaller tanks with spectacular views.

Route 2: Tanks in El Poblado and their role in historical water supply

El Poblado isn't just expensive restaurants and skyscrapers. On its eastern hillsides, hidden between the forest and luxury condominiums, there are several water tanks that were key in the city's water supply history. The most famous one is near Parque Arví, but that's another trip. In El Poblado, the one that stands out most is the tank in the Los Balsos sector, at the top of the hill.

This tank is not a public park, so you can't climb onto the structure. But the road that passes by (the road going up to Santa Elena) has some impressive natural viewpoints. From there you can see all of El Poblado, the Atanasio Girardot Stadium, and on the horizon, the mountains of Bello and Copacabana.

Why are there such large tanks in a residential area? Because of the topography. Medellín is in a valley, and water needs pressure to reach the higher areas. The El Poblado tanks store water at night when consumption drops and release it during the day to maintain pressure. It's an ingenious system that few know about.

If you're interested in the history of the aqueduct, don't miss the Museo del Agua EPM, located inside Parque de los Pies Descalzos, downtown. It's an interactive museum dedicated entirely to water. Admission costs around 6,000 COP for the general public—about 3 dollars—and is free for residents of low-income neighborhoods. Note: guided tours are in Spanish, so if you don't speak the language, go with a bilingual friend or be prepared to explore on your own.

The museum is small but surprising. It has rooms where you can simulate being a water droplet traveling through the city's pipes, learn about the watersheds that feed Medellín, and understand why the tap water here is among the best in Latin America.

Route 3: Tanks in downtown (Cerro Nutibara) and the founding of the city

Cerro Nutibara is known for Pueblito Paisa, that replica of an Antioquian village that attracts thousands of tourists. But on the north face of the hill, the one facing the river, there's a water tank that few notice. This tank is not accessible to the public, but its story is fascinating because it's connected to the very founding of the city.

Medellín was founded in 1616 as a settlement called San Lorenzo de Aburrá, in what is now Parque El Poblado. But the city's growth happened downtown, around what is now Plaza Botero. Water was always a problem: the Aburrá Valley has rivers and streams, but potable water didn't arrive on a massive scale until 1913, when the first modern aqueduct was created.

The tanks downtown and on Cerro Nutibara were part of that first network. Today, many are disused or serve secondary functions, but their silhouette is part of the city's skyline. If you go up to Pueblito Paisa at sunset, look south and you'll see several of these concrete cylinders. They're not pretty, but they tell a story of effort and progress.

Fun fact: The name "Nutibara" comes from an indigenous chief who ruled these lands when the Spanish arrived. The hill was declared a nature reserve in the 70s, and although the tank is not visitable, the park around it is. It's a good place to combine indigenous history, a viewpoint, and a picnic.

Where to eat or drink after the route

After walking the hillsides, your body will crave food. Here are options near each route, with reference prices from September 2026.

Near Comuna 13

In San Javier, there's a gastronomic offering that has grown with tourism. Look for food stalls at the entrance to the escalators, but if you want something more sit-down, walk towards Plaza de San Javier. There you'll find family restaurants serving bandeja paisa, sancocho, and natural juices. A full lunch costs between 15,000 and 25,000 COP.

For something quick, try the empanadas from the ladies selling on the corners near the San Javier metro station. They're small, crispy, and cost around 2,500 COP each. Order them with ají and lime, like the locals do.

Near El Poblado

In the upper part of El Poblado, near Los Balsos, there are several options. Versalles is a classic for high-end Colombian food, but it's expensive. If you're looking for something more casual, there are cafes and bakeries on Calle 10 and at Parque El Poblado. A coffee with something to eat will cost you between 10,000 and 20,000 COP.

For a truly local experience, head down to Envigado (the neighboring municipality) and look for the traditional eateries on Calle 37 sur. There you'll find bandeja paisa, beans, and grilled meat at fair prices. The area is called El Salto and is very popular among locals who work in El Poblado but don't want to pay tourist prices.

Near Cerro Nutibara

Downtown Medellín has an endless gastronomic offering. After coming down from the hill, walk towards Plaza Botero and look for the restaurants on Calle 54 (known as restaurant row). There you'll find everything from typical food to international cuisine. A main course with a drink is between 18,000 and 35,000 COP.

If you prefer something more authentic, look for the food stalls at the Mercado de San Alejo (Saturdays at Parque Bolívar) or the fruit shops at Plaza de Cisneros, where you can get a huge natural juice for 5,000 COP.

How to get there and transportation

Getting to the water tanks requires some planning. Here are the options for each route.

Transportation to Comuna 13

The easiest way is to take the metro to the San Javier station (Line B) and then the Metrocable (Line J) to the La Aurora station. From there, you can walk down towards the escalators or take a local taxi (the so-called "mototaxis" or private cars that charge between 3,000 and 5,000 COP for short trips).

To reach the La Independencia tank, walk from the San Javier station towards Carrera 99 and go up Calle 45. It's about a 20-minute steep climb. Bring water.

Transportation to El Poblado

For the Los Balsos area, take the metro to the El Poblado station and then a taxi or buseta to the upper part. The buses that go