Narrow cobblestone lanes, wrought iron gates laden with bougainvillea vines and 17th- and 18th-century Baroque and Neoclassical colonial buildings fill the historic center of San Miguel de Allende. The city is rather like a Mexican Santa Fe, with resident artists and numerous vibrant galleries, and offers visitors a taste of a relaxed and sociable way of life. Just 90 minutes east of Guanajuato and three hours north of Mexico City, the destination beckons those who wish to discover, enjoy and even make art of all kinds. For the inquisitive traveler seeking a genuinely authentic and fascinating cultural experience, nothing quite compares to this dramatic city in the romantic colonial heartland.
A long weekend is a perfectly adequate amount of time to get to know parts of this rich city – though visitors will still have additional bucket list items to conquer on a return visit. A trip to Guadalajara, Guanajuato, Morelia or Mexico City is also a reasonable excuse to stop in for a few extra days in this popular city.
Our itineraries are for your inspiration. Please contact a travel advisor to customize this itinerary to fit your needs.
Touch down in Mexico and head to your San Miguel de Allende property of choice. For venerable accommodations, travelers should look no further than Rosewood San Miguel de Allende and Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada, both of which have an undeniable sense of place, studied cuisine and central locations.
After settling into your room or suite, head to the pool of your hotel. Relax with a book and a margarita before preparing for dinner.
Make arrangements for dinner at one of the city's excellent restaurants (options listed below). For a nightcap, Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar at the Rosewood has excellent cocktails and exceptional views of the city.
Located near the main plaza of San Miguel de Allende, this charming landmark hotel comprises six 17th- and 18th-century historic residences.
This attractive 67-room resort occupies a replica of a Spanish Colonial mansion in a quiet residential area a short walk from San Miguel’s vibrant main plaza.
Start your morning at La Ventana Café Organico de Chiapas (Sollano 11), a popular coffee takeout window, for a cup of the strong organic roast. Stroll toward the city's main plaza, El Jardin, and take in your 17th- and 18th-century surroundings and iconic Parroquía from the comfort of a park bench.
Continue on foot to the outdoor Mercado San Juan de Dios, established in 1992. Beyond sublime sensory overload, vendors offer many dishes and bites to try. If you're feeling adventurous, try some of the local delicacies, like huitlacoche (fungus that grows on corn) and escamole (ant eggs).
Spend the afternoon at Fábrica La Aurora, a truly unique art and design center. Over 40 studios, galleries and shops make up this immense complex. A handful of working artists at Fábrica La Aurora offer art classes in varied media; artists can be contacted here. You can pick up an afternoon coffee and pastry at Geek & Coffee, a quirky computer repair and coffee shop located on the grounds.
After supper, end this culture-filled day at Tio Lucas (Mesones 103). Frequented by locals and expats, the popular bar has live music beginning at 9 p.m. nightly.
San Miguel de Allende holds a range of options for every taste. Explore the following suggestions for inspiration as you plot a more personalized itinerary. Additionally, guide-owned and -operated Andrew Harper partner Journey Mexico is an excellent resource that creates tailor-made itineraries.
San Miguel de Allende is an ideal city in which partake in an art class. Fábrica La Aurora has countless options in an array of media. Barro.Co, a small ceramic studio run by a pair of young artists, offers ceramic sculpture lessons in English.
Take a cooking class with chef Victor Palma of Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, a native of Mexico City and former executive sous chef at the Rosewood resort in Cabo San Lucas, Las Ventanas al Paraíso.
The mission of San Miguel de Allende's public library is simple: provide, promote and maintain educational and cultural activities that contribute to the formation of the community. Its range of guided tours, including a six-hour trip to the World Heritage site of Atotonilco and a look at local homes and gardens in adobe and colonial styles, are instructive, worthwhile and efficiently run. Additionally, proceeds from the guided tours benefit a local children's scholarship program. Making arrangements ahead of time is crucial.
Among groves of olives and grapes and fields of lavender, the La Santísima Trinidad compound, set within a relatively new residential community, makes a perfect day trip. Polo classes, guided horseback rides, bike rentals, spa services and wine tastings are a 15-minute drive from San Miguel de Allende.
For a relaxed final morning — following a leisurely breakfast at your hotel — look into visiting either El Charco del Ingenio botanical garden or Mercado de Artesanías (Plaza Lanatón).
El Charco does not fit ideas of a traditional botanical garden — countless species of cacti litter the craggy natural reserve, and extensive trails weave through bird sanctuaries and well-crafted scenic lookouts.
Unabashed shoppers may want to visit more shops before departing. Mercado de Artesanías includes a thorough, eclectic collection of small handicraft shops, ranging in quality and variety from kitsch to abstract.
Contact a travel advisor to book your custom itinerary. Fill out the form or call (630) 734-4610.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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