San Miguel de Allende City. The principal city in the municipality of San Miguel de Allende.
It is in the far eastern part of Guanajuato, Mexico.
Almost 20% of residents are foreign born.
Named after General Ignacio Allende, a prominent figure in Mexico’s War of Independence.
A historic City with its history dating back to 1542.
The tallest building in the city, with a façade of pink limestone, is the Parroquia de San Miguel Archangel.
The City has vibrant arts community with many studios and galleries with working artists and artisans.
The historic center of San Miguel encompasses 24 blocks of narrow streets, alleys, and paths without any traffic lights.
Today, an old section of the town is part of a proclaimed World Heritage Site, attracting thousands of tourists and new residents from abroad every year.
The Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco is UNESCO’s World Heritage Site since 2008.
7 MOST INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
- No need for car rentals here. Most streets are walkable. Walking is the best way to discover more architecture and galleries. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a jacket in winter.
- The Town is UNESCO’s world heritage site since 2008 due to its historical, cultural and architectural importance.
- The city is built alongside a mountain range with the heart of the city being in a valley.
- An English-language paper, Atención, carries local news as well as full listings of what to see and do.
- San Miguel is congested, and street parking is scarce. A white pole or sign at the end of a street marks the stopping point for parking.
- 10% of San Miguel’s 80,000 residents are expats from the U.S., Canada, Europe and elsewhere.
- Houses in San Miguel are cheap to buy right now since so many Americans are flooding the market trying to sell the second homes they can no longer afford.
11 THINGS TO DO IN SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
- Hang Out in the Square. El Jardin is surrounded by gorgeous buildings such as the parish church of San Miguel.
- Take a Day Trip to Cañada de La Virgen and enjoy camping, horseback riding, and astronomy tours.
- Take a Look Inside the Church La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel .
- Visit the Botanical Garden El Charco del Ingenio and have the chance to do a bit of bird watching, or sit down for a picnic near a waterfall.
- 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.
- Study Spanish with the help of super friendly locals and schools to enroll in.
- Visit the Home of Ignacio Allende, a hero and martyr of the Mexican independence movement.
- Take a Walk to a Viewpoint, El Mirador. Just 15-20 minutes walk away from the plaza.
- Visit Fabrica La Aurora, a bustling collection of shops, galleries, and cafes that many refer to as a paradise for art lovers.
- Dive into the Art Scene. There are museums, galleries, and institutes all over town, including the famous Instituto Allende.
- See a Show at the Theater. A trip to the Angela Peralta Theatre is definitely one of the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende.
History
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7 MOST POPULAR THINGS IN SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
#1 - MASK MUSEUM
With more than 500 masks on display here, they come from all over the country. They even have masks that you can purchase. At the museum, you will be able to see master weavers of Oaxaca, who sell their high quality, hand woven rugs here, too. All of the masks are collector items from indigenous tribal dances.
#2 - MUSEO LA ESQUINA- A TOYLAND!
The Museo La Esquina showcases toys from the different regions in Mexico. It is divided into four large, themed areas and each area showcases the different materials used to make traditional Mexican toys, such as wheat, plastic, wood, and fabric.
#3 - Botanic Garden El Charco del Ingenio
Just a few minutes outside of San Miguel, you can explore the Botanic Garden El Charco del Ingenio. Here you will see rare, endangered and almost extinct cacti, of various types and species. The Botanic Garden El Charco del Ingenio was created to save its beautiful biodiversity for future generations.
#4 - La Gruta Hotsprings
Get ready to immerse yourself into 1000-year-old thermal waters and have the best spa day ever! Take a day and pamper yourself at the La Gruta Hot Springs Spa.
#5 - Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel
When in San Miguel, visitors often use the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, as a point of reference when navigating the city’s winding cobbled streets. As the sun moves during the day, the color of the church changes, giving it a pink hue.
#6 - Cañada de la Virgen
Just outside of San Miguel, is the archaeological site of Cañada de la Virgen. Only discovered in 2002 and made public in 2011, this site has three main structures: the House of the Thirteen Heavens, the House of the Longest Night, and the House of the Wind. You can take a guided tour with an archaeologist and discover the wonder of these astronomical, mathematical, and architectural structures.
#7 - Fábrica La Aurora
Once a raw-cotton textile factory, Fábrica La Aurora is now home to several artists, with open studios where you can witness their creative process, from canvases, sculptures and artisanal craftwork, made by the great artists who live in San Miguel and some expatriates.