Top 6 things to do in Puebla

The Caribbean is a region of the Americas comprising numerous islands and countries. Mexico is one of them, sandwiched between two mountain ranges. Today we’d like to talk to you about the city of Puebla, more commonly known as “Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza”. Located around 110 kilometres south-east of Mexico City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in the whole of Mexico. Proud of an eventful history, notably with the arrival of the French army, which was defeated by Mexican troops, Puebla is also known for its richly flavoured gastronomy, which you can sample in the streets. Find out what you can do here if you’re planning a trip to Mexico.

What to do in Puebla

1. The Zocalo and Mexican gastronomy

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: The Zocalo is the historic centre of Puebla. Once you’ve arrived in the city and are looking for a pleasant place to stroll around, enjoy a spicy local dish, or soak up some important historical and cultural heritage, you’ve come to the right place! As your visit progresses, you’ll have the vague impression of wandering through an open-air museum, and all for free. Most of the buildings were constructed during the period of Spanish colonisation. The Zocalo is also the place to be for events, shows and performances. It’s a lively place, where there’s always plenty of laughter and fun to be had. The more you walk, the hungrier you’ll get! Your stomach will be growling and the smell of the restaurants in the centre of Puebla will soon be making itself felt… Bon appétit!

2. The Rosary Chapel

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: The Capilla del Rosario is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful monuments in Puebla. No doubt you’ve already visited several churches in your life. But this one will always be engraved in your memory. Considered THE finest example of Mexican Baroque in the entire country, the Chapel of the Rosary is a true jewel for all who enter. Every detail has been carefully crafted to leave you speechless. Everywhere you look, you can admire a floor and ceiling covered in 24-carat gold leaf. The place itself is a work of art. What did visitors appreciate most? The sublime paintings by José Rodriguez Carnero.

3. Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes

Category: Free/Insolite

Description: When you look out over the Puebla skyline, two things stand out in particular: the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes. We can’t help but bow our heads respectfully before these two natural beauties that majestically dominate the landscape. A little anecdote: Aztec legend has it that these are actually two lovers transformed into mountains by the gods. They will remain side by side for eternity. Isn’t that romantic? The only downside: Popocatépetl is still active, so access to it is forbidden. But you can still admire it from afar, as long as you keep a safe distance from the molten lava ^^. As for the Iztaccíhuatl volcano, its summit is slightly rounded, making it an easy trail that lends itself well to hiking. In the city of Puebla, there are a number of agencies that offer climbing tours. The climb begins at night and arrives just as the sun rises.

4. The Palafoxiana Library

Category: €/Cultural

Description: A pioneering American institution, the Palafoxiana Library is the oldest library on the continent. Sometimes when we travel, we tend to rush to museums and cultural monuments. However, if there’s one place where you can easily learn and cultivate yourself, it’s a library. After all, “a book is a window through which you can escape”. With 40,000 books dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries, the building was founded by Bishop Juan de Palafox y Mendoza. It’s here that you can learn about Mexican history in depth, and of course about the city of Puebla too. While some people like to wander around the city or go for a long hike, others simply enjoy a special moment with their head immersed in a book with a captivating history. The library is also a magnificent place to admire, given its structure and ancient architecture.

5. The Amparo Museum

Category: €/Cultural

Description: When visiting a city, a visit to a museum is always a must. The one in Amparo will amaze you and teach you more about the history of Mexico. It is one of the only museums in the world to house an impressive collection of pre-Hispanic, colonial, modern and contemporary Mexican art. Among all the objects on display are some 2,000 pieces tracing the history of Mexico’s ancient civilisations. All these chronological collections are made up of ritual objects, jewellery, pottery, codices… All these artefacts representative of Mesoamerican cultures are the result of numerous archaeological digs and are the pride of the people of Puebla. As well as this, the museum has a lovely little rooftop café with a terrace. You can admire the view while eating a local speciality, while reminiscing about the different works you’ve seen inside.

6. Street Art in Xanenetla

Category: Free/Cultural

Description: Art can take many forms: painting, pottery, photography… But one of the main artistic revolutions of recent years is undoubtedly street art. The Xanenetla district is a real tourist wonder. People love to wander around and lose themselves in the narrow streets, which form veritable labyrinths with some 75 colourful murals. The murals are the work of a group of artists called the Colectivo Tomate, who are determined to embellish the city’s streets by setting up an urban mural workshop. And with the collaboration of local residents and the state, this gave rise to what is known in the 21st century as “social muralism”. But street art isn’t the only thing to see in the Xanenetla district! If you pay attention to its architecture, you’ll notice that it was built partly from volcanic stone. Impressive!