10 Best Colonial Towns In Mexico

Are you looking for the best colonial towns in Mexico to visit? 

Mexico is known primarily for its beaches, warm weather and ancient ruins. However, it also has mountainous areas and charming colonial towns and cities to explore.

Mexico was once under Spanish rule. After Hernan Cortes’ victory over the Aztecs in 1521, Spanish explorers fanned out across Mexico’s in search of gold and other precious metals to make their fortunes.

Despite the discovery of gold, silver emerged as the victor, in the long run, resulting in the rise of a chain of silver mining towns. These historic cores of many Mexican cities and towns have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

These Mexican colonial towns are places not to be missed when you visit the country. To help you plan that itinerary, here are ten of the best colonial towns in Mexico.

10 Best Colonial Towns In Mexico

1. Aguascalientes City, Aguascalientes

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Aguascalientes, which means “Hot Waters” in Spanish, is a historic colonial city known for its hot springs. The city is also recognized for the production of fruit liquors, brandy, aguardiente, and table wines. Additionally, Aguascalientes has a rich artistic history, towering churches, a beautiful city centre, and stunning colonial architecture.

Aguascalientes takes pride in its delicious street food as well as its inspiring art galleries and museums. The city’s architecture, meanwhile, demonstrates how Spanish colonial buildings can coexist with Aztec structures.

Things to do in Aguascalientes:

● Templo de San Antonio de Padua
● Palacio de Gobierno
● Plaza Patria y Exedra
● Jardin de San Marcos
● Catedral Basilica De Nuestra Señora De La Asunción
● National Museum of Death
● Museo Espacio
● Castillo Douglas

2. Cholula, Puebla

This town’s roots are deeply spiritual. During the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, many of Cholula’s pre-Hispanic religious temples were destroyed and replaced with new Catholic ones. With 37 churches in total, the sound of church bells ringing out the call to worship has become a recognizable melody in this colonial town.

The Church of Los Remedios, which sits atop a pre-Hispanic pyramid, is one of the most significant churches in Puebla. Today, icons from both Aztec and Catholic cultures can now be found in Cholula.

Things to do in Cholula

● The Piramide Tepanapa
● Franciscan Convent of Saint Gabriel
● Museo Regional de Cholula
● Mercado Cosme del Razo
● Patio de los Altares
● Casa del Caballero Águila
● The Volcanoes Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl

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3. Guanajuato City, Guanajuato

Guanajuato may be becoming more popular among ex-pats, but this city retains its distinct Mexican flavour. Since there is limited availability of native English speakers, you’ll want to learn at least the basics of Spanish before you visit this city.

This Unesco World Heritage City is home to the Festival Cervantino, the home of Diego Rivera’s house (now a museum), and the magnificent Teatro Juárez.

Additionally, it was here that Mexico gained its independence from Spain in a pivotal early battle. A fun way to see Guanajuato is to take the funicular to the top of the hill to get a full view of this city.

Things to do in Guanajuato

● The Colourful Lanes
● The Mummy Museum
● Valenciana Mine
● The Alley of The Kiss
● Diego Rivera’s Home
● Alhóndiga de Granaditas (art and history museum)
● Mercado Hidalgo

4. Morelia, Michoacán

From Mexico City, it takes four hours to get to Michoacán state’s capital Morelia. This is a city known for its warm days and cool nights because of its elevation of 1920 meters. After being founded by the Spanish in 1541, Morelia was renamed in honour of Morelos, one of Mexico’s independence heroes.

Built mainly in the 17th and 18th centuries, the colonial city centre (a UNESCO World Heritage site) has a warm glow thanks to the pink Cantera stone that covers much of the city. It’s a pleasure to walk through Morelia’s narrow streets, where bougainvillaea climbs the stonewalls.

Things to do in Morelia

● Morelia Cathedral.
● The Government Palace
● The Church of Santa Rosa de Lima
● Clavijero Palace
● Santuario de Guadalupe
● The House of Culture and del Carmen Convent
● Plaza de Armas
● The Morelia Aqueduct

5. Orizaba, Veracruz

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The colonial town of Orizab, is perched on the slopes of Pico de Orizaba, Mexico‘s highest peak.

The river that flows through the city beneath numerous stone bridges gives the city its name, which is derived from an Aztec phrase meaning “place of joyful water.” The town’s colonial architecture is particularly well-preserved in the backdrop of a stunning, snow-covered landscape.

The Art Nouveau-styled Iron Palace, which was shipped from Brussels to serve as the government building, is one of the city’s architectural treasures. Six museums are now housed within its walls.

Things to do in Orizaba

● Teleférico de Orizaba
● Museo Francisco Gabilondo Soler
● Poliforum Mier y Pesado
● EcoParque Cerro del Borrego
● Iron Palace
● Ecoparque Rio
● Expo Parque de los Dinosaurios
● Alameda Francisco Gabilondo Soler Cri Cri

6. San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas

In this part of Chiapas, there is no other place like San Cristobal de las Casas, with its stunning colonial architecture and surrounding jungle. Named after the patron saint of travellers, fog from the jungle lends an air of mystery to the setting of this beautiful city.

A museum in and of itself, the town’s architecture includes examples of baroque, neoclassical, and renaissance styles.

In addition to San Cristobal’s architectural gems, strolling through the streets of the historical centre will reveal flower-decked balconies and houses with expansive patios painted in vibrant hues.

Things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas

● Templo de Santo Domingo
● Iglesia de Guadalupe and Iglesia de San Cristobal
● Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya
● Museo de Ambar
● Real de Guadalupe
● San Cristobal’s Zocalo
● Arcotete Park
● Artisan/Municipal Market

7. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Historic San Miguel de Allende, located about four hours northwest of Mexico City, is a well-preserved colonial town.

With cobblestone streets, intricate church facades, and beautifully restored colonial buildings in ochre, rusted iron, and salmon, this charming colonial town is quite the visual treat.

Overlooking it all is the Parroquia, a Gothic-style church designed by Antoni Gaud. San Miguel is no longer a budget or off-the-beaten-path destination, it is instead becoming more upscale.

However, if you’re a non-Spanish speaker who craves Mexican flavour a neat, well-organized package, you’ll feel right at home here.

Things to do in San Miguel de Allende

● Parish of San Miguel Arcangel
● Cañada de la Virgen
● Fabrica La Aurora
● El Jardin
● El Charco de Ingenio
● Instituto Allende
● Museo Historico de San Miguel de Allende
● Biblioteca Publica de San Miguel de Allende
● Sanctuary of Atotonilco

8. San Luis Potosi City, San Luis Potosi

The state capital of San Luis Potosi is located west of Zacatecas in a region known as the Sierra Madre Oriental. It was a thriving mining town during the Spanish Empire, bringing in a lot of money from its gold and silver mines.

Benito Juarez, the first indigenous Mexican president, moved the federal government to San Luis Potosi in 1862 when France invaded the country. As a result, his home has become a popular tourist attraction in the city.

San Luis Potosi has fewer tourists than other Mexican colonial towns, which is surprising. Still, it is one of Mexico‘s most pedestrian-friendly cities, with numerous plazas and well-kept parks that make it a joy to stroll around.

Things to do in San Luis Potosi

● San Luís Potosí City of Light
● Plaza del Carmen
● Founders Plaza
● Potosi Regional Museum
● The Plaza Aranzazu
● San Luis Potosi Plaza de Armas
● Monument to Fathers
● Museum of the Viceroyalty

9. Tepoztlan, Morelos

Tepoztlan is a picturesque small colonial town about an hour outside of Mexico City.

One of its most prominent landmarks is the Tepozteco Pyramid, which looms over a nearby hilltop. Walking down the many flights of stairs to get there takes about an hour. Even today, the town of Tepoztlan retains its Spanish colonial heritage.

There is always a lot of activity in the plaza, where people relax and shop. When you visit, make sure you try fresh fruit ice cream and what’s said to be the best quesadillas in Mexico.

The Ex Convento Dominico de la Natividad is a must-see, where beautiful bean-decorated doors and walls welcome you inside.

Things to do in Tepoztlan

● Ex Convento Dominico de la Natividad
● Museo de Arte Prehispánico Carlos Pellicer
● Pirámide de Tepozteco
● Mercado Artesanal de Tepoztlan
● Lagartija Club Mezcal
● Centro Cultural Pedro López Elías Tepozcuencos
● Palacio Municipal

10. Valladolid, Yucatán

This colonial city is widely regarded as one of Mexico’s most beautiful and historically significant.

Some of the city’s oldest structures include the Casona de Valladolid, where wealthy families held town parties in the early 1900s, as well as large colonial mansions that now house museums and small hotels and restaurants.

Since it is a place of religious tradition, Valladolid is full of beautiful churches like those dedicated to Santa Luca, Santa Ana, and San Juan, as well as old convents.

Apart from the colonial structures, beautiful cenotes abounds in Valladolid, as it does throughout Yucatán.

Things to do in Valladolid

● Calzada de Los Frailes
● San Bernandino Convent or Iglesia de San Servicio
● Casa de los Venados
● Museo San Roque
● Mercado Municipal
● Zaci Cenote
● Cenote Suytun