Puebla

Travel Guide
Puebla showing a city and street scenes
One of the oldest cities in Mexico fascinates visitors with its Spanish colonial buildings, creative cuisines and artistic output.

In a valley between four volcanoes is Puebla, a Spanish colonial site with more than 2,000 historic buildings. Look for vintage façades covered in Talavera tiles, baroque churches adorned with statues of angels, elaborate towers and colonial mansions.

Puebla was founded in 1531. At the heart of the historic center is the Zócalo, the rectangular main plaza that’s been here from the beginning. Start your visit in the lively square. Every day thousands of locals come here to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Street musicians perform folk tunes, hawkers vend their wares, and cafés and shops do brisk business.

Contemplate the architecture of the impressive Puebla Cathedral on the Zócalo’s south side. It is a mix of baroque, Renaissance and neoclassical styles. Look around the spacious interior with its richly decorated chapels. Climb one of the bell towers for impressive views of the city and volcanoes.

Wander through the historic center to discover more old buildings. Visit the Chapel of the Rosary to admire its opulent baroque interior. See pre-Columbian and colonial art at Museo Amparo, housed in 16th-century buildings.

Puebla is also popular for its gastronomy. The city is credited with the invention of mole poblano, a thick, spicy sauce. Try fine dining throughout Puebla, as well as convenient street vendors offering empanadas and molotes.

For art and crafts, visit Barrio del Artista where you can watch artists in their studios and buy their work. On the weekends, look for more art, locally made jewelry, rugs, clothes and lucky charms at the flea market in Plazuela de los Sapos.

When you’ve filled your shopping bags and finished admiring Puebla’s architecture, travel 20 minutes west to the Great Pyramid of Cholula.

Puebla is 82 miles (132 kilometers) southeast of Mexico City. Both are served by international airports. You can get around Puebla by bus, although there aren’t any route maps or scheduled stops. Alternatively, hail a taxi or rent a car. Plan for moderate temperatures year-round and a somewhat rainy summer.

Where to stay in Puebla

Zocalo Square featuring heritage elements

Puebla Historic Center

4.5/5(361 area reviews)

Puebla Historic Center is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Zócalo de Puebla and Puebla Cathedral while you're in town.

Puebla Historic Center
La Virgen de los Remedios Sanctuary showing heritage elements and mountains

Cholula

You'll enjoy the archaeological sites and museums in Cholula. You might want to make time for a stop at Great Pyramid of Cholula or Zócalo.

Cholula
When in Puebla you must visit La Estrella de Puebla where you will enjoy views from this City #patterns #WeLoveOurMarkets #LifeAtExpedia #Puebla #TLoTravel

Angelópolis

4.5/5(81 area reviews)

Angelópolis is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Angelopolis Commercial Center and Metropolitan Auditorium.

Angelópolis
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La Paz

5/5(2 area reviews)

While La Paz isn't home to many top sights, Galerías Serdán and Triangulo Las Animas Shopping Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

La Paz
Palafoxiana Library which includes interior views and heritage elements

Historic Centre of Puebla

4/5(6 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Historic Centre of Puebla, Artist Quarter and Zócalo de Puebla are top sights worth seeing.

Historic Centre of Puebla
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Lomas de Angelópolis

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

When in Lomas de Angelópolis, you can plan a visit to Templo San Francisco Acatepec and International Baroque Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lomas de Angelópolis
Courtyard by Marriott Puebla Las Animas
Courtyard by Marriott Puebla Las Animas
4 out of 5
Av 31 Poniente 3333, Esq Blvd. Atlixco, Puebla, PUE
The price is NT$1,469 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
NT$1,469
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Puebla. Enjoy free parking, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Nothing to complain about. Everyting was great. I would strongly recommend to anyone."

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Courtyard by Marriott Puebla Las Animas
Holiday Inn Express Puebla, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Puebla, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Blvd. Hermanos Serdan 45, Colonia Amor, Puebla, PUE
Fully refundable
The price is NT$1,801 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
NT$1,801
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Puebla. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"Estoy muy satisfecha con mi estadía en este hotel. La amabilidad del personal es excelente y la atención muy buena. El desayuno está muy rico. Muchas gracias por haberme sentido bienvenida en este hotel. Regresaré pronto"

Reviewed on 2024/3/27

Holiday Inn Express Puebla, an IHG Hotel
Camino Real Puebla Angelopolis
Camino Real Puebla Angelopolis
4 out of 5
Boulevard Atlixcayotl Km 5, Fraccionamiento La Vista, San Andrés Cholula, PUE
The price is NT$2,016 per night from Apr 28 to Apr 29
NT$2,016
per night
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in San Andrés Cholula. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast, and WiFi. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,015 reviews)
"Excellent hotel, staff on point"

Reviewed on 2024/3/15

Camino Real Puebla Angelopolis
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Villas Grand Gardenia
Villas Grand Gardenia
3.5 out of 5
Paseo de los Fresnos 8, Col. La Moraleda, Atlixco, PUE
Stay at this 3.5-star villa in Atlixco. Enjoy a children's pool, room service, and onsite parking. Popular attractions El Cristo Golf Club and Lighted Village ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (107 reviews)
"Place was really nice and definitely clean. The staff was great. Having a refrigerator was very nice since you can go to the store And by your own things and cook if you wish to do so. Breakfast was very good but it only opens on the weekends. I do wish the shower head worked better and they could ..."

Reviewed on 2023/7/24

Villas Grand Gardenia
Suites La Concordia
Suites La Concordia
3.5 out of 5
11 Poniente #301, Historic Center, Puebla, PUE
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Puebla. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Palafoxiana Library and Puebla Cathedral ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (176 reviews)
"No hot water to take shower"

Reviewed on 2023/12/20

Suites La Concordia
Missum Versatile Living
Missum Versatile Living
3 out of 5
29 El Arcángel La Rivera, San Andrés Cholula, Pue.
Stay at this 3-star apartment in San Andrés Cholula. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Great Pyramid of Cholula and Angelopolis ...
8/10 Very Good! (9 reviews)
"No ac and front desk staff were terrible about opening the parking gate when you leave and enter. Would have us waiting at the gate for minutes even after honking. Would recommend upgrading to an automatic system"

Reviewed on 2023/5/12

Missum Versatile Living
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Puebla

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
243
" "5 - Excellent 69.82758620689656%
4 - Good
97
" "4 - Good 27.873563218390803%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 2.2988505747126435%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 24, 2020

A beautiful city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 18, 2020

Great people , excellent food and beautiful place

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 17, 2020

Around 360 churches. This is a holy city with a European feel

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 13, 2020

I felt so happy walking around the downtown area

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 8, 2020

Puebla is a beautiful city that offers so much. As the 4th largest in Mexico it is still easy to walk around. The people are friendly and the dining options are numerous. A must stop when traveling throughout Mexico.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 5, 2020

I loved it.

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