OrangeSmile Tours Best destinations around the world - Travel Guide

Sightseeing in Puebla - what to see. Complete travel guide

Nestled among four volcanoes, Puebla is a large city in east-central Mexico. Puebla is widely recognized as the “baroque cradle of Mexico”. This title is easy to understand once you arrive in the city – there are many architectural and historic landmarks of different epochs in Puebla. Without a doubt, they are incredibly popular with tourists. Scenic nature is another treasure of this Mexican city. Beautiful landscapes harmoniously frame the enchanting look of Puebla. Mexicans often call Puebla a gastronomic capital because this is the homeland of numerous unique dishes with exotic flavors and tastes.
Archaeological excavations proved that the first settlements on the site of modern Puebla existed long before the start of our age. The modern history of the city started in 1519 when Hernan Cortes entered this region on his way to Tlaxcala. The indigenous people were under the Aztec dominance at that time, and they were not happy about it. That is why when the Spanish army captured the territory, local people met them as liberators. The foundation date of Puebla – 1531 – is also considered the date when the Mexican state was established. At that time, Puebla was an important transition point between Mexico City and the port of Veracruz. There was also a large military garrison in Pueblo.
The favorable location helped the city to become an important economic and cultural center within a short time. The population of Puebla was growing, and the economy of the state was flourishing. The city was growing in size, and so many churches and monasteries appeared in it. The following centuries were the “golden age” for the Mexican city as its production sector was growing. New factories and manufactories were opening in Puebla. After World War I, the city entered a period of instability. Authorities were frequently changing in the city. The situation stabilized only in 1942 during the reign of Governor Gustavo Diaz. The city’s economy started recovering. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Nowadays, the “cradle of Mexican Baroque” is a unique combination of architectural and cultural landmarks, some of which have gained wide recognition. Pueblo Cathedral is one of the most popular tourist sites. This Roman Catholic church is a fabulous example of colonial architecture. Nowadays, the cathedral is the see of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Puebla de los Ángeles. The building of the shrine started in 1557 and lasted almost a century. The church was consecrated in 1690.
The cathedral’s décor is a unique combination of true treasures. Skillfully made intricate details cover the inside of the church. There are fourteen side chapels and a large iconostasis inside the cathedral. The exquisite alter of the church deserves a separate mention. It was installed during a reconstruction that took place at the edge of the 17th and 18th centuries. Fabulous frescoes by Cristobal de Villalpando decorate the cathedral’s cupola. These frescoes have survived to this day in pristine condition. The paintings feature scenes from the everyday life of the Virgin Mary.
Would you like to see a real treasure of Baroque style? In Puebla, tourists can visit the House of Sugar or Museo Casa del Alfenique. According to a local legend, the blacksmith master Juan Ignacio Morales built this unusual house. He did that to fulfill a wish of the girl he liked. The girl wanted to live in a sugar house. Of course, the building is not made of sugar, but fine building materials, elegant details, and almost weightless white stuccos create a fairytale look. The house was built in 1690. The girl was very pleased to receive such a wedding gift and she was living in this house until her death.
Nowadays, there is a museum open in the House of Sugar. The opening of the venue took place in 1926. The numerous halls of the museum exhibit different artworks that give a thoughtful insight into the historic and cultural development of Puebla starting from the arrival of the Spanish in the Mexican land. The museum’s collection features more than five hundred artifacts scattered among nineteen halls. Some halls feature textiles, and some halls exhibit paintings of prominent historic personalities. There is a hall with sculptures, various books, and documents of the previous centuries.
There is an airport twenty-three kilometers from the city. This is a backup air gate of Mexico City. That being said, it is still more comfortable to fly to the capital of the country first. Mexico City has a large airport that receives numerous international flights every day. After that, get on a bus to the “cradle of Mexican Baroque”. The ride lasts almost one hour. Multiple minibusses connect the two cities. The journey time is roughly the same, but the ticket price is significantly cheaper.

City tours, excursions and tickets in Puebla and surroundings

Reference information
Map of all shopping areas
Shopping streets in Puebla
♥   Shopping area ' Angelópolis' Puebla, 0 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Shopping area ' Las Animas' Puebla, 3.6 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Shopping area ' Zavaleta/La Noria' Puebla, 5.5 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all parks
National and city parks around Puebla
♥   National Park 'Molino de Flores Netzahualcóyotl' , 84.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Natural Park 'El Ocotal' , 87.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Municipal Park 'La Uva' , 89.3 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   City Park 'Andrés Quintana Roo' , 89.4 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   City Park 'Úrsulo Galván' , 94.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo

Sights around Puebla from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'

La Purificadora Hotel

From the series “Best industrial-style loft hotels”
Several spacious outdoor terraces are equipped at the fashionable hotel. Guests of the hotel can relax by the fireplace on them in the evening. The most unusual recreation area is located on the roof of an industrial building. A beautiful swimming pool with glass walls was created here. A library is available in the hotel. It will appeal to fans of a cozy holiday. There is an on-site restaurant serving Mexican cuisine. La Purificadora is located near the Street of Candies. It is known for its historic bakeries and shops. Local confectioners sell handmade candies in them. There are interesting museums and architectural monuments in the vicinity of the hotel. … Read further
Car rental on OrangeSmile.com Rentals in Puebla

Hilton builds third luxury hotel in Kyoto

The Hilton Kyoto hotel will be attractive to a wide range of guests. Leisure travelers will appreciate the close proximity to famous attractions such as Heian and Yasaka Temples, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and the scenic Gion Historical District. In a few minutes, guests can reach the metro stations, the path to the sights of interest will not take much time. Read this

19.03.2024

Search touristic sites on the map of Puebla

Address/Sight name City/Region Country Within radius, km
 Types of touristic objects to search for
Hotels & Car rental
Carhire locations
0 star
1 star
2 stars
3 stars
4 stars
5 stars
Touristic places
Art galleries
Churches/Temples
Museums
Castles/Palaces
Monuments
Touristic areas
Sightseeings
Attractions
Attraction parks
Casino
Theaters/Cinema
Disco/Clubs
Parks
Zoo
Aqua parks
Transport
Airports
Train stations
Bus stations
Metro
Parkings
Fuel stations
Ports/Ferries
Open the list of object types
Health/Sport
Open the list of object types
Food/Money
Open the list of object types
Shopping
Open the list of object types
Beauty/Medicine
Open the list of object types
City services
Open the list of object types
Useful services

Sightseeing in regions nearby Puebla

All about Puebla, Mexico - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Puebla, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Puebla in few days.
OrangeSmile.com - online travel reservation expert providing reliable car rental and hotel booking services. We feature more than 25.000 destinations with 12.000 rental offices and 200.000 hotels worldwide.
Secure Server
Head office
Weegschaalstraat 3, Eindhoven
5632 CW, The Netherlands
+31 40 40 150 44


Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | About us
Copyright © 2002 - OrangeSmile Tours B.V. | OrangeSmile.com | Under the direction and management of IVRA Holding B.V. - Registered at Kamer van Koophandel (KvK), The Netherlands No. 17237018