San Miguel de Allende was our first of many weekend escapes while living in Mexico City. We spent a magical Christmas weekend in one of Mexico’s most enchanting cities. Plan a weekend getaway to San Miguel de Allende with this guide on how to get there, where to stay and top activities.

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Getting There

San Miguel de Allende is located 160 miles northwest of Mexico City in the state of Guanajuato, which equals a four-hour drive. This was our first time venturing out on the roads outside of the capital since we moved from Texas to Mexico City. We could ease into the traffic madness thanks to the holiday weekend, as most people spend Christmas at home.

In our experience, traffic north of Mexico City is a little less hectic compared to traveling south. But it still takes a calm and confident driver to brave the roads in and around Mexico City. Once you make it out of the Mexico City madness, a succession of topes (speed bumps), potholes, casetas (toll booths) and chaos caused by the latter awaits.

Where to Stay

The enchanting part started when we arrived in San Miguel de Allende. We stayed in Casa Tierra de Sol y Luna, a charming small hotel with a lovely rooftop terrace. Every morning, we were served a homemade and delicious Mexican breakfast staple.

It’s recommended to stay in the historic center, as the streets of San Miguel are very steep. A 15-minute walk to the main plaza turns into a real climb on the way back. Casa Tierra de Sol y Luna is located close enough to walk everywhere, but far enough from the action to have a quiet night.

Top Activities

Explore the historic center

San Miguel de Allende is a maze of colorful streets and plazas. At the center is Jardín Allende, the main square where San Miguel’s landmark pink cathedral is located. The cobblestone streets of the historic center are perfect for wandering around. Lined with cute coffee shops, hip restaurants and expensive boutique stores, the influence of San Miguel’s large expat community is obvious.

Shop for souvenirs at Mercado de Artesanías

For a more budget-friendly take on San Miguel, two markets come to the rescue. At Mercado de Artesanías, local artisans sell everything from painted pottery to leather boots. It was tempting to fill up our apartment with San Miguel handicrafts, but we saved some purchases for future markets. In hindsight, this market was one of our favorites in Mexico to stock up on beautiful souvenirs.

The adjacent Mercado Ignacio Ramirez focuses on fresh produce, flowers and food stalls with comida corrida – local dishes whipped up in under five minutes. Compared to its American counterpart, Mexican fast food is homemade.

Admire art at Fábrica La Aurora

La Aurora is an old textile factory turned into an art and design hub. The building houses shops from local artists selling sculptures, paintings, accessories and more. The art works come with a heavy price tag, especially after shopping at the Mercado de Artesanías. Even without plans to break the bank, La Aurora makes for a great stroll.

Sip on cocktails with a view

San Miguel’s historic city center is dotted with rooftop terraces, hosting trendy bars and restaurants. These are three rooftops to visit for stunning views and delicious cocktails.

1. Luna Tapas Bar

No rooftop terrace in San Miguel can top the view from Luna Tapas Bar. This beautiful restaurant and bar is located on top of the Rosewood Hotel, part of a luxury hotel chain. We enjoyed tapas and drinks with a sunset view over San Miguel.

2. Zumo Rooftop Restaurant

Zumo Rooftop Restaurant was the setting for our Christmas Eve dinner. The food and cocktails were delicious and served with an impressive night view of the adjacent Templo de la Purísima Concepción.

3. Tres Marías Rooftop Terraza y Restaurante

The rooftop terrace of Tres Marias is a colorful oasis in the historic city center, with an expansive view of San Miguel. We only enjoyed cocktails and appetizers, but the restaurant offers a full Argentinean menu.

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