Looking to discover the most beautiful cities in Mexico? You’re in the right place – and you’re also in luck, because there’s no shortage of colorful and charming cities in Mexico.
Although this list was limited to only 10, Mexico is packed with historic cities reminiscent of Europe, but are often much more colorful. The places to visit in Mexico you will find here are mostly large and medium-sized cities, but if you venture off the beaten paths in Mexico, you will probably find even more beautiful cities.
For now, let’s take a look at these 10 best places to visit in Mexico for travelers looking to get to know the great colorful cities of the country. In addition to physical beauty, these places are also historical: most are a UNESCO World Heritage Site or magic pueblo, the “magic cities” of Mexico, therefore, are not only beautiful, but also interesting and full of stories.
If you have the desire to travel to this unforgettable place, let’s go to the list, which will be all the inspiration you need to finally book a ticket to Mexico!
Map of Best and Most Beautiful Cities in Mexico
So that you get to find yourself and plan your trip better, I made this map with all the cities indicated in this post. I hope it helps!
1. San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is located in central Mexico, about 3.5 hours from Mexico City by car or bus. In fact, San Miguel de Allende is one of the best day trips from Mexico City, especially for gourmets, wine lovers and artists.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in Guanajuato, a state known as one of the most colorful in Mexico. Among the other cities of the state, San Miguel de Allende is considered the most beautiful by many visitors.
Over the past 10-15 years, many American, European, and Canadian expatriates have moved into this beautiful colonial city. As with the entire center of Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is blessed with what is known as a climate of “eternal spring”, so it has a mild and fresh climate all year round.
Besides the perfect climate, the city is stunning and historic. Mexico’s iconic architecture is very well preserved in San Miguel, and every house and building looks more beautiful than the others. Of all, the iconic Parish of San Miguel Arcángel is the most photographed.
This large pink Gothic-style cathedral is the centerpiece of the city. It is located in the Jardín Allende (Jardim Allende), a beautiful and well-groom park and garden that serves as a town square or central meeting point.
As this is one of the places considered safe to visit in Mexico, spend some time without compromises and simply wandering the mountainous cobbled streets of San Miguel de Allende. Go to a casual coffee or make reservations at one of the fine dining restaurants. Well-known as one of the top dining destinations, many of Mexico’s most famous chefs have restaurants in San Miguel de Allende.
2. 2. Merida
Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida is not far from the popular destinations of Cancún, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, but in reality she seems to be a world away from these famous cities. As it is not as popular and crowded as these other destinations, Merida still retains a small and charming city feel.
Known as the safest city in all of Mexico, more and more people are visiting Merida every year. For cultural travelers, Mérida is a must-see city in Mexico. It is located right in the middle of the Yucatan and is considered the Mayan Cultural Capital of Mexico.
Within the city itself, which was once considered the richest city on the continent, there are many historic mansions transformed into museums to admire. The Casa de Montejo, located in Plaza Grande (Main Square / Town Square) is among them, as well as the historic Museo Palacio Canton in the Paseo de Montejo.
Also in the Paseo de Montejo, the most beautiful wooded street in Mérida, is the beautiful Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Patria), a giant monument with 300 figures carved by hand by Colombian artist Romulo Rozo, narrating about 1,000 years of Mexican history.
In the Historic Center, the streets are full of colorful buildings in varied architectural styles that perfectly match the old world with the new. There are historical monuments everywhere, art galleries and parks to relax in – which gives Merida a very European touch.
As more and more people discover Merida through her beautiful photos on social networks and on YouTube, she will not remain a hidden gem in Mexico for much longer. For those visiting the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean in Yucatán, be sure to add a stop in Mérida to your itinerary through Mexico.
3. Tulum
About four hours’ drive or bus from Mérida is the “magic rul” of Tulum, Mexico. If you are wondering – what is a magic pueblo? – here is your answer!
Magical pueblos, or magical cities, are small towns in Mexico designated by the Tourism Secretariat as notable for their historical significance, folk traditions and/or natural beauty. There are about 135 in the country, including Tulum, and about seven others on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Tulum is located in the Caribbean Sea, about two hours south of Cancun by car or bus. This city has become quite famous as one of the most worthy beach destinations in Mexico on Instagram and attracts artists, backpackers, yogis and swimmers all year round.
Tulum is partly beach and partly jungle and is actually known as the “Bali of Mexico” as it is similar to Bali in Indonesia in this regard. Tulum and its environs also have several Mayan ruins to explore, similar to the Hindu temples of Bali.
In addition to the beautiful beaches of Tulum, there are large-scale art pieces throughout the city and resorts famous for incorporating the architectural style of Tulum. This design aesthetic uses recovered wood and bamboo, combining nature and construction, for a relaxed and luxurious look.
This Tulum look becomes one of the most beautiful places in Mexico! It is also one of the most exclusive places in the country, with a style unlike any other place in the region.
4. 4. City of Guanajuato
Just an hour from San Miguel de Allende, you will be in the state capital of Guanajuato – the city of Guanajuato (often just called Guanajuato). Like San Miguel, Guanajuato is a colorful city with cobblestone streets and narrow and winding alleys.
There are squares throughout the city, as well as numerous colonial churches and historic buildings. Unlike San Miguel, which has a large population of expatriates, Guanajuato tranships Mexican culture.
This city is much more popular with local tourism compared to the large number of international tourists visiting San Miguel. There are also several colleges and art universities in Guanajuato, making the city look festive and lively all year round.
One of the largest performing arts festivals in the world, the Cervantino Festival, takes place every year in Guanajuato. And it is immediately followed by the Day of Muertos, the Day of the Dead, the largest festival in Mexico in the whole country.
Even on regular days of the year, Guanajuato is a very special and beautiful place. It’s a great place to have no plans, so you can wander the streets, take pictures, spend some time looking at people in the squares, having a coffee in a coffee shop on the sidewalk and more.
5. . 5. Puerto Vallarta
Located on the Bay of Banderas and the Pacific coast of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta has attracted all kinds of tourists for decades.
She became famous for the first time in “The Night of the Iguana,” a 1964 film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The two legends took their romance off the screen after filming, bought a house together and lived in Puerto Vallarta for a few years.
The house, which is now a boutique hotel, is just one of the beautiful buildings in downtown Puerto Vallarta. Two downtown areas, Viejo Vallarta (Old Town) and the Romantic Zone are filled with historic buildings reminiscent of an old Hollywood film.
Although it is famous for its beautiful beaches, this is only half the history of Puerto Vallarta. Behind the beaches, you will find the Sierra Madre mountains, where many head to the hidden waterfalls, rivers, natural pools and pueblos (small cities).
If you are looking for a place in Mexico with many beaches and nature, strong ties to its indigenous culture, colorful colonial architecture and good food – Puerto Vallarta certainly offers many reasons to visit.
6. . 6. Valladolid
Just about two hours from Tulum and Merida, you will find the magic pueblo Valladolid. This colorful city is becoming increasingly popular with each passing year, but for now, it still retains a charming small-town atmosphere.
From Tulum, many visitors head to Valladolid to get an idea of what one of Mexico’s culturally rich cities is like. In the Zócalo (City Square), you will find the Main Park (Main Park) and the beautiful Iglesia de San Servacio, a cathedral dating from 1545.
Not far away is the historic Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, one of the oldest Franciscan missions in Mexico. The convent is located at the end of the Calzada de Los Frailes, the most beautiful street in Valladolid, with great cafes and colorful shops.
Valladolid and its surroundings also have many natural beauty. Many of the best cenotes in Yucatan are close to this city. If you are wondering – what is a cenote? – here’s your answer!
Cenotes (pronounced sen-no-tays) are sinks that can be swum containing fresh water. Underneath the entire Yucatan Peninsula, there is a river connecting all the cenotes, but with some the limestone rock that covered that part of the river crumbled, revealing the water below.
Some cenotes are fully exposed as a swimming pool, some are partially exposed and some are located underground in caves. You can see all three types in various cenotes in and around Valladolid.
One of the best cenotes in Valladolid is located only about a 10-minute walk from the city centre. Cenote Zaci is a partially open cenote and looks like something out of a movie set in a tropical paradise!
7. 7. Mexico City
Although many people do not associate beauty with big cities, they would be wrong if they thought so in the case of Mexico City. Although the Historic Center and the Zócalo (Historic Center and City Square) may not please everyone, the smaller neighborhoods are calmer and absolutely charming.
Among the most beautiful parts of Mexico City are the Roma, Condesa and Juarez neighborhoods. These parts of the city have tree-lined streets and vintage buildings in all architectural styles, from art deco to the French Renaissance! There are also fine street art to admire, sidewalk cafes and some of the best parks in Mexico City.
Speaking of parks, Mexico City has one of the largest urban parks on the planet, Chapultepec Park. In fact, the city is full of green spaces and parks, which often shocks most visitors.
Back in the Historic Center, you’ll find many of Mexico City’s beautiful and iconic buildings. One of the city’s best-known buildings, the Palais Bellas Artes, an Italian Renaissance theatre with golden dome, is here and next to the Alameda Park.
Across the street from the park, you are in Barrio Chino (Chinatown). Didn’t I know there was a Chinatown in Mexico City?! You are not alone! Although it is by no means a large Chinatown, it is certainly beautiful, with paper lanterns and umbrellas tied down from one side of the street to the other.
In terms of beauty, Mexico City is so visually stimulating that it’s hard to ignore. There is everything from large parks open to cathedrals and opulent theaters, to tree-lined cafes covered in street art and much more beauty to discover in Mexico City.
8. Puebla
About three hours from Mexico City by car or bus, you will find the city of Puebla, Mexico. This is one of the 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico, a prestigious designation granted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Puebla is known for its beautiful colors and for having many churches (it says there are 365 churches, one for every day of the year!), but also for its food and ties with the holiday of the Cinco de Mayo.
One of the most underrated gastronomic destinations in the world, tasting authentic Poblano cuisine is reason enough to visit this historic city – but this is a subject for another post!
Many people usually visit Puebla on May 5, or “Five of Mayo”. Although it is a very popular holiday in the U.S. and other countries, in Mexico, it is rarely celebrated outside of Puebla.
Historically, it is the only city with true ties to the holiday, which is often mislabeled as Mexico’s Independence Day; that is, on September 16.
On May 5, 1862, Mexico declared victory against France at the Battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Franco-Mexican War. As this happened in Puebla, the city has elaborate festivals and battle stagings every year to celebrate.
In addition to Cinco de Mayo, Puebla is a beautiful city any day of the year. The historic center is full of colorful buildings, especially in the famous Callejón de los Sapos, and you will find talavera art in many places. Talavera is a colored Mexican ceramic and tiled art, mostly associated with the state of Puebla.
9. . . . . Oaxaca City
The last of the UNESCO sites on this list is the city of Oaxaca. The entire Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it is also just a beautiful city.
The city of Oaxaca is the capital of the state of Oaxaca, although most only say “Oaxaca” when referring to the city. It is considered the cultural pole not only of the state, but also of all of Mexico. Oaxaca is also considered the “Capital of Food of Mexico”.
In addition to amazing food, Oaxaca hosts some of Mexico’s most colorful, traditional and fun festivals. In July, the Guelaguetza Festival (pronounced geh-la-getz-uh), known as one of the largest folk festivals in the American continent, takes place.
Every November day 1 and 2 November, the Day of the Dead festival takes place. This centenary holiday dates back to the Aztecs, although their traditions have changed somewhat during the Spanish conquest. What remains today is a beautiful celebration throughout the city in honor of our deceased loved ones.
In addition to the Historic Center, with its colorful buildings and historic churches, there are also the neighborhoods of Xochimilco (so-chee-mill-co) and Jalatlaco (ha-lat-fail-oh) to explore. Xochimilco is the oldest neighborhood in the city, and Jalatlaco is the artists’ paradise, with its cool shops, cool galleries and colorful buildings.
The areas around the city of Oaxaca are great places to explore, both for artists and for those who want to buy Mexican folk art. There are several well-known art cities of Oaxaca, and each produces only one type of art.
In San Bartolo Coyotepec, it is black clay (black clay ceramics); in Teotitlan del Valle, artisans produce hand-woven zapotec carpets; and in San Martin Tilcajete, its alebrijes (al-lay-bree-hays). These are hybrid characters of colorful animals, who act as spirit guides, and as they are handmade, no two alebrijes are the same.
10. Taxco
The last city on the list is Taxco de Alarcón, Mexico, in the state of Guerrero. This is one of the magic pueblos (magic cities) and looks like something out of a storybook.
The great parish of Santa Prisca and San Sebastían, also known as the Church of Santa Prisca, stands on this mountain town. This Spanish colonial cathedral was once the tallest building in Mexico, but has since been surpassed by another church. Regardless, it is difficult to miss and also quite impressive.
Taxco is located high in the Sierra Madre mountains, so it is a very rugged city. When visiting, many take a taxi to the top of the city and walk to the bottom, although they are winding alleys with cobbled streets. To add to the charm, all taxis in Taxco are old VW cars!
The city is strongly associated with silver – both for silver mining and local taxco artisans, who make it in jewelry, cutlery and more. Nowadays, mining is in the background and tourism is the way many make money.
Taxco’s reputation for beautiful handmade silver pieces, along with its stunning and picturesque landscape, has caught the attention of more and more visitors each year. Located just a three-hour drive or bus from Mexico City, Taxco is fast becoming a favorite destination in Mexico.
Which of these beautiful cities in Mexico caught your attention?
In short
The 10 most beautiful cities in Mexico to visit are:
- San Miguel de Allende
- Merida
- Tulum
- City of Guanajuato
- Puerto Vallarta
- Valladolid
- Mexico City
- Puebla
- Oaxaca City
- Taxco
If you have become enchanted by the most beautiful cities in Mexico, you can not miss the chance to explore the rich Mexican cuisine, famous for its peppers and intense flavors. Discover Daniel the stories and secrets behind each dish in the Mexican Cook: A Journey of Flavors post.
Activities, attractions and tours to take in Mexico
If you are planning to visit Mexico and would like to carry out tours and excursions, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Civitatis to search for the best activities in the region. There you can find tours from a few hours to full-day excursions.
On both platforms it is possible to compare prices, select activities, filter out the best options based on your tastes, see the attractions based on the dates you want to visit the location and much more!
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BIO
Shelley is a former editor of a Miami travel magazine who has traded the office around the world! After traveling alone to 14 states in Mexico, she now lives in Merida, Mexico full-time. Shelley now helps other women to separate Solo Travel and Mexico Travel from their wish list through their Travel Mexico Solo blog and the podcast Dream To Destination.
