Photographic Walking Tour of San Miguel de Allende.
San Miguel de Allende is not only a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of the most photogenic places in Mexico. It’s a place where you can spend hours walking the streets and hiking the hills. I love the historic buildings, vibrant colours, and the various viewpoints around the city.
This Do-It-Yourself walking tour is geared to those who want to see the visual highlights of San Miguel de Allende. I cover what I think are the most attractive spots, streets and views in San Miguel de Allende.
Accommodation: The Best Hotels in San Miguel de Allende (for all budgets)
You can click on the map below to enlarge
A walking tour of San Miguel starts at the main square, the Jardin 
. It’s a pretty square full of trees and surrounded by some of the city’s most attractive buildings including the church – La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
. It is one of Mexico’s most photographed buildings. The interior of the church was built in the early 1700’s. But what makes the church stand out is the neo-gothic pink façade which was added to the church in the late 1800’s. It’s the symbol of the city, a building visible from almost every part of San Miguel.
The Jardin has a gazebo in its middle and is surrounded by trees and benches. A favorite pastime is sitting down, watching people go by, the Parroquia in the background. All around the square are beautiful buildings (including arcaded buildings on 2 sides).
A Photographic Walking Tour of San Miguel de Allende
When you’ve explored the Jardin and the buildings around it, walk towards the Iglesia de San Francisco
. Built in the late 1700’s by the Franciscans, it has a large but simple interior – the highlight is the exterior with its elaborate façade and tall tower.
Continue around the Iglesia de San Francisco on Calle Juarez. It will take you to Plaza Civica
, one of San Miguel de Allende’s main squares. You’ll see the statue of Ignacio Allende (a soldier born in San Miguel who became a hero of the Mexican Independence movement in the early 1800’s. The city was named after him).
A Photographic Walking Tour of San Miguel de Allende
This is a very picturesque part of downtown SMA with lots of squares and churches all worth exploring. You’ll see the Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Salud 
with its scalloped dome and the colourful Oratorio de San Felipe Neri. Make sure to visit both. Crossing the street, you’ll also see the domes of Capilla de la Santa Casa de Loreto, a small chapel hidden behind the Oratorio.
If you continue down about a block from Oratorio de San Felipe Neri you’ll see a huge yellow/orange building – that’s the Public Library. It’s a gorgeous library and you should go inside. Besides a pretty courtyard, some impressive murals and lots of books, it has one of the best café’s (where you can also have breakfast) in San Miguel. The building also shares the space with a church (the Templo de Santa Ana).
See my post on the best cafés of San Miguel de Allende.
Leaving the library, go down Calle Relox. You’ll see a small street called Del Pueblito 
. It’s a pretty and peaceful street with homes and a few cafés lined by colourful bougainvillea. Continue until the end of the street and make a right on Hidalgo.
A block down, just before a busy intersection, is the beginning of San Miguel’s Mercado de Artesanias 
. Just keep an eye out for a mural on your right and a series of steps. The market is along a narrow pedestrian-only alley and is a fun place to see local art, carpets and tons of other types of souvenirs. I used to think that you wouldn’t find deals in a touristy place like San Miguel but I’ve personally found most of the stuff in the market to be of good quality and value. If you like markets don’t miss it.
If you continue along the market street, you’ll eventually end up in an enclosed market hall. This is Ignacio Ramirez Market. You’ll find fruit and vegetable vendors and lots of food stalls here. A great place to get an inexpensive and delicious torta (sandwich) and juice.
When you come out of the Ignacio Ramirez market you’ll find yourself a block down from Plaza Civica. Make a right and retrace your steps to the main square, the Jardin.
A Photographic Walking Tour of San Miguel de Allende
Back at the Jardin, head toward the Starbucks on the corner. Have a look across the street at the Casa de Cultura Banamex. If open, go inside and have a look around.
Continue down Canal street. A block down you’ll get to a large yellow church. This is Templo de la Inmaculada Concepcíon. Its massive dome is the most beautiful in San Miguel (it was based on Les Invalides in Paris). It’s one of the churches that dominates the San Miguel skyline.
Right next to the church complex (attached) is the Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez El Nigromante (which most people call Bellas Artes). It’s a popular place, offering art classes and cultural activities. There are some art galleries where you can look at some local art.
After you’re done, continue down the hill on Canal Street towards the bridge (the Quebrada bridge) 
you’ll see above the street. There are some steps you can take to go up to the bridge – go up. You’ll have some fantastic views there of the dome of Templo de la Inmaculada Concepcíon.
Head back to the Jardin and turn right before the Parroquia. Head to Calle Aldama 
. It’s one of the most photographed streets in San Miguel and when you turn back you get a great view of the back of the Parroquia and the various domes around it.
You’ll arrive at a park (Parque Benito Juarez). But before going there, take a little detour and go to the Rosewood hotel 
. The Rosewood is a very big, very beautiful hotel and it has a great rooftop bar (Luna Bar) that has fantastic views of San Miguel. Go up there and have a drink if you can. The views are worth it.
When you’re done, walk back to Parque Benito Juarez 
. It’s a beautiful park that attracts lots of people. Kids come here and play soccer and basketball on the immaculate courts. People walk their dogs. On weekends, artists sell their paintings.
The rest of this walking tour is a bit of a hike. But it’ll take you to the best views in San Miguel.
Come out of the park on its eastern side. You’ll know you’re in the right spot if the street you’re looking at goes straight uphill.
Walk up, you’ll get to a red building with a tower and some fountains (no longer in use). This is Lavaderos del Chorro 
, a place that had fresh water flowing from a spring. Women would come here to do laundry (hence the name). Today it’s a cultural center and if you’re lucky you might see kids practicing dances or plays.
Continue past Lavaderos del Chorro, continuing up the street. You’ll see a series of steps on your right. Continuing up you’ll pass a church Capilla Santa Cruz del Chorro. The views looking back are increasingly impressive.
From here you continue climbing more and more steps until you reach the top. From there you make a left on Salida Real a Querétaro, the main street in San Miguel de Allende. It’ll take you about 2 minutes to get to El Mirador 
, the most famous mirador (viewpoint) in San Miguel.
See this post on the Miradors of San Miguel de Allende
When you’re done, continue down Salida Real a Querétaro. You’ll get to two of my favorite streets: Montes de Oca 
and De La Garita. Both are very steep narrow streets leading back into the center. The views of the Parroquia and the various domes and towers of the center are phenomenal. You can go down – but before you do you might want to cross the street from De La Garita and check out Mirador Cruz del Pueblo 
. I describe that in detail in this post.
More Photogenic Spots in San Miguel de Allende
There are some other photogenic spots just outside my map area (which you can still walk to, they’re just a bit further out of the center).
“Charco del Ingenio” Botanical Gardens
About 3 km (close to 2 miles) outside town are the Botanical gardens. Charco del Ingenio features mostly cactus varieties and has various paths that take you along a reservoir (where you’ll see different bird species) and a dam (which you can cross). The gardens are very well taken care of and has a good interpretation center and restaurant. A nice place to spend a few hours.
Instituto Allende
Much of San Miguel’s modern history can be attributed to Instituto Allende: a former convent, it became a school for artists from the US and Canada after World War II. It’s how the city was “discovered” by foreigners and the reason SMA grew to become what it is today.
Just outside the center on “La Ancha”, it’ll take you about 10 minutes to get there on foot from the Jardin. Worth it for its magnificent courtyard, murals, and a view of San Miguel’s skyline.
Colonia Guadalupe
A pretty neighborhood just outside the center (about 10 minutes from the Jardin), Colonia Guadalupe has pretty streets and lots of street art. A good place to wander around, maybe go for a coffee (El Cafe de la Mancha or Bakery Sucré).
See my video here for more on Colonia Guadalupe.
Fabrica Aurora
A former textil factory that is now full of upscale art galleries and stores. Lots of places to eat including Geek Cafe in the park. Fabrica Aurora is 15 – 20 minutes if walking from the Jardin.
Rooftop Bars
San Miguel has lots of rooftop bars, in fact there seems to be a new one every day. They all present great views of the city, A few examples:
Really, all of the center of San Miguel de Allende is filled with pretty streets and views. San Miguel really is one of the most photogenic places anywhere.
My farewell video to San Miguel. Many more visuals here.
Related: 10 things to See and Do in San Miguel de Allende. And the Best of the Best
Related: Not embarrassed to admit that I really like San Miguel de Allende
Related: A roadtrip through Mexico’s most beautiful towns and cities (by bus)
thanks for this info – we will be visiting soon and look forward to the exploration!