Take a walk along the cobblestone streets, admiring the stunning architecture as you bounce between museums, cafes, and galleries. There are numerous things to do in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico — you’ll never be bored here.
Sit down to take in the sights and sounds of the town square before heading out for a nice dinner and rooftop cocktails. A few days of this, and you’ll quickly realize why San Miguel de Allende is one of the most popular places to visit in Mexico.
While a day trip here is one of the top things to do in Guanajuato, this city deserves your time!
For the past two years, San Miguel de Allende has been named one of the best cities in the world by Travel & Leisure. What is it about this small colonial city in Mexico that makes it such a special place?
Here are the 21 best things to do in San Miguel de Allende.
1. Hang Out in the Square
As with most cities in Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is centered around the main square.
Known as El Jardin, this tree-lined plaza is surrounded by gorgeous buildings such as the parish church of San Miguel. Hanging out here easily tops the list of things to do in San Miguel de Allende.
The square is bustling with activity in the evenings and at the weekend. You’ll see roaming mariachi bands, balloon salesmen, and plenty of snack vendors, making for a very lively scene.
If you ever get lost wandering the winding streets, just find your way back to the square and start all over again.
Visiting the main plazas of the cities and towns is one of the top things to do in Mexico. This is where you’ll find all of the action! Click here to find this square on the map.
2. Take a Day Trip to Cañada de La Virgen
Not far from the city, you’ll find the massive nature preserve of Cañada de La Virgen. The highlight of a visit to this archaeological site is being able to explore the many pyramids.
There is a lot more to do here, including camping, horseback riding, and astronomy tours. While it’s possible to visit on your own, you’re better off signing up for a tour that includes lunch, all fees, and a guide.
This highly-rated experience is one you won’t want to miss and is one of the best day trips from San Miguel de Allende.
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3. Take a Look Inside the Church
Without a doubt, the emblem of the San Miguel is the stunning La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel.
Its towering neo-Gothic façade is a true architectural masterpiece. It was built by the self-taught Zeferino Gutiérrez who is believed to have used postcards of European churches for inspiration.
While the outside of the church is absolutely breathtaking, be sure to go inside and have a look around as well.
In the chapel, you’ll be able to see the revered image of Cristo de la Conquista (Christ of the Conquest) as well as a beautiful painting depicting the founding of the city.
**Note: a visit inside the stunning churches is also one of the top things to do in Guadalajara!
4. Visit the Botanical Garden
While many visitors to San Miguel de Allende spend much of their trip admiring the man-made beauty that abounds, you’ll want to carve out some time to get out in nature as well.
The perfect place to do that is the large botanical garden known as El Charco del Ingenio. Here you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the many trails, do a bit of bird watching, or sit down for a picnic near a waterfall.
The reserve is open from 9:00 – 5:00pm year-round, and on certain days free transportation is offered to the botanical garden. Click here for details.
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5. Go on a Walking Tour
It’s fun wandering around the cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende on your own, but it’s even better when you’re accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
Signing up for a walking tour of the city is definitely one of the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende. On this experience, you’ll learn about the city, while visiting interesting places (a chocolate tasting is also included!). At the end of the experience, you’ll be given a list of the best restaurants and rooftop bars in San Miguel.
Walking tours typically meet in the center of the city and last around 2 hours. This is a great way to get your bearings in the city, meet new people, learn about San Miguel, and get some local recommendations for where to eat and drink.
Find out more about this highly rated, affordable experience here.
When you travel Mexico, make sure to join a walking tour when you first arrive in any of the cities.
6. Study Spanish
One of the most popular things to do in San Miguel de Allende is to sign up for Spanish lessons. There are plenty of excellent Spanish schools here and the locals are super friendly and ready to help you practice.
Ditch that bad gringo accent and improve your español here before travelling to other parts of Latin America.
Another option is to join this walking tour with Spanish conversation! Meet up with Enrique and explore San Miguel together. During the two-hour experience, you’ll converse in Spanish together, and he’ll help you with your Spanish-speaking abilities.
This is a fun way to practice Spanish in San Miguel. Learn more here.
☞ SEE MORE: The Best Time To Visit Mexico – A Guide For Travellers
7. Visit the Home of Ignacio Allende
Did you know that San Miguel de Allende is actually named after two different people? The city gets its name from a friar named Juan de San Miguel and Ignacio Allende, a hero and martyr of the Mexican independence movement.
One of the top things to do in San Miguel de Allende is to visit the home of the latter, which is now the city’s history museum.
The Museo Historico is open from Tuesday to Sunday and only costs about $3 to visit. Spend an hour or so here and you’ll leave with a much better understanding of the city, its history, and its importance to the country.
8. Explore the Sanctuary of Atotonilco
Just a 30-minute drive from the centre, you’ll find the incredible Sanctuary of Atotonilco. A trip here is one of the best things to do around San Miguel de Allende.
This historic church complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its Mexican Baroque murals. The paintings are so beautiful, in fact, that it has been dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico.”
The small, colourful town itself has a few buildings and food stalls, but there’s not much of interest here for tourists except the Sanctuary.
9. Take a Walk to a Viewpoint (free things to do in San Miguel de Allende)
San Miguel de Allende looks amazing at street level, but it looks even better from above.
Thankfully it’s not too difficult to get a fantastic panoramic view of the city. It’s only about a 15-20 minute walk from the plaza up to the viewpoint, which is known as El Mirador.
Be sure to bring your camera with a full battery so you can snap some shots of this gorgeous city from this great vantage point. Add a hike up to the mirador to your list of things to do in San Miguel de Allende.
10. Visit Fabrica La Aurora
For nearly 100 years, Fabrica La Aurora was a textile mill in the north of San Miguel de Allende. These days, it’s a bustling collection of shops, galleries, and cafes that many refer to as a paradise for art lovers.
If you want to watch the artists at work, try to stop by on a Thursday for their Open Studio day. Check their website to see what’s going on and definitely be sure to include a stop here on your visit.
11. Experience a Local Festival
There are different festivals going on all throughout the year in San Miguel de Allende.
In fact, it’s known as a “fiesta town” because it loves to party! It seems like there’s always something fun happening here, whether it be a music festival or a traditional Mexican holiday.
There are famous storytelling and jazz festivals here each year, and there’s also the absolutely wild Dia de los Locos (Day of the Crazies). This is one of the best festivals in Mexico, don’t miss it.
People get dressed up in all kinds of crazy costumes for a huge parade that’s tons of fun for all. This crazy day happens on the Sunday closest to June 13th, so plan accordingly.
12. Go Biking
A great way to leave the city behind for a couple of hours and enjoy the countryside is to join a biking trip. This is one of the more unusual things to do in San Miguel de Allende — most people only stay within the city center when they visit.
There are several different options for cycling adventures, but this one is a great choice. The trip will last around 3 hours and the routes are classified as beginner to intermediate, really anyone who knows how to ride a bike can join.
I won’t give it all away, but you’ll stop by a chapel, a dam, and enjoy some snacks and drinks in a country house. All equipment, snack, and guide are included in the price. Learn more about this fun cycling trip here.
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13. Dive into the Art Scene
San Miguel de Allende has long been a favourite of artists, both established and aspiring. Walking around, you’ll quickly notice just how abundant art is in San Miguel.
There are museums, galleries, and institutes all over the city, including the famous Instituto Allende. There are several options here to unleash your inner artist, from one-day workshops to 4-week courses.
Even if you’re not into creating the art yourself, you’ll find plenty of eye-catching pieces to admire. Those interested in bringing some Mexican artwork home will find San Miguel de Allende a fantastic place to do some shopping.
14. Chill Out in a Cafe
One of my favourite things to do in San Miguel de Allende is to find a table in a local cafe and watch the city go by. Some of the best options include Lavanda Café, Cumpanio, and San Agustin for chocolate and churros.
With a nice boost of caffeine and sugar, you’ll be ready to continue your exploration of this famous Mexican city.
15. See a Show at the Theatre
A trip to the Angela Peralta Theatre is definitely one of the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende. Named after the queen of Mexican opera, this intimate theatre hosts a variety of performances from both local and visiting artists.
Be sure to check the calendar of events before your trip and grab some tickets to see a show here. One of the biggest events here is the International Jazz Festival, which takes place every year in November.
16. Relax in the Thermal Baths
If you’re wondering what to do in San Miguel de Allende after all that walking around and exploring, relaxing in a thermal bath is your best option. Kick back and relax!
There are several thermal baths near the town where you can go for a nice soak. The most popular choices are Escondido Place and La Gruta, both of which are easily combined with a trip to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco.
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17. Eat Your Way Around the City
For such a small city, San Miguel de Allende sure packs a punch when it comes to the culinary scene. From street food up to fine dining and everything in between, your mouth is sure to be watering constantly as you eat your way across town.
There’s an abundance of delicious local food here, but that’s not all that the city is cooking up. You’ll also find plenty of awesome fusion restaurants as well as international cuisine to please the city’s large expat population.
If you’re wondering what to do in San Miguel de Allende for foodies, there are a couple of food tours you can join.
This 3-hour, evening “Tacos and Tequila” food and walking tour includes 6 food and 5 drink tasting spots (all hand-picked by your guide) — you’ll be full by the end of it! Learn more here.
If you’re interested in the above tour, but would prefer to join in the daytime for lunch, have a look at this Downtown Food Tour. On this highly rated tour, you’ll dine at locally owned, family-run restaurants and street food carts. Learn about the city as you eat your way through it! Find out more here.
Planning a trip to other areas of Mexico?
Don’t miss the fun things to do in Puerto Vallarta, the exciting things to do in Mexico City, and the colonial town of San Cristobal de las Casas. If you’re heading to the coast, check out the awesome things to do in Cabo San Lucas, the relaxing things to do in Isla Mujeres, the crazy partying and other fun things to do in Cancun, the epic ruins and things to do in Tulum, and of course the stunning beaches and other things to do in Playa del Carmen. Mexico really has something for everyone.
18. Visit a Local Market
While there are plenty of excellent shops and restaurants around the city, you should still make it a point to check out a local market for your shopping and/or eating needs.
The Ignacio Ramírez market is a great place to pick up some fresh produce, grab a cheap lunch, or purchase some local handicrafts to take home.
19. Drinks With a View
After a big day of exploring all that San Miguel de Allende has to offer, the best way to wind down is with cocktails and a view at one of the city’s many rooftop bars.
You’ve got a few choices for your fancy Happy Hour, including the amazing Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar in the Rosewood Hotel.
They often have live music as well, making it an even more fun outing. Enjoying a tasty adult beverage with some live tunes and a lovely view of the the city is definitely one of the top things to do in San Miguel de Allende.
Other great options are Quince and Cielo – both have great food, views and cocktails.
20. Fly High in a Hot Air Balloon
So you’ve already hiked up to the mirador and enjoyed some rooftop drinks, but if you’re looking for an even better view and one of the coolest things to do in San Miguel de Allende, why not go for a hot air balloon ride?
Fly high above the city in what is sure to be an unforgettable experience. It’s around $140 for a flight. Click here for details.
21. Party it Up in a Dive Bar
Fancy wine and cocktail joints are great and all, but you’ve got to hit an old-fashioned dive bar once in a while! If you’re looking for an unpretentious place with cheap drinks and good conversation, head to the rowdy La Cucaracha (The Cockroach).
There’s even a giant cockroach on the wall to make the place even more interesting.
Wondering what to do in San Miguel de Allende to hang out with locals? This is it. You won’t find a lot of gringos here, so it’s a great place to get a little loose and practice the Spanish you’ve been working on!
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More San Miguel de Allende Activities
There are more activities in San Miguel de Allende, so I had to add a couple more to this list. Here are a few more things you won’t want to miss out on.
Volunteering
There are numerous volunteer opportunities in San Miguel.
From spending time at a daycare and building houses for the less fortunate, to packaging school meals for children and teaching English. There are a lot of ways you can give back during your trip.
Volunteering is one of the most rewarding and memorable things to do in San Miguel de Allende.
Visit the Wineries around San Miguel de Allende
There are numerous wineries just around 30 minutes – 1 hour from the city. Hire a driver, rent a car or join a tour and check out the vineyards near San Miguel de Allende.
Expect personalized service, organic wines, cellar tours, and pairings as well.
Don’t miss Hacienda San Jose Lavista, Dos Buhos, Santisima Trinidad, San Lucas, Tres Raices, and Rancho Toyan (while we didn’t love the wine here, it was the most unique winery and wine cellar we’ve ever been to).
This experience brings you to the stunning Tres Raices winery. Explore the vineyard, cellar, and winery with your local guide. Included are transportation, tasting of 5 wines, and a tray of snacks (cheese, olives, meat, etc.). Learn more about this highly rated trip, here.
Cooking Class
Once you’ve dined at the best restaurants in San Miguel, it’s time to try your hand at cooking up some of your own tasty food. This cooking experience takes place in a beautiful mansion in the center of the city.
Chef Miguel is passionate about cooking and will share his knowledge with you. Not only will you learn how to make some tasty Mexican dishes, but you’ll also eat them! As well as the food, included in this experience is wine and lots of great conversation with new friends. Find out more here.
Now You Know What To Do in San Miguel de Allende
After reading about all of these awesome things to do in San Miguel de Allende, I’m sure you can see why the city is such a huge draw for tourists and expats alike.
Despite its recent fame and rising popularity, the city still retains much of its charm that put it on the map with travellers many years ago. If you’re taking a trip to Mexico soon, be sure to add this beautiful, artsy city to your itinerary.
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