Best City in Mexico - San Miguel de Allende

If I had to choose one favorite city in Mexico, I would say San Miguel de Allende without thinking too much about. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the locals did not lose their specific hope or joy and are receiving tourists with the same good will and warmth.

Also called Pueblo Magico, the fortified city of San Miguel de Allende was included in 2008 on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its architectural remains, moving up to the list of Top 10 Cities in the World where you can retire, made by Conde Nast Traveler. And no wonder, the city is full of Americans and Canadians who bought beautiful colonial or modern homes and retired in Mexico, to a quieter and cheaper life on the "fun" side of the wall, as the Mexicans say.

In the historic center it is estimated that there are over 2000 gates behind which are over 2000 inner courtyards of different sizes, many of which have been restored to their old colonial glory.

The colonial houses have been renovated and look absolutely incredible, when you walk on some streets you have the feeling that you are in an exterior and interior design competition.

Once here, in addition to the beauty of the houses, you immediately notice the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, the cathedral in the city center, whose construction is said to have begun in 1564. In the mid 19th century it was modified inside, and in In 1890, the neo-Gothic, pink facade was built, which you can admire today.

The buildings of this city delight the eye with its orange and yellow facades, having windows and doors framed by iron and carved wood ornaments. At 14 km from the city you can find the 18th century Jesuit sanctuary - Santuario de Atotonilco, one of the best examples of Baroque art and architecture in New Spain.

• The festival in which the locals have a tradition of buying and throwing eggs at each other. Eggs are emptied of their contents, keeping only the shells, and inside they are filled with confetti. And on the last night everybody is throwing the eggs at each other, including flour. The historic center becomes full of color, but also white from the flour, and you have to slalom among them so as not to wake up with something in your head. This atmosphere is unique and you most probably never encountered before, all full of life, lively, a lot of color, and the impeccably restored colonial houses actually looked like in the most beautiful design magazines.
• Take a tour of the city of San Miguel de Allende, exploring the cobbled streets bordered by opulent buildings and imposing churches. You will discover a city young and full of life, being chosen by many students who come here to study art, photography or Spanish.
• Visit Casa del Mayorazgo - the most sumptuous building in the city, Casa Allende - the house where the national hero Ignacio Allende was born, and Templo de la Concepcion, built in 1891, which houses the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, a series of 33 oil paintings representing the life of Saint Felipe Neri.