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Art Gallery Near Hot Springs San Miguel De Allende Mexico

The former-fashioned tour trolley rumbles along the cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

"Expect inside those open doors!" gushes our trolley guide.

Subconscious behind the large half-open doors, we glimpse magnificent Baroque and neo-Gothic mansions, congenital around garden courtyards with fountains. Many firm bazaar hotels, designer shops, restaurants and art galleries.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Miguel is ane of Mexico's most beautiful colonial cities. Its entire historic center – more than 24 blocks – looks equally if it popped right out of a fairytale.

And taking a trolley ride through the city is one of the all-time things to practice in San Miguel de Allende when yous first arrive.

Things to Do in San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende's buildings are a picturesque blend of architectural styles (from Bizarre and neo-Gothic to colorful colonial)

Apart from being fun, the trolley ride gives you a proficient overview of the key San Miguel de Allende attractions.

Then over the course of your visit, you tin return to the different sights and bask exploring them more leisurely.

What to do in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico? Plenty of things!

Contents: San Miguel de Allende travel guide

San Miguel de Allende things to exercise | 35 Awesome experiences

Where to stay in San Miguel de Allende | 4 Lovely hotels

Getting to SMA | Flying to Leon or autobus from Guadalajara

About San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende (aka "SMA") is found at 6,000 feet above sea level in the country of Guanajuato in primal Mexico.

It has no beaches.

So why visit San Miguel de Allende?

Because it makes up for that lack in spades – with its fine art, compages, culture and wonderfully pleasant not-besides-hot and not-as well-cold climate.

There are many wonderful attractions in San Miguel de Allende to explore
We left our hearts in San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is safe and one of the globe's hottest (every bit in most fabulous) spots to visit.

It's raked in oodles of awards for "best city."

In 2021, it topped Travel + Leisure'due south list of the 25 all-time cities in the world. (Information technology fifty-fifty beat out Florence, Kyoto, Rome and Porto.)

Things to do in San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende at the magic hr

In 2018, SMA was named the "all-time small urban center in the world" byCondé Nast Travelerfor the 2d consecutive yr.

In 2013,Condé Nast Traveler readers as well voted information technology the world's best metropolis for its "dandy atmosphere, excellent restaurants, culture and ambience galore."

The colors of SMA are a visual care for for the optics

When you're ready to explore beyond Mexico's usual sun-and-sand vacation destinations, San Miguel de Allende should be at the superlative of your list.

San Miguel de Allende is considered one of the best cities in the world.
San Miguel de Allende is one of the all-time cities to visit in Mexico (if not the world)

35 Things to practise in San Miguel de Allende

Okay, ready at present to accept a closer look at what to do in San Miguel de Allende?

1) Take the trolley

A trolley tour is a good way to get a quick look at the main things to see in San Miguel de Allende
A trolley tour is a proficient way to go a quick look at the main things to see in San Miguel de Allende

Allow's first with a little more about that trolley ride…

Nosotros crane our necks to run into where the guide is pointing.

The city was an important eye along the one-time silver route – when Spanish mines supplied more than a 3rd of the world's argent.

Today, the middle of San Miguel de Allende is studded with well-preserved 17th and 18th century buildings lining higgledy-piggledy cobbled roads.

The problem is in that location are besides many cute buildings vying for our attention to let us focus on just one!

Our heads swivel similar that of a bobblehead doll clinging to the dashboard of an one-time car.

While the bumpety-crash-land trolley tour shows us the best places to see in San Miguel de Allende, it'southward also quick.

The merely solution is to revisit some of those sights on foot immediately after…

San Miguel de Allende trolley tour:

Tours: Two companies offering the tours on an old-fashioned trolley: Tranvia Touristica and Transportadora Turistica Imperial.

Duration: The tours are nearly 90 minutes long.

To book: Check with the San Miguel de Allende tourist part on the northern side of El Jardin for days and times of the English-speaking tours.

Map showing the San Miguel de Allende tourist office:

Run into this link to see the location of the tourist office (Consejo Turistico de San Miguel de Allende) on Google Maps.

The San Miguel de Allende church known asLa Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel (Church building of St. Michael) is the boondocks's most iconic sight.

If at that place'due south one affair you lot absolutely must see in San Miguel de Allende, it'south this.

Mind you, you can't exactly miss it. Just look for the soaring pink spires ascension up from the church's pink neo-Gothic façade.

The local rock bricklayer who built it got his inspiration from a postcard picture of Gaudi'southward quirky Sagrada Familia in Barcelona – or so the legend goes.

If there's no service going on, you're welcome to enter the church and have a look inside besides.

But y'all won't be able to accept pictures of the interior.

3) Retire here

San Miguel de Allende is a very desirable city in which to live

Some 80,000 residents live in the actual town.

About 20% are expatriates. Most are from the United States; the residuum are from Canada and Europe.

They came to visit San Miguel de Allende. Then they stayed.

They're an engaged lot of talented people who paint, sculpt, make jewelry, offer art and culinary classes, run bakeries and beguiling boutique hotels, enhance funds for restoration projects, teach Spanish, operate restaurants and volunteer.

Expats teach Spanish to English-speaking visitors in San Miguel de Allende
Expats teach Spanish to English-speaking visitors

Basically, they've helped turn this Mexican colonial city into a thriving, friendly, cultural community.

If you're looking for a great place to retire, consider San Miguel de Allende.

You'll exist in good company!

Teachers, artists, university professors... They all love to retire in San Miguel de Allende
Teachers, artists, university professors… They all love to retire in San Miguel de Allende

The price of living is less than, for example, in the U.South. (Except that housing prices take gone through the roof in recent years as more and more expats move to live here.)

And the climate is mild yr-round, averaging in the 70s F most days.

It's no wonder so many expats choose to retire in San Miguel de Allende!

4) Bout the San Miguel de Allende mask museum

Face masks at the San Miguel de Allende Mask Museum
The ceremonial masks at the museum have been crafted past local artisans across United mexican states

One of those very interesting expats (mentioned in #3 above) is Bill LeVasseur.

One moment, the former advertizement executive and his wife were building a retirement home in San Miguel.

The next, he became the curator of a remarkable non-turn a profit mask museum called Another Face of Mexico.

(LeVasseur has spent more that thirty years collecting Mexican masks. His passion for formalism Mexican masks has too led to frequent speaking engagements at American universities).

The museum showcases more than 500 indigenous Mexican masks.

After we fix an date, Le Vasseur invites us to first see over a glass of vino at his B&B, Casa de la Cuesta (which the retirement dwelling morphed into).

He tells u.s.a. how he's traveled all beyond rural Mexico, collecting ceremonial masks used in dances and rituals. Then he tours united states of america around the museum beyond the lane.

The variety of masks is bewildering.

Jaguar mask at Another Face of Mexico museum, San Miguel de Allende
This mask looks like the head of a jaguar

We come across masks adorned with bull horns and boar beard, and death masks with devil figures.

One strange mask is in fact a thick wooden belt with a equus caballus's head the size of a football game sticking out the forepart – it symbolizes the Spanish full general on his horse, leading the Christian charge against the Moors during the Arab occupation of Kingdom of spain.

The whole exhibition is a fascinating introduction to the important role that masks play in Mexico'southward many native cultures.

Visiting the museum is, without a doubt, ane of the most interesting things to do in San Miguel de Allende!

Mask museum, San Miguel de Allende:

How to visit: Visits to the mask museum are by date only.

For more information and to book: Run into Another Confront of Mexico.

5) Read a book in the library

Run by volunteers, the public library (Biblioteca Publica) in San Miguel de Allende has the second largest collection of English language and Spanish books in United mexican states.

Merely wait. Information technology's non but a library.

Offer English linguistic communication versions of many different newspapers, a café and an inviting courtyard with seating areas, the library is also a central gathering place for expat residents to run into and socialize.

For you equally a visitor, information technology'southward a nifty place to orient yourself in SMA.

The colorful ceiling and wall frescoes inside are worth checking out too.

For book nerds (that's George!), popping into the library will exist one of your favorite things to do in San Miguel de Allende.

six) Admire the Sanctuary of Atotonilco

Things to do in San Miguel de Allende? See the Sanctuary of Atotonilco
Office of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sanctuary of Atotonilco is painted inside with intricate murals and frescoes

You'll detect the Sanctuary of Atotonilco about a 15-infinitesimal drive abroad from San Miguel de Allende.

A UNESCO Globe Heritage Site, the church is decorated with the most amazing frescoes.

They're and so beautiful that the church has been dubbed the "Sistine Chapel of Mexico."

Read more : Encounter our post on the Sanctuary of Atotonilco (Mexico's Sistine Chapel)

seven) Run into the Church of the Immaculate Conception

The Church of the Immaculate Conception was built as part of a convent by a teenage girl in the 1700s.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception was congenital by a teenage daughter in the 1700s equally part of a convent

The Church of the Immaculate Formulation (Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepcion) is another impressive church building to run into.

Like La Parroquia (#ii in a higher place), it'due south found in the center of San Miguel de Allende. Crowned by a cupola decorated with Corinthian columns, the church rises beside a hitting yellow convent on Canal Street.

"Back in the 1700s, the enormously wealthy Culvert family'southward 16-yr-old daughter wanted to be a nun, so she asked the King of Espana if she could build a convent for 72 nuns," our trolly guide rattles off on our tram tour.

Known locally as Las Monjas (The Nuns), the church still operates for the sisters of the convent.

viii) Dig the plants at the botanical garden

Okay, don't actually "dig" the plants.

But if all that art and compages begin to overwhelm, you can discover serenity outdoors at El Charco del Ingenio.

Created by a private citizens' initiative, this 67-hectare botanical garden and nature preserve on the town's outskirts is home to a sprawling array of cacti from around the world.

Cacti at the San Miguel de Allende botanical gardens
Cacti at the San Miguel de Allende botanical gardens

The man-size, Y-shapedcucharilla, over 300 years former, gets our vote as the most unusual cactus.

Miles of hiking trails also wind through peaceful countryside overlooking a river carved into a valley flooring, habitation to egrets and ducks.

Sip a cactus juice – refreshed, y'all tin easily tackle the scenic 15-minute walk dorsum to town.

El Charco del Ingenio:

Opening days: The San Miguel de Allende botanical garden is open every twenty-four hour period of the year.

Tours: Guided tours are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at x:00 am.

Admission cost: Small (50 pesos).

For more data: See El Charco del Ingenio.

9) Try fried grasshoppers

Fried grasshoppers
Fried grasshoppers anyone? George says they taste good! Janice passes…

This is definitely one of the more than unusual things to do in San Miguel de Allende.

Fried grasshoppers are a pop local snack.

They're good as a salty crunchy topping on guacamole – or so nosotros're told…

10) Check out the lovely hotels

The pool at L'Otel in San Miguel de Allende
You lot notice a mix of thoroughly modern and traditional boutique hotels in San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is dwelling to many fabulous and artsy hotels and B&Bs.

They commonly have very pretty courtyards, and you lot should pop in and take a peek at some of them.

They make for dandy photo backgrounds too.

Eager to know almost accommodation? Jump to recommended B&Bs and luxury hotels in San Miguel de Allende (at the end of this postal service)

eleven) Go horseback riding

Horseback riding in San Miguel de Allende
Who wants to go horseback riding?

Yep. 1 of the best outdoor things to do in San Miguel de Allende is to get horseback riding.

Several tour operators offering horseback riding tours that take you out into the countryside and down exploring the bottom of Coyote Coulee, where the river La Virgen winds its manner.

Operating since 2000, Coyote Canyon Adventures is a well-known company which gets excellent reviews.

Book a half-day horseback riding take chances with them to gallop through traditional cattle ranches (if you wish), ride downwards into the coulee and relish an organic ranch-manner lunch.

12) People-watch at El Jardin

Many of the locals ride ATVs to get around the city of San Miguel de Allende.
Many of the locals ride ATVs to get around the city

This one is pretty easy. You lot'll probably do information technology anyway without any planning.

Found yourself on a bench amongst the rose bushes of El Jardin – the primary garden foursquare – and engage in some practiced onetime-fashioned people-watching.

We're particularly amused by the residents who doodle by on ATVs (very practical vehicles, past the way, for those hilly cobbled streets).

13) Sip drinks at a rooftop bar

At sunset, there's no better bar in San Miguel de Allende than Luna
At dusk, there'southward no improve bar in San Miguel de Allende than Luna

At sunset, rooftop bars are popular for drinking in the views (as well equally the margaritas).

Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar nails the rooftop bar feel.

On pinnacle of the deluxe Rosewood hotel – overlooking the Gothic-inspired La Parroquia church building, twinkling lights and terracotta roofs – Luna is easily-down the best place at sunset for stupendous views of the city.

Bartenders mix upward inventive cocktails like hibiscus and tamarind margaritas.

The "Oasis San Miguel" drink even contains artisanal ice cubes made of dark-green tea, lemon and Angelica.

Perhaps order Baja-style lobster tacos and other tapas to become with those drinks?

Cocktails and tapas anyone?

And when the sun sets, you'll exist totally transfixed by the changing light and colors as the sky first turns gold, then pink and finally a deep velvet regal.

If you become chilly, heat lamps and cozy blankets add warmth equally you settle back into downwards-filled cushions.

Yes, this San Miguel de Allende rooftop bar is magic, pure and uncomplicated!

Luna has beautiful views of the pink Parroquia San Miguel de Allende church
Luna has beautiful views of the pink Parroquia San Miguel de Allende church

xiv) Volunteer

In that location are lots of opportunities to volunteer in the city – information technology'due south 1 of the most heartwarming things to exercise in San Miguel de Allende.

Maybe help look later on children at Centro Infantil de los Angeles, a free daycare center and preschool for children of low-income working parents.

Or volunteer at Feed the Hungry SMA.

This U.S. backed non-turn a profit organization has been preparing and delivering school meals in by and large rural communities for some 35 years. Helping hands are needed to gather direct mail campaigns, pack food and deliver meals.

xv) Grin at the Toy Museum

The Toy Museum is probably the most whimsical San Miguel de Allende museum.
The Toy Museum is probably the about whimsical San Miguel de Allende museum

Want to feel like a kid again?

With such a cultural side, information technology's probably no surprise that there are several museums in San Miguel de Allende.

But the almost fun one is its delightful toy museum, the Museo La Esquina.

Read more ! Experience playful at the Mexican Toy Museum in San Miguel de Allende

sixteen) Scan the local market

Named after a famous Mexican poet, the Ignacio Ramirez market is the oldest market in San Miguel de Allende.
Join the locals (and tourists) at the Ignacio Ramirez market place; you lot never know what you may find!

Named after a famous Mexican poet, the Ignacio Ramirez market is full of fresh and exotic Mexican fruits and vegetables, flowers, spices, cheeses and snacks (the roasted corn on the cob with chili and lime is great!), likewise as clothes, shoes, talavera pottery, children's toys, embroidered numberless and more.

It'southward the oldest market in San Miguel de Allende – bustling with life and very pop with locals and tourists akin.

Beverage a fresh-squeezed orange juice. Watch what people buy to make for dinner at night. Breathe in the different spicy and floral scents as you wander the aisles.

And enjoy…

17) Visit Fabrica La Aurora

Love arts and crafts? And then yous'll love Fabrica La Aurora

If you similar art, then make your way toFabrica La Aurora – one of the acme San Miguel de Allende tourist attractions for craft lovers.

It'southward a very interesting collection of art studios, art galleries, jewelry shops, domicile decorating stores and cafés, all housed inside an old fabric mill.

Y'all'll meet all sorts of high-end original paintings, hand-woven textiles and sculptures.

On the start Saturday of each month, there's an "Art Walk" where the studios and shops stay open belatedly, live music is played and drinks and snacks are offered.

eighteen) Consume at great restaurants

There are many great San Miguel de Allende restaurants!
Pizza, steak, seafood or tapas – in that location are many great San Miguel de Allende restaurants!

Don't become us started on the food scene – we may not stop! But we'll endeavor to exist cursory…

From lowly (but delish!) tacos to imaginative tasting menus, San Miguel de Allende is a foodie paradise.

I of the yummiest facts near Mexican food is that it tin be very creative and sophisticated – and San Miguel's restaurants are proof of this.

Ane of the best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende is The Eatery.

Award-winning, The Restaurant dishes up artistic international plates

With a lovely Moroccan courtyard setting near the primary square, it'south popular with expats (effort the tuna tartare with wasabi, corn and avocado).

When it pours one evening, the candle-lit, cave-similar La Grotta is our cozy refuge for soul-satisfying, woods-oven pizza.

Where to eat in San Miguel de Allende?

Check out these articles for more than restaurant options:

  • On Travel and Leisure magazine: "Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende"
  • On Afar.com: "Where to Eat and Potable in San Miguel de Allende"
  • On the Globalphile blog: "Where to Eat in San Miguel de Allende"

Want to try a bit of everything at ane time?

How near tasting the best mole enchiladas, traditional ceviche, authentic tacos, fresh fruit sorbet (traditional nieve de garrafa) and two desserts for lunch on a walking tour?

If this makes yous drool, check out this 5-star-rated San Miguel walking-and-food tour, featuring vi local nutrient stops.

19) Drinkable in the view from El Mirador

For a bird's eye look at San Miguel del Allende, make your way to El Mirador – a terrace with panoramic views of the city.
It'southward worth huffing and puffing your way up to El Mirador for the fabulous views!

For a bird's eye look at San Miguel del Allende, make your style to El Mirador – a terrace with panoramic views of the city.

SMA is amazing at street level. But from to a higher place, it maybe looks even better.

To become in that location, walk upwardly the fifteen or 20 minutes from the chief square (El Jardin). It's a little scrap of a cardio conditioning, but, hey, you want to burn off some of those churro-induced calories, right?

Alternatively, the trolley (see #1) besides rumbles its way upwards to the Mirador. Or you can take a taxi.

twenty) Soar in a hot air balloon

One of the nigh audacious things to do in San Miguel de Allende is to soar to a higher place the boondocks in a hot air balloon. Globo San Miguel has been offer hot air balloon rides over San Miguel for more than than 25 years now.

It'southward fascinating to sentinel the airship get inflated.

(We went hot air ballooning over Cappadocia, in Turkey, and the anticipation watching the whole procedure was virtually as exciting every bit the ride itself!)

21) Tour the archaeological site of Cañada de la Virgen

Visiting the Canada de la Virgen archaeological site is one of the most interesting things to do in San Miguel de Allende!
The House of the xiii Heavens at the Canada de la Virgen archaeological site

Canada de la Virgen is a fascinating archaeological site, located about xv miles from San Miguel de Allende.

Occupied by the Otomi people between 540 and 1050 A.D., the site consists of a circuitous of iv pyramids (particularly aligned with the motion of the planets), a ceremonial causeway and an ancient man-fabricated swimming.

To capeesh the newly discovered 40-acre site, you need to walk virtually two miles.

Keep your eyes open for wild stallions galloping in the distance!

Canada de la Virgen tour:

The best style to explore Canada de la Virgen is on a guided bout with an archeologist or anthropologist who tin explain the Otomi culture and their astronomical beliefs.

Coyote Canyon Adventures is recommended; see their guided half-day tour.

Also highly recommended is Albert Coffee Archetours. Archaeologist Dr. Coffee was invited to aid excavate the site when it was first discovered.

22) Get wine tasting at nearby vineyards

Wine anyone?

Not only is San Miguel known for its art scene and architecture, information technology'south too an upwards-and-coming destination for vino lovers.

One of the best day trips from San Miguel de Allende is visiting the local wineries.

There are several different vino areas to explore.

Cuna de Tierra is one of the most popular wineries – it'southward besides the oldest winery in Guanajuato state. Their red wines are laurels-winning. Make sure to visit their wine cellar.

Other wineries nearby include San José la Vista Vineyard and Tres Raices.

If you head towards Queretaro, you'll notice the popular San Lucas & San Francisco sis wineries and Toyan Vineyard. At the San Lucas & San Francisco wineries, you can relish a wine tasting and visit their lavender workshop.

Ii more wine tasting areas to explore are Celaya and Dolores Hidalgo.

23) Shop for souvenirs at the Mercado de Artesanias

Mexican blankets for sale at the Mercado de Artesanias.
Mexican blankets for sale at the Mercado de Artesanias

If you lot're passionate about supporting local artisans and then this is the place for you!

You'll detect all kinds of appurtenances like bags, mitt-embroidered shawls, jewelry, clothing, pottery and and so much more.

There are also street nutrient vendors here if y'all're in need of a snack, but the market is mostly known for its cracking Mexican souvenirs – some of the best in San Miguel de Allende.

Many items are pocket-sized and easily packable, which means they'll travel well in your suitcase.

A walk through this local market is a must when you visit San Miguel de Allende.

24) Enjoy a tacos-and-tequila bout

Two tequila glasses with sliced limes on the table
Tequila awaits on a tacos-and-tequila tasting bout

Is in that location a better pairing than tacos and tequila? Nosotros call back not.

This tacos-and-tequila tour combines history, culture, nutrient and drink for an afternoon full of fun. Visit family-owned restaurants and endeavour some of the locals' favorite dishes alongside succulent cocktails.

The tour lasts for 3 to four hours, and you'll want to wearable comfortable travel sandals or shoes since you'll be doing lots of walking.

This is one of the most fun activities in San Miguel de Allende – don't miss it!

25) Soak in natural hot springs

Two options for hot springs are nearby – Escondido Place and La Gruta Spa.

They pump h2o from natural hot springs into homo-fabricated pools, some of which are made to expect like caves.

Bring your own towel, otherwise you accept to buy one there (and they'll exist overpriced).

Both hot springs accept restaurants onsite every bit well as spas where you can get a massage.

They're popular places to visit in San Miguel de Allende, and then become in that location early on if you lot want the place to yourself. They're favorite spots for families and children after in the twenty-four hours.

26) Photograph the Templo del Oratorio

Ochre and burnt orange Templo del Oratorio in San Miguel de Allende
The ochre and burnt orange colors of this church building confronting the blue sky are stunning!

The Oratorio de San Felipe Neri church (or Templo del Oratorio) dates back to the 18th century, and the only thing more impressive than the exterior of this historic building might be the interior.

On the eastward end of Insurgentes street well-nigh Plaza Civica, you tin stand up in awe of the domed baroque compages. It's one of the must-run across places in San Miguel de Allende!

As the appearance of all buildings in the historic district is regulated, its exterior paint was made in a like way to that used in the 1600s.

Within the church building, you can see 33 different oil paintings of Saint Philip Neri (San Felipe Neri) throughout his life. He's the 16th century Italian priest who founded the Congregation of the Oratory.

For some other peachy twenty-four hour period trip from San Miguel de Allende, check out the pocket-sized colonial town of Guanajuato.

Located just under two hours away from SMA, information technology makes for a fun change of scene.

Some of our favorite attractions in Guanajuato include the magnificent marigold-yellow Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, the Diego Rivera Museum and the Juarez Theater.

The Monument to Peace statue in Guanajuato's Plaza de la Paz (with the Basilica in the background)

If you want a palatial feel, this private tour includes transportation from SMA to and from Guanajuato, your own tour guide and lunch.

28) Larn about the local craft beer scene

Craft beer has become popular in many cities over the last few years, and San Miguel is no exception.

The about popular craft brewery is Cervecería Dos Aves.

Since they opened in 2012, they've accumulated an impressive number of awards for the different beers they've produced – from a Belgian gold strong ale to stout.

You can find their beers at many local restaurants. Or have a beer at their local taproom – this is one of the most fun things to do in San Miguel de Allende, guaranteed!

Craft brewery tour:

Meet the brewers, larn near the ingredients that go into making beer and enjoy a beer tasting on an interactive tour at Cerveceria Dos Aves.

To reserve a tour: See Cerveceria Dos Aves' reservation page.

29) Chill out at a café

A couple drink coffee under a pink umbrella at a cafe in San Miguel de Allende.
Mastering the art of lingering at a café

Coffee brewing happens to exist an art in San Miguel de Allende.

And hanging out at a local café, watching the flurry of people get about their business, is a much-loved pastime in SMA.

So pop into a café for a cappuccino, beer or glass of vino and balance your feet for a few minutes. Peradventure swallow a seize with teeth too.

It'due south a bully way to have a break from a full day of San Miguel de Allende sightseeing.

Best cafés in San Miguel de Allende:

Some of our fave coffee shops are:

  • Ki'bok Java – For rooftop views and terrific coffee
  • Within Café – For its excellent lattes, grilled cheese sandwiches, breakfasts and rooftop location
  • La Sacristia – For its pretty outdoor courtyard (and its java, of class!)
  • Lavanda Café – For delicious breakfasts, chocolate lavander cake and specialty coffees

30) Visit the home of Ignacio Allende

Ignacio Allende was an officer in the Spanish army who turned revolutionary – he supported the fight for Mexican independence against Spain.

He was eventually beheaded by the Spaniards, and you can learn more most him in the family unit home of Ignacio Allende (built in 1764), at present a museum.

This is a simple museum. But it'due south good stop and worth at least a quick visit if you lot're interested in the first Mexican Revolution.

Casa de Ignacio Allende:

When you lot visit: Signs in the house are in Spanish and English (but all the video content is in Spanish).

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from nine:00 am to 5:00 pm

Admission price: Entrance to the museum is very cheap (55 pesos or almost $2.65 USD) and fifty-fifty costless on Sundays.

For more information: Run into Casa de Allende Historical Museum

31) Take a day trip to Santiago de Queretaro

People walk the cobbled streets and take photos of the colonial architecture in Queretaro, Mexico.
Wandering and taking photos of the beautiful architecture go manus-in-hand in Queretaro

Another one of the fun things to do in San Miguel de Allende is to take a day trip to Santiago de Queretaro.

It's a fiddling more than than an hr'southward drive away. (By bus, information technology takes longer.)

This city is known for its cute, well-preserved Castilian colonial architecture. It'southward clean, well-maintained and absolutely gorgeous. The celebrated metropolis center is likewise a UNESCO Earth Heritage Site.

At that place are plenty of local restaurants, boutiques and museums to explore while you lot spend the twenty-four hours walking the quaint streets.

It's worth making the trip to Queretaro if y'all have more than iii days in San Miguel de Allende.

32) Check out the whimsical street art

If you're upwardly for a scavenger hunt, why not check out some of the popular street art? A 10-infinitesimal walk from the historic center of SMA brings you to the neighborhood of Guadalupe.

This is a spot known for its art scene, and many building walls are busy with huge murals. It's fun to wander the streets and be surprised by the adjacent mural that pops into view.

The landscape plan was started to tame the rough edges of once-gritty Guadalupe.

Now, artists live in Guadalupe and many people visit each day to bank check out the cute paintings.

A place where you lot tin can eat, drink, shop local and stay? Sign us up!

Doce 18 is a very cool modern infinite that's domicile to fine dining, coincidental and grab-and-become options for food. In the center, there'due south a gorgeous bar for drinks.

You'll also notice over xv different designer boutiques plus a beautiful modern-style hotel.

The whole space has a mod/industrial blueprint vibe with lots of greenery and exposed brick walls. It'southward definitely i of the must-see places in San Miguel de Allende.

34) Take a cooking form

If you lot're interested in food, one of the all-time San Miguel de Allende activities is taking a cooking class. Learn from local chefs how to cook some of those fantastic Mexican dishes!

Bank check out Pura Vida Kitchen to make salsa and guacamole and learn to cook with local vegetables.

For classes on traditional Mexican foods similar tamales and mole, you'll love learning from Marilau at Mexican Ancestry Cooking School.

Want to learn some new tricks while cooking in an 18th-century mansion? Sazón Cooking School may be for y'all. Some of their classes include Mexican Specialties, Healthy Mexican Cooking and Regional Cuisine.

Finally, Chef David Jahnke offers courses on basic to advanced cooking techniques as well as traditional Mexican dishes.

35) Stroll the streets

Strolling the streets always reveals delightful surprises

Simply our favorite experience?

Simply soaking upwards the colonial charm while getting lost in San Miguel's tangle of atmospheric narrow streets.

Only strolling the cobblestone lanes and alleys – peering into various nooks and crannies – is actually 1 of the acme things to do in San Miguel de Allende.

Bluish fountains? Colonnaded passageways? You never know what you'll come across effectually the next corner.

Ane ancient winding street we walk leads upward to Paseo del Chorro, with old water chambers and a clock tower.

Things to do in San Miguel de Allende
Merely another gorgeous sunset in San Miguel de Allende

And when the sun sets and the boondocks's wrought-fe lamplights cast a golden glow, the town feels admittedly magical.

If you determine then and there that you're never going to leave, or volition return to alive hither permanently, you lot won't be the first person to do so.

That's our round-up of the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende!

No uncertainty y'all can encounter why the city is so popular among travelers.

Visiting SMA is one of the tiptop things to practise in Mexico.

If you lot haven't been yet, yous'll want to include this beautiful city in your itinerary the adjacent time you become to Mexico.

Where to stay in San Miguel de Allende?

Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada:

Rosewood San Miguel:

The Rosewood San Miguel has 67 rooms and suites with wood beam ceilings and authentic art works.
The Rosewood has 67 rooms and suites with wood beam ceilings and authentic fine art works

Another one of the best hotels in San Miguel de Allende is the Rosewood San Miguel, a swank celebrated-looking hacienda.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende: Check rates and availability

Casa de la Cuesta:

Owned and run by Another Face of Mexico'south mask museum curator and his wife, Casa de la Cuesta is i of the best B&Bs in San Miguel de Allende. Information technology's very charming and gets great reviews!

Casa de la Cuesta: Check rates and availability

Hotel Matilda:

Contemporary room in Hotel Matilda, San Miguel de Allende
The sophisticated Hotel Matilda offers a contemporary stay in San Miguel de Allende

With 32 modern rooms and suites, this fashionable boutique hotel has a pool for lounging and an first-class eatery.

Hotel Matilda: Check rates and availability

How to go to San Miguel de Allende

Fly to San Miguel de Allende:

Leon International Airport is a 90-minute drive from San Miguel de Allende.

Bus to San Miguel de Allende:

Have the fantabulous excellent jitney from Mexico Urban center or Guadalajara (a iv-hour drive). The first-class bus service in United mexican states is most like flying business class – actually! Check ETN or Primera Plus.

We took ETN to Guanajuato, stayed in Guanajuato for several days, so took another ETN bus to San Miguel de Allende.

More San Miguel de Allende travel information

See these travel guides and books, available on Amazon. (As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

Ready to volume your trip?

Encounter the post-obit helpful services:

Our Travel Resources Guide | Get airline booking tips. Find great travel, tour and automobile rental companies. And find crazy useful trip planning info!

Booking.com | Score a "wow" hotel – or at least a decent one.

GetYourGuide | Cheque out local guided tours and book tickets to attractions.

World Nomads | We ever take travel insurance for international trips. World Nomads offers keen coverage for audacious travelers under 70.

Our Travel Store | Notice the all-time travel gear.

CDC | We follow CDC travel guidelines to run into what medications and vaccinations are needed for trips. You lot tin can get vaccines at your chemist's, travel medical clinic or doc'due south role.

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The best things to do in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

We've likewise written virtually San Miguel de Allende for Prowl & Travel Lifestyles and Compass magazines. And nosotros're super excited that our articles won a couple of travel writing awards!


Photograph credits: iv, 5, 7, x, 13, 17 to 24, 29, 33, 42 to 45, 47, 52, 54 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 3, six, 8, 12, 53 Visit San Miguel | 11, 14, 30 to 32, 56 Rosewood San Miguel | 26 Casa Schuck | 27 Fifty'Otel | 28 Coyote Coulee Adventures | 35 Fabrica La Aurora | 37 The Restaurant | 39 Erik Reinecke, Wikimedia | 49 to 51 Doce 18 | 55 Belmond | 57 to 59 Hotel Matilda


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