Queretaro is an energetic city with a historic center located in central Mexico filled with flavorful food, plenty of people, & hearty history. Santiago de Querétaro is more commonly known as Queretaro City, Queretaro, Queretaro de Arteaga, or Querétaro (with the accent). Regardless of what you call it, there are plenty of things to do in Queretaro & explore its top attractions!
Start your day in the heart of the city at Queretaro's historic center. You could easily spend your experience walking along the streets of Querétaro's historic center, watching cars drive on the road, eyeing the menu of a restaurant or two.
About Carmen
I've been to Queretaro City twice & enjoyed it even more the second time! I adventured through the top things to do in Queretaro Centro as well as other parts of Queretaro state; I ate some of the best (vegan) tacos of my life, bought my very own handcrafted Maria doll from a local woman, & gazed at the dazzling display of Christmas decorations throughout the city. Click here to find out more about me & my travel history. Or you can follow me on Instagram.Related reading: El Cielo Winery Resort on Ruta del Vino Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada
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| One of the first things to Do in Queretaro Centro is try a fresh churro & enjoy the view! |
How far is Queretaro from Mexico City?
Need a day trip idea? You're already in Central Mexico, so perhaps you're wondering how far is Queretaro from Mexico City? Where is it located? Mexico City is about 134 miles/217 km or 160 miles/259 km away from Queretaro depending on your route. Just look at Google maps. Definitely worth a trip if you can muster it, perfect for day trips!Read my other blog posts about Mexico:
A Mini Guide to Tijuana's Breweries, Craft Beer, & Tasting Rooms
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| How far is Queretaro from San Miguel de Allende? 41 miles/66 km to 59 miles/95 km away |
How far is Queretaro from San Miguel de Allende?
A day trip is right around the corner! There are a few different routes you can choose from, so the answer may vary. How far is Queretaro from San Miguel de Allende? The trip ranges from 41 miles/66 km to 59 miles/95 km, depending on your route. San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful & historic city. Let's explore!
Related reading: A Mini Guide to Tijuana's Breweries, Craft Beer, & Tasting Rooms
The Aqueduct / El Acueducto de Querétaro
You can't miss the amazing red brick aqueduct as you drive into Queretaro. It's the first thing you see as you drive into town. The notable arches are one of the top attractions; they extend for 1,280 meters with a total of 74 arcs. The aqueduct's original function brought water from the valley into various fountains throughout the city. It's quite a masterpiece, one of the best.
El Cerrito Archaeological Zone (Zona Arqueológica El Cerrito)
El Cerrito Archaeological Zone (Zona Arqueológica El Cerrito) is an archaeological zone and place of worship.
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| Buy snacks & goodies from the vendors. |
Walk the Streets
There are plenty of things to do in Queretaro. The thriving city feels clean despite the hubbub of locals & travelers; you might see workers sweeping up leaves or trash at any given time. Walk around the streets of Queretaro Centro to get a feel for the landscape. Some might say people watching & strolling around are some of the best top attractions in Queretaro City. |
| Things to do in Queretaro: Walk around the shops & restaurants |
Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas historic center feels like the heartbeat of Queretaro Centro, important, historical, interesting. It's always lively with kids playing, families walking around town, people dining, people selling dolls, t-shirts, crafts. There are water fountains, perfectly trimmed shrubs, & plenty of places to sit. Jardin Guerrero is the perfect spot to chill.Cerro de las Campanas
The Cerro de las Campanas which means Hill of the Bells, is a hill and national park in Querétaro City. Many people consider this as a must-visit destination. The address for Cerro de Las Campañas is 22034 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico.
Peña de Bernal
Peña de Bernal is 59 min (58.7 km) from Queretaro City via QRO 100 and Autopista México - Querétaro/Jurica - San Juan del Rio/Pedro Escobedo-Santiago de Queretaro/México 45/México 57 N. Peña de Bernal is one of the tallest monoliths in the world! It is the third largest monolith in the world.
Jardín Zenea (Zenea Garden)
Jardín Zenea (Zenea Garden) is a perfect nature spot to spend time outside. It's located at Calle 16 de Septiembre 8-24, Centro, 76000.
Support Local Shops in Queretaro Centro
We walked around Queretaro de Arteaga as a family. There are so many local vendors showing off their handcrafted goods in the city center. Why not take a look while you're visiting? I bought a blue & silver hand-beaded bracelet for my mom.Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo
Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo in Santiago de Querewtaro, Mexico is a domed Baroque church with a bell tower and ornage interior.
My niece found some hand-sewn scrunchies she couldn't resist. A few of us bought evil-eye bracelets from a couple shops. Fred bought a t-shirt from a Queretaro Centro vendor. This is one of the best things to do in Queretaro City! There's food, art, architecture, wine and cheese, and more.
Related reading: Things To Do at Playas de Tijuana
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| Things to do in Queretaro Centro: Browse the churches & missions! |
Churches & Missions
Queretaro has some exquisite churches & even some Franciscan missions. Awe at the pale yellow towers of Templo de la Congregacion de Guadalupe. Take a tour of Templo y ex-convento de la Santa Cruz de los Milagros. There's the Iglesia de Santa Rosa de Viterbo.Go inside a church whenever possible. Sit in the back rows or stay to the side so you can respectfully view the inside without interfering with anyone praying. Some of the churches in Queretaro are quite phenomenal. You can see a lot in the city center.
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| Gorditas being made at a restaurant in Queretaro Centro, Mexico. |
Eat Everything
Best things to do in Queretaro City? Eat, eat, eat again, eat some more. Whether you're looking for places to eat a sit-down meal, the famous fresh churros con chocolate, or maybe a little snacky snack from one of the vendors (think candies, gum, mini portions of popular Mexican snacks), Queretaro Centro is a hub for foodies. Food bloggers & lovers rejoice! Bring your pesos and let's eat.Museums / Museos en Queretaro
Quertaro's museums are filled with knowledge and art waiting to be dis Find the Museo Regional in the former Convent of San Francisco; reviewers particularly love the colorful patio. There's the MUCAL Museo del Calendario. There are plenty of museos en Queretaro, take your pick! Go to the art museum. There is a lot of wonderful art around the city! |
| Hanging out at the Queretaro Airbnb with my adorable Maria doll, made by a local woman. |
Queretaro Tourism and Social Media
Wander around and enjoy exploring the city. Queretaro's social media presence and events calendar is impressive, which I love as a social media professional. It's one of those little things that bring me joy in life. Anyway, I digress. Take a look at the Queretaro Travel website, a visitor guide for all things in the state of Queretaro.They cover different regions, events, frequently asked questions, contact information, & other useful Queretaro Mexico tidbits. They have more information on the best things to do in Queretaro City & top attractions.
Where Should I Stay in Queretaro? Hotel? Airbnb? Does It Matter?
Airbnb Accommodations
I stayed in a Queretaro Airbnb both times I've stayed in Queretaro City since we're usually traveling with a group. In Queretaro, Mexico, it might be cheaper for a group of 5 adults & 3 kids to pitch in for an Airbnb rather than stay in 2-3 hotel rooms each night.Each Queretaro Airbnb I stayed at was great for families, had solid Wi-Fi, comfortable beds, & everything you could need. Sign up for Airbnb with my link & get $40 off your booking. That could be a free night's stay!
Hotels Options Nearby
Searching for Queretaro hotels to stay in? There are plenty of options in Queretaro Centro & the surrounding area if you want to be within distance of top attractions. Take a look at some of the hotels in the area.Simply type in your arrival & departure date, as well as the number of people in your party; this map will show you Queretaro hotels available during that time. Browse hotels in Queretaro - there are 200+ hotels to choose from.
Whether you're traveling by yourself, with family, friends, or on business, you'll find tasty food & interesting things to do in Queretaro, Mexico. You can do nothing & just stay inside your Queretaro hotel or Airbnb. You can spend the day hopping from museum to museum. You could do a food tour.
Do you have any questions? Leave a comment below & I'll do my best to help. I hope this was helpful. Have you explored Queretaro, Mexico? Have any recommendations on the best things to do in Queretaro City? Share your best tips or moments.
What to Do in Queretaro with Kids
We traveled around Queretaro Centro with a five-year-old, six-year-old, 8-year-old, two 20-somethings, a 30-something, & two 50-somethings. The kids had fun trying out foods from different stands. Mexico tends to be lean on the affordable side so the kids can feel like they're princes & princesses without the adults having to burn tons of cash. Buy little toys from the vendors or shop cute jewelry, trinkets, & other gifts from other shops.Whether you're traveling by yourself, with family, friends, or on business, you'll find tasty food & interesting things to do in Queretaro, Mexico. You can do nothing & just stay inside your Queretaro hotel or Airbnb. You can spend the day hopping from museum to museum. You could do a food tour.
Do you have any questions? Leave a comment below & I'll do my best to help. I hope this was helpful. Have you explored Queretaro, Mexico? Have any recommendations on the best things to do in Queretaro City? Share your best tips or moments.
If you're stopping by, remember to support local whenever you can. Check websites if possible for updated hours and information. Be kind.
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Queretaro looks like such a beautiful city! I have only been to Cabo, but I would love to visit other cities in Mexico someday
ReplyDeleteJill
https://jilliancecilia.com/
Queretaro sounds like a really vibrant city full of culture. I'd definitely check out the churches and the stalls selling little trickets. I think what would get me most excited is going out for food and sampling the local cuisine though. Definitely now want some churros :)!
ReplyDeleteSarah xo Oomph London
Oh it sounds like you had a great time! I've never been to Mexico, but I so want to visit as it looks like such an amazing time xo
ReplyDeleteMakeupMuddle.com
So cool! I have to add Queretaro to my travel list. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeletehttps://mochapolaroid.blogspot.com
This is such a nice guide to Queretaro! The picture of the Maria doll reminded me that I have one as well; it was given to me by my grandparents when they went on a cruise to Mexico years ago x
ReplyDeleteBrine & Books
The doll you got is super cute! It's always great to support local craftsmen and women and give them back, when you visit a place. The city looks beautiful too, and maybe not as touristy as the capital? :)
ReplyDeleteJulia x
www.juliaspeaksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk
What a charming place indeed! Love your fun photos dear.
ReplyDeleteQueretaro sound like a lovely place to visit! I've been to Mexico a couple of times and I really adore spending my vacations there. The food, the people, the colors, the weather, history... It's all there! Now I'm hungry for that churro!
ReplyDeleteXx, Layla Rosita | www.laylarosita.com
That sounds lovely - where have you visited in Mexico? It's such a vast country; I really love it & would enjoy seeing more. :] I want a churro now too!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHi Julia! You're so right about supporting local craftsmen & women. I also bought a beaded bracelet for my mom & she loved it. I try to support smaller businesses (versus huge corporations) whenever I can. Queretaro City is busy, but as you said, it's probably not as touristy as the capital! I really loved it. :]
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool you have a Maria doll too!!! I bet she's adorable. How sweet - what a lovely memory to have of your grandparents. :]
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome. Do you have any 2020 travel plans? :]
ReplyDeleteMexico is beautiful, lots of yummy food too. Do you have any 2020 travel plans? :]
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah. It sounds like you'd definitely enjoy Queretaro. :] Churches, food, shopping in the stalls sounds like the perfect way to spend the day. Do you have any 2020 travel plans? :]
ReplyDeleteOoooh how was Cabo?? :]
ReplyDelete