Looking for the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende? Here’s all the best activities, experiences, and tips for visiting this magical Mexican town!
San Miguel de Allende is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever visited.
Imagine quaint cobblestone streets, lined with colorful colonial facades. Old churches. Tree-lined plazas. Beautiful courtyards with lush greenery. Magical sunset views.
This isn’t a city where you come to tick off a list of major attractions and experiences. Rather, some of the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende is just to slow down, soak in its beauty, and experience its wonderful charm.
San Miguel de Allende has been consistently ranked on many best cities in the world lists, taking the #1 spot several years in a row. It was also Mexico’s first Pueblo Magico, designated by the Mexican government for its “cultural richness, historical relevance, cuisine, art crafts, and great hospitality.”
When walking through the streets here, it’s easy to see exactly why.
Every inch of the city is super photogenic, and walking through the historic center feels like walking through a fairytale. This is a city that I’d been wanting to visit for years, and when I finally made it here, I fell in love.
Here’s all the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende, along with all the tips you need to know for visiting!
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Quick Tips for Visiting San Miguel de Allende
- Bring comfy shoes: San Miguel de Allende is fairly hilly, and many of its streets are made up of uneven cobblestone. The city is quite compact so walking is the best way to get around, but you’ll want to wear comfy shoes – leave those heels at home! Also note that the cobblestone can get slick after it rains so watch your step.
- Don’t be surprised if you find yourself out of breath: The hills aren’t the only reason you might be huffing and puffing around the city. San Miguel de Allende sits at over 6000 feet in elevation, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself out of breath easily. If you are prone to altitude sickness, bring meds.
- Don’t drink the tap water: As with the rest of Mexico, the tap water is not safe for drinking. It is fine for brushing your teeth, though. Also note that the restaurants in town serve filtered water and the ice must be sourced from specific places, so it is safe to consume.
- Take out some cash (and carry some coins): Many places take credit cards, but you’ll want to carry cash to shop at the markets and for tacos. I suggest pulling out some cash from an ATM upon arrival in Mexico. Avoid currency exchange counters as they usually have unfavorable rates. Also note that public restrooms require a few pesos, so carry some coins on hand.
- Knowing some Spanish helps: San Miguel de Allende has become frequented by English-speaking tourists in recent years, however, I found that English isn’t as widely spoken. It was a fun opportunity to practice my Spanish and test out the skills I’ve been picking up on Duolingo over the last few years. Brush up on some basic Spanish phrases, and download Google Translate to help you out in a pinch!
- Get an early start: San Miguel de Allende has exploded in popularity in recent years, and it can get pretty busy throughout the day. I suggest getting an early start to your day, for fewer crowds! There’s an extra bit of magic to seeing the city when it’s quiet and you seemingly have the quaint cobblestone streets to yourself.
- Pack a jacket: While the weather is generally pleasant during the day, it can get a bit breezy at night, even in the summer. Pack a jacket for those evenings spent hanging out on a rooftop.
Things to Do in San Miguel de Allende
Marvel at the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
The stunning Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel is the focal point of the city, and you can’t miss it. Located in the heart of the historic center, the cathedral is its most recognizable landmark.
You cannot visit San Miguel de Allende and not see the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel – literally, as its pastel pink facade and wedding cake-like spires are visible from many places in the city.
The church is unlike any other in Mexico and was inspired by the cathedrals of Europe. It was designed by Zeferino Gutiérrez, an indigenous stonemason who had no formal architecture training. He was inspired by photographs and postcards of European cathedrals, specifically, one from Cologne, Germany. Pretty cool, huh?
It’s definitely worth spending some time checking out the church. Honestly, I couldn’t help but gawk at the church every time I passed by it (which was a lot of times!), and found myself admiring it many times. You can also go inside the church when there’s no mass happening.
While it is beautiful at any hour of the day, be sure to not miss seeing it at night, when it is lit up and looking especially majestic.
Hang out in Jardin Allende
Jardin Allende is San Miguel de Allende’s main square and the social heart of the city. You’ll find immaculately landscaped trees and quaint gazebos here, along with street vendors, live music, street food, and picture perfect views of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel.
At any given point in the day, you’ll find a mix of locals, expats, and visitors hanging out in the square. It’s a fun place to sit and do some people watching for a few hours. You may also spot a wedding party celebrating in the square.
You’ll also likely spot some giant mojiganga puppets, which are an icon of San Miguel de Allende. Do note that you’ll have to pay them a few pesos to take a photo of them.
It’s especially lively in the evenings, especially on the weekends. When we came by here on a Saturday night, there were mariachi bands playing and tons of people dancing. It was such a fun way to spend our first night in town!
Hang out on a rooftop
One thing about San Miguel de Allende – the views are gorgeous, everywhere you look! The city also has an amazing rooftop scene, so hanging out at a rooftop bar is a must.
You’ll also find no shortage of amazing rooftop bars, from where you can enjoy the views while sipping on a cocktail.
I recommend heading to a rooftop for sunset, as the views are especially magical. Reservations are highly recommended, especially at the most popular spots.
Here were some of our favorites:
- Luna: Located atop the posh Rosewood Hotel, Luna boasts the best view in town. It’s expensive (my Aperol Spritz cost about $20 USD), but worth a stop because you really can’t beat the view here!
- Quince: This is probably the most popular rooftop in town, and reservations are an absolute must. I was afraid it was going to be overrated but the food was actually quite good, and you can’t beat the vibes and the views in every direction.
- Trazo 1812: We had a delicious lunch here, and were impressed by the presentation – and the food was as good as it looked. Note that the terrace isn’t open until dinner service, but they were nice to let us go up to snap a few photos.
- Cielo: We kinda just randomly decided to go after passing by a sign advertising the rooftop. The view isn’t as great as some of the other rooftops, but the breakfast dishes here were top notch!
Admire the view from the Mirador
If you’re looking for a bird’s eye view of San Miguel de Allende, trek up to the Mirador. It’s just outside of the city center, and it has some incredible views over the entire city.
While there are plenty of pretty views within the historic center, there’s just something about seeing it from above. You’ll see all of the city’s landmarks and picturesque streets from a new perspective. It’s not as expensive as the Mirador in Guanajuato, but it’s still a pretty amazing view!
It’s not too far distance-wise from the city center, but do note that it is quite steep. If you’re up for the climb, it’s a good way to walk off all those tacos!
But if you’re lazy like us, you can also call a taxi (or Didi) for pretty cheap. I still recommend walking back to the city center, as there are some awesome views from the side streets on the way back.
Shop for handicrafts at Mercado de Artesanias
If you’re looking for some unique Mexican souvenirs and gifts to take home, you’ll find plenty at the Mercado de Artesanias. Be sure to leave some extra room in your suitcase for all the goodies you’ll get!
The market has both an indoor and outdoor space, dotted with tons of stalls selling everything from traditional clothing, textiles, pottery, leather goods, silver jewelry, and much more. I found the prices here to be pretty good here, especially compared to Mexico City.
I definitely picked up some treasures, like a pair of colorful beaded earrings and some pouches.
Browse the Mercado Ignacio Ramirez
The bustling Mercado Ignacio Ramirez is the city’s central marketplace, and also its oldest. Inside, you’ll find everything from food stalls, fresh produce, artisan goods, and more.
It’s got a much more local vibe, and you can get a sense of daily life while wandering the stalls here. It also sells traditional ingredients and some regional dishes.
We enjoyed some agua frescas here, which made a refreshing treat on a warm day!
Snap a photo on Calle Aldama
There are many picturesque streets in San Miguel de Allende, but Calle Aldama may just be the most beautiful of them all.
If you’ve seen a postcard of San Miguel de Allende, chances are that it was taken from this street. The colorful buildings line up perfectly leading to the grand Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, making a perfect shot.
It gets pretty busy here throughout the day, so I suggest coming early in the morning to get the best photos. I passed by here around 7am while I was out on a run and there was nobody here, but when I came back in the afternoon it was packed!
PS – also be sure to look in the other direction, as the view in the opposite way is just as good!
Check out Fabrica Aurora
San Miguel de Allende is known as being an artist’s town, and one of the best places to get a sense of its artistic side is Fabrica Aurora.
Fabrica Aurora is housed in what used to be an old textile factory, which was once one of the city’s most important industrial sites. Today, it is a trendy arts and design center, home to tons of art galleries, antique shops, furniture showrooms, jewelry shops, houseware boutiques, and much more.
This is the perfect place to visit for art lovers. There’s tons to explore here, and you can easily spend hours popping in and out of all the showrooms, galleries, and boutiques here.
There’s also a pretty outdoor courtyard and cafe here, perfect for taking a breather when you need a break.
Fabrica Aurora is located just a bit outside the historic center, but it is an easy 15 minute walk here.
Visit the Biblioteca Pública
Book lovers, unite! Visiting the Biblioteca Publica is a must for bibliophiles. And even if you don’t consider yourself a book person, it’s worth checking out because it’s easily one of the most gorgeous libraries you’ll see.
The Biblioteca Publica is San Miguel de Allende’s public library, with an extensive collection of both English and Spanish books (it’s the second largest bilingual library in Mexico), a beautiful courtyard space, and an on-site cafe.
In addition, the library also hosts tours, lectures, workshops, and other cultural and artistic events.
The true highlight at the Biblioteca Publica is the ceiling in the bookstore, with a gigantic painting depicting human bodies.
Stroll through Plaza Civica
The Plaza Civica dates back to the 16th century and is another fantastic place to relax and do some people watching.
It was actually Plaza Civica and not the main square that was once the hub of activity in town, serving both as a marketplace and meeting place.
Today, a large statue of Ignacio Allende sitting on a horse stands in the center of the plaza.
Admire the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri
Located right across from the Plaza Civica is the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, another one of the city’s most beautiful churches.
The 18th century church has a pale pink Baroque facade with indigenous influences, along with a gorgeous yellow tower.
Be sure to also go inside the church, which houses 33 oil paintings depicting the life of San Felipe Neri, the 16th century Florentine who founded the Oratorio Catholic order.
Indulge in a churro at Churreria San Agustin
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then you *need* to visit Churreria San Agustin, which is a San Miguel institution. They’ve been serving up churros and hot chocolate since the 1950s, and they’re the best you’ll find in town!
There will likely be a long line outside the door, but trust me, they’re worth it to get your hands on one of their crunchy, sugary churros and their decadent hot chocolates. If you’re in a time crunch, you can also order your churros to go and eat them in Plaza Civica (which is what we did).
They offer a variety of dipping chocolate for your churros, so be sure to peruse the menu.
Stroll the charming streets
One of my favorite things to do in San Miguel de Allende was simply to wander the streets. The city has an endless array of beautiful cobblestone streets, lined with colorful facades. I just loved walking around the city and taking in its beauty and charm.
While you’ll find plenty of picturesque streets all around the city, some of my favorites were Calle Aldama (be sure to look at it in both directions!), Callejon de San Dimas, and Calle Monte de Oca, and Calle Jesus.
Visit a museum
San Miguel de Allende has a number of interesting museums, on a variety of topics. Some of them also donate their proceeds to community initiatives, which makes them a worthwhile visit.
Here are some recommended museums to check out:
Museo de San Miguel de Allende: Located across from El Jardin, this history museum is housed in the childhood home of Ignacio Allende, a Mexican independence hero. The museum exhibits a variety of artifacts that depict the history of the city. The upper level also displays replicas of Allende’s furniture and possessions, from which you’ll get to see how the wealthy lived during this period.
Museo de la Esquina (Toy Museum): This quirky museum showcases a variety of toys collected from various regions of Mexico. The collection has taken a half century to amass, and aims to preserve traditions and culture This is the perfect museum for families!
Mask Museum: Located inside the Casa de la Cuesta B&B, this museum showcases over 500 traditional Mexican ceremonial masks. All the masks here have been used in various indigenous dance performances, and are therefore considered to be authentic. The masks are accompanied by texts, photos, and videos showcasing over 40 of these performances.
Hang out at Parque Benito Juarez
This leafy green space sits at the edge of the historic center, and is the perfect place to relax and hang out for a bit (perhaps on the way to the Luna rooftop). You’ll find tall trees, flower-lined paths, and plenty of benches.
You’ll also sometimes find local artists sending a variety of handicrafts, as well as vendors selling street food.
Take a food tour
One of my favorite things to do in a city is to take a food tour. This not only introduces you to the best local eateries, you end up learning a ton about the city’s history and culture.
San Miguel de Allende has so many amazing places to eat, and you’ll be able to taste the city’s best bites on a food tour. The Taste of San Miguel food tour takes you to all the best spots in the downtown area, where you’ll sample delicious churros, mole, cochinita pibil, and other delights.
In the mood for tacos and tequila? This Tacos and Tequila tour takes you to 7 different taco joints, while washing them down with tequila-based cocktails.
Take a day trip to Guanajuato
Just over an hour away from San Miguel de Allende is Guanajuato, another colorful colonial city that is the capital of the Guanajuato state. Honestly, I would stay at least one night in Guanajuato and spend at least a full day there. But if you can’t spare the time or prefer to stay in San Miguel de Allende, at least take a day trip there.
You can plan your own DIY day trip, but do note that the bus stations in both San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato are a bit out of the city center. To make it easier on yourself, especially with limited time, you may want to consider booking a day tour.
I honestly wish I had more time in Guanajuato, I loved the colorful streets, historic monuments, and quaint squares. It’s a city that’s popular with Mexican tourists, but is still relatively unknown with foreign visitors, which gives it a more authentic vibe.
Here are some things to do on your day trip to Guanajuato:
Monumento Al Pipila: This viewpoint sits atop a hill overlooking the city, and you can really get a sense of how colorful it is. You can take the funicular up, but I highly recommend walking back down to the city center because you’ll walk through some really picturesque streets!
Wander the streets: I loved, loved, LOVED how colorful the streets of Guanajuato were! We spent so much time just wandering the streets and taking a bazillion photos haha.
Visit the churches: Guanajuato has some really beautiful churches that are worth a stop. The two most well-known are Templo de San Francisco, with a pretty pink exterior, and Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato, with its vibrant yellow facade.
Museums: The city has some unique museums, including the Mummy Museum (which may not be for everyone), and the Diego Rivera Museum.
Teatro Juarez: Known as one of the most beautiful performance theaters in Mexico. You can admire it from the outside, but you can take a peek inside as well.
Mercado Hidalgo: This marketplace sells everything from food, produce, clothing, and handicrafts. It’s an awesome place to go souvenir shopping (and you’ll find the lowest prices).
Soak in mineral hot springs
One of the most popular things to do in San Miguel de Allende is to visit the La Gruta mineral spa, which is located just outside the city.
Here, you’ll find 4 thermal pools heated at various temperatures, including one located in a cavern/grotto. This pool has very hot temperatures and is located where the source of the hot spring water is.
I’ve heard mixed reviews about La Gruta and since we were too lazy to make our way out of the city, we opted to pass on it. But it is a very popular attraction here, so if you go, let me know how it is!
Go see the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico”
If you do visit La Gruta, consider combining it with the Sanctuary de Atotonilco, known as the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico.” The 16th century church has walls and ceilings that are completely covered by ornate Baroque murals.
The murals depict various religious scenes from the Bible and were painted by Mexican artist Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre, who took 30 years to complete them.
The church has been a pilgrimage destination for people from all over Mexico. It is built on top of natural hot springs, so it is known as a place of healing.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast
There are so many good breakfast spots in San Miguel de Allende, and I really enjoyed starting every morning with a leisurely breakfast.
You’ll find plenty of breakfast options to suit every taste, from traditional Mexican dishes, modern flavors, to organic options.
Some of my favorite breakfast spots in San Miguel de Allende:
- Lavanda: You’ll find a variety of options here, from chilaquiles, omelettes, avocado toast, and more. The coffee here is also delicious, and they have a pretty patio (and they even had live music while we were here). Do know that it’s super popular, so there will probably be a wait.
- Ki’bok Coffee: As the name implies, the coffee is fantastic here, but their breakfast dishes are also top notch. I absolutely loved the breakfast enchiladas and the bruleed latte (yes, they glaze the top so it’s crunchy!). They have a nice rooftop patio so you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
- Cielo Rooftop: We came here on a whim, and loved our breakfast. The view isn’t as great as some of the other rooftops in town, but the enmoladas (basically enchiladas topped with mole sauce) here are excellent!
- Garambullo: This brunch spot serves a variety of dishes made using fresh, wholesome ingredients. It has a really pretty patio space in the back that’s perfect for relaxing. This is a great option for vegetarians and vegans as well.
Shop at the local boutiques
Aside from vibrant marketplaces, San Miguel de Allende is home to some beautiful boutiques that are fun to browse and see what treasures you find. You’ll find plenty just walking up and down the streets here.
One of my favorites was Mixta, which is housed in a historic mansion, selling a variety of goods from clothing, jewelry, housewares, and textiles. But the highlight is the gorgeous courtyard space, filled with cacti, greenery, and even a fountain. Everything is so immaculately designed and styled here that it’s just lovely to look at.
Another spot to check out is Doce 18, which houses a variety of concepts. There’s a restaurant, a stunning bar, and several boutiques in the space, which is decorated with modern decor and lush green plants.
Hike through the botanical gardens
If you want to get lost in nature for a bit, head over to El Charco del Ingenio, the city’s 88-hectare botanical garden and nature preserve. Located in the canyons of San Miguel de Allende, the gardens feature a variety of cacti and native flora.
There’s also a number of hiking trails that criss-cross through the botanical gardens, from where you can catch some incredible views over the colorful city.
Snap some photos at Casa de los Soles
Casa de los is one of the best photo spots in San Miguel de Allende. The hotel is tucked into a street near the Mercado de Artesanias and has a courtyard area that is decorated with thousands of colorful ceramic sun sculptures.
It’s such a unique backdrop for your Instagram photos, and looking at all the suns definitely brightens your mood instantly!
Admire the doorways of San Miguel de Allende
One thing I noticed immediately when walking through the historic center are all the decorative doorways. There are tons of doorways to restaurants, shops, galleries, and hotels that have been decorated with flowers, leaves, ornaments, fans, and other items.
I couldn’t really find a reason behind them but they sure are eye-catching and make the perfect photo ops!
Enjoy a delicious dinner at Tostevere
San Miguel de Allende has so many amazing restaurants, but one of my absolute favorites was Tostevere.
Everything is served small plate style, and the focus is on creative varieties of tostadas. You’ll find a variety of tostadas, from octopus, to truffled esquites (my favorite!). They have a number of other dishes as well. Also be sure to try the mezcal cocktail!
The place is pretty tiny, so reservations are recommended.
Do a mezcal tasting
I was intrigued when I spotted La Mezcaleria down the street from our hotel, and had to pop in. After doing a food and mixology tour in Puerto Vallarta, I had a newfound appreciation for Mexican spirits like mezcal and wanted to check it out.
Well, it turned out that I came on their last day, but I was happy to hear later on that they’ve reopened in a new location!
La Mezcaleria is partly woman-owned, and the owner was so kind to do a tasting with me even as she was busy packing up. I was able to taste 4 different varieties of their mezcal, all made with different types of agave and all with a distinct flavor. It was also so nice to be able to have a good conversation during the tasting, and I enjoyed my experience.
They do offer a tasting experience by reservation, but you can also pop into the bar and order a flight. They also have a menu full of Oaxacan inspired cuisine, along with cocktails featuring mezcal and other Mexican spirits.
Chill in a cafe
There are so many beautiful cafes in San Miguel de Allende, and I really enjoyed grabbing some coffee, relaxing, and watching the world go by.
Much of the coffee in San Miguel de Allende is made using beans sourced from Oaxaca, and I never had a bad cup of coffee here.
Here are some cafes to check out:
- Lavanda Cafe: One of the most popular spots in town, with a quaint patio perfect for hanging out in. The lavender latte here is a must!
- Ki’bok Coffee: They serve everything from classic coffee drinks, to specialty lattes, including a bruleed latte with a glazed top! I recommend hanging out on the rooftop patio.
- Cafe Arcadia: We happened to stumble on this spot, which is beautifully decorated and has a really cool mural of the city out front.
Admire the beautiful courtyards of the city
One of my favorite things to do in San Miguel de Allende was to check out the beautiful courtyards all around the city – there were so many of them! It reminded me of the courtyards of Antigua, Guatemala.
There are so many restaurants, hotels, and boutiques that have beautiful courtyard spaces and I really enjoyed popping my head into them and checking it out.
Where to Stay in San Miguel de Allende
There’s a wide range of accommodation options in San Miguel de Allende, whether you’re looking for a posh luxury hotel, chic boutique hotel, quaint B&B, or anything in between.
Here are some recommended options for where to stay in San Miguel de Allende:
Casa Mia Suites: This is where we stayed, and we really enjoyed our stay! The rooms are super spacious, which was perfect since it was 3 of us. You can’t beat the location, a few blocks away from the Jardin (although it’s on top of a hill), and rates were super affordable. The rooms have vibrant Mexican decor, and there was a super pretty courtyard that I wish we spent more time hanging out in. The one caveat is that the WiFi here was terrible.
Hotel Matilda: This is one of the most stylish boutique hotels in town, with a gorgeous pool area, terrace, and modern rooms. The decor pays tribute to Mexican art heritage, and there’s a collection of prominent works on display throughout the property.
Rosewood Hotel: If you feel like splurging, then the Rosewood makes a perfect choice. This is arguably the most famous hotel in town, best known for one of the city’s best views from the Luna rooftop bar. The entire grounds are absolutely gorgeous, with a beautiful courtyard and leafy green spaces. The rooms are modern and the service here is impeccable.
Things to Know Before Visiting San Miguel de Allende
How long to spend in San Miguel de Allende?
A weekend (2-3 days) is the perfect amount of time to spend in San Miguel de Allende.
San Miguel de Allende is a pretty small and compact city. This isn’t a city where you have a long list of bucket list attractions to check off; rather, it is a city where you slow down and savor its magic.
Spending 2-3 days in San Miguel de Allende will allow you to visit the churches and plazas, hang out at several of the rooftops, wander the cobblestone streets, and check out the markets. If you want to take more day trips in the area, add some extra time.
Getting to San Miguel de Allende
The first step to planning a trip to San Miguel de Allende is to figure out how to get there, since there’s no airport directly in the city.
You have a few options here:
From Leon or Queretaro
The two nearest airports to San Miguel de Allende are located in Leon (BJX) and Queretaro (QRO), both located about an hour and a half away.
Both airports are relatively small but they do offer direct flights to and from the United States. Of the two, there are more US flights from Leon (there are even direct flights from California, including my home airport of LAX).
The easiest and most affordable way to get to and from either the BJX or QRO airports is via shuttle. There is no direct bus service that goes from these airports to San Miguel de Allende. Bajigo offers convenient shuttle service for $30 per person.
Other options for traveling to and from San Miguel de Allende include a taxi/Uber, or hiring a private driver.
From Mexico City
Another option is to fly into Mexico City, where you may find cheaper and more direct flights. This is what we did since we were also planning to spend a few days in Mexico City afterwards (although we went to Guanajuato first before going to San Miguel de Allene, see below).
From here, you can book a coach bus service. ETN and Primera Plus are known as the two best bus companies in Mexico, and are the “luxury” buses. We booked with ETN and it was so comfortable! The trip takes around 4 hours, but it will pass by in a flash with wide seats, footrests, TV screens, and free WiFi. We paid 630 pesos (~$35) per person for a one-way ticket.
Another option is to hire a private driver, which costs about $250 USD. Bajigo also offers shuttle service for $105 USD per person, each way, but for this price, I’d rather just take the bus.
One thing to note is that the bus stations in San Miguel de Allende sit outside the city center, so you’ll have to take a taxi or Uber to get to and from the station. There should be cabs waiting right outside the station. We paid around 100 pesos to get from the bus stations to our accommodations in the historic center.
From Guanajuato
If you’re combining your visit to San Miguel de Allende with Guanajuato, then it’s super easy to get between the two cities, which are only about an hour apart.
We started off our trip in Guanajuato so we took a bus from there. We took an ETN bus, and it was super comfortable! The bus runs pretty frequently between the two cities as well. We pai around 200 pesos (~$12 USD) for a one-way ticket.
Do note that like the bus station in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato’s bus station is outside of the city center so you’ll have to call an Uber or taxi to get there.
Day tour to San Miguel de Allende
Honestly, if you can spare the time, please, oh please spend at least 2 days here. But if you are truly limited on time (or don’t want to figure out the details yourself), then taking a day tour to San Miguel de Allende is an option.
This Day Trip from Mexico City is a good option. The tour includes round-trip transportation to and from Mexico City, and a 1.5 hour guided tour upon arrival in San Miguel de Allende. Then, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the city yourself.
Getting Around in San Miguel de Allende
The historic center of San Miguel de Allende is relatively small, making it perfect for getting around on foot. However, do note that the streets all have uneven cobblestone, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes – leave the heels at home!
Do also note that the city is pretty hilly and at high altitude (over 6000 feet), so don’t be surprised if you find yourself trying to catch your breath.
I do not recommend driving in the historic center, as the streets are pretty narrow and windy. Getting up the hills can also be a challenge – we saw several cars struggling to get up some of the steep streets.
For reaching the points outside of the historic center, you can hail a taxi, which can be found all over town. Uber does exist, but cars are few and far between. I also suggest downloading Didi, which works similarly and what we used.
When to Visit San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a fantastic destination to visit year-round.
The city boasts spring-like temperatures, and it really never gets *too* cold or *too* hot. Daily highs average between 73-84 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, so it stays relatively pleasant year-round.
The warmest month is in May, and summer is considered to be the rainy season so you might experience a few hours of rain. We visited in July, and while it’s in the height of the rainy season, we were blessed with nearly perfect weather. (However, we experienced thunderstorms and torrential downpours every day when we headed to Mexico City afterwards).
Do note that the average lows range between 42-57 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can get chilly at night. Be sure to bring a jacket!
The most popular time to visit San Miguel de Allende is between November-April, especially around Christmas and New Years. This is when the city experiences mild temperatures and the least precipitation. However, do expect more crowds and higher rates.
Is San Miguel de Allende safe?
I know, I know – Mexico gets a bad rap when it comes to safety. So you may be wondering – is San Miguel de Allende safe?
First of all, Mexico is often misperceived to be unsafe, but in reality it has the same travel advisory as many popular European countries, such as France, Spain, and Italy. Yes, there is a heightened advisory for the state of Guanajuato, but this does not include the tourist cities of Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende.
Due to its large expat population and popularity as a tourist destination, San Miguel de Allende is considered to be one of the safest cities in Mexico. The city relies on income from its expats and tourism industry, so it needs to be safe.
We visited as a group of 3 women and felt safe the entire time. For one of my friends, it was her first time in Mexico. She was paranoid about kidnappings before the trip, but even she admitted that it felt pretty safe.
That said, you should still take precautions and use common sense! Keep a close eye on your belongings, don’t walk around by yourself late at night, always be aware of your surroundings, and don’t get too intoxicated.
What to Pack for San Miguel de Allende
- Comfortable shoes or sandals: You’ll do a ton of walking, and note that the streets of San Miguel de Allende are uneven cobblestone. Wear comfy shoes – leave the heels at home! I relied on my trusty Crocs sandals, which are super cute (I swear!) and very comfortable. Allbirds and Rothy’s also make my go-to travel shoes.
- Cute dresses: I loved dressing up in colorful dresses to take photos against the colorful backdrops around town! Some of my favorite are from CocoPina, with the best twirly, boho dresses that are *perfect* for photos (it’s the yellow dress I’m wearing in my photos in this post!).
- Jacket or sweater: It can get chilly in the evenings, in the summer. A light jacket or cardigan will suffice in the summer, but bring something warmer in the winter.
- Sunscreen: The sun is strong here thanks to the high elevation, so be sure to slather on that SPF!
- Sunglasses: The sun is very bright here, so pack a pair of shades. Goodr makes my favorite affordable polarized sunglasses.
- Light rain jacket or umbrella: If you’re visiting in the summer
- Water bottle: Buy a large bottle of water and then refill your reusable water bottle throughout your stay.
- Power bank: Keep your devices charged as you explore the city.
Have you ever been to San Miguel de Allende? What are some of your favorite things to do there?
More Mexico content you may enjoy:
The Perfect 3 Day Mexico City Itinerary
Where to Eat in Mexico City
Unique Ideas for Mexican Souvenirs + Gifts
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Caroline is a Southern California based traveler, writer, and photographer. She travels all around California, the US, and the world in search of the most colorful places, the most delicious food, and bucket-list adventures. Her aim is to inspire other travelers discover how to add more adventure and joy to their lives. On Pictures & Words, you’ll find detailed guides + itineraries, along with vibrant photos to help you plan the the most epic trips. When she’s not traveling, Caroline also runs half marathons.