San Miguel Itinerary in 4 Days

Will & I just returned from a 4-day trip to San Miguel de Allende for a wedding. One of my very best friends has a family home there, so I’ve been fortunate enough to go to this incredible city several times. However, revisiting this city with someone that had never been, gave me such a fresh perspective on why this city is so captivating.

The color and vibrancy:

• · Every twist and turn in San Miguel de Allende is a work of art. I think I could pull a color palette for an entire series of paintings from every single corner and interior of this vibrant city.

  • One of my favorite ‘colorful’ parts of town is behind the covered market. There you’ll find the Mercado de Artesanias, which spans across several blocks lined with stalls selling all sorts of tourist trinkets and handicrafts. Silver jewelry, pottery, and pillows among many other affordable goods can be found here. Definitely reserve an entire afternoon for some shopping!

The culture:

• Plaza-centered towns have always been so charming to me. The heart of San Miguel, recognized as the Jardin, serves as the pulse of the city and is more alive than ever. Each narrow avenue and cobblestone street offers artisan shops, open-air markets, or an amazing street food dish.

• Everything about SMA is a work of art. Whether it is the beautiful architecture that each building and church offers or the mariachi music that you hear throughout the day. The hilly terrain provides incredible views from all areas of the city. Housed in an early 1900s textile factory is the Fábrica La Aurora beautifully converted galleries filled with art and antiques.

The food:

• I love the food offered in San Miguel. You can have very traditional Mexican dishes to delectable Peruvian or Italian cuisine.

  • My favorite restaurant is simply The Restaurant. It is housed in a beautiful colonial setting steps away from the main square, which also has a romantic courtyard to dine-in.

  • If you’re looking for a picturesque view, walk over to Quince, a rooftop bar and restaurant overlooking la Parroquia. Their drinks are hard to top or a late-night nap cap!

To get a little glimpse of some of the amazing shopping offered in San Miguel, check out Casa Clementina, a business started by 3 of my best friends. They collaborate, design, and share the unique craftsmanship of the Mexican artisans of San Miguel, & offer a carefully curated collection consisting of jewelry, embroidered textiles, handwoven bed linens, glassware, art, and a variety of “tesoros hermanos.”

Until next time,

see CoCo’s work in other homes: