The centre of San Miguel De Allende welcomes you to a labyrinth of colonial architecture. This historic city has a cosmopolitan flair with its roof top bars, cafe style restaurants, and colonial style accommodations. It is also home to Mexican artesanias where arts and crafts are sold in street stalls and boutiques. There is a large expat community of mainly American artists, writers and alternative lifestylers who started arriving in the 60s and 70s and continues through to today. Voted best city 2013 by Conde Naste Traveller’s review of 25 cities, San Miguel is now a destination hotspot for trendsetting jet setters and culture vultures with real estate prices in the historic centre climbing again. With this new found fame and an existing reputation as a party town it will undoubtedly be the place to be for New Years Eve.
Fascinating historic sights include the Parroquia, a large church in the central plaza.
How to get there
San Miguel de Allende, approximately 4 hours north of Mexico City by car, or 1.5 hours north of Leon international airport.
Known for
– Colonial period architecture (1519–1821), this 300-year-long colonial period classified Mexico as the “New Spain”
– Enchanting cobblestone streets
– Festivals
– Local scenes
– Culture
Must see
– Centro Historico: where the principal plaza and the Parroquia are located (large pink wedding cake church)
– Galleries: Numerous boutique galleries are located around Centro. A nice 20 minute stroll outside of Centro is Fabrica La Aurora, an art and design centre situated in a former textile factory which houses studios of working artists, contemporary galleries, furniture and antiques. There is a pleasant coffee shop where you can enjoy gourmet meals in this former factory.
Recommended restaurants
– Mivida: Mexican Italian restaurant, fine dining restaurant, delicious traditional Italian options
– Cielo: roof top American Mexican restaurant, best view of the centro plaza
– Casa Sierra Nevada: Boutique hotel with a garden atrium restaurant, try the cactus juice
– Berlin Bar: American and Belgium cuisine, access is hidden between two boutique shops, known to American locals and expats
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