Curator’s statement
I was born and raised in San Miguel de Allende, a small town in the heart of Mexico that has quickly evolved as a huge destination for art, food, history, and culture lovers worldwide. Since a young age, I’ve loved experiencing the town’s restaurants, galleries, and events, and there is nothing I love more than going back to loved places and discovering new ones while walking its beautiful streets that never cease to surprise me.
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Things to do in San Miguel de Allende
Photo by Champi Alvarez
Fábrica La Aurora: Once a thriving textile factory, Fábrica La Aurora is now a creative space with galleries, artist studios, and design shops that is worth visiting, especially during Day of the Dead.
El Charco del Ingenio: A stunning botanical garden and nature reserve, I often visit. It has many hiking trails through cacti and canyons, and it is a space for conservation.
Jardín Allende & La Parroquia: The heart of San Miguel. This is where life happens and where locals go to enjoy music, conversations, and people gathering. No matter how many times I’ve seen it, the Parroquia still takes my breath away, and it’s beautiful seeing it from different angles
Pre-hispanic cooking class: Cook a seasonal, traditional Mexican meal with Isabel, a warm and delightful grandmother who welcomes you into her beautiful home. You’ll learn about pre-Hispanic ingredients and techniques while preparing three–four dishes from scratch, like nopales, black bean soup, or pollo santo, before sharing the meal. A soulful, unforgettable way to connect with Mexico’s culinary traditions.
Parque Juárez: A beautiful, lush, and full-of-life area of the city. This park hosts seasonal fairs, like the Candelaria plant festival every February and the Sabores de San Miguel food festival. It’s one of the best places to just stroll slowly.
Mercado de Artesanías: A colorful artisan market where I always end up buying something, even as a local. It’s a way to support the people who keep our traditions alive and take a piece of San Miguel home.
Private vineyard tour & wine tasting: San Miguel is becoming a well-known destination for wine. And it’s beautiful to explore some of San Miguel’s vineyards, each with its own personality. Learning about the winemaking process, strolling through beautiful gardens and cellars, and savouring exclusive wine tastings paired with delicious local bites is a must.
Tianguis de los Martes: Every Tuesday, this giant market comes alive on the outskirts of town. It’s where I go for produce, street food, and sometimes a new plant for my home. Vibrant, chaotic, and so full of life. If you want to experience a more local Mexican life, this is a place you can’t miss, but do expect some chaos and a lot going on.
Hermes Arroyo Mojiganga workshop: The mojigangas—our giant papier-mâché puppets—are iconic in San Miguel. At Hermes’ studio, you can book a session to make your own mini mojiganga or mask and discover the history of this tradition that fills our celebrations with joy.
Cañada de la Virgen archaeological experience: A beautiful archaeological site in San Miguel, built by the Otomí and aligned with the stars. You can enjoy a day exploring temples, plazas, and pyramids at your own pace, then enjoy a traditional Mexican meal in a local community.
Fábrica La Aurora: Once a thriving textile factory, Fábrica La Aurora is now a creative space with galleries, artist studios. And design shops that are worth visiting, especially during weekends and Day of the Dead celebrations.
El Charco del Ingenio: A stunning botanical garden and nature reserve that I visit often when I need to reconnect. It has many hiking trails through cacti and canyons, and it’s a place deeply committed to conservation. They also offer bird watching tours, which are worth attending!
Places to eat & drink in San Miguel de Allende
Photo by Champi Alvarez
Los Milagros: A very authentic Mexican restaurant with a dish that I always recommend trying when visiting. Originally from this region, the molcajete is a dish of meat and/or vegetables and cheese cooked in a volcanic stone mortar in a green sauce. Delicious and serves up to four people.
La Colmena Bakery: With over 100 years of history, La Colmena is my (and many locals') favorite bakery. All their bread is delicious, and if you’re visiting during Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), you have to try their pan de muerto.
Antonia Rooftop: San Miguel is full of rooftops, and I love this one for golden hour magic— their view is unbeatable. Plus, they also have good drinks and yummy food.
Il Mercatino: An Italian restaurant run by an Italian-San Miguel family for over 20 years that has the most authentic food and the best service. Plus, their space is very romantic and cozy.
Hecho en México: I’ve been going to this restaurant since I was a teenager. My favorite dishes are the kale and quinoa salad, chile relleno, and the enchiladas.
Casa Nostra: This beautiful restaurant serves Italian and international cuisine, with a Mediterranean influence in the most romantic setting, overlooking the city center. Their dishes are to die for, especially their pastas and lamb chops.
Need to know
Pack layers. Mornings and evenings can be chilly, no matter the time of year.
Food here is best enjoyed slowly, and many spots are owned by locals who put their heart into every dish.
Walk as much as you can. The magic is in the small streets.
If you can, time your trip with a local celebration—they’re beautiful to witness and full of meaning.
Plan at least one experience outside the center—there’s so much nature around, from vineyards to hot springs and quiet hikes.
Be mindful when taking photos, especially during cultural or religious events. Always ask when unsure.
And most importantly, let yourself slow down—that’s when you’ll truly feel what makes this place so special, just as it is for us.
San Miguel is my home, my inspiration, and the place I always return to. I hope you feel its warmth the way I do—through its traditions, its flavors, its people, and the quiet moments that stay with you long after you’ve left. And if you’d love to experience this city deeper, I’d love to help you plan your trip here.
Travel Advisor
Champi Alvarez
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our San Miguel de Allende page.