Central Mexico — Colonial Silver Cities

Guanajuato is a Technicolor dream: The UNESCO World Heritage city lies in a narrow valley, and the colorful houses climb the steep slopes in all the colors of the rainbow. Added to this is an underground road network (former river channels!), a lively university town atmosphere, and one of the most charming old towns in Mexico.

In the 18th century, Guanajuato was the richest city in Mexico — thanks to the silver mines that supplied a quarter of the world's silver production. This wealth financed the baroque churches, theaters, and squares that make the city so unique today.

Highlights

• Callejoneadas: THE Guanajuato experience. Student groups in medieval costumes (Estudiantinas) lead singing and wine-drinking through the narrow alleys. Every evening from 8 PM. Free (tips expected).
• Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss): Only 68 cm wide — according to legend, couples kiss from the opposite balconies. Romantic and touristy at the same time.
• Jardín de la Unión: The triangular main square under laurel trees. Mariachis, cafés, street musicians — the city's living room.
• Teatro Juárez: One of the most beautiful theaters in Mexico (1903). Neoclassical facade, Moorish interior. Tours 50 MXN.
• Pípila Monument: On the hill above the city. The best viewpoint! By funicular (30 MXN) or on foot (15 min). Come at sunset when the colorful houses glow in the evening light.
• Museo de las Momias: Morbid but fascinating: over 100 naturally mummified bodies from the 19th century. Mexico's most visited museum outside CDMX. 85 MXN. Not for the faint-hearted!
• Alhóndiga de Granaditas: Former granary, now a museum. Here began the Mexican War of Independence in 1810 — the miner "El Pípila" set the gates on fire.

San Miguel de Allende is regularly voted the "most beautiful city in the world" (Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure) — and it's easy to see why. The perfectly preserved colonial city with its ochre walls, wrought-iron balconies, and pink neo-Gothic parish church is a living work of art.

A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008, San Miguel has a large expat community (mainly Americans and Canadians), giving the city a cosmopolitan touch: first-class restaurants, galleries, boutique hotels. It's more expensive than the rest of Mexico, but worth every peso.

Highlights

• Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel: The iconic neo-Gothic church (1880s) with its pink towers is the city's landmark. Especially beautiful when illuminated at night. Zeferino Gutiérrez, an indigenous mason, designed the facade — allegedly inspired by postcards of European cathedrals.
• Jardín Principal: The shady main square in front of the Parroquia. The whole city gathers here: shoeshiners, balloon sellers, retirees, tourists.
• Fábrica La Aurora: Former textile factory, now Mexico's coolest art complex: galleries, design studios, antique shops, cafés. Live music on Saturdays.
• Mirador & Jardín Botánico: Panoramic view over the city from the El Charco del Ingenio viewpoint. The adjacent botanical garden showcases the diversity of Mexican cacti and succulents.
• Hot Springs: La Gruta and Escondido Place — natural thermal springs outside the city. Perfect after a day of hiking.

Guadalajara is Mexico's second-largest city (5 million) and the birthplace of everything considered "typically Mexican": Mariachi, Tequila, Charreada (rodeo), and the Jarabe Tapatío (the Mexican hat dance). Here, Mexico is at its most Mexican.

Experience Guadalajara

• Centro Histórico: Cathedral (1618), Hospicio Cabañas (UNESCO — with the monumental Orozco murals), Teatro Degollado (neoclassical, 1866).
• Tlaquepaque: Suburb, now an arts and crafts center. Hand-blown glass, Talavera ceramics, Papel Picado. Calle Independencia is one big art market.
• Tonalá: Thursdays and Sundays huge market for ceramics, papier-mâché, and glassware. Cheaper than Tlaquepaque.
• Plaza de los Mariachis: In the evenings, dozens of Mariachi groups play — order a song (100–200 MXN per song) or enjoy the atmosphere with a beer.

The Tequila Route

The town of Tequila is located 60 km west of Guadalajara, surrounded by endless blue agave fields (UNESCO World Heritage). The Tequila Train (José Cuervo Express, from 2,500 MXN) runs on Saturdays and Sundays with live Mariachi, open tequila, and a distillery visit.

• Casa José Cuervo: The oldest tequila distillery in the world (since 1758). Tour + tasting from 200 MXN.
• Tequila Herradura: Hacienda San José del Refugio — beautiful grounds, premium tequilas.
• Agave fields: The blue Weber agaves take 7–10 years to harvest. The Jimadores (agave cutters) are masters of their craft.

Puebla (2.5 hours from Mexico City) is one of Mexico's most magnificent colonial cities — and one of the most underrated. The UNESCO World Heritage old town has over 2,600 colonial buildings, many decorated with the famous Talavera tiles (colorfully glazed ceramic tiles).

Sights

• Catedral de Puebla: One of the largest and most beautiful cathedrals in Mexico. The twin towers (69 m) are the tallest in the country.
• Capilla del Rosario: In the Santo Domingo church — the baroque chapel called the "eighth wonder of the world," completely covered in gold and stucco. Breathtaking.
• Biblioteca Palafoxiana: The oldest public library in the Americas (1646). Beautiful shelves with 40,000 volumes. UNESCO World Documentary Heritage.
• Callejón de los Sapos (Frog Alley): Antique shops, cafés, and a flea market on weekends.
• Talavera workshops: Uriarte (since 1824) offers tours through the production of the famous ceramics. The technique originates from Spain (Talavera de la Reina) but was uniquely developed in Puebla.

Culinary

Puebla claims the invention of Mexico's most famous dish:

• Mole Poblano: The most complex sauce in the world — over 25 ingredients (chili peppers, chocolate, nuts, spices). According to legend, invented at the Convento de Santa Rosa for a bishop's visit.
• Chiles en Nogada: Stuffed Poblano chilies with walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds — Green, White, Red like the Mexican flag. Only August/September (season).
• Cemitas: Puebla's legendary sandwich with avocado, Quesillo, Pápalo herb, and various meats.

Taxco (pronounced: "TAS-ko") is Mexico's silver capital — a whitewashed mountain town clinging to steep slopes. The narrow, cobblestone streets are full of silversmiths (over 300!), and the baroque Santa Prisca church dominates the central square.

Highlights

• Iglesia de Santa Prisca: Funded by a single silver mine owner (José de la Borda), this Churrigueresque church (1751-1758) is a masterpiece of Mexican baroque. The gilded altarpieces inside are breathtaking.
• Plaza Borda: The central square overlooking Santa Prisca. Cafés, silver shops, and ice cream.
• Silver workshops: Taxco silver is known worldwide (925 Sterling). In the workshops, you can watch silversmiths at work. Prices: Ring from 200 MXN, necklace from 500 MXN.
• Teleferico (Cable Car): From the town to Hotel Monte Taxco — fantastic views over the town and surrounding mountains. 100 MXN.
• Grutas de Cacahuamilpa: 30 km away. Huge stalactite caves with chambers up to 80 m high. Guided tour 1.5h. 120 MXN.

Getting there: 3h from Mexico City by bus (from Terminal Taxqueña, Estrella de Oro/Futura). Also doable as a day trip, but an overnight stay is worthwhile.