Places You Must See in San Miguel de Allende

Tianguis del Martes
Tianguis del Martes, San Miguel de Allende

If you’re only coming to San Miguel for a short period, then you should try and visit a few of the places listed below. San Miguel can seem small when you first arrive, but there are a lot of things to see and do.

Bellas Artes, Calle Hernandez Macias 75: This converted convent now houses an institute for studying dance, music, printing, and other arts. There is a Spanish bookstore to the left when you first walk in and the recently renovated auditorium is breathtaking. Rotating exhibits are on display and there is an events bulletin board near the entrance. Don’t miss the Diego Rivera replica that takes up the back wall of the north stairwell.

Tianguis del Martes (Tuesday Market), about 1 ½ miles from the center: Find practically anything from DVDs to car parts, to roosters in a cage, at this open air market. There are hundreds of vendor stalls situated under multicolored tarps. And don’t miss out on the food. You can get deep-fried fish, tacos, and even pizza, all for reasonable prices. Just sit down at one of the long tables alongside everyone else who is taking a break from the massive market. Open Tuesdays 9:00 AM to 4 PM.

Bellas Artes
Bellas Artes

Casa de Ignacio Allende, Cuna de Allende 1: If you’re a history buff, check out the birthplace of Ignacio Allende. (Allende and Father Hidalgo plotted the overthrow of Spain’s control of Mexico.) The building houses a series of statues of Allende.

Parque Benito Juárez, by Calle Diezmo Viejo: This tranquil park has paths that curve through small squares with fountains to a garden with a gazebo. On the opposite end lies a basketball court and playground. There are a couple of vendors sprawled about selling sodas and chips.

Fabrica La Aurora (enter from Calazada de la Aurora) is a historic century-old cotton manufacturing factory which has been turned into contemporary art studios and galleries. You can shop for everything from home furnishings, jewelry, and antiques, while watching artists at work in their studios! Also there is a café where you can enjoy lunch. Open 10-6 daily, except for Thursday (11-4) which is the featured open studio day. And don’t miss the famous “Art Walk” the first Friday evening of each month.

Fábrica La Aurora
Fábrica La Aurora Photo By Jesús Herrera

The Institute Allende (Ancha de San Antonio) began as an accredited art school (organized by artist Sterling Dickinson in the 1950′s) which attracted returning GI’s who could study at the Instituto under the GI bill. It continues to be a center for students of art, literature, and Spanish as well as a center for shops and galleries, a restaurant and cafe, and periodic craft fairs.

The Mercado de Artesanias (located in Artisians’ Alley, three connected pedestrian-only streets that run from Calle Hidalgo to Collegio) and its adjacent Ignacio Ramirez covered market is where to go for everything: flowers, fruits, vegetables, Oaxaca cheese, baubles and souvenirs, hand-crafted jewelry, rebozos (hand woven by a local family), tin-crafted items, and the famous Catrina dolls, which can be packaged and shipped anywhere. Sometimes you can watch local artisans at work. This is a not-to-be missed experience!

If you know of place you think should be added to this list, leave a comment below.

 

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