Located 3 hours from Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende becomes a perfect weekend getaway. So below is a plan to enjoy two days to the fullest.
➡️ If you prefer a video of the route you can see it here.
Day 1 in San Miguel de Allende
11:00 AM – San Miguel Arcángel Parish and Allende Park
Considering that we leave Mexico City at 7 am, we will be arriving at the center of San Miguel de Allende at 10:30 am, ready to start day 1. The first point will be precisely the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel, the symbol of the city.
- Location: Plaza Lanatón, Andador Lucas Balderas, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
- Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
12:00 PM – Tram
The next stop will be a tram tour. And especially if it is your first visit, there is no better way to delve into the destination than with a guide who explains the history of the place. It is a 2-hour tour that takes you through the historic center.
In the center remember that you can also visit the La Esquina Museum, a museum of antique and handmade toys from various regions of Mexico. It costs 50 MXN.
Don’t forget its temples either and although many are concentrated in the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel, here we will find other jewels such as the temple of the Third Order, the Church of San Felipe Neri, the Church of San Rafael, the Chapel of the Ermita and the Oratory of the Seven Sorrows.
2:00 PM – Where to eat in San Miguel de Allende?
You go to San Miguel de Allende to eat and drink well. Much of its attractions lie in the quality and variety of the restaurants that we can find. Some options:
- El Manantial: the cantina with the most history in San Miguel Allende, founded in 1920. Ideal for eating and drinking well. The toasts cost around 60 MXN and the beers start at 40 MXN.
- Gorditas Don Ciro: a traditional and economical alternative in San Miguel de Allende.
- Aperi Restaurant: one of the most outstanding and ideal for those who are not on a limited budget.
- Marsala, cuisine with accents.
Depending on where you choose to eat, the cost will be, but it can easily range from 150 MXN to 1500 MXN, that is, from 7 to 70 USD.
4:00 PM – Craft market
We continue the tour through the historic center and now it’s time to start discovering the San Miguel de Allende Crafts Market, one of the most important of its kind in the country. Here you will find works made of brass, wool, quarry and mesquite wood carving, paper mache, glass, craftsmanship, goldsmithing and ceramics.
Travel tip. The prices are quite competitive so before haggling, consider all the work that goes into a craft.
- Location: Plaza Lanatón, Andador Lucas Balderas, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
- Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Sunset in San Miguel de Allende
Whether from its viewpoint or from its many terraces, enjoying the sunset in San Miguel is the perfect activity before dinner and even better if it is accompanied by a good drink or craft beer.
I decided to visit Bekeb, a terrace located in Casa Hoyos with a quite emblematic drink: Lavender Sour.
But in San Miguel de Allende there are other highly recommended and popular options in San Miguel de Allende: Cielo Rooftop, Antonia Bistro at the Palomar Hotel, Quince Rooftop and La Única.
How much does it cost? A drink with something to eat will be around 350 MXN with tip included, something like 17 USD.
Day 2 in San Miguel de Allende
8:30 AM – Breakfast
Many hotels already include breakfast, but if this is not your case, here are some options:
- Lavender Coffee Bar and kitchen: Here you find a coffee and a piece of bread for 60 MXN / 3 USD. It is located at Calle del Dr Ignacio Hernandez Macias 87, Zona Centro.
- Panio: a bakery with more than 100 years of history and work of 3 generations. Pieces of bread start at 25 MXN / just over 1 USD, while full breakfasts are around 7 USD.
- Inside Cafe: a great option if you are looking for a complete breakfast. Here full breakfasts cost around 250 MXN or 12 USD.
10:00 AM – Casa de Allende Historical Museum
Back to the historic center to visit one of the most important museums in the city: the Casa de Allende. If you are not from Mexico, the name Ignacio de Allende y Unzaga may not be familiar to you, but he is an important leader who was a leader and initiator of the Independence of Mexico. This is where the importance of this place dates from.
- Address: Calz de La Aurora S/N, Aurora, 37710 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
- Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
12:00 PM – La Aurora Factory
One of the basic visits in San Miguel de Allende. It is an old restored textile factory where you can currently find shops and galleries with works by local artists and many techniques. We will also find several cafes and restaurants, so it will be our place to eat.
- Address: Calz de La Aurora S/N, Aurora, 37710 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. / 5:00 p.m. (depends on the day)
- Price: free.
4:00 PM – Various activities
Before we finish our 2-day visit to San Miguel de Allende here are some more options:
- Take a tour of its many more galleries
- Visit a spa
- Walk through Benito Juárez Park
- Just get lost in the cobblestone streets, you will find a treasure on every corner.
Where to stay in San Miguel de Allende?
The best area to stay is the center of the city, near the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel and the Historical Museum of San Miguel de Allende. On my last trip I chose to stay at Selina, a new hotel located a few steps (literally from the Parish). Costs for a double room start at 1000 MXN or 50 USD. More information and reservation here.
👉 More recommendations for all budgets here.
How to get to San Miguel de Allende?
San Miguel de Allende can be reached from Mexico City in less than 4 hours. It is a 270 km route along the Mexico – Querétaro highway. If you prefer to travel by bus, there are schedules throughout the day with different companies that leave from the North Bus Terminal. The costs depend on the company and range from 400 to 568 MXN.
To go from Querétaro it will be a one-hour journey between the capital and San Miguel de Allende. By bus the journey takes 90 minutes and the cost varies by company, traveling with ETN I paid 100 MXN.
⚠️It is mandatory to travel with insurance
Insurance is an essential requirement to travel to many countries in the world such as those in the Schengen Area. You can get it from 20 USD and if you use my code you receive 20% discount. Get an insurance quote here.