Centro histórico de Puebla
The Neighbourhoods of Puebla
The historical centre of Puebla is where our love story with Puebla began. It is where we fell in love with the place, the place that reminded us of old European towns we had gotten to know from our years in the aviation industry. It’s the place where we spent so many hours walking around with our toddler riding his little motorcycle on the cobblestone streets. It’s where we made our first friends, and where we first discover the amazing Poblano food scene.
We don’t go to El centro as often as we’d like to anymore. But every time we do, the magic is still there. It’s a beautiful historical town with stunning colonial architecture and an amazing food scene. We live about 30 minutes away, which isn’t that far, but it is still a little bit out of our way. Especially when there’s so much to do around our house in Cholula.
But if you’re visiting Puebla for the first time, the Centro histórico de Puebla is absolutely the first place to start your journey. There’s so much happening in this area; you can walk most of it and bridge the gap with short uber rides.
What to do in el Centro histórico
Like most towns in Mexico, the center of the center is the Zocalo. It’s the central park.
The village square where everybody, at one point or another, goes to hangout, socialize, take a stroll, meet friends and family, and so on.
Around the Zocalo, you will find tons of activities and restaurants. There’s almost always a concert or a show of some kind going on either in the Zocalo itself or in the Pasaje del Ayuntamiento
Just north of the Zocalo runs the commercial pedestrian 5 de Mayo street. On that street the magnificent Capilla del Rosario, Templo de Santo Domingo— a must visit.
Right next to the Zocalo sits the majestic Catedral de Puebla that’s well worth the visit as well.
Right across the street, overlooking the Cathedral is the restaurant Comal, where you can grab a bite for lunch or dinner and enjoy the best view of the Cathedral.
This might sound like a sacrilege for many, but the best view of the Zocalo itself is from the rooftop patio of the 3 story high McDonald’s.
Just south of the Cathedral you will find Biblioteca Palafoxiana which is said to be the oldest continuously operated public library in the Americas.
On the South west corner of the Zocalo runs the Calle 3 Ote. which has tons of cools restaurants for and bars. You’re going to find cool spots on that streets all the way down to Boulevard 5 de Mayo.
At the intersection, you will find two great hotel options for two different budget. Casa Pepe is a budget boutique hotel & hostel. It was our base for the first few weeks in Puebla. The rooms are clean & comfortable, the staff is very friendly and they offer city tours and other activities. You would be hard pressed to find a better value in such a great location in the historical center.
Right across the street is a luxury boutique hotel with a rooftop pool called Cartesiano boutique hotel. The place is gorgeous and on our go-to list.
Other very interesting spots in El Centro
Puebla La Churrería: Excellent place for a classic Churros or a sandwich near the Zocalo.
Mural de los Poblanos: Classic upscale restaurant in Puebla. A great place to try Poblano specialities like Chiles en Nogada and moles.
ATTA Salon Café: Located a few blocks north of the Zocalo. It’s a small cozy coffee shop with delicious breakfast & world-class brews.
BRICO Pizzería Restaurant: Located in the same building as ATTA, is one of the best Pizza AND pasta in Puebla. They are located in a kid friendly courtyard. Highly recommended.
OCHO30.4 Centro: Ocho30 has a handful of locations in the Puebla area. It serves modern eclectic dishes in colourful settings. The Centro location is located in Librerías Gandhi in an historical building. They have table inside the library itself and in the basement. Beautiful spot
Anónimo Centro Histórico: Great italian restaurant with a Mexican flair.
Museo Amparo: A must-visit cultural destination, showcasing an impressive collection of pre-Hispanic, Viceroyalty, and 19th-century art alongside contemporary works, with a rooftop terrace offering beautiful views and free entry on Sundays.
The Alley of the Frogs (Callejón de los Sapos): A quaint cobblestone street lined with colourful colonial buildings, featuring lively antique shops and weekend artisinale markets.
La Pasita: An iconic bar in Puebla since 1916, it is famed for its unique raisin liqueur served with goat cheese and grapes, offering a nostalgic ambiance filled with antiques and history, making it a must-visit spot to experience the city’s cultural heritage.
El Ídolo de México Centro bar: Located next to La Pasita, is a lively and iconic Mexican saloon offering great drinks like cantaritos, mezcal, and tequila, along with snacks, friendly service, vibrant music, and an unforgettable atmosphere that makes it a must-visit destination in Puebla.
La Colecturía: A stunning and versatile venue with a café, restaurant, and cocktail bar, offering gourmet-style service, delicious food like cold brew lemonade and croissant omelets, beautiful architecture, and serene settings like a water mirror and garden, making it an ideal spot for breakfast, drinks, or a romantic evening. One of our personal favourites.
Profética: Beautiful cafe in a trendy library. The cheesecake/Pay de Queso is amazing.
Princess Lavanderia: Great spot in El Centro to have your laundry done during your trip.
Hasta Luego!
There are so many options in El Centro, and Puebla in general, that we are barely scratching the surface with this list. Stay tuned for upcoming articles with our other favourite neighbourhoods in Puebla, and update your subscription below for full access to our consistently updated Google Maps list, with all our favourite spots, catered for you.
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