Things to Do In San Miguel de Allende

When a town is this magical, you can hardly turn a corner without running into something incredible! But if you need a little guidance, try these things to do in San Miguel de Allende.

Sometimes a place hits you just in the right way to tug at your traveler’s heart, and it makes you feel like that place is just for you. San Miguel de Allende is one of those places!

This visually stunning town is filled with cobblestone streets, colorful doors, and silk ribbons waving in the breeze, hung from almost every window you pass.

It’s also home to an incredible community of artists, some amazing food experiences, and so many beautiful sights.

Here are some of our favorite things to do in San Miguel de Allende!

Psst — before you dive in, be sure to sign up below for my VIP group. I send these folks more of my very best travel recommendations and family ideas.

Family Travel to San Miguel de Allende

While I think SMA would be an incredible place for an adults-only trip, we had a fantastic time traveling there with our kids, who were nine and seven at the time.

If you’re looking for other family-friendly travel destinations, here are a few of our favorites!

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Things to Do in San Miguel de Allende

There’s no shortage of things to do in this lovely, charming town!

Shopping

As you wander through the maze of small cobblestone streets, be sure to stop into the shops that you pass.

Many of the shops are owned by local artists, makers, and creatives, selling their creations.

Also, don’t be afraid to wander back into the courtyards behind open doors. I learned that in the main village of San Miguel de Allende there are approximately 2,000 doors, and that almost all of those doors lead to a courtyard.

We found so many magical moments by just wandering and exploring.

Doors + Knockers

And speaking of doors, one of our favorite things to do was just to wander the streets and ooh and ahh at the incredible doors!

Each door has its own personality, from brightly colored paint to interesting door knockers, and more.

We made a game out of it, with everybody choosing their favorite door, or trying to find the most colorful.

This is another way to discover hidden gems of restaurants or shops!

Historical Buildings

San Miguel de Allende is home to many beautiful churches, the crown jewel of which is La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel — a stunning cathedral in the central square of the town, which happens to have a distinct pink hue.

Starting a historical tour here in the town square is the perfect spot. There are local guides who will take you on a walking tour, or you can download a tour and guide yourself.

Many of the buildings in the town were constructed in the 16th and 17th century, and the architecture is absolutely stunning

Art and Museums

San Miguel de Allende has long been known to be a friendly place for artists and creatives.

It really shows in the number of art galleries, museums, and creative spaces.

One not-to-be-missed place is Fabrica La Aurora. Formerly a textile mill, it now houses a whole slew of art galleries and shops to wander through, with restaurants where you can stop and get a bite or a drink.

One of the kids’ favorite museums was Museo La Esquina, a small but absolutely packed museum dedicated to toys. It held all kinds of handcrafted traditional toys from all over Mexico. So colorful and very fun!

Next door to the museum is the workshop of one of the most renowned mojiganga creators, Hermes Arroyo. Mojigangas are larger-than-life paper mache puppets, often used in parades and celebrations around SMA and throughout Mexico. If you can pop into his workshop while he’s there, do not miss it.

Finding a Pool in San Miguel de Allende

If you’re there during the warm season, I highly recommend spending a little money to get a day pass to a pool at one of the local resorts.

We got a family day pass at the Rosewood Hotel, which was much more affordable than any pool pass I’ve ever seen at a luxury hotel in the states!

You’ll usually find that a portion of the rate of the pool pass goes toward food and drinks. So if you stay for the day and eat lunch and/or dinner by the pool, it becomes an even better deal.

We found that our kids loved having a day where they could just splash and relax in between all of the sightseeing.

Food and Drink

The restaurants!

This is a city that knows great food. We barely scratched the surface but we did come away with some favorites.

Be sure to grab breakfast pastries from Panio, and if they have fresh conchas don’t miss out on those.

A local expat who heard us looking for a good sandwich place sent us to Bagel Cafe, and we had some incredible sandwiches. It’s a teeny hole in the wall, so keep your eyes peeled!

San Miguel de Allende Rooftops

No matter where you go, ask if they have a rooftop table! The views and the vibes are just so great when you’re up high in this beautiful place.

Enjoy your travels! xoxo