Visiting some of the colonial cities of Mexico is a trip to the memories and the past of a great country, when discovering its churches, architecture, its art and trying new gastronomic delights we enrich the soul even more, don’t you think?
In addition, traveling to a colonial city on vacation is a good investment because normally there are not as crowded as the beaches, everything is cheaper, and we gain pleasant experiences from all the heritage we know.
If you are going to pack your bags this summer and you will choose your camera and walking shoes instead of your life jacket and sandals, I recommend you visit one of these 5 treasured colonial cities of one the most beloved countries, called Mexico:
1. Morelia, Michoacan
“Morelia de mis amores” with its large number of historical monuments is a World Heritage City, beautiful wherever you look at it, its architecture is mainly Baroque and French-style and something that you cannot miss is its imposing Aqueduct.
With 253 arches, the Baroque-style Aqueduct is the architectural icon of Morelia, (which you can find on the 50 pesos bills), and it is also the one that remains in the best condition and the one with the most original structure of those found in Mexico.
Colonial beauties of the city of “Cantera Rosa”:
The Unmissable:
The Interior of the Sanctuary of Guadalupe (Temple of San Diego) maintains a magnificent decoration on its walls and domes, with floral shapes and tones that shine like red, gold and pink that will leave you amazed with such beauty. The best? The image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the center.
Fuente de las Tarascas is a bronze sculpture perfect for taking souvenir photos as it is an emblematic and reference place, as well as having the beauty of its gardens and the Aqueduct in the background.
Entering the Michoacán Museum of Handicrafts which has as its site the Ex Convento de San Francisco will be a delight and an experience that will make you feel the local spirit; In support of the artisans you can acquire very good works of Mexican popular art at a very good price.
The Callejón del Romance is a corner decorated in pink stone with flowers called camelinas, it contagious tranquility when you walk or sit down to enjoy the afternoon, in addition to that, you can listen to the stories that the Morelians tell and read the verses of the poem “Romance of my city” of Don Lucas Ortiz that are found on its walls.
Visit its museums such as the Museo Casa Natal de Morelos, the Museo de la Máscara or the Museo Regional Michoacano where you will find objects of historical and artistic importance of the Michoacán entity.
2. Puebla, Puebla
“Puebla de los Ángeles” is one of the oldest cities in Mexico, religious and civil buildings of various architectural styles catch the eye and make it a Cultural Heritage. In its streets, you will perceive the panorama as if it were an artistic painting contemplating domes and alleys with stories to tell.
With the presence of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes, Puebla is also a landscape with a host of emotions that show its identity every day, which you can see in the shapes of its “Talavera”, the traditional mole poblano, its sweet potatoes and the legend of La China Poblana.
The colonial beauties of the Baroque City:
The essential:
The interior of the Capilla del Rosario will fill you with brilliant and baroque memories, with significant decorations lined in gold leaf made by Mexican artisans; you may not know what impacts you the most or how to describe it, but the experience is unique and even more if you have the explanations of the guides found here.
On your walk through the Zócalo and see the tiles of its houses and its churches, it is undoubtedly to be photographed, but visiting the Palafoxiana library is unforgettable, this is a jewel of Puebla, the first public library on the continent and for preserving the original furniture and for its number of books it is a “Memory of the World” recognized by UNESCO.
Like the “Piedras Encimadas”, the well-preserved pyramids of the Archaeological Zone of Cantona are something different from what we have seen, although a bit far from the city, its charm comes not only from the landscapes it offers but also from not knowing science certain the culture that built them, this site will leave you shocked!
An incredible view from its viewpoint and much to discover is what Los Fuertes de Loreto offers. When you visit it, you will learn a lot about history in its museums, since the Battle of Puebla was fought here, as well as you will feel delighted with the nature of its forests.
Every day, but especially on Saturdays and Sundays, the Callejón de Los Sapos, with its color, art and antique stalls, handicrafts, restaurants, ice cream shops and abundant local life will give you a lot to see and enjoy.
3. Zacatecas, Zacatecas
The second-highest city in Mexico allows you to take a tour through Mexican history, with streets adorned with historical monuments and architecture in the New Spanish Baroque, neoclassical and neo-Gothic styles. Zacatecas is a postcard and a silver city that if you visit it you will explore the bottom of its old mines and the top of its hills.
Enjoying art and its history is also something that this Cultural Heritage city offers us since it has the most important museum in Latin America and you will be filled with a lot of reasons to love its culture on its walks, its illuminated nights and full of legends.
The colonial beauties of the city with a face of stone and a heart of silver:
The Unmissable:
The Historic Center of Zacatecas, declared a World Heritage Site for its baroque facades, its culture and designs that combine indigenous and European decorations, has one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in Mexico, in pink stone and with magnificent details both in its facade as in its interior that you will not be able to stop admiring easily.
The train tour in the Edén Mine is very fun and interesting, the guides offer good attention telling stories and information to learn, the concept of the disco that you will find here you will not see anywhere else, it also has the Museum of Rocks and Minerals.
After this adventure, you can get on the cable car to fly over the city and have the best view with a lot of emotion.
The Rafael Coronel Museum is located in a former convent whose construction and gardens are perfect for photography; upon entering, the environment will captivate you and the large number of masks that it houses will leave you amazed, in addition to the fact that you can contemplate other collections.
To admire Zacatecas and at the same time enrich yourself with its culture, climbing Cerro de la Bufa will give you this and a little more, the panoramic view is incredible and when you reach the top your experiences will improve with the Toma de Zacatecas Museum, an observatory, monuments of Francisco Villa and Felipe Ángeles and Pánfilo Natera, the chapel of the Virgen del Patrocinio and souvenir shops, typical clothing, sweets and food with much to see, taste and buy.
4. Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca
The state of Oaxaca is very healthy, I perceive it both for its welcoming climate, friendly people and what there is to see that simply captivates and also for its colonial capital, colorful and with history to learn about and traditions to appreciate.
The perfectly outlined Historic Center of Oaxaca de Juárez that looks like a chess table is why this destination was declared a World Heritage Site, with mainly religious buildings and New Spanish Baroque style architecture that when you walk through its streets you cannot stop admiring.
The colonial beauties of a city full of traditions:
The essential:
The Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán of incomparable beauty is an unmissable attraction in Oaxaca, valued by all travelers who appreciate the art and details of its colonial architecture that make it great; you can tour it with a guide who will tell you all the history of this church.
The Monte Albán Archaeological Zone, also declared a World Heritage Site for 25 years, is a legacy worth living, this capital city of the Zapotecs has historical magic with much to offer you in addition to its landscapes.
With unique pieces and installed in a building with unforgettable architecture, the Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca is a space to be filled with learning, housing all history with objects that impress; in addition, in this museum you will find a library and many shops to take a souvenir with you.
Colored handicrafts such as alebrijes, typical clothing, flavors of mole, chocolate, coffee, the local spirit in every corner and much to appreciate is what you will discover in the Andador Turístico Macedonio de Alcalá with a cobbled path full of life, especially in some of its festivities.
5. Merida, Yucatan
In Merida time passes calmly, there is nothing to worry about, you can see people walking with very peaceful energy; there is color wherever you look, buildings of architecture made in the colonial era and a large Historic Center, one of the largest in the country.
You can live that warm atmosphere sitting on the “You and I” benches, and something that makes the city of Merida unique are its free cultural events like: danzón dances, ball games and art in all its expressions.
Colonial beauties of the “White Merida”:
The Unmissable:
The Plaza Grande lives up to its name, both for its size and for the emotions it provokes, with panoramas of its architecture, among which its Cathedral (the oldest in America on the mainland) stands out, a central park full of life and at the same time with the most expected tranquility, enjoying a corn, an ice cream or simply watching the pigeons you can live their magic and then be part of their cultural events such as “Merida on Sunday “ that will fill you with pleasant memories.
To learn about the history and how henequen is made, the Hacienda Sotuta de Peón is a great opportunity for this and more, its guides proudly show everything about this industry and the hacienda is so beautiful that you will not want to leave, you can eat local dishes, swim in a cenote and ride a “truck” (pulled by mules). Would you miss it?
To walk and delight the eye with its buildings, Paseo de Montejo is perfect, from beginning to end you will see a path with trees and special facades of its historical monuments such as the Casas Gemelas and Palacio Cantón, which is a museum, as well as restaurants, Helados Colón and the Monument to the Homeland.
The Puuc Route is a trip to the Mayan culture, in which you will walk and discover caves and archaeological zones such as Kabah and Uxmal full of landscapes and historical magic that you will appreciate at every moment, it may be a whole day walk but you will have lots to tell when you get home.
Don’t forget to visit its theaters such as the Armando Manzanero Theater or the José Peón Contreras Theater, where it can be said that the love of art is so great in this city that comic theater is a delight that has been appreciated for many years! Ask for the theater plays!
Enjoy the good life of these cities, as well as the facilities they offer you and all travelers so that you not only get to know them but also leave a good taste in your mouth.
Travel light and allow yourself to be curious about everything that Mexico has to offer us, which despite any current circumstances, will not cease to surprise you!