This Mexican City Might Be the Next Oaxaca

• Stay at Banyan Tree Puebla, which has the best rooftop terrace in the city. 

• Go for the mole tasting at El Mural de los Poblanos and sample five different takes on the classic dish. 

• Stroll around the Artist Quarter, where troubadours serenade passersby in the evenings. 

• Stop by a talavera factory to learn how this local pottery is made. 

• Visit in August or September, when Mexico's national dish, chiles en nogada , is traditionally made and eaten.

In an era of overtourism that has produced strong anti-visitor sentiment in previous "hidden gems," including Oaxaca , it's become harder to find a destination with its soul still intact. I spend time in Mexico every year, and after thoroughly exploring Puebla, I was delighted to find it fits the bill.

Puebla, located a little over two hours from Mexico City, is recognized as the first deliberately planned Spanish city in Mexico, built from scratch rather than over an Indigenous site. It was originally called Puebla de los Ángeles (Puebla of the Angels), as the founders claimed they received divine guidance to shape the city as a beacon of Catholicism. To this day, Puebla retains its religious identity through dozens of ornate churches scattered throughout the metropolitan area. 

The destination's historic and cultural significance doesn't end there. It was also the site of the victorious Battle of Puebla against French forces on May 5, 1862 (Cinco de Mayo), and it claims many dishes that are intimately tied to Mexican identity. That includes mole, which is also associated with Oaxaca, as well as the national dish: chiles en nogada , or stuffed poblano peppers doused in walnut cream sauce.

According to Puebla native and tour guide Ronnie Cerón, operations coordinator for Dopamina Travel , what makes Puebla stand out is its "sense of place." Unlike many cities whose identities have faded with years of tourism and gentrification, Puebla "keeps tradition alive through memory, through gastronomy, through love." It's also less visited than places like Oaxaca. "When I walk around with international tourists, they ask, 'Where are the tourists?,'" says Cerón. "Because there are a lot of locals, they feel integrated into the city."

Here are some of the best ways to spend your time in Puebla. 

Best Hotels & Resorts

Banyan Tree Puebla

Banyan Tree Puebla , located inside a 19th-century building near the Artist Quarter, was named one of the best resorts in Mexico in 2025 by Travel + Leisure readers. It not only has the most beautiful rooftop terrace in the city—Cerón says it's "just lovely"— but also a fairy-tale garden, four on-site restaurants, and a spa.

Palacio Julio Hotel

This five-star hotel comprises two 17th-century palaces, complete with vaulted ceilings and a grand chandelier. Other than its proximity to the main square, Palacio Julio Hotel 's greatest appeal is what lies outside its windows: sweeping views of the historic center punctuated by multiple church domes.

Quinta Real Puebla

Quinta Real Puebla is a renovated 16th-century convent in the city's historic center, blending ancient design details with modern amenities. It has a courtyard with a fountain, a beauty and wellness spa, and a couple of on-site restaurants, including a mezcaleria with some of the finest cocktails in the city.

Casareyna

The highlights of Casareyna are the personal service provided by staff and its courtyard drenched in natural light. Expect rooms that are simple yet tastefully appointed and one of the best restaurants in the city (more on that below). You'll also have access to a swimming pool, jacuzzi, and spa.

Cartesiano Boutique & Wellness Hotel

Cartesiano Boutique & Wellness Hotel plays peekaboo with pieces of 16th- and 17th-century villas—archways, exposed stone walls, and other features hidden throughout the property. There are two hotel restaurants and a spa that has been recognized for its thorough and high-tech wellness offerings, including a chromotherapy sleep repair bed.

Best Things to Do

Visit the Museo Amparo.

"We have a lot of museums, but my favorite is Museo Amparo ," says Cerón. "There, you can see pre-Hispanic art, colonial art, and contemporary exhibitions. They also have a rooftop terrace that is a really nice place to drink a coffee or have a gin and tonic."

Check out the Biblioteca Palafoxiana.

In 1646, Catholic bishop Juan de Palafox y Mendoza donated his own collection of books to be accessible to all, which is why the Biblioteca Palafoxiana is recognized as the first public library in the Americas. The beautiful space, with its high ceilings and dark wood carvings, is now a museum and research library, with over 40,000 books.

Tour the historic center.

Puebla's entire historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , recognized for its cultural significance. Start in the main square to see the Puebla Cathedral, and make sure to visit the gilded Chapel of the Rosary. It's worth taking a guided tour for historical context—local tour companies like Unlimited Experiences and El Viento Tours are good options.

Satisfy your sweet tooth on La Calle de los Dulces.

Puebla's culinary scene lives up to the hype, but it's not all about savory eats here. On Avenida 6 Oriente, affectionately called La Calle de los Dulces (Sweets Street), you'll find shops selling everything from dulce de leche to tortitas de Santa Clara cookies topped with a sweet pepita filling and local sweet potato candy.

Watch the sunset from Mirador de los Fuertes.

"We can't imagine Puebla without the volcanos," says Cerón. One of the best places to admire them, he adds, is Mirador de los Fuertes, inside a park home to two historic forts. "You're going to have this beautiful sunset looking at the volcanoes, the old city of Puebla, and the skyscrapers."

Best Shopping

Artist Quarter

El Barrio del Artista (Artist Quarter) has been a haven for artists since the 1940s. Wander its cobblestone streets and pass open-air studios where painters are at work. "It's one of the most bohemian neighborhoods we have in Puebla," says Cerón.

Uriarte

If you've been to Spain, Puebla's talavera pottery may look familiar—the designs are rooted in the influence of the Moors who lived on the Iberian Peninsula. In Puebla, talavera has been made in the same way since the 1500s. See this in action during a visit to the Uriarte factory, where you can purchase the pottery, often for a fraction of the price you'd pay in Spain.

Mercado de Sabores

At Mercado de Sabores, you'll find more than 100 stalls selling local handicrafts and ingredients, as well as dishes like mole, cemitas (sandwiches tucked inside rolls dotted with sesame seeds), traditional sweets, and more. This is one of the best street-food destinations in the city.

La Paz District Boutiques

This district of Puebla, located near Mercado de Sabores, is known for its boutique shops and local fashion designers. Denisse Kuri , for example, collaborates with Indigenous artisans on textiles she then turns into modern clothing for women. Casa Petra , downstairs from Denisse's shop, sells housewares and decorations, all made in Mexico. 

Callejón de los Sapos

The colorful, quirky Callejón de los Sapos (Alley of the Frogs) is lined with antique shops. Visit on the weekends for the flea market, and you'll find all kinds of interesting treasures plus the work of local artisans.

Best Restaurants

El Mural de los Poblanos

El Mural de los Poblanos is named for the mural on its walls, the design of local artist Antonio Álvarez Morán. The mural tells the story of Puebla, featuring the faces of important local figures. Make sure to try the mole tasting, which consists of five different versions of the famous dish that was invented here in the city. 

Casona Maria

Hotel Casona Maria is home to an underrated restaurant in its interior courtyard.  Here, executive chef Abdiel Meza curates a menu of dishes that honor Puebla's Indigenous and European influences, of which there are many. As Cerón puts it, "Our food is the meeting of all the ingredients and the people who arrived in Puebla."

Casareyna

Casareyna , in the hotel of the same name, has been called one of the best restaurants in Mexico. In addition to a menu of Poblano food, the restaurant also has an extensive wine program, with a focus on local wines.

Augurio

Traditional restaurant Augurio , inside Quinta Esencia Hotel Boutique in the historic center, serves the classics as well as humble offerings, like typical Poblano street food. "We don't have Michelin stars, so that makes our gastronomy really authentic," says Cerón. "Here, it's the local people who will judge the food."

Casa Barroca

One of the draws of Casa Barroca is its building, with vaulted ceilings, exposed stone, and talavera tile floors. As with most restaurants in Puebla, meals here are reasonably priced (most dishes cost under $20), reflecting Cerón's take: "Fine-dining restaurants can be so expensive, a Mexican cannot pay. Here in Puebla, fine dining is a more local experience."

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Puebla depends on how you want to spend your time there. If you come in May, you can see how Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the city where it originated. Summer, Cerón says, is best for foodies, as the annual Mole Poblano Festival takes place in June, and August and September are the months when you can typically find chiles en nogada . 

He also recommends Puebla for Día de los Muertos in October. During this time, the main square is decorated with altars, skeletons, and marigolds. 

For those who want to take a day trip to hike in Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park—a little over an hour away—winter is ideal, with steady warm temperatures and a photogenic dusting of snow on the volcanoes. 

How to Get There

Hermanos Serdán International Airport (PBC) is a 40-minute Uber ride from the city center, and it's a convenient option for those flying from within Mexico. There are also direct flights from Houston via United Airlines. Some hotels, like Banyan Tree, provide transportation from the airport.

Otherwise, the best way to get to Puebla is to fly into Mexico City and take a bus with ADO or Estrella Roja, both of which offer first-class options. There are routes between Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX)—also known as Mexico City International Airport—and the center of Puebla, usually a 2.5-hour ride. 

Neighborhoods to Visit

Centro Historico

The beating heart of Puebla's UNESCO-listed historic center is the main square, or Zócalo. "Our historic center feels like a small town. The way of life is so cozy, comfortable, [and] slow," says Cerón.

El Carmen

This neighborhood just south of the center has the same type of colonial architecture and historic feel, but gets fewer visitors than the city center. Visit the neighborhood park or head into the Mercado Melchor Ocampo to sample street food to your heart's content.  

Barrio del Artista

The Artist Quarter of Puebla isn't just a shopping destination; it's also a romantic neighborhood worth spending an afternoon in. You can walk around its postcard-worthy streets, sit in streetside cafes, or rest on its benches shaded by gigantic trees. There are often musicians playing, and plenty of art galleries to wander into.

Cholula

This nearby city is part of the metropolitan area of Puebla and home to an ancient pyramid, which the Spanish eventually built a church on top of after brutally conquering the area. Stop by for a visit to the archaeological site and a meal, or stick around for a nightlife experience more lively than that of downtown Puebla.

How to Get Around

Cerón says public transportation in Puebla is not the most reliable or convenient, so he highly recommends Uber. You can get a ride around the city for $2 to $10, depending on where you're going, and a ride from downtown to the airport costs around $20.

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