San Miguel de Allende travel blog — How to spend a perfect day in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico?

Travelers frequently think that it requires prolonged rest period to fully appreciate the beauty and culture of the destination. Differ from other cities, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is totally unique because this city located in the central highlands of Mexico where you can fully discover the beauty of San Miguel de Allende even for a short day, enough to impress and never forget remember. So, what to do and is San Miguel de Allende worth visiting? Let’s check out our San Miguel de Allende travel blog (San Miguel de Allende blog) on how to spend a day itinerary perfectly in this vibrant and quaint city to find out things to do in San Miguel de Allende for 24 hours below!

A few strokes about San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende was founded in the 16th century with the original name – San Miguel. In 1826, the new city was named San Miguel de Allende in honor of Ignacio Allende, the commander of an uprising during the Mexican War of Independence.

In 2008, the city was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Specialty in the architectural style of San Miguel de Allende are Baroque and Neo-Gothic buildings, with a hint of colonial past. These are characteristics that anyone can easily recognize when exploring the city, without having to be an expert in art history.

Suggested itinerary to fully explore the beauty of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

San Miguel de Allende travel blog: Morning

Enjoy breakfast at La Colmena Panaderia

You should better fuel your energy with a delicious breakfast before the exploration. La Colmena Panaderia – the bakery with its signature navy door specializes in traditional pastries in San Miguel de Allende which is an awesome suggestion not to be missed. The shop opened in 1901 and became famous for the variety and quality of cakes made.

Address: No. 21 Relox Street, Zona Centro, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Phone: 52 461 272 0467
Facebook: La Colmena Panaderia
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 2:00pm
Note: Takeout only

Visit the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel church

Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel is located in the main square of El Jardín and is the symbol of the city. The church was initially designed in the traditional colonial style but was converted to Neo-Gothic style with pink walls like today by Zeferino Gutiérrez – a local self-taught bricklayer and architect – in 1880.

Outside the entrance of the church is the priest and independence leader memorial – Miguel Hidalgo. Gate admission is completely free but if you want to visit the church’s crypt, you should contact in advance and there will be a fee in this area.

Moreover, don’t forget to come over La Santa Escuela de Cristo located right next to the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. This is a small, earth orange church built in the 1740s with a bold Baroque style.

Explore colonial-style mansions

Casa Ignacio Allende Museum

The museum building was formerly the residence of Ignacio Allende family, a leader of the Mexican independence movement. For a $3 entrance fee, you’ll be introduced to the biography and admire artifacts associated with the great leader’s life as well as the history of San Miguel de Allende city.

Address: Cuna de Allende 1, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico
Hours: 10AM–4PM/Monday; Tuesday; Sunday: Closed

Sip the coffee at Maria Xoconostle

After wandering around here for half-morning, your legs must properly be tired, right! Take a break and re-energize with a delicious cup of coffee at Maria Xoconostle.

The restaurant is part of the Posada Carmina, an 18th-century colonial mansion. The rest of the mansion has been used as a family hotel called Hotel Posada Carmina. Sipping coffee inside the eye-catching orange walls, sunny and green courtyard, high and airy dome will give you more excitement to continue the whole journey.

Address: No. 7 Cuna de Allende, Zona Centro, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Phone: 52 415 152 2590
Facebook: Maria Xoconostle Restaurant
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (Sunday – Tuesday); 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Wednesday – Saturday)

Hotel Posada Carmina

Visit the hotel, admiring the architecture and enjoying a meal or some drinks at its restaurant is also great things to do to in this city.

Address: No. 7 Cuna de Allende, Zona Centro, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Phone: 52 415 152 8888
Facebook: Hotel Posada Carmina

Taking photos of Aldama street

Photos are a way to mark where you’ve been. After exiting the Maria Xoconostle restaurant, please follow Cuna de Allende to Aldama Street. You will be impressed by two blocks of houses on either side of the street with colonial architecture filled with vibrant colors and the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel church bell tower from a long way off. This is definitely a flawless backdrop for your precious check-in photos.

Noon

Lunch with the iconic view of the city

The Quince restaurant is located near the main square El Jardín which is an ideal choice for your lunch. This restaurant is actually on the rooftop with a spectacular tower view of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel church.

Address: No. 15 Cuna de Allende, Zona Centro, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Phone: 52 415 154 9776
Facebook: Quince Restaurant
Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Sunday, Monday); 13h00 to 23h00 (Tuesday – Thursday); 13h00 to 23h45 (Friday); 10:00 to 23:45 (Saturday)

San Miguel de Allende blog: Afternoon

Stroll around Benito Juarez Park

Located in the hot dry desert of Mexico, the outdoor temperature in San Miguel de Allande between noon and afternoon is quite hot. If you still find interest in visiting the city at this period, Benito Juarez park is the “savior” for you!

This peaceful and green park is located in the south of the city, just a 10-minute walk from Aldama Street. The winding paths lined with trees and fountains in the park will soothe the hot air outside.

Especially here, you can also explore the “Lavaderos del Chorro” – the red public sinks which used to be the place where locals did their laundry.

Visit the Botanical Garden of Charco del Ingenio

Another site with plenty of green space is the Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden. Located to the west of the city, the botanical garden includes various species of cacti and succulents, including endangered species.

The Charco del Ingenio offers guided tours every Tuesday and Thursday morning. There are also interactive gardens, allowing visitors directly contact with the varieties of plants.

Enjoy panoramic city views at El Mirador

El Mirador is located to the east of the city, which is an ancient Mayan settlement with ruins left to this day and including El Tigre pyramid. Also here, you can enjoy the overall picture of the city of San Miguel de Allende and famous landmarks in the beautiful sunset.

Night

After a hot and sunny afternoon, the evening time is when the city becomes most vibrant. Chill out and soak up the hustle and bustle of San Miguel de Allende’s streets and the city’s nightlife.

Bearing in mind to experience street vendors. The taste of the traditional Enchiladas stuffed cornbread filled with onions, potatoes, Ranchero cheese and spices or Pacholas ground beef will leave a lasting impression on your mind. In addition, dishes made from pig skin such as Cueritos and Chicharrón are also very popular.

At the end of the one-day journey discovering San Miguel de Allende, we hope you have felt the beauty of this city to the fullest.

More images of San Miguel de Allende:

Read more Mexico travel guide here.