San Miguel de Allende Travelers Recommend

Three days in San Miguel de Allende gives you the chance to see the best of the city—from food to architecture—while also allowing plenty of time to explore the surrounding areas. From archaeological sites and horseback riding to street-food tours, here’s how to spend three days in San Miguel de Allende.  

Day 1: Stick to San Miguel

Mornings are best enjoyed in the central plaza, which is dominated by the towering pink spires of the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel (Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel). Snap photos both inside and out, before retiring to one of San Miguel’s many cafés for a cup of Mexican coffee. Join a guided walking tour to stroll the colorful streets, especially in the Guadalupe neighborhood, home to much of San Miguel’s street art, or take to the craft stores and art galleries for some souvenir shopping. In the evening, wine and dine at one of San Miguel’s many excellent restaurants, or if it’s Day of the Dead, take a guided tour of the evening’s festivities.

Day 2: Sample Local Cuisine

Devote your second day to the cuisine of San Miguel de Allende. Start your day at one of the city’s top breakfast or brunch restaurants, then continue your culinary exploration with a comprehensive street-food tour. Some focus on specific items, such as tacos or tequila, while others give an overview of the city’s street-food offerings; either way, your local guide’s expertise will help you find plenty of spots you might not have discovered independently. If you prefer wine to tequila, dedicate your afternoon to a guided tour of San Miguel’s boutique vineyards instead. Most tours include round-trip transfers, so sample to your heart’s content.

Day 3: Get Back to Nature

On your final day in San Miguel de Allende, choose a full-day excursion tailored to your tastes. History buffs can choose a guided tour to either the Cañada de la Virgen archaeological site or the abandoned mines of Mineral de Pozos. Outdoorsy visitors may opt to combine horseback riding with a hot-spring experience or ranch visit, which includes the chance to milk cows and make cheese. Alternatively, head to nearby Guanajuato City to wander the city’s subterranean tunnels, tuck into typical street foods, and explore top sights such as the El Pípila monument and Juarez Theatre. 

Topping some best-city lists, San Miguel de Allende is a hilly but walkable locale steeped in colonial history, dotted with ochre-colored buildings, and ideal for travelers looking for a laid-back experience. While it’s easy to spend weeks in San Miguel de Allende, here’s what to do with just one day.

Morning: Get to Grips with the City

Dive into the local scene on your first morning in San Miguel de Allende with some people watching in the zocalo. Anchored by the magnificent, pink-stoned Parish of St. Michael the Archangel (Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel), this plaza is typically filled with vendors selling early morning elotes (corn on the cob) smothered in cream and cheese. There, enjoy a street-side breakfast before venturing to any one of the nearby cafés for takeout coffee. After a relaxed start to the day, make time for a brief, guided sightseeing tour—either private or shared—and benefit from local insight.

Afternoon: Eat and Explore

San Miguel de Allende is easily explored in one day, so make the most of your time with an afternoon excursion beyond the city boundaries. There’s a guided tour to suit most tastes: Animal and nature lovers can embark on a half-day horseback-riding adventure, during which lunch is typically provided, while wine connoisseurs and novices alike can sample local varietals at boutique vineyards. Alternatively, take a food tour and enjoy the benefit of personalized experience and the chance to try several culinary musts in one afternoon.

Night: Combine Culture and Cuisine

Round out your day with an evening of food, romance, and Mexican culture. If you’re fortunate enough to be in San Miguel de Allende for Day of the Dead, take a once-a-year-only guided tour of the city’s festivities for greater insight into this spectacular celebration. Alternatively, visitors who skipped the afternoon food tour can sample the delights of San Miguel by night. Try tacos, tequila, and many things in between independently or alongside an in-the-know local. Similarly, those who missed out on horseback riding by day can take an evening horseback ride around the city center.

With two days in San Miguel de Allende, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the food, architecture, and artsy appeal of the city, while also dedicating a day to experiences and excursions farther afield. Here’s how best to enjoy just 48 hours in San Miguel de Allende.

Day 1: Sightseeing and Street Food

Morning: Stroll the streets of San Miguel during your first morning in the city, taking in the terra-cotta- and ochre-colored buildings, before admiring the pink-hued, 17th-century Parish of St. Michael the Archangel (Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel), inside and out. Then, take a brief walking tour to hidden spots you might not find alone.

Afternoon: As the sun peaks, explore San Miguel’s many artisanal craft stores and art galleries, or wander independently around the colorful street-art displays in the Guadalupe neighborhood. Meanwhile, food lovers may prefer to take a comprehensive street-food tour.

Night: Relax on your first night in San Miguel de Allende. If you skipped the afternoon food tour, take one in the evening, or enjoy a romantic horseback ride through the cobblestoned streets of the center. Alternatively, grab dinner in one of San Miguel’s excellent restaurants.

Day 2: Broaden Your Horizons

Morning: Wake early on day two for an out-of-town excursion. History buffs won’t want to miss the mining ghost town of Mineral de Pozos or the Otomi archaeological site Cañada de la Virgen; guided tours to either typically include round-trip transportation, ideal for travelers on a tight schedule. Or combine adrenaline and relaxation, with horseback riding and hot springs.

Afternoon: If you opted out of a full-day trip, there are still plenty of afternoon-only excursion options. Adventurous visitors can try a horseback-riding experience, great for beginners and experts alike, or relax with wine tastings at boutique vineyards.

Night: Make the most of your final night in San Miguel de Allende. Splurge on dinner at one of the city’s many fine-dining restaurants before heading to a rooftop bar or mezcalería. Alternatively, combine drinking and dining with a guided taco-and-tequila experience. If it’s Day of the Dead, enjoy an intimate glimpse into the festivities during a guided tour.