One out of every 4 American cities declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO is Mexican, which highlights the beauty of the metropolises of Mexico, the fourth nation in the world with the most recognition for the importance of its physical and spiritual heritage.
Although it is difficult to select the most beautiful cities in the country, we have done it for you in this article. These are the 20 most beautiful cities in Mexico.
Most beautiful cities in Mexico to visit
Let's start discovering the most beautiful cities in Mexico through one of Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende.
1. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Its placid colonial atmosphere of beautiful civil and religious viceregal buildings, gives the Guanajuato city of San Miguel de Allende, declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, the privilege of heading our list.
The architectural icon of the town is the temple of San Miguel de Allende, a church with an imposing neo-Gothic façade with paintings in its interior decoration by Juan Rodríguez Juárez and other artists.
Opposite the main square is also the Casa del Mayorazgo de la Canal, built in the early 19th century by the wealthy mining landowner, Manuel Tomás de la Canal. It is distinguished by its superb Italian and French baroque details.
Other buildings that beautify the city of San Miguel de Allende and that teach its history are the Ignacio Ramírez Cultural Center "El Nigromante", where the mural of Siqueiros, Life and Work of the Generalissimo Don Ignacio de Allende, the Parish and Convent is located from the Immaculate Conception and the Casa de Allende Museum.
San Miguel de Allende is one of the Mexican cities that most attracts foreigners to live, due to its mixture of beauty, tranquility and security.
Read our guide to the 25 best hotels in San Miguel de Allende
2. Guadalajara, Jalisco
Despite being the fifth most populated Mexican city, Guadalajara preserves the village charm of the small towns in Mexico, without renouncing the impositions of modernity.
The architectural landscape of Guadalajara is dominated by the basilica cathedral dedicated to the Asunción de María Santísima.
The Degollado Theater inaugurated in 1866 is another architectural jewel of the capital of Jalisco. The Minerva roundabout, with the statue of the Roman goddess of wisdom, joins the emblematic monuments of Guadalajara.
The local artisans work the clay in all the modalities (burnished, flag, engretado, canelo and petatillo), making pieces of decoration and daily use for the home.
Guadalajara has many typical restaurants where they serve charro beans, birrias, meat in its juice, drowned cakes, pozoles, enchiladas and other delicacies of the local cuisine.
Mexican folk music and tequila are the usual protagonists of the Guadalajara night, making this capital a happy and cordial city.
Read our guide on the 30 typical foods of Guadalajara that you should not miss trying
3. Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca
The capital of the state of Oaxaca is another city marked by the beauty of the viceregal buildings, which complements its pre-Hispanic past, one that earned it the recognition of Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude, built with the beautiful regional stone of yellow and green tones, stands out for the large number of religious sculptures in its niches on the façade.
The temple and former convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán is a beautiful baroque ensemble that is distinguished by the parochial façade and by the altarpieces inside. In it there is a museum that includes pre-Columbian objects.
The Macedonio Alcalá Theater is a beautiful expression of Oaxacan Art Nouveau architecture. It started out as a casino and now has a splendid French-style lobby and a sumptuous hall for more than 600 spectators, including the Empire-style boxes.
Near the city is Monte Albán, the most important Zapotec archaeological site in the state that preserves the ruins of El Palacio, El Observatorio, Palacio de Ocote, the Edificio de los Danzantes and the Patio Hundido.
4. Guanajuato, Guanajuato
The winding, cobblestone and romantic streets of Guanajuato invite you to walk in a relaxed way. Its climate and charming atmosphere make it one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico to visit.
In its historic center, the Collegiate Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato stands out with its baroque and neoclassical styles, whose wooden image was the first to be brought to the New World from Spain. Inside there is an organ with more than a thousand pipes.
The Juárez and Cervantes theaters are other Guanajuato gems. The first was inaugurated in 1903 with Verdi's opera, Aída, a show attended by the former president, Porfirio Díaz.
The Cervantes Theater dates from 1979 and is the main venue for the International Cervantes Festival, an important cultural celebration that mobilizes thousands of travelers to the city every October.
Other Guanajuato festivities are the International Organ Festival, Flower Day (last Friday of Lent) and the Medieval Festival.
Guanajuato is a land of legends and any local can tell you about the girl who asked to be changed her grave, that of La Llorona or that of Callejón del Beso.
5. Puebla, Puebla
Puebla will always be in the first places of any list of the most beautiful cities in Mexico, for its beautiful churches and monuments and for its artisan traditions and rich gastronomy.
The Basilica Cathedral of Puebla is a World Heritage Site and preserves one of the richest collections of religious art in the country.
The Palafoxiana Library of the 17th century was the first public library in the New World, with furniture made of cedar woods.
Poblano neighborhoods such as Analco and El Artista are spaces in which the life of the city beats, through its artistic street expressions and its spirit of pre-Hispanic, viceregal and contemporary features.
Puebla artisans have made the talavera a ceramic art that transcended the borders of the state and the country, with its delicate pieces decorated in blue.
Dishes such as mole poblano and chiles en nogada, are gastronomic emblems of Puebla and Mexico, leading the menus of the best restaurants in the country specialized in national cuisine.
Read our guide on the 15 best hotels in Puebla
6. Mérida, Yucatán
Mérida shines for the beauty of its architecture and for its cultural vocation, which make it one of the Mexican towns most interested in scientific, artistic and commemorative events.
Its main avenue, Paseo de Montejo, was built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in the image of a French boulevard.
The wealthy landowners of the henequen built their mansions along the promenade, where lush groves were also developed and gazebos and monuments were installed, such as those dedicated to the revolutionary leader, Felipe Carrillo Puerto and the writer and historian, Justo Sierra O'Reilly.
In front of Paseo de Montejo is the impressive Cantón Palace built at the beginning of the 20th century, as the residence of the Yucatecan governor, Francisco Cantón Rosado.
After being sold in 1932 to the regional government, it was converted into the official residence of the governors of Yucatán, until in 1966 it became the headquarters of the Regional Museum of Anthropology.
Merida is full of cultural centers and museums, which in 2000 earned it the designation as the American Capital of Culture.
7. Mexico City
The fast pace of life makes the beauty of Mexico City forget or go unnoticed.
In the country's capital are some of the nation's most important historical and architectural attractions, led by the Templo Mayor, the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Palace of Fine Arts and the Angel of Independence.
The most notable national museums are in DF, such as the National Museum of Anthropology, the Soumaya Museum, the Modern Art Museum, the Frida Kahlo Museum, the Tamayo Museum, the Papalote Children's Museum and the Natural History Museum.
Several of these are found in the majestic Bosque de Chapultepec, the largest natural and urban space in the American continent, which also houses the Castle of Chapultepec, where the National Museum of History and the fantastic Mexico City Zoo operate.
The city's most exclusive restaurants, bars, galleries and shops are found in the beautiful Roma and Condesa neighborhoods, while the San Jerónimo and Coyoacán neighborhoods retain their colonial, artistic and welcoming touch in the midst of modernity.
8. Zacatecas, Zacatecas
The so-called "city with a quarry face and a heart of silver" developed since the mid-16th century, thanks to the rich seams of this precious metal found by the conqueror, Juan de Tolosa.
The Zacatecas mines became the most productive in the country and thanks to that wealth, a beautiful historic center was built which in 1993 was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Hidalgo Avenue runs through Zacatecas from north to south and is one of the most elegant in the country, with its colonial buildings, large houses and squares built during the viceroyalty and the Porfiriato.
Zacatecas is dotted with parks and gardens that embellish the city with their greenery, such as the Arroyo de la Plata Park, the Alameda José Trinidad García de la Cadena and the gardens, Juárez, Independencia and Niños Héroes.
A cable car connects Cerro de la Bufa with the Eden Mine, offering magnificent views of the city.
9. Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro
Querétaro has lived through several of the most important events in the history of Mexico, such as the conspiratorial movement precursor to Independence, the execution of Maximiliano in 1867, the constitutional process of 1917 and the founding of the PRI in 1929.
The temple and former convent of San Francisco de Asís and the Casa de la Corregidora, seat of the state executive power, are distinguished in those first blocks of Querétaro for their beauty and historical value.
In the Theater of the Republic the national anthem was performed for the first time in 1854. It was also the place where Maximiliano was tried and where the current Constitution was deliberated.
The Querétaro Aqueduct, which, like the historic center, is a World Heritage Site, is another viceregal jewel from the first third of the 18th century, with its 74 arches that rise up to 28.4 meters.
Querétaro is traveled by the QuereBús, a modern and picturesque tram that is another reason why "The Constituent City" is one of the most visited non-beach destinations in the country.
10. Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
Regiomontanos and visitors enjoy the tradition and avant-garde of "La Sultana del Norte", a city in which a livestock show and a technology fair can coincide on the same day.
Monterrey is after Mexico City the second most economically important city in the country, which is why it is deservedly called "The Industrial Capital of Mexico."
Its attractions combine history and modernity. In its historic center, buildings such as the Old Quarter, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace stand out.
Modern architectural icons are the Torre Ciudadana, the Torre Pabellón Monterrey, the Puente de La Unidad, the Fundidora Park and the Monument to Las Banderas.
The geographical emblem of the city is the Cerro de la Silla with its 4 peaks, a natural monument frequented by hikers and hikers.
Monterrey is also the capital of northern music and corridos to the rhythm of accordions are heard everywhere.
11. Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes
The territory that pleasantly surprised the conquerors for its hot springs, is now a harmonious unit of classic architectural jewels with modern constructions, which embellish the landscape while they wait for the great annual festival: the San Marcos Fair.
This festival is so popular in the country that it is called "La Feria de México". The first was held in 1828 and features America's most important bullfighting billboard in an 1896 arena, one of the oldest in the nation.
The San Marcos Fair takes place between April and May and is much more than a brave party. It also has charrería competitions, palenques, musical shows, a livestock exhibition, cultural events, a gastronomic fair and other attractions.
The "City of Good People" has interesting museums such as the José Guadalupe Posada, the Escárcega Museum and the National Museum of Death, the latter attached to the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes with works of art and objects related to the grim reaper.
12. San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí
The historic center of San Luis Potosí is full of civil and religious architectural jewels.
Among the mystical constructions, the city's cathedral stands out, in which the Virgen de la Expectación, San Sebastián and San Luis Rey are venerated; the temples of Carmen, San Agustín and San Francisco; the sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the Loreto chapel.
The civil buildings of "The City of Gardens" are presided over by the Government Palace, the Viceroyalty Museum, the Royal Box, the Virreina House, the Peace Theater and the National Mask Museum, the most important of the country of its kind with a sample of 1,300 national and international pieces.
The city also has beautiful gardens, parks and squares, such as the San Juan de Dios, San Francisco and Colón gardens and the Plaza de Armas, de los Fundadores and Plaza de España.
La Huasteca Potosina, in the state of San Luis Potosí, is an immense green space of valleys, mountains, crystal clear rivers and beautiful waterfalls, which invites relaxation and recreation for the senses.
13. Morelia, Michoacán
The City of the Pink Quarry is one of the most beautiful towns in Mexico, especially because of the gallant pink color of the buildings in its impressive historic center, a World Heritage Site since 1991.
Its civil symbol is the aqueduct from the colonial era, a superb construction begun in the 16th century whose main part, still in force, dates from the first third of the 18th century.
The religious emblem of Morelos is the cathedral, a majestic work in the Baroque style with 2 67-meter towers and an interior dominated by Doric decoration.
In it, artistic gems such as the baptismal font and the silver manifestator, the neoclassical altarpieces and a monumental organ with 4,600 flutes are preserved.
The monument to Morelos, a patriot born in the city and who gives it his name, and the Clavijero Cultural Center that works in a former Jesuit monastery, are two other impressive Morelia attractions.
Morelos gastronomy is a fusion between Purépecha pre-Hispanic cuisine and Spanish culinary art, with delicacies such as morisqueta, aporreadillo, uchepos, churipo and chongos from Zamorano.
14. San Miguel de Cozumel, Quintana Roo
The capital of the main tourist island of Mexico captivates with its splendid views of the sea.
All the wonderful reefs of Cozumel are close to San Miguel, such as El Cielo, Palancar, Dzul Ha, Paraíso, Colombia, Villa Blanca, Santa Rosa and Chankanaab.
San Miguel is the epicenter of the island's tasty nightlife with many places to dance and enjoy your favorite tropical drink.
At the archaeological site of San Gervasio you can learn about the Mayan achievements on the island and Ix Chel, the main goddess of the famous civilization.
A very practical way to get to know Cozumel is a motorcycle and there are several agencies on the island to rent them.
15. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Among the cities in Mexico to enjoy a full-fledged beach vacation, Puerto Vallarta is one of the best selections.
A walk along its boardwalk of almost a kilometer allows you to admire large-format works of art and enjoy street art shows.
People chat lively while rejoicing over their favorite food and drink, in the cafes and restaurants facing the breakwater.
Despite its name, the liveliest beach in PV is Playa de los Muertos, always stimulating by the joy of bathers who practice water sports, eat and drink in its bars and restaurants.
On the beaches of Puerto Vallarta you can have fun paragliding, jet skiing, banana boats, practicing beach volleyball and any sea entertainment of your choice.
You can also participate in ecological activities such as the release of hatchlings.
The boardwalk and Playa de los Muertos mark one of the limits of the Romantic Zone of PV, which is Old Vallarta with its traditional houses, cafes and cozy hotels.
16. Tequila, Jalisco
The town that bears the name of the national drink, tequila, stands out for its material heritage and spiritual features, being one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico.
Its population of less than 50 thousand inhabitants makes this Magical Town a place that preserves the charms of the past, with the comfort of modernity.
In this city of Jalisco everything revolves around tequila which, according to a pre-Columbian legend, originated when a lightning set fire to agave plants and cooked their pineapples, from which the indigenous people drew an intoxicating liquid that they believed was a gift from the gods.
Among the things to do in the city you can visit the National Museum of Tequila, which offers a walk through the history of distillate.
In this Magical Town there are interesting buildings such as the Municipal Palace, the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the centenary public laundries.
17. Veracruz, Veracruz
The “Puerta de América”, Veracruz, faced the Spanish, the French and on 2 occasions, the Americans, deservedly winning the title of “Cuatro Veces Heroica”.
Historic places such as the Cathedral of the Virgin of the Assumption, the Bastion of Santiago, Las Atarazanas, the fortress of San Juan de Ulúa, the Iglesia del Cristo del Buen Viaje and the Portal de Miranda, have perpetuated the viceregal atmosphere and time in that the city was besieged by pirates and corsairs.
On its beaches such as Boca del Río, Antón Luzardo, Mocambo and Isla de los Sacrificios, you will find calm waters, fine sands, aquatic entertainment and delicious Veracruz cuisine.
The gastronomic art of Veracruz offers delicacies such as Veracruz-style fish, rice a la tumbada, broth "comes back to life", crab chilpachole, lisa roe pancakes, oysters a la diabla and pulacles.
18. Campeche, Campeche
San Francisco de Campeche shines with its boardwalk, its Baroque buildings, its walls, its archaeological sites, its petenes, its dances and its unique cuisine, being one of the best places in Mexico to vacation.
A tour of the long and beautiful boardwalk will help you stay in touch with yourself.
The colonial houses with Moorish reminiscences, the cathedral and the walls built as protection against pirate attacks, make Campeche a treasure of Mexican viceregal architecture.
Campeche was attacked by the most famous pirates of the past such as Drake, Morgan and Hawkins, making it one of the few American walled cities.
The petenes are curious islets of vegetation that are formed at the meeting of fresh and salty waters and those of Campeche are very beautiful and vitally rich ecosystems.
Near the city are archaeological sites such as Edzná and Jaina, places where the Mayans exhibited their great constructive talent by erecting settlements in high humidity soils.
The beauty of the choreographic and musical manifestations of Campeche is unmatched, as evidenced by the 6 × 8 Jarana, El Zarandeo, Los Chanclectores, Son del Pavo and other typical prints.
19. Pátzcuaro, Michoacán
The life of the pleasant Michoacan Magic Town of Pátzcuaro unfolds around its beautiful lake with its 7 islands, full of beautiful places, ancestral traditions, archaeological sites and good fishing. The main tourist island is Yunuen, with a good endowed resort.
On the shores of the lake there are archaeological sites such as Tzintzutzan and Ihuatzio, where you can appreciate interesting signs of the Purepecha culture, as well as restaurants where you can taste a white fish, a charal or another fresh lake species.
The Plaza Vasco de Quiroga, the most important in Pátzcuaro, is one of the most spacious and beautiful in Mexico, surrounded by the town hall building, by the Huitzimengari Palace, by the Casa del Portal Chaparro, by the Casa del Gigante and by other beautiful houses.
In the sober and old temple of San Francisco interesting oil paintings and an image of Christ in maize cane paste from the 16th century are preserved.
20. Valladolid, Yucatan
The Sultana de Oriente, the third most populated Yucatecan city with 50 thousand inhabitants, was declared a Magic Town in recognition of its importance and colonial elegance and the beauty of its natural spaces headed by its cenotes.
The Church of San Servacio has the unusual architectural attribute that its main façade faces north and not west, as mandated by the Catholic rule of temple construction.
Other religious buildings that embellish Valladolid with their colonial architectural lines and ornamentation in various styles are the Temple and former convent of San Bernandino de Siena and the churches of Santa Lucía, San Juan and La Candelaria.
Among the civil architectural attractions are the Calzada de los Frailes, the Municipal Palace, the Casa Cantón, the San Roque Museum and the Parque de los Héroes.
In Valladolid there are charming cenotes like Zací and XKekén. The Mayan archaeological site of Ek Balam is located 28 km to the north.
Many tourists who visit the archaeological site, Chichén Itzá, which is 45 km from the city, stay in Valladolid.
What is the most beautiful state in Mexico?
Many will say that it is Quintana Roo for its beautiful beaches. Others will affirm that it is Jalisco thanks to the mariachi, the charros and the tequila.
If you enjoy the waterfalls and green spaces, you may put San Luis Potosí ahead, with its Huasteca Potosina. If you prefer infinite spaces and vertigo, you will place Chihuahua and its Copper Canyon in the first place.
Fans of surfing beaches and good food in front of the sea will probably think of Nayarit, while those who think that beauty is in the architecture, perhaps first point to Yucatán for Chichén Itzá and Valladolid.
If you think that the beauty is in fishing in all the waters and enjoying them, you will think of Baja California and Baja California Sur, bathed by the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific, while if yours is the beauty and flavor of Mexican gastronomic art, perhaps you prefer Puebla for its moles and chiles en nogada.
So we could continue to complete the 32 federal entities of Mexico. So what is your preferred state?
Most beautiful places in Mexico to vacation
Mexico has fantastic places of beach, mountains, jungle, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, estuaries, deserts, archaeological and colonial sites, to enjoy dream vacations, with cities and towns that guarantee comfort and services for national and international tourism.
Some of the most beautiful places in Mexico to vacation are the following:
1. Cancun and Playa del Carmen
For its dazzling beaches, spectacular parks for adventure sports, beautiful cenotes and imposing coastal archaeological sites developed by the Mayan civilization, especially Tulum, Cancun and Playa del Carmen are the most popular destinations in the Riviera Maya.
2. Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit
In this belt of beaches facing the Pacific that encompasses the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, there are splendid beaches for surfing, swimming and other water sports, cities with lively boardwalks to spend tasty nights and places with interesting ecological protection work of species at risk of extinction.
The rich cuisine of the Mexican Pacific is present in restaurants, bars and cafes.
Read our guide to the 12 best All Inclusive hotels in Puerto Vallarta
3. Acapulco
Acapulco has it all. Beautiful beaches, excellent hotels, great night spots and traditional attractions that never lose their validity, such as the jump in La Quebrada. Both in Acapulco Traditional and Acapulco Diamante you will have a wonderful vacation guaranteed.
4. Baja California Peninsula
Los Cabos, Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito and many other peninsular cities have natural monuments and beautiful beaches with the best entertainment, gastronomic and cocktail creations, which have made history in Mexico.
The Valle de Guadalupe offers the best wines in the country and the most complete wine route, with immense vineyards, wineries, museums alluding to the "nectar of the gods" and boutique hotels for an unforgettable stay between tastings and pairings.
5. Huasteca Potosina
The beauty of the landscape, the greenery, the crystalline rivers, the waterfalls, the works of art among the foliage and the pre-Hispanic traditions, make the Huasteca Potosina a great destination for vacations in intimacy with nature.
The traditions of the Huasteca culture such as its music, dances, crafts and cuisine, are the perfect complement to spend days in this Mexican "Garden of Eden".
Surely this list will be incomplete because you can add one or more cities to it and if so, we invite you to share them with us and with everyone.
Send this article to your friends and invite them to visit the most beautiful cities in Mexico as a group.
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