Take a stroll alongside the cobblestone streets, admiring the beautiful structure as you bounce between museums, cafes, and galleries. There are quite a few issues to do in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico — you’ll by no means be bored right here.
Sit down to soak up the sights and sounds of the city sq. earlier than heading out for a pleasant dinner and rooftop cocktails. A couple of days of this, and also you’ll shortly notice why San Miguel de Allende is without doubt one of the hottest locations to go to in Mexico.
Whereas a day journey right here is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Guanajuato, this metropolis deserves your time!
For the previous two years, San Miguel de Allende has been named top-of-the-line cities on the earth by Travel & Leisure. What’s it about this small colonial metropolis in Mexico that makes it such a particular place?
Listed below are the 21 finest issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
1. Grasp Out within the Sq.
As with most cities in Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is centered round the primary sq..
Often called El Jardin, this tree-lined plaza is surrounded by attractive buildings such because the parish church of San Miguel. Hanging out right here simply tops the checklist of issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
The sq. is bustling with exercise within the evenings and on the weekend. You’ll see roaming mariachi bands, balloon salesmen, and loads of snack distributors, making for a really vigorous scene.
Should you ever get misplaced wandering the winding streets, simply discover your means again to the sq. and begin over again.
Visiting the primary plazas of the cities and cities is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Mexico. That is the place you’ll discover the entire motion! Click here to seek out this sq. on the map.
2. Take a Day Journey to Cañada de La Virgen
Not removed from the town, you’ll discover the huge nature protect of Cañada de La Virgen. The spotlight of a go to to this archaeological website is with the ability to discover the various pyramids.
There’s a lot extra to do right here, together with tenting, horseback using, and astronomy excursions. Whereas it’s doable to go to by yourself, you’re higher off signing up for a tour that features lunch, all charges, and a information.
This highly-rated experience is one you received’t need to miss and is without doubt one of the finest day journeys from San Miguel de Allende.
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3. Take a Look Contained in the Church
Surely, the symbol of the San Miguel is the beautiful La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel.
Its towering neo-Gothic façade is a real architectural masterpiece. It was constructed by the self-taught Zeferino Gutiérrez who’s believed to have used postcards of European church buildings for inspiration.
Whereas the surface of the church is totally breathtaking, you’ll want to go inside and take a look round as effectively.
Within the chapel, you’ll have the ability to see the revered picture of Cristo de la Conquista (Christ of the Conquest) in addition to a fantastic portray depicting the founding of the town.
**Be aware: a go to contained in the beautiful church buildings can be one of many prime issues to do in Guadalajara!
4. Go to the Botanical Backyard
Whereas many guests to San Miguel de Allende spend a lot of their journey admiring the man-made magnificence that abounds, you’ll need to carve out a while to get out in nature as effectively.
The proper place to do this is the big botanical backyard often called El Charco del Ingenio. Right here you possibly can take pleasure in a leisurely stroll alongside the various trails, do a little bit of chook watching, or sit down for a picnic close to a waterfall.
The reserve is open from 9:00 – 5:00pm year-round, and on sure days free transportation is obtainable to the botanical backyard. Click here for particulars.
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5. Go on a Strolling Tour
It’s enjoyable wandering across the cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende by yourself, however it’s even higher while you’re accompanied by a educated information.
Signing up for a strolling tour of the town is unquestionably top-of-the-line issues to do in San Miguel de Allende. On this experience, you’ll study in regards to the metropolis, whereas visiting attention-grabbing locations (a chocolate tasting can be included!). On the finish of the expertise, you’ll be given an inventory of the most effective eating places and rooftop bars in San Miguel.
Strolling excursions sometimes meet within the middle of the town and final round 2 hours. It is a nice approach to get your bearings within the metropolis, meet new individuals, study San Miguel, and get some native suggestions for the place to eat and drink.
Discover out extra about this extremely rated, inexpensive expertise here.
While you journey Mexico, be sure to affix a strolling tour while you first arrive in any of the cities.
6. Examine Spanish
One of the widespread issues to do in San Miguel de Allende is to enroll in Spanish classes. There are many wonderful Spanish faculties right here and the locals are tremendous pleasant and prepared that can assist you observe.
Ditch that dangerous gringo accent and enhance your español right here earlier than travelling to different components of Latin America.
Another choice is to affix this walking tour with Spanish dialog! Meet up with Enrique and discover San Miguel collectively. Throughout the two-hour expertise, you’ll converse in Spanish collectively, and he’ll enable you to together with your Spanish-speaking talents.
It is a enjoyable approach to observe Spanish in San Miguel. Study extra here.
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7. Go to the Residence of Ignacio Allende
Do you know that San Miguel de Allende is definitely named after two totally different individuals? The town will get its identify from a friar named Juan de San Miguel and Ignacio Allende, a hero and martyr of the Mexican independence motion.
One of many prime issues to do in San Miguel de Allende is to go to the house of the latter, which is now the town’s historical past museum.
The Museo Historico is open from Tuesday to Sunday and solely prices about $3 to go to. Spend an hour or so right here and also you’ll depart with a a lot better understanding of the town, its historical past, and its significance to the nation.
8. Discover the Sanctuary of Atotonilco
Only a 30-minute drive from the centre, you’ll discover the unimaginable Sanctuary of Atotonilco. A visit right here is without doubt one of the finest issues to do round San Miguel de Allende.
This historic church advanced is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and is known for its Mexican Baroque murals. The work are so stunning, the truth is, that it has been dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico.”
The small, vibrant city itself has a couple of buildings and meals stalls, however there’s not a lot of curiosity right here for vacationers besides the Sanctuary.
9. Take a Stroll to a Viewpoint (free issues to do in San Miguel de Allende)
San Miguel de Allende seems wonderful at avenue degree, however it seems even higher from above.
Fortunately it’s not too tough to get a incredible panoramic view of the town. It’s solely a couple of 15-20 minute stroll from the plaza as much as the perspective, which is called El Mirador.
You should definitely carry your digicam with a full battery so you possibly can snap some pictures of this attractive metropolis from this nice vantage level. Add a hike as much as the mirador to your checklist of issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
10. Go to Fabrica La Aurora
For almost 100 years, Fabrica La Aurora was a textile mill within the north of San Miguel de Allende. Lately, it’s a bustling assortment of retailers, galleries, and cafes that many seek advice from as a paradise for artwork lovers.
If you wish to watch the artists at work, attempt to cease by on a Thursday for his or her Open Studio day. Test their website to see what’s occurring and undoubtedly you’ll want to embody a cease right here in your go to.
11. Expertise a Native Pageant
There are totally different festivals occurring all all year long in San Miguel de Allende.
In actual fact, it’s often called a “fiesta city” as a result of it likes to get together! It looks as if there’s at all times one thing enjoyable taking place right here, whether or not or not it’s a music pageant or a standard Mexican vacation.
There are well-known storytelling and jazz festivals right here every year, and there’s additionally the completely wild Dia de los Locos (Day of the Crazies). This is without doubt one of the finest festivals in Mexico, don’t miss it.
Individuals dress up in every kind of loopy costumes for an enormous parade that’s tons of enjoyable for all. This loopy day occurs on the Sunday closest to June thirteenth, so plan accordingly.
12. Go Biking
An effective way to depart the town behind for a few hours and benefit from the countryside is to join a biking trip. This is without doubt one of the extra uncommon issues to do in San Miguel de Allende — most individuals solely keep throughout the metropolis middle after they go to.
There are a number of totally different choices for biking adventures, however this one is a superb selection. The journey will final round 3 hours and the routes are labeled as newbie to intermediate, actually anybody who is aware of the best way to trip a motorbike can be part of.
I received’t give all of it away, however you’ll cease by a chapel, a dam, and luxuriate in some snacks and drinks in a rustic home. All tools, snack, and information are included within the value. Study extra about this enjoyable biking journey here.
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13. Dive into the Artwork Scene
San Miguel de Allende has lengthy been a favorite of artists, each established and aspiring. Strolling round, you’ll shortly discover simply how ample artwork is in San Miguel.
There are museums, galleries, and institutes everywhere in the metropolis, together with the well-known Instituto Allende. There are a number of choices right here to unleash your internal artist, from one-day workshops to 4-week programs.
Even in the event you’re not into creating the artwork your self, you’ll discover loads of eye-catching items to admire. These fascinated by bringing some Mexican paintings house will discover San Miguel de Allende a incredible place to do some procuring.
14. Chill Out in a Cafe
One in every of my favorite issues to do in San Miguel de Allende is to discover a desk in a neighborhood cafe and watch the town go by. A number of the finest choices embody Lavanda Café, Cumpanio, and San Agustin for chocolate and churros.
With a pleasant enhance of caffeine and sugar, you’ll be able to proceed your exploration of this well-known Mexican metropolis.
15. See a Present on the Theatre
A visit to the Angela Peralta Theatre is unquestionably top-of-the-line issues to do in San Miguel de Allende. Named after the queen of Mexican opera, this intimate theatre hosts quite a lot of performances from each native and visiting artists.
You should definitely verify the calendar of occasions earlier than your journey and seize some tickets to see a present right here. One of many largest occasions right here is the Worldwide Jazz Pageant, which takes place yearly in November.
16. Chill out within the Thermal Baths
Should you’re questioning what to do in San Miguel de Allende in any case that strolling round and exploring, enjoyable in a thermal tub is the best choice. Sit back and chill out!
There are a number of thermal baths close to the city the place you possibly can go for a pleasant soak. The preferred selections are Escondido Place and La Gruta, each of that are simply mixed with a visit to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco.
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17. Eat Your Means Across the Metropolis
For such a small metropolis, San Miguel de Allende certain packs a punch on the subject of the culinary scene. From avenue meals as much as effective eating and every little thing in between, your mouth is bound to be watering always as you eat your means throughout city.
There’s an abundance of scrumptious native meals right here, however that’s not all that the town is cooking up. You’ll additionally discover loads of superior fusion eating places in addition to worldwide delicacies to please the town’s giant expat inhabitants.
Should you’re questioning what to do in San Miguel de Allende for foodies, there are a few meals excursions you possibly can be part of.
This 3-hour, night “Tacos and Tequila” meals and strolling tour consists of 6 meals and 5 drink tasting spots (all hand-picked by your information) — you’ll be full by the top of it! Learn more here.
Should you’re within the above tour, however would like to affix within the daytime for lunch, take a look at this Downtown Food Tour. On this extremely rated tour, you’ll dine at domestically owned, family-run eating places and avenue meals carts. Study in regards to the metropolis as you eat your means by way of it! Discover out extra here.
Planning a visit to different areas of Mexico?
Don’t miss the enjoyable issues to do in Puerto Vallarta, the thrilling issues to do in Mexico Metropolis, and the colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas. Should you’re heading to the coast, try the superior issues to do in Cabo San Lucas, the enjoyable issues to do in Isla Mujeres, the loopy partying and different enjoyable issues to do in Cancun, the epic ruins and issues to do in Tulum, and naturally the beautiful seashores and different issues to do in Playa del Carmen. Mexico actually has one thing for everybody.
18. Go to a Native Market
Whereas there are many wonderful retailers and eating places across the metropolis, you need to nonetheless make it some extent to take a look at a neighborhood market on your procuring and/or consuming wants.
The Ignacio Ramírez market is a superb place to select up some contemporary produce, seize an inexpensive lunch, or buy some native handicrafts to take house.
19. Drinks With a View
After an enormous day of exploring all that San Miguel de Allende has to supply, one of the best ways to wind down is with cocktails and a view at one of many metropolis’s many rooftop bars.
You’ve obtained a couple of selections on your fancy Completely happy Hour, together with the wonderful Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar within the Rosewood Resort.
They typically have dwell music as effectively, making it an much more enjoyable outing. Having fun with a tasty grownup beverage with some dwell tunes and a beautiful view of the the town is unquestionably one of many prime issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
Different nice choices are Quince and Cielo – each have nice meals, views and cocktails.
20. Fly Excessive in a Sizzling Air Balloon
So that you’ve already hiked as much as the mirador and loved some rooftop drinks, however in the event you’re in search of an excellent higher view and one of many coolest issues to do in San Miguel de Allende, why not go for a scorching air balloon trip?
Fly excessive above the town in what is bound to be an unforgettable expertise. It’s round $140 for a flight. Click here for particulars.
21. Celebration it Up in a Dive Bar
Fancy wine and cocktail joints are nice and all, however you’ve obtained to hit an old style dive bar every now and then! Should you’re in search of an unpretentious place with low cost drinks and good dialog, head to the rowdy La Cucaracha (The Cockroach).
There’s even an enormous cockroach on the wall to make the place much more attention-grabbing.
Questioning what to do in San Miguel de Allende to hang around with locals? That is it. You received’t discover lots of gringos right here, so it’s an amazing place to get a bit of free and observe the Spanish you’ve been engaged on!
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Extra San Miguel de Allende Actions
There are extra actions in San Miguel de Allende, so I had so as to add a pair extra to this checklist. Listed below are a couple of extra belongings you received’t need to miss out on.
Volunteering
There are quite a few volunteer alternatives in San Miguel.
From spending time at a daycare and building houses for the much less lucky, to packaging school meals for youngsters and educating English. There are lots of methods you may give again throughout your journey.
Volunteering is without doubt one of the most rewarding and memorable issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
Go to the Wineries round San Miguel de Allende
There are quite a few wineries simply round half-hour – 1 hour from the town. Rent a driver, hire a automotive or be part of a tour and take a look at the vineyards close to San Miguel de Allende.
Anticipate customized service, natural wines, cellar excursions, and pairings as effectively.
Don’t miss Hacienda San Jose Lavista, Dos Buhos, Santisima Trinidad, San Lucas, Tres Raices, and Rancho Toyan (whereas we didn’t love the wine right here, it was probably the most distinctive vineyard and wine cellar we’ve ever been to).
This experience brings you to the beautiful Tres Raices vineyard. Discover the winery, cellar, and vineyard together with your native information. Included are transportation, tasting of 5 wines, and a tray of snacks (cheese, olives, meat, and so forth.). Study extra about this extremely rated journey, here.
Cooking Class
When you’ve dined at the most effective eating places in San Miguel, it’s time to attempt your hand at cooking up a few of your individual tasty meals. This cooking experience takes place in a fantastic mansion within the middle of the town.
Chef Miguel is obsessed with cooking and can share his information with you. Not solely will you learn to make some tasty Mexican dishes, however you’ll additionally eat them! In addition to the meals, included on this expertise is wine and many nice dialog with new buddies. Discover out extra right here.
Now You Know What To Do in San Miguel de Allende
After studying about all of those superior issues to do in San Miguel de Allende, I’m certain you possibly can see why the town is such an enormous draw for vacationers and expats alike.
Regardless of its latest fame and rising reputation, the town nonetheless retains a lot of its appeal that put it on the map with travellers a few years in the past. Should you’re taking a visit to Mexico quickly, you’ll want to add this stunning, artsy metropolis to your itinerary.
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