San Miguel de Allende It's different from anything I've seen out there. This beautiful city with cobbled streets and colorful colonial houses is capable of winning over even the most demanding travelers, who visit it every year to see its great beauty.
And there are so many visitors from all over the world, that the beautiful city in the state of Guanajuato It won the title of "Best City in the World" in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2025. to visit, according to the magazine Travel + Leisure.
And he won with good reason. Since my first visit to San Miguel in 2007 I was impressed by the beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the city, surrounded by mountains and with thousands of little streets to enjoy a walk and take beautiful photos, whether during the day or at night (it is very safe and peaceful to walk around here at any time).
After 2007, I fell in love with the city and visited it several times. On my last trip in February 2023, I decided to explore several alleys and streets, as well as taking advantage of the city's many bars and gastronomic offerings (San Miguel de Allende has many excellent restaurants).
To help you, traveler, I took advantage of my last trip to this World Heritage Site to separate the best I saw in the city that I consider the most beautiful in Mexico and certainly one of the most beautiful in the world.
Want to get straight to the point and research the best hotels in San Miguel de Allende? Check out this quick selection I've put together to make your life easier.
Hotels in San Miguel de Allende rated Fantastic or Exceptional
5 Star Hotels in San Miguel de Allende
4 star hotels in San Miguel de Allende
3 Star Hotels in San Miguel de Allende
Hotels in guests' favorite areas
8 must-see attractions in San Miguel de Allende
1 – Parish of San Miguel Arcangel
This is certainly the starting point for all travelers arriving in San Miguel de Allende. Located in Plaza de San Miguel Arcángel, this beautiful 18th-century church impresses with its beauty and unique features.
The neo-Gothic style cathedral was built with a local stone called "cantera rosa," which made it unique in the world, and I swear that the first time I saw it up close, I was speechless (and I confess that every time I visit it, I spend quite a bit of time just standing there, looking).
Make the most of your time here, because in addition to the cathedral, the square offers other attractions such as restaurants, shops selling local crafts and bars. It is a unique opportunity to mingle with the locals and connect with the real Mexico (it is a journey back in time).
2 – Walk through the most beautiful streets in Mexico
As I mentioned before, one of my favorite things about San Miguel is its colorful little streets. They are all especially beautiful, but some deserve more attention, so I made sure to research and check out the best ones up close.
The best (in my personal opinion) is Calle Aldama, because from there you have a perfect view of the cathedral, contrasting with the cobbled street and the colorful houses. It is probably the most beautiful photo you can take of the city (it looks really cool at night too).
Travel insurance for Mexico
Get the best travel insurance now and enjoy your vacation in Mexico without any worries. Insurance is not expensive and can save you in many situations, from hospitalizations to lost luggage.
Another street to enjoy is Calle Relox, where you will have a beautiful view of the houses with beautiful facades and balconies that give them a special charm (it really is a must-see). All the streets are close to the cathedral, so take the opportunity to also walk along Calle Hidalgo, Calle Terraplén, Calle Manzana, El Chorro and Cuadrante.
Arrive connected to Mexico with a 10% discount
With Brasil Roaming, you can leave Brazil connected and land in Mexico with unlimited internet. Sign up now and enjoy your vacation in the land of Tequila. To guarantee your discount, simply enter #GUIAMEXICO10 when purchasing. Enjoy!!!
3 – Enjoy the end of the afternoon at Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar
For the first time I had the opportunity to visit Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar and I can assure you that it is one of the best experiences in San Miguel de Allende. Located on the terrace of the elegant Rosewood San Miguel de Allende hotel, this bar/restaurant offers an incredible menu and one of the best views of the city.
The house specialty is tapas, and the most recommended is the coconut shrimp with mango sauce (a real treat). You can accompany it with a good wine, but what I really recommend is to enjoy a good tequila (reposado), after all, you are in Mexico.
Book your hotel in San Miguel de Allende now
Book your hotel in San Miguel de Allende with the best rates offered by the Mexico Guide in partnership with Booking.com. You won't pay anything extra for this and you'll also help us to continue giving you incredible tips about Mexico.
4 – Ignacio Ramirez “El Nigromante” Cultural Art Center
San Miguel de Allende is also a city with a wealth of cultural heritage, and you can admire this in this cultural center, which always has interesting art exhibitions. The architecture of the building follows the aesthetic style of the city and is worth taking lots of photos of.
5 – Enjoy a gastronomic experience at Áperi
The gastronomic offer in San Miguel de Allende is very wide, but the Áperi restaurant is the one that best represents this city.
Led each season by different renowned Mexican chefs, Áperi offers a menu with 100% organic ingredients, where Mexican cuisine gains an "extra something" with the chef's French touch, but without losing its originality.
The menu features fresh fish from the region such as mojarra and trout (both delicious), but what caught my attention the most was the tongue taco, a Mexican specialty that at Áperi is served with a mole sauce (with chocolate, pepper and other secrets) and it really is delicious!
If you want to live a unique experience, you can participate in the Chef's Table, a dinner offered for only 12 people, where you will be personally served by the chef and taste his specialties, taste his favorite wines and listen to the host's favorite music (it's totally worth it). Áperi is located inside the charming boutique hotel, Dos Casas.
6 – San Francisco Temple
There is no shortage of beautiful temples in San Miguel. Another must-see attraction is the Templo de San Francisco, which has a baroque style and is probably the most important religious building in the city, after the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel. It is located very close to the main square.
7 – Craft market
There’s nothing better than visiting a market to get a feel for the city. I really like it and that’s why I recommend the San Miguel de Allende Craft Market. Here you can find typical Mexican catrinas (skulls), traditional clothing and all kinds of souvenirs to make a great memory. Don’t be afraid to go!
8 – San Miguel de Allende Viewpoint
Last but not least, you can’t miss the Mirador del Caracol, a special place that offers incredible views of the city. The best way to get here is by taking a taxi or Uber (cheaper). It’s worth it to enjoy the city from afar and take beautiful photos.
Where to stay in San Miguel de Allende
Most of the hotels in San Miguel are old mansions, each more beautiful than the last, and the price range is wide. If you want a phenomenal experience in the city, I recommend Hotel Dos Casas, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende and the luxurious Belmond House of Sierra Nevada. If you want to see more options, see below other offers with excellent rates.
Book your hotel in San Miguel de Allende now
Book your hotel in San Miguel de Allende with the best rates offered by the Mexico Guide in partnership with Booking.com. You won't pay anything extra for this and you'll also help us to continue giving you incredible tips about Mexico.
Weather in San Miguel de Allende
The climate in San Miguel de Allende is warm year-round. The average temperature throughout the year ranges from 5°C to 29°C, and it is rarely below 2°C or above 33°C.
Based on the tourism index, the best time of year to visit San Miguel de Allende is from mid-April to mid-June, however the city offers good weather year-round.
Rent a car in Mexico
With Rent Cars, in partnership with Guia México, you can get the best rates to explore the best that Mexico has to offer. Rent your car now!
How to get to San Miguel de Allende
The easiest and cheapest way to get to San Miguel de Allende is from Mexico City. From the central north you can take an ETN bus (very comfortable) and the trip takes a little over 3 hours. You can also book a 1-day tour from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende.
Guadalajara, the second most important city in Mexico, is also a good option from which to depart. It is 4 and a half hours away and you can get there using ETN or Primera Plus.
You can also rent a car and explore many places near San Miguel. If you prefer to fly, the closest airport is Aeropuerto del Bajío in Guanajuato's capital, León. San Miguel is approximately 121 km from León.
What else to do in San Miguel de Allende? Visit nearby cities!
Are you left wanting more? Don’t worry, I have more suggestions for you. Here are the attractions near San Miguel that you can visit:
The Sanctuary of Atotonilco is an exceptional artistic temple known for its impressive 17th century murals. It is located just XNUMX km from San Miguel.
An interesting activity to do is a San Miguel de Allende – Guanajuato route, which is 73 km away and, like San Miguel, offers a beauty that will leave anyone speechless. Another small town worth visiting is Dolores Hidalgo, which has a wonderful little church and is known for serving ice creams with very different flavors, such as beer and tequila!
Find the best accommodation deals!
