Discover the Romantic Charms of Spanish Colonial Cities in Mexico

If you're looking for Old World romance, the Spanish colonial cities in central Mexico are perfect. You can spend the morning exploring Spanish architecture, and the afternoon roaming through ancient Aztec ruins. Central Mexico's colonial cities allow you to experience a unique blend of cultures, art and cuisine.
 

Mexico City: The Grandest of Mexico Cities

Mexico City has the distinction of being the largest city in the world. Some people are overwhelmed by the city's sheer size, while others love the hustle, bustle and sophistication. Here you can experience the finest in theater, dance troupes, museums, and restaurants. Mexico City's central location also makes it a great base of operations for sightseeing. From Mexico City you can travel to other colonial cities in Mexico, quiet villages and ancient Aztec ruins.
 
Not that you need to leave Mexico City for a taste of the past. You can visit the famous Plaza de Santo Domingo, where the Palace of the Inquisition stands as a reminder of darker times. Less forbidding, La Alameda Park boasts the Diego Rivera murals. And if you want an idea of just how big Mexico City is, why not enjoy the view from the top of the Latin America Tower?

San Miguel de Allende: Spanish Festivals and the Arts

About 160 miles to the north of Mexico City lies San Miguel de Allende. So treasured is the town's colonial architecture that the entire city has been declared a national monument, and new buildings must conform to Spanish colonial designs. The mild climate, cool evenings and romantic atmosphere have drawn a thriving artist community to San Miguel de Allende.
 
Spanish festivals abound throughout colonial cities in Mexico, and San Miguel de Allende itself offers a great many. Here are just a few of the Spanish festivals celebrated in the town:
  • February 2: Fiesta de la Candelaria (celebrating the return of spring)
  • June 13: feast of San Antonio de Padua (San Antonio is the patron saint of lovers)
  • September 16: Mexican Independence Day
  • September 29: celebration of San Miguel Arcangel (patron saint of the town)
  • November 2: Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead).

The Architectural Romance of Guanajuato

Guanajuato has only two main streets, one of which actually runs underneath the town. The remainder of the town is a maze of narrow, winding alleyways, or callejones, and plazas. The streets give Guanajuato a distinctly European flavor. Every night, student choral groups tour the callejones, so the sound of voices raised in song drifts across the town.
 
Beautiful churches abound in Guanajuato, the legacy of an enormous silver mine. At the height of the mines production in the eighteenth century, Guanajuato provided over two thirds of the world's silver. Today, the architecture sponsored by the miners remains. Guanajuato is, arguably, one of the most beautiful of the Spanish colonial cities.

The Native Appeal of Oaxaca

South of Mexico City is the remote, mountainous state of Oaxaca, one of Mexico's cultural treasure houses. Indigenous villages surround the city of Oaxaca: Over half of the state's population speaks Mesoamerican dialects. The isolated valleys of the region allowed sixteen different cultural groups to exist undisturbed. This is the must-visit destination for collectors of native Mexican Indian pottery.
 
If you enjoy delving in to the past, Oaxaca state offers over 4,000 archeological sites, including the ancient Aztec ruins of Monte Alban and Milta. Both sites were important ceremonial centers for Aztec culture. You can also tour coffee plantations, or take eco-trips into the mountains or down to the coast.

Zacatecas: A Spanish Colonial Mining Town

Zacatecas is an old silver mining town located in Northern Mexico. The mine was founded in 1546, and remains active today. Architecture dominates a trip to Zacatecas: From the pink stone buildings and cobblestone streets to the town's remarkable Baroque cathedral. The town offers plenty of museums, to further display the region's history.
 
For a breathtaking ride, take the Zacatecas Teleferico tramway just south of the city. The ride offers incredible views from two mountain peaks. You can also explore the thousand-year-old Chicomostoc ruins, to get a taste of pre-colonial times.
 
Warm Days, Cool Evenings
Most of the colonial cities are inland, and many are in Mexico's mountainous regions. The weather, while warm for the most part, is milder than the coastal areas. Temperatures can get chilly at night, especially at higher elevations and are perfect for romantic interludes.