Why You Should Visit These UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Central Mexico

Central Mexico is the historical centerpiece in a country as diverse as its moles. The impressive Zócalo of Mexico City to the pink-hued façades of Morelia. The Baroque elegance of Puebla to the winding streets of Querétaro. From San Miguel de Allende’s romantic hillside charm to the theatrical alleys of Guanajuato City. Each of these UNESCO World Heritage Site cities offer a distinct window into Mexico’s rich heritage.

This blog brings together hidden insights and local tips personally experienced by us on our travels through Mexico. Read on to find out more about why these six UNESCO World Heritage Sites should be on your travel bucket list.

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Puebla

Let’s start in Puebla, a city that was created after Hernán Cortés after his conquest of the Tenochtitlan (today known as Mexico City). He ordered Puebla de los Angeles to be built with a church for “every day of the year”. His dream only amounted to 287 churches, but Puebla is a city of stunning Baroque architecture where the art of Talavera continues from its origins in Spain.

Start with a Food Tour in Puebla

Begin your exploration of Puebla with a food tour. It’s the perfect way to get to know the city, and sample cemitas, chalupas, tacos arabes, and the iconic mole poblano, a complex sauce of over 30 ingredients, including chocolate.

Things to See and Do in Puebla

Visit the stunning Cathedral of Puebla, whose soaring towers and ornate interior are possibly even more impressive than the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City. Nearby, the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, the oldest library in the Americas, dating from 1646, is also on UNESCO’s Memory of the World list.

Spend some time wandering the streets, finding treasures at a tianguis in the Alley of Frogs, and marvel at Mexico’s tumultuous history at the Musée de la Revolución, with its bullet-pocked façade. The Amparo Museum is a worthy detour, as it highlights the culture of the people before the Spanish arrived.

And don’t forget to visit one of the Designation of Origin Talavera shops for a tour on how they make the hand-painted tiles you will see all around the city. Puebla is also listed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list along with its neighbor, Tlaxcala, for its beautiful Talavera artistry.

Local Tip: Stay near Los Sapos for antique markets, boutique hotels in converted haciendas, and quiet streets.

Quick Tips for Puebla

Best Hotel: Hotel Andante

Best Restaurant: Augurio

Best Bar: Mezcalería Miel de Agave

Best Tour: From Puebla: Cholula and Atlixco Puebla´s Magical Towns

Mexico City – Historic Centre

Most guides will tell you that the Zócalo is the historical center of Mexico City, but it stretches much farther than you can imagine. Starting with the Zócalo, this was once the sacred core of Aztec Tenochtitlan, an advanced civilization conquered by Hernán Cortés in the early 16^th century. It’s now a vast plaza built on layers of historical foundations.

Between the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacio Nacional, with striking murals by Diego Rivera, lies the Templo Mayor, the excavation and ruins of Tenochtitlan.

To the east, down Calle Madero is an eclectic mix of modern and classical buildings. At the end of the street is the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the grand theatre built at the beginning of the 20^th century, with its lush park sprinkled with Greco-Roman fountains.

To the north and south of the Zocalo are more historic buildings and plazas, too many to name here, but they are described more in depth in our post: Exploring the Historical Center of Mexico City.

Where to Eat in the Historic Zócalo

Traditional restaurants occupy old haciendas within the Centro, like Azul Historico and Café De Tacuba. Have a cocktail at La Opera, a popular hangout for revolutionary soldiers, including Pancho Villa, who shot a bullet into the ceiling (the hole can still be seen!).

Suppose you want the best views of the Cathedral along with great food. In that case, we highly recommend the rooftop terraces of Balcón del Zócalo and the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México Zócalo. (The hotel interior was used in the opening shot of James Bond’s Spectre).

Local Tip: Use Metro stations or Uber to get around. Taxis are notorious for not using GPS and missing their exits.

Quick Tips for Mexico City

Best Hotel: Hotel Bellas Artes

Best Restaurant: Limosneros

Best Bar: Balcón del Zócalo

Best Tour: Xochimilco, Coyoacan with Frida Kahlo & Optional Lunch

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Morelia

Morelia is the capital city of Michoacan, a state known for its agriculture. Its pink cantera stone, Baroque facades, and romantic plazas are a step back in time. Tree-lined parks and walkways, a magnificent aqueduct, and hidden alleys entice you to explore every courtyard and fountain around its grid-like historical center. Morelia is known for its rustic cuisine, like Gazpacho Moreliano, and creative cocktail bars like Xaneque Cocktail Room.

Historical Sites in Morelia

The Morelia Cathedral dominates the skyline—with a north-facing orientation that’s unique among Mexican cathedrals. At night, the cathedral is illuminated and can be seen from every hill surrounding the historical center. Make sure your visit includes a Saturday when LED lights and fireworks dance across the cathedral’s façade.

Nearby, Plaza de Armas offers shade under stately trees. Behind the cathedral is Plaza San Augustin, where you can shop at the local tianguis and sample some street food. Visit the historical revolutionary murals of Alfredo Zalce at the Palacio de Gobierno.

Further down the road, you can see the elegant Tarascas Fountain depicting mythical Purépecha princesses at the start of the mile-long aqueduct with its 253 arches. Running parallel to the aqueduct is a tree-covered pedestrian walkway that leads to the Nieve de San Diego. From the outside, it looks small and derelict, but step inside and you feel like you are in a Moorish temple.

Savor Regional Specialties of Michoacan

The state of Michoacan is an agricultural state and is known for its rustic food. Taste local specialties like carnitas, special stews, and corundas, triangular-shaped tamales sometimes filled with bean paste.

Mezcal is also popular here. Learn about Michoacan’s mezcal culture and the different types of agave used for mezcal at Tata Mezcalería + Cocina. Stop by the Mercado de Dulces y Artesanías for candy souvenirs or the interactive Dulces Morelianos Café, where confectioners still practice recipes centuries old.

Local Tip: Watch the cathedral’s Saturday light show from the comfort of your room at Cantera 10 Hotel Boutique, directly across from the cathedral.

Quick Tips for Morelia

Best Hotel: Casa Alondra (adult-only)

Best Restaurant: Restaurante Diego

Best Bar: Xaneque Cocktail Room

Best Tour: The 3 Magic Towns Tour!

Querétaro

Querétaro has a special place in the historic foundations of Mexico. It was the capital of Mexico twice, executed the only foreign emperor to rule Mexico (a Habsburg no less), and played a major part in starting the Mexican War of Independence in 1810.

Despite what sounds like a torrid past, Queretaro is supposedly one of the few places where the indigenous and the Spaniards lived in harmony. Queretaro was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site not only because of its 1400 monuments, but because the city layout incorporated the grid-like European avenues next to the twisting streets of the natives.

Things to See and Do in Queretaro

The historical center is 204 blocks of a variety of architecture, boutique hotels, convents turned into museums, and small eateries and bars where you can feast on authentic Mexican flavors. Take the streetcar to the opposite ends of Centro or tour the city in a Model-T car with a guide.

Jardin Zenea pulses with vendors and music, and in the evenings, you can join the locals dancing by the Quiosco. The orange Templo de San Francisco de Asís, with its clock tower, stands tall above the Chichimeca Dancer statue that leads up Andador 5 de Mayo.

This pedestrian walkway between Jardin Zenea and Plaza de Armas is where you’ll find the best churros at La Fabrica de Chocolate. Continue up Calle 5 de Mayo for a smorgasbord of cute bars and fine dining options like Sayil Centro.

Don’t miss the 72-arch aqueduct illuminated at night. This aqueduct comes with an unusual love story that includes La Casa de la Marquesa, one of the finest haciendas-turned-hotel in the city.

Local Tip: Enjoy wine and appetizers at sunset and a 280-degree bird’s eye view of the city church steeples from Terraza La Grupa on top of Casa Aspeytia Hotel Boutique.

Quick Tips for Queretaro

Best Hotel: Dos Patios Queretaro Curamoria Collection

Best Restaurant: Tikua Sur-Este

Best Bar: Alquimia Bar

Best Tour: Bernal and Two Wineries Tour

San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende will charm you beyond your wildest dreams. This popular romantic getaway is full of colors and nightlife.

The neo-Gothic pink façade of La Parroquia, sometimes referred to as “the wedding cake,” is the unmissable landmark.

In front of the church, Jardin Allende hums with life, from street musicians and abnormally proportioned mojigangas, to locals and families people watching with their artisanal ice creams.

Best Views in San Miguel de Allende

Rooftop restaurants and bars are a must-visit dining attraction in San Miguel de Allende. Try Quince with its modern culinary fusion or La Posadita with its traditional cuisine for al fresco dining.

Tunki by Handshake is the newest rooftop bar addition. Several restaurants cater to international tastes, such as the Peruvian restaurant Lima and the Asian-inspired Spice Market at Live Aqua. For fine dining, try the tasting menus at Aperi and Moxi.

Colorful San Miguel de Allende

Shop to your heart’s content for silver, Talavera, and other specialty items at the Mercado de Artisanas (Artisanal Market). Take a food tour to discover the best taco stands and mezcal bars that only locals know. Wander through different neighborhoods hunting for street art framed by colorful bougainvillea. Art can be found everywhere in San Miguel, from the hidden courtyards to the animated doorknobs.

Local Tip: Reserve at least a day to explore outside of San Miguel de Allende. Savor the wines of the region or visit an olive oil or organic farm. July and August offer mild weather and fewer crowds.

Quick Tips for San Miguel de Allende

Best Hotel: Casa Julieta

Best Restaurant: Moxi

Best Bar: The Room Mezcaleria

Best Tour: Organic Farm and Winery Tour

Guanajuato City

Nowhere else in Mexico do you feel like you stepped into another world than in Guanajuato City. Tucked away in the mountains, you enter Guanajuato through underground tunnels. In fact, the tunnels are what make Guanajuato so special. Most of the city’s traffic is diverted underground, making the historical center pedestrian-friendly. Stroll between Baroque buildings, silver shops, and get lost on purpose in narrow alleyways.

Things to See and Do in Guanajuato City

Guanajuato is very compact, so it’s easy to get around on foot. The bright yellow 16th-century Basilica is the centerpiece of the town. Just in front of it is Plaza de la Paz with the Palacio de los Poderes, silver shops with ornate facades, and cafes stretching down each side of the park.

On the opposite side of the Basilica is the elegant, neoclassical Teatro Juárez, where impromptu performances take place on its steps. Ride the funicular to El Pipila’s overlook and get a panoramic view of the pastel buildings against the surrounding mountains.

At night, grab some esquites from a food vendor and follow the Callejoneadas as they sing and play music down the streets of Guanajuato. The city also hosts the Cervantino Festival, a two-week-long music festival with over 50 performances in October.

Local Tip: If tunnels give you anxiety, stay in the Terrazas de la Alameda – Panoramic Aparthotel by Lunian on top of the ridge and take the funicular into the city.

Quick Tips for Guanajuato

Best Hotel: Casona Alonso 10- Hotel Boutique

Best Restaurant: Casa Valadez · Anfitrión & Gourmet

Best Bar: Antik Cafe

Best Tour: Guanajuato City Photo Tour

Which UNESCO World Heritage Site Are You Going to First?

Journey through time and history in Central Mexico’s UNESCO World Heritage Site cities. From ancient cultures in Mexico City to the historic significance of Queretaro and the Baroque flamboyancy of San Miguel de Allende, this cultural region has much to tell and even more to explore.

Check out our itineraries for each of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you would like to spend a week split between San Miguel de Allende and Queretaro, our tour company, Heart of Mexico Wine Tours, has the perfect itinerary for you.

Why You Should Visit These UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Central Mexico

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