Located in central Mexico halfway between Mexico City and Guadalajara, Morelia is a truly hidden gem. You don’t find too much information about it, and it’s often overlooked by international tourists. Most tourists in Morelia are Mexican, so if you’re looking for an authentic Mexican experience, this is the place to go.

Morelia is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico. Walking along its streets is like traveling back in time. It doesn’t surprise us that its historic center was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. There are plenty of things to do and see there. That’s why today we will share with you a lot of ideas to spend 4 days in Morelia. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Day 1: Morelia’s Historic Center

Jardín de las Rosas. I bet you’re hungry upon your arrival in Morelia. I recommend you head over to Jardín de las Rosas to eat something. It’s a beautiful plaza with gardens, a fountain, restaurants, and cafes. The prices are reasonable, and the views are stunning. We ate at Viandante and really loved it. After your meal, you can sit for a while on one of the benches available or continue with your itinerary.

A plaza with garden, a fountain, and restaurants.

Museo del Estado. Right across the street, you will find this museum. The building dates back to the 18th century and houses artifacts from all over the state. Some of them date back to pre-Hispanic times.

Museo de Arte Colonial. You will find an impressive collection of religious paintings and 100+ Christs.

Templo de Nuestra Señora del Carmen. This is one of the oldest temples in Morelia. It dates back to the late 16th/early 17th centuries. It’s notable for its domes, its bell tower, and its interior paintings.

Casa de la Cultura. This building is located behind the Templo de Nuestra Señora del Carmen and was a Carmelite convent many years ago. It is now a cultural center where you can find art workshops, exhibits, concerts, among other cultural activities.

A young man dressed in jeans and an orange sweater posing in the middle of two sculptures.

Mercado de Dulces. A large market with lots of candy, handicrafts, and typical clothing. This is the best place to buy souvenirs at good prices.

Palacio Clavijero. If you could only visit one museum in town, I recommend this one. It’s a beautiful Baroque building that dates back to the 18th century. It is divided into 8 rooms that house temporary and permanent art exhibits. It’s a must when visiting Morelia.

A large patio with arches and a fountain in the middle.

Gazpachos. Morelia locals love a fruit salad named gazpacho. It has nothing to do with the Spanish soup. Instead, this salad has jicama, mango, pineapple, watermelon, onion (yes, you read it right), orange juice, and is topped with Cotija cheese, salt, and ground hot pepper. It’s delicious! You can find them all over town, but the ones we tried and can recommend are known as La Cerrada.

Plaza de Armas. The main square is the heart of Morelia and a gathering place for locals. It is beautifully decorated for special occasions like the Day of the Dead and Christmas. Also, you can ride the trolley from here or take a walking tour around town. My favorite tours are legend tours where they act out the stories for you while visiting historic places.

A plaza with trees and benches lit up at night.

Day 2: Morelia’s Historic Center

Aqueduct. Morelia is famous, among other things, for its pink stone aqueduct. It has 253 arches and reaches a maximum height of approximately 30 feet. They stopped using it around 1910.

A pink stone aqueduct.

Bosque Cuauhtémoc. If you want to escape a little from the city, you can head over here. There are shady trees and playgrounds for the whole family. Locals visit this place to play soccer, work out, or simply relax.

Plaza Jardín Morelos. This is the largest public square in Morelia. There is a sculpture of Morelos, one of the pioneers of Mexican Independence, in the center. It was designed by the Italian sculptor Giuseppe Inghilleri.

Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. The exterior may be nothing remarkable, but don’t let that fool you. The inside is breathtaking. It is one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen. The interior is decorated in red, pink, and gold tones. It’s a true masterpiece.

Interior of a church dome decorated in red, pink, and gold tones.

Calzada Fray Antonio de San Miguel. This esplanade leads the way from the previous church to the aqueduct in the Historic Center. It’s a nice place to take a stroll. I had to return at night to see it light up. It looks beautiful!

Fuente de las Tarascas. This fountain is a popular landmark in Morelia. It features sculptures of three women holding a basket with fruit This is the perfect spot to take some photos with the fountain and aqueduct as the background.

Callejón del Romance. This alley is popular among local couples. It feels like walking along an old Italian street. You will find plants hanging from the walls as well as pieces of a poem written by a local author. You will find plenty of photo opportunities. At the end of the alley, there are some cafes where you can relax and eat something.

A young man seated on the stairs of an alley.

Museo del Dulce. Morelia is famous for its sweets. Both young and old will love this museum. Not only will you learn about the history of local sweets but also about their making process. At the end of the tour, there is a large shop with all kinds of sweets imaginable. If you have a sweet tooth, you don’t want to miss out!

Instituto del Artesano Michoacano. This building dates back to the 16th century and was a convent back then. It is now a place dedicated to preserving the arts and traditions of Morelia. You can find exhibits, conferences, workshops, and, of course, buy local handicrafts.

Casa Natal de Morelos. Did you know that Morelia was named after Mexican Independence hero Morelos? You can visit the place where he was born and learn more about his life and contributions to Mexican history.

Cathedral. The iconic cathedral is a work of art. It boasts a Baroque style and has a monumental organ inside. This organ was imported from Germany in 1905 and was the largest organ in the Western Hemisphere at the time.

On Saturdays, you can admire a cool video mapping show on the cathedral’s facade. This event takes place every Saturday at 8 p.m. By the way, this show was made by the same company that was in charge of lighting up the Eiffel Tower in Paris. How cool is that?

Facade of a pink stone cathedral.

Day 3: Pátzcuaro

From Morelia, you can easily do day trips to two nearby pueblos mágicos: Pátzcuaro and Santa Clara del Cobre. Let’s see what you can do in Pátzcuaro:

Templo de San Francisco. This is one of the most visited temples in town. There is a Christ inside that was made of sugar cane and the way it was shaped and positioned makes it look too real. Some locals claim that it has even moved.

Santuario de Guadalupe. This sanctuary was built by a former slave that was brought from Cuba to Mexico during the 19th century. It is known for its seven sculptures representing seven virtues.

Facade of an old church with a giant image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Plaza Gertrudis Bocanegra. Known by the locals as Plaza Chica, this is one of the two main plazas in Pátzcuaro. It’s surrounded by hotels and restaurants. On the west side, you will find the local market where you can buy fruits, vegetables, herbs, and traditional clothing.

Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Salud. This basilica was built on top of a former Purépecha pyramid. It was built during the 16th century. Inside you can find the remains of the first bishop, Don Vasco de Quiroga.

Centro Cultural Antiguo Colegio Jesuita. This former Jesuit college is now a cultural center with permanent and temporary art exhibits. You can also attend art workshops and courses on site.

Templo del Sagrario. This temple was built in the 16th century and boasts a Baroque style. It is an icon in Pátzcuaro. By the way, this is probably the most instagrammable spot all over town. You will see lots of people trying to take the perfect selfie, so it’s better to visit early.

A biker passing by a church with an arched fence.

Casa de los Once Patios. This 18th-century building hosts a large crafts market. Although there are only five courtyards left, originally, there were eleven. Only the name remained. There are plenty of photo and shopping opportunities inside.

A courtyard with white and red buildings around it.

Plaza Vasco de Quiroga. Better known as Plaza Grande, this plaza is a gathering place for locals as well as a location for cultural events. Here you can watch the international dance of the old men (danza de los viejitos), where young men wear old men’s masks and dance. This tradition goes back to the Spanish Colony times and was a way to mock the Spanish conquerors anonymously.

By the way, don’t forget to try the nieve de pasta! It’s some kind of caramelized ice cream. You can find it in front of Plaza Grande. It’s delicious!

Young men dressed with old men's masks and dancing.

Day 4: Janitzio and Santa Clara del Cobre

This is our last day, so we’d better make the most of it. How about the following?

Pátzcuaro’s pier. To go to the island of Janitzio, you have to take a boat. There are several piers at each of the towns surrounding the Lake of Pátzcuaro. However, most people take the boats at Pátzcuaro´s pier (embarcadero). There are several dining and shopping options in the area if you haven’t bought anything yet.

Boat to Janitzio. The ride takes approximately 25 minutes. On the way to the island, you will eventually run into the mariposeros. They are fishermen that catch fish by using a butterfly-shaped net, hence the name.

An island with a group of fishermen using butterfly-shaped nets.

Janitzio Island. This island hosts a large market where you can find food, clothing, and handicrafts. Many tourists visit the local cemetery during the Day of the Dead festivity in November.

Morelos Statue. On top of the island, you will find a giant statue of Morelos. Inside the statue, there is a museum with an observation deck at the very top. There are no elevators, so it can be hard for some people to reach this place.

A giant statue holding its fist up.

After spending a few hours in Janitzio, it’s time to move on. You have to take another boat back to the pier, and from there, take a colectivo to go to Santa Clara del Cobre.

Santa Clara del Cobre takes its name from copper. There are many artisans in town that make different objects with this material.

Museo del Cobre. Our first stop will be the Museo del Cobre or Copper Museum. Here you will learn about the history and importance of coppersmithing in town.

A giant vase and other items made of copper.

Visit a Coppersmith Shop. There are many places in town where you can buy all sorts of copper products and even watch an artisan at work. It’s an interesting and educational experience.

Main Plaza. This is a gathering place for locals and is the heart of the town. There is a large copper casserole where you can take a cool picture.

Templo de la Inmaculada Concepción. This church dates back to the 16th century. It boasts a Baroque style. It is said that this was the place where Pito Pérez told his stories to the writer José Rubén Romero, who published a book about him in 1938.

An old white church and a patio in front of it.

Best Time to Visit

The average yearly temperature in Morelia ranges between 24°C and 30°C (75.2°F – 86°F). Mornings are chilly, but the temperature rises quickly during the day.

The rainiest months are June-October. If you want to enjoy dry weather, then the best time to visit is between November and May. This coincides with the arrival of the monarch butterflies in Michoacán.

Another good time to go is around Día de Muertos in early November. If you plan to visit during those dates, you have to book a room months ahead as they fill up fast everywhere.

How to Get There

Morelia is served by General Francisco Mujica International Airport. It is located 30 km (19 miles) northeast of downtown Morelia.

Domestic destinations include cities like Monterrey, Tijuana, and Cancún, while international destinations include Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Jose, Fresno, and Oakland.

The bus companies that serve Morelia are ETN, Flecha Amarilla, Grupo Herradura Occidente, Omnibus de México, Parhikuni, Purhépechas, Excelencia Plus, Grupo Estrella Blanca, Línea de Oro, and TAP.

How to Move Around

Once at the airport, you have basically three ways to get downtown:

  • Take a Herradura de Plata bus outside the airport and get off at the bus station. The fare is around 20 pesos ($1). From there, take another local bus or a taxi.
  • Take a taxi. It will cost you between 350 and 420 pesos ($17.50 – $21).
  • Rent a car.

Put on comfortable shoes because you will do a lot of walking. It’s easy to move around downtown on foot.

If you need to travel longer distances, you can take a local bus or combi (a type of van). They charge 10 pesos ($0.50). You can check the routes here.

Taxis are not metered in Morelia. They charge per zone. The minimum fare is 30 pesos ($1.50). You will have to negotiate the price with the driver before starting the trip.

Uber is available in Morelia, so that’s another good option.

Where to Stay

For our stay in Morelia, we chose Casino Morelia in front of the main square. It’s a nice hotel with large rooms, comfortable beds, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, among other amenities. The staff was very attentive to our needs. Besides the location and service, the price was unbeatable! The rooms are as low as $42.

Of course, there are other hotels and lodging options in case you want something different. In any case, I recommend you use Booking to get the best rates.

Where to Eat

There are several options where you can eat authentic food at affordable prices:

  • The local markets such as Mercado Independencia, Mercado Nicolás Bravo, and Mercado Revolución ($). You will find all sorts of dishes like tacos, corundas, carnitas, and more.
  • Cenaduría La Inmaculada ($). They have lots of food stalls that offer different dishes. You have to buy tickets and then exchange them for what you want. Only open at night. Address: 58230, Madrigal de Las Altas Torres 218, Vasco de Quiroga, Morelia, Mich., Mexico.
  • Viandante Café ($$). Located at the Jardín de las Rosas, this small cafe offers options for lunch, breakfast, and dinner. They have chilaquiles, tacos, pasta, soups, coffee, and beer, among other things. Address: C. de Santiago Tapia 305, Centro histórico de Morelia, 58000 Morelia, Mich., Mexico.
  • Mercado de Antojitos de San Agustín ($). Enchiladas, pambazos, pozole, and other dishes. Address: Calle La Corregidora 232 Centro, Morelia 58000 Mexico.

As always, remember to use Yelp, Foursquare, and Tripadvisor to look for more recommendations that suit your needs.

Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking, you’re looking at around 1,000 pesos ($50) per day. This includes accommodation at a hostel/cheap hotel, a combination of street food and home-cooked food, local transportation, and a few attractions per day (museums, parks, etc).

A mid-range budget is around 1,850 pesos ($92.50) per day. This includes accommodation at a 2-star hotel/Airbnb, cheap restaurants, a few more attractions than the backpacker budget, and a taxi if need be.

Finally, if you don’t want to limit yourself, then a luxury budget will cost you at least 4,300 pesos ($215) per day. This includes staying at a 4-star hotel, eating at nice restaurants, taking taxis/Uber everywhere, and taking tours/guided trips.

Keep in mind these figures are just estimates. Some days you will spend less, while others you will spend more. This will give you a foundation to plan your budget and adjust it as necessary.

For your convenience, I created a table comparing the budgets we mentioned above. The prices are in Mexican pesos ($1 = 20 pesos).

LodgingMealsTransportationAttractionsAverage Cost Per Day
Backpacker2502501004001,000
Mid-range6004502006001,850
Luxury1,2001,5004001,2004,300

Tips for Saving Money

If you’d like to save some money when visiting Morelia, you can try some of the following:

  • Stay at a hostel or use Couchsurfing (an app that connects travelers looking for free lodging).
  • Eat at the local markets, cenadurías, or street food stands. They’re the cheapest and most delicious options you will find.
  • Walk and/or use public transportation as much as possible.
  • Uber is generally cheaper than taxis. However, if surge pricing is active, it might be better to take a taxi.
  • Look for free walking tours online. You just have to tip your guide at the end of the tour.
  • On weekends, there is always something going on outside the cathedral. For instance, the viejitos dance here at certain times of the day. There are also comedy shows or other performances going on. You just have to tip the performers, but it’s way cheaper than attending a formal show.
  • For free activities, visit the churches, parks, and markets.
  • To buy cheap souvenirs, head over to the Mercado de Dulces y Artesanías.

How to Stay Safe

Michoacán is on the U.S. Government Black List (Do not travel). Now, you may be concerned about safety because of this. The truth is, the media tends to exaggerate the news about Michoacán. I’m not saying nothing bad ever happens there, but it’s not like they rob, kidnap, or kill people on every corner.

The area of Morelia and touristy towns (Pátzcuaro, Tzintzuntzan, Santa Clara del Cobre, Janitzio, etc.) is relatively safe. The most problematic part of Michoacán is south of Uruapan, especially along the coast between Lázaro Cardenas and the state of Guerrero. This area is known as Tierra Caliente.

When driving, stick to toll roads and drive during daylight hours. Do not drive at night under any circumstances.

Morelia and the touristy areas are safe for the most part but don’t bring expensive stuff with you and watch your belongings at all times.

Avoid dark alleys or streets. Do not go out alone late at night.

If you ever find yourself in an emergency, you can dial 911.

Do not drink tap water. Use a filter or buy bottled water instead.

Remember to buy travel insurance to cover any unforeseen events.

Apps to Download

To make the most out of your visit to Morelia, I recommend downloading the following apps:

  • Uitsi Transporte Morelia. Find information about the local bus routes in town.
  • Uber. The most important rideshare service in Mexico.
  • Google Maps. Find driving directions and download maps for offline use.
  • Google Translate. If you don’t speak fluent Spanish, then make sure you have this app.
  • TravelSAFE. Connect to an emergency hotline by just pressing the SOS button.
  • MyCurrency. Find the latest exchange rate to know how much something is costing you.
  • Tripadvisor. Learn about other travelers’ experiences and recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and other places in town.
  • Busbud. Find bus schedules (when traveling to other cities) and book cheaper tickets online.
  • Travello. Find other travelers on the road and make new friends.

Conclusion

There you have it. Your 4 days in Morelia will fly! There are many things to see and do all year round. Whether you’re into nature, old traditions, Colonial architecture, history, art, you name it, you will find something interesting for you in Morelia.

Feel free to adjust this itinerary and please let me know if you have any questions about it. I will be more than glad to help.

Morelia is one of my favorite destinations in Mexico. I hope you visit it someday if you haven’t. If you have, what would you add to the itinerary? Let me know in the comments section below. Bon voyage!

Book your trip now!

Book your flight

The first thing you have to do is find cheap flights. But where do you find those? There are many search engines, but the one I highly recommend is Skyscanner. Here you can compare fares from all over the world and pick the one that suits you best.

Book your accommodation

The next thing you have to do is secure your lodging. Whether you prefer a hostel, a guesthouse, a B&B, or a hotel, you can find them all on Booking. You can find lodging of all kinds ranging from cheap to expensive and somewhere in between. Many people have scored good deals using it.

Another popular option is Hostelworld. This website focuses on hostels as opposed to hotels.

Book a tour

In some places, you might want to hire a tour. Not all places are equally accessible to visit by oneself. It helps enormously when you visit with a local guide who can show you around and answer any questions you might have…all in your native language. My to-go place is Viator as they offer tours of all kinds and have a presence all over the world.

Rent a car

Public transportation is usually cheaper than renting a car, but it’s sometimes more complicated and time-consuming. That’s a reality. In some cases, it’s more convenient to rent a car. My recommendation is Rentalcars.com. Here you can compare rates and choose the one that fits you best.

Book your bus tickets

You can save money by booking bus tickets online. My favorite site to do this is Busbud.

Get travel insurance

Never travel without a travel insurance policy, especially during these days! Travel insurance can save your life. My recommendations are World Nomads and Insured Nomads. Both companies cover COVID-19 related incidents, which is crucial these days.

More resources

Just click on the “Plan your trip” tab at the top of this page, and you will find more resources like getting Mexican insurance for your foreign car, buying travel accessories, and learning Spanish. And, of course, don’t forget to check back often to read about more tips on Mexico travel.

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6 Replies to “4 Days in Morelia – A True Hidden Gem”

  1. Hi. A place that is popular with local tourists is definitely my kind of place to visit. By the sound of things, if the city is very walkable as you say, I am guessing that it isn’t very large. I remember reading about how important copper was. In fact, if I recall correctly, the historical accounts say that the locals tried to fight off the conquistadores with copper weapons. I guess that was hardly a match for an armored combatant mounted on a horse brandishing a lance and a well-tempered steel sword. Thanks for sharing, it sounds like a delightful place. Best regards, Andy

    1. Hi, Andy,

      Morelia is not as large as other Mexican cities, but besides that, most attractions are located in the Historic Center. To travel to nearby towns, there is public transportation available, so I don’t see a point in renting a car here.

      I see you’re a history buff just like me. It’s always nice to meet people with similar interests. 

      Hope you visit Morelia someday. You will love it.

      Thanks for commenting.

  2. Morelia indeed looks like a hidden gem and if it was named a World Heritage site, there must be a very good reason for it. I have never been to Mexico, but after reading this post, I have put it on my bucket list and will certainly visit Morelia once travel restrictions have been lifted more. 

    Taking the boat trip to Janitzio and seeing the fishermen with their butterfly shaped nets, seems like a highlight. Thanks for sharing a great itinerary and lots of tips on visiting Morelia and surrounding towns. 

    1. Hi, Line,

      I hope you visit Mexico sometime. You will fall in love with it.

      Morelia is one of my favorite destinations, and I’m sure it will be one of yours as well.

      In the meantime, feel free to check back my site often to stay up to date with the latest information and tips on Mexico travel.

      Thanks for commenting.

  3. I mean, where do I sign up? Reasonable prices and stunning views… There’s kind of nothing I’m into more. And my wife is an absolute sucker for places like those. Jardín de las Rosas is something that we’ll absolutely have to visit.

    Overall, Morelia sounds so incredible. I would love to see those paintings at Museo de Arte Colonial, see the pink stone aqueduct with my own eyes, experience the breathtaking Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, take the perfect selfie at Fuente de las Tarascas, and boat to the Pátzcuaro’s pier. I would really enjoy visiting that Morelos Statue. My wife absolutely adores places like that.

    I mean, I absolutely agree; Morelia sounds like such a gem. Also, loved those tips there at the end. 🙂

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