Are you searching for the Best Places to Visit in Puebla? Are you thinking of a trip to North America and wondering what to explore in Puebla? We’ve got you covered. Puebla City in Central Mexico is one of Mexico’s least well-known cities. It may not be the fourth-largest in the nation.
Still, its luxurious cuisine, famous Talavera pottery, and intriguing combination, including Baroque, Renaissance, and Classic architecture, make it worth the drive. Tucked within the mountain-and-volcano-clad Valley of Cuetlaxcoapan, Puebla is dubbed the ‘cradle of Mexican Baroque.
One of the most enjoyable activities when visiting Puebla City is to see its many historical and religious marvels, from mansions and monasteries to art and museum galleries. In reality, it is believed to be home to up to 365 churches, one to commemorate each day during the whole year!
Zocalo Square
Zocalo Square is one of the best places to visit in Puebla. Visit the works of public art, sit on the benches of a cafe, and take in the culture in the central square. It is a trendy gathering spot and a bustling place.
Zocalo Square is the main point of Puebla life. Streets of the Centro zone revolve around the beautiful courtyard, where you can discover cafes, events, eateries, and many of the city’s major tourist spots. Plan your trip to the city from this vibrant area before you head out to explore the attractions of Puebla.
Photograph the picturesque area, surrounded by trees and public works of art. Puebla is the name of this square. Puebla is written in vibrant letters, surrounded by benches, grass patches, and flower displays. Look at the massive Tree of Life sculpture, reminiscent of the branches of trees cut into white, sheer walls. It’s charming when sunlight rays pierce the spaces.
Look at the stunning Puebla Cathedral that dominates the southwest side of the square. The colonial church of the 16th century is a beautiful mix of neoclassical, Baroque, and Renaissance additions.
Take a stroll along the northeastern edge of the plaza to discover the variety of cafes and shops. There is an art gallery called the Municipal Palace Gallery of Art. Explore the city’s central area, designated as a UNESCO place for its abundance of churches and vibrant colonial structures.
Stop for a break from your visit and indulge in a few refreshments and snacks at one of the cafés with seating areas around the central square. You can sit on a bench to read an exciting book in the middle of Puebla. You can watch people and talk to locals to get a feel for the atmosphere and culture in Puebla.
Zocalo Square is the nucleus of the city, around which the Centro zone expands. You can take a bus from the boulevard in the vicinity and walk north for a couple of blocks to arrive here. Hire a bicycle at the stand in the southeast area of the square. Explore the various attractions in the area, like the Amparo Museum, Sapos Bazaar, and the Santo Domingo Church and its stunning Rosario Chapel.
Biblioteca Palafoxiana
Biblioteca Palafoxiana wasn’t part of my Puebla wish list before arriving, and I was surprised to learn that this was the very first library to be found in the Americas. It needed to be included on this list!
Established the library in 1646. It houses 45,000 volumes from 15 the 15th to 20 century! Century! UNESCO acknowledges it, and walking around the old books and the beautiful library is a fantastic experience.
The Biblioteca Palafoxiana is situated near the main square of the center of historic Puebla. It costs only 40 pesos ($2) for entry costs. This is among the most affordable tourist attractions located in Puebla city.
It is possible to walk to the library and explore on your own. However, I suggest visiting using a tour guide when you can. Tour guides will inform you about the library and explain its significance in the past.
This specific city tour in Puebla comprises a visit to the library and several other notable tourist attractions in Puebla, such as Puebla Cathedral, Rosary Chapel, Fort Loreto, and the tunnels. Your guide will impart so many details, and it’s incredibly affordable!
Amparo Museum
With two buildings in total, The Museo Amparo (Amparo Museum) is home to impressive collections of pre Colombian, Viceregal, 19th-century, and modern Mexican art. In the group are bowls, stelae and figures, and other artifacts created by the indigenous civilizations of Mesoamerica as well as Mesoamerican civilizations like the Aztec, Maya, and Teotihuacan culture.
Alongside impressive exhibits and interactive displays, there is a range of permanent Mexican and international exhibitions, which focus on topics ranging from archaeology to historical research to design and architecture. Remember to go to the cafe or rooftop terrace to enjoy a fantastic view of Puebla.
Fort Loreto
Find out about the famed Mexican celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the museum of this fortress, where fought battles of the past. Fort Loreto stands today as an ode to an essential element in Mexican military history.
It was the time when the small Mexican army defeated the larger French enemy. Epic battles were fought in this area, and Fort Guadalupe in 1862, with the victory, was celebrated yearly in the famous Cinco de Mayo holiday. Visit a guided tour to get an in-depth description of the war as well as its importance to the culture of today.
Learn more about the legendary Battle of Puebla in this impressive fortress built in the 18th century. Explore the exhibits at the Museum of Non-Intervention, where you will find documents, letters, and artworks depicting the fight. Explore the old uniforms and weapons and read about the life and history of Benito Juarez, the first president of Mexico.
Look at the low, thick high walls surrounding the fort that has witnessed conflicts. It was initially constructed as a sacred temple in the 1600s and was strengthened in the time of the revolution for independence two centuries afterward.
Explore the Centro Civico Cinco de Mayo park for various activities. The park is home to a soccer field, an enormous auditorium, a planetarium, and giant green fields. Explore the exciting exhibits of the Museo Imagine. Bring your children to play with interactive exhibits on the sciences and nature. Get refreshments and snacks at the cafe in the park.
It is important to note that even though the Mexican army eventually fell, the victory is ingrained in the nation’s collective psyche as a proud symbol of unification. It was one of the first indicators of the Latin American country exerting its influence over colonizers.
Fort Loreto and the neighboring Fort Guadalupe are in the northeastern Puebla region, which is approximately 2.5 miles 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) from the Centro district. Forts are located within Centro Civico Cinco de Mayo, close to the Parque Paseo of Teleferico. You can take a bus at one of these stops on the main highway adjacent to the fort.
There is a cost to visit the fort, which is open from early morning until late afternoon on Tuesday through Sunday. When you visit the area, you can also visit Iglesia Cristo Rey, the Exhibitor Center, and the Planetario de Puebla.
Estrella de Puebla
Estrella de Puebla is one of the best places to visit in Puebla. Ferris wheel rides are great fun. However, I’ve never been one to pay hefty entrance fees for Ferris wheels. The Ferris wheel is located in Puebla, Estrella de Puebla. It has to be the cheapest in the world! The entry fee is just 40 pesos which are around 2 dollars! But don’t be concerned, it’s safe. The Ferris-wheel is fresh and new!
The wheel will take about one hour to make one rotation, and if you visit during the week during the early afternoon, you’ll rent a full cart for yourself (they usually cost 400 pesos (USD 20) for this during busy periods). From the summit, the views are breathtaking, and you’ll be able to see the volcanoes surrounding you!
The journey to the Ferris wheel: The easiest way to reach the Ferris Wheel is by Uber. At the Puebla city center, it will cost about 70 cents (USD 3.60)! For the Uber back, take a walk to the nearby mall (it’s very close) to get Wi-Fi.
Great Pyramid of Cholula
Overseas the town of Cholula is among the giant pyramids. It has an enormous rise that has been built up over many centuries of devotion to God. Explore Cholula’s archaeological park from prehistoric times to discover the reputed to be the world’s most enormous Pyramid in volume and the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
Also called Picramide Tepa Napa or Tlachihualtepetl, the massive mythological and religious complex remains a mystery for decades. Visit the site museum to learn more about its lengthy history and significance for religion. Go through a tunnel in the Pyramid, and look at old-fashioned courtyards and murals. Learn about the religious rituals that continue to be practiced at this temple complex from the past.
As you walk towards The Great Pyramid of Cholula from the plain around it, You’ll see the overgrown slopes of lush green grass and the 16th-century church, which is now on the top of the hill. The structure rises 217 feet (66 meters) in the air and is 1480 to 1,480 feet (450 by 500 meters). Take note of the Pyramid’s unique multi-tiered design, which is identical to Teotihuacan within The Valley of Mexico and El Tajin in El Tajin on the Gulf Coast.
It is believed that construction began at the end of the 3rd century B.C. as a memorial to the God Quetzalcoatl. The Pyramid was significant in the Olmeca-Xicalanca and Tolteca-Chichimeca, and the post-classic Aztecs believed that the God Xelhua was the one who built it.
Go to the northern part of the Pyramid until you reach the entrance to the tunnel. You will enter the structure’s ancient past and walk through its Mural of the Drinkers. It is among the most extended pre-Columbian paintings in Mexico.
It also contains the Courtyard of Altars in the complex on the south-facing side. We used the elevated platforms in this area to perform ceremonies. Visit the museum on the site to discover more about the site’s archaeological and religious significance.
The museum has a scale representation of the Pyramid’s intricate layers inside and also recreates the sites’ murals. Explore galleries featuring ceramics as well as other relics discovered during excavations.
The Great Pyramid of Cholula is located inside the San Andres Cholula district. The admission fee for the monument includes admission to the museum on-site. The ticket office, as well as the location for departure points for guided tours, are located near the Pyramid’s northern border.
International Museum of the Baroque
Award-winning Japanese architectural firm Toyo Ito developed this contemporary museum, which was inaugurated in February 2016. It’s among Puebla’s more impressive modern constructions.
The International Museum of the Baroque’s vast collection of permanent art includes art and other artifacts that date back to the Baroque period’s peak between the 18th and 17th centuries. The museum’s collection spans both the secular and religious spectrums and reflects this time’s everyday activities.
Admire Murals in Xanenetla
Admire Murals in Xanenetla is one of the best places to visit in Puebla. The Tlaxcaltecas lived in the area that is now called Puebla’s Xanenetla neighborhood near the close of the 17th century.
The name Xanenetla is derived from Tlaxcaltecas Xalnene mud which was used to create the bricks used to construct the homes in this area. The area of Puebla was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
There are around 55 full-size murals that you can view and take photos of here. The artworks cover three subjects: who we are as a person, who we are now, and who we would like to be. To enjoy a peaceful afternoon walk, go to Xanenetla and marvel at the stunning street art.
Cuauhtemoc Stadium
Get ready for the excitement, passion, and excitement of electrifying sporting events in Cuauhtemoc Stadium. If you plan your trip toward Cuauhtemoc Stadium in Puebla, save money to pay for admission. Need a second idea? After finishing at the athletic facility, go into Puebla Cathedral, Angelopolis Commercial Center, and Zocalo Square for more fun excursions.
Africam Safari
Africam Safari is one of the best places to visit in Puebla. This wildlife conservation zoo is home to more than 450 different species spread across approximately 500 acres of different habitats, ranging from Botswana’s Okavango Delta Visit the Huasteca.
See giraffes, elephants, rhinos, zebras, tigers, and many more at the ease of your vehicle or through guided tours (4×4 or bike walking tours are also available). You can enroll for educational and enjoyable adventures with the various animals, like sipping cocktails. In contrast, safari animals move around you, enjoying picnics with the giraffes and discovering how to identify animals.
Africam Safari is 10 miles to the south of Puebla. The buses depart at The Zocalo in Puebla and from The CAPU bus terminal daily.
Conclusion
All destinations are awesome! According to my opinion, International Museum of the Baroque is the best to start. I hope you have enjoyed our list of Best Places to Visit in Puebla.
I would be very thankful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to your friends or sharing it on Facebook, Medium, Reddit, Pinterest, Twitter, or Instagram. Thank you!
Related Destinations
You may check these destinations also!
- Best Places to Visit in Oaxaca
- Best Places to Visit in Al Wakrah
- Best Places to Visit in Al Rayyan
- Best Places to Visit in Nuevo León
- Best Places to Visit in Doha
