Guanajuato Nearby Attractions
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel
Looking more like something out of a fairy tale than from real life, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel is the main landmark of San Miguel de Allende. The building, constructed in 1683, is colored matt pink, with numerous spires reaching for the sky. The spires, which were designed in the 19th century, are the only architectural feature of the church that’s not from the 17th century. According to legend, the design come about from a Belgian church that the architect saw on a post card. He showed his builders how to construct the church by drawing plans in the sand.
Fabrica la Aurora
Visit Fabrica La Aurora, a historical textile factory housing an array of galleries, exhibitions, and shops. Peruse high-end homewares, prints of famous artworks, and exhibitions by local artists, all set among the remnants of heavy mill machinery. After walking around and taking in the vast quantity of wares, pop into one of the gourmet restaurants and cafes for a bite to eat and a rejuvenating cup of coffee. Due to the scale of this place, it's recommended that you leave a couple of hours to absorb everything.
El Jardin, San Miguel de Allende
Sit down under the perfectly trimmed laurel trees and take in the vibrant atmosphere of El Jardin. The center of social life in San Miguel De Allende, right across from the beautiful Parroquia, offers plenty of public events and activities, especially on weekends. You can enjoy listening to music and watching people dancing, with vendors and cafes surrounding the garden. Depending on whether there’s a wedding or some other festivity, you might catch mojiganga (a show with large dancing puppets), or even fireworks.
La Esquinia Mexican Toy Museum
Find a rich display of over 1,000 traditional Mexican toys at La Esquina Mexican Toy Museum. Head inside the rustic toy museum, the first of its kind in Mexico, and find four rooms displaying the country’s toy heritage. Three of the rooms host permanent displays. The first room is dedicated to dollhouses, the second to animals and transportation, and the third room houses masks and musical instruments. Items you can find include dolls, racing dinosaurs, and Lucha Libre wrestlers.
Zocalo, San Miguel de Allende
See the center of city life when you visit Zocalo. Sit down on a comfortable bench in the square and people-watch or view the surrounding architecture. Purchase some ice cream. The streets surrounding the plaza offer shopping, however, be aware the prices here will be a little higher than elsewhere in the city.
Parque Benito Juarez
Stroll through Parque Benito Juarez, a tranquil green lung of San Miguel. Established in 1904, the park features narrow, tree-lined pathways with ample shade. Rest on a bench, people-watch, and take in the lively atmosphere of the park. On some days, the park houses a market where you can browse and purchase colorful flowers, art pieces, and local delicacies.
Joseph Toone Tours San Miguel de Allende
A wide range of unique tours of San Miguel de Allende. A primer for the unique culture, traditions, celebrations and architecture led by Joseph Toone the Amazon best selling author of the SMA Secrets.