When we planned our trip to Mexico, Puebla wasn’t even at the top of our list. Everyone talks about Mexico City’s energy, Oaxaca’s food scene, or the beaches of the Yucatán. But somewhere between the colonial streets, colorful tiles, and irresistible mole, Puebla completely won us over.
It’s elegant without being pretentious, vibrant yet relaxed, and full of history and flavor at every corner. Puebla surprised us in the best possible way — it became our favorite city in Mexico.
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About Puebla
Cinco de Mayo, volcanoes, and incredible food are probably the first things that come to mind when you think of Puebla. But there’s much more to this city than that.
Located in Central Mexico, more than 2,100 meters (6,900 feet) above sea level, Puebla is the capital of the state with the same name and the country’s fourth-largest city. Despite its size and historical importance, it’s often overlooked by travelers — unless they’re serious food lovers.
Puebla is one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas, filled with beautiful architecture, colorful streets, and dramatic volcanoes watching over it. It also hides pre-Columbian ruins and some of Mexico’s most iconic landmarks.
After spending a few days there, we realized Puebla isn’t just another pretty colonial city — it’s a place with its own rhythm, flavors, and stories. From its fascinating history to its world-renowned cuisine, there are numerous reasons to fall in love with it.
So, what exactly is Puebla known for? Let’s dive in.
Ten things Puebla is famous for
Food
We couldn’t write about what Puebla is famous for without starting with the food. Often mentioned alongside Oaxaca as Mexico’s culinary capital, Puebla is the birthplace of national classics like Chiles en Nogada and Mole Poblano, and its street food scene is exceptional.
From the first minute, it’s impossible not to notice the importance of food in Puebla, even when compared to the rest of Mexico, which is already renowned for its exquisite cuisine. Even street vendors seem to offer better and more delicious-looking options.
In short: if you love food, Puebla is a must — and even non-foodies will be pleasantly surprised.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is a famous celebration of Mexican Heritage. Although it is primarily celebrated in the United States, it is also recognized and well-known in other countries. Yet, we need to mention that the 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day; that’s the 16th of September.
Even more interesting is that it is not as widely celebrated in Mexico as many people think. The exception is Puebla; Cinco de Mayo is a holiday in Puebla and is widely celebrated there. The 5th of May festivity is a yearly celebration of Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla.
The Mexican army was smaller and poorly equipped, but it managed to repel the French military and achieve Mexico’s first significant victory over a global power. Despite this, the French eventually took Puebla and marched into Mexico City. However, the morale boost and the time gained were significant for Mexico, enabling it to win the war and enhance nationalism.
In Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is commonly referred to as El Día de la Batalla de Puebla. It is primarily celebrated with parades and historical reenactments with participants dressed as French and Mexican soldiers. There’s obviously lots of food, drinks, and music.
Automotive industry
One of Puebla’s most notable facts is that it is home to numerous automotive sector plants and a substantial automotive supply chain.
Puebla is home to the largest Volkswagen assembly plant outside of Germany. Furthermore, Audi is also expanding into the region, and many other car companies are joining this new cluster in the Bajío region of Mexico.
The WV plant is now 55 years old and has produced more than 13 million vehicles, including the Jetta, Taos, and Tiguan. However, it became famous for creating the beloved vocho (the old WV beetle), including the last models made worldwide.
The production of this legendary car ended in 2019 in Puebla – other assembly plants that once produced it had long stopped. It will be forever cherished by motorists in Mexico and worldwide, and an icon of the city of Puebla.
Cholula
Located approximately 10 km outside the center, Cholula isn’t part of Puebla city, but it is very close by and one of the most famous attractions in Puebla. Cholula is one of the most popular Pueblos Mágicos, as it is easily accessible, lovely, and features some stunning landmarks.
The most striking feature of Cholula is the Great Pyramid of Cholula, also known as Tlachihualtepetl, which translates to “made-by-hand mountain.” This is an excellent fitting name, as the Pyramid looks like a mountain to the naked eye.
However, if we examine it closely, the mountain is a colossal abandoned pyramid, and nature has taken over. Centuries later, the Spaniards built a lovely chapel on top of it – Santuario de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios.
The church is lovely, colored with a striking yellow, and it’s located on top of a giant pyramid. The grounds of the Sanctuary also serve as a great lookout, where, on clear days, one can see the imposing volcanoes surrounding Cholula/Puebla.
At 66 meters high, the Cholula Pyramid is significantly shorter than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and many others. However, with a base of 315 x 300 meters (estimates vary), it is by far the largest pyramid in the world by volume and the largest monument ever built. So, despite being a famous landmark in Mexico, it is probably not as well-known as it should be.
Volcanoes
Similarly to Mexico City, Puebla is located in a high-altitude valley surrounded by high mountains and volcanoes, which are part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. These volcanoes are part of the stunning natural setting in which Puebla was built. When the weather is clear enough, they are perfectly visible from the city and are particularly impressive from Cholula, as we mentioned above.
Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl are the most famous of these volcanoes, located between Mexico City and Puebla. They are Mexico’s second- and third-highest mountains, reaching elevations of 5,426 and 5,230 meters, respectively. They are also active volcanoes and erupt occasionally. Popocatepetl erupted in 2019.
Puebla is also home to Cuexcomate – a very different Volcano. Located within the city perimeter, just a few minutes from downtown, Cuexcomate is often referred to as the world’s smallest volcano, standing at an impressive 13 meters (42 feet). However, we should note that technically, it is not a volcano; it is a geyser. Nonetheless, it is a remarkable natural landmark and a testament to the region’s volcanic activity.
Biblioteca Palafoxiana
Another notable feature of Puebla is the Biblioteca Palafoxiana. This famous library was founded in 1646 by Bishop Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, making it the first public library in the Americas. Bishop Palafox donated 5000 books from his private collection. He famously wrote, “It is very useful and convenient that there should be a public library in this city and kingdom, where all sorts of people will be able to study as they wish.”
Today, the library holds about 45,000 books, divided into three collections: old books, manuscripts, pamphlets, and broadsheets. This collection includes nine incunabula. The oldest book is the Nuremberg Chronicle, published in 1493.
In 2005, the Biblioteca Palafoxiana was listed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
The library room is a beautiful 43-meter vaulted hall with three levels of bookshelves. As it is located in the center of the city, it is very easy to visit.
Capilla del Rosario
Located inside Santo Domingo Church in the center of Puebla, the Capilla del Rosario (or Chapel of the Rosary) is one of Mexico’s most famous landmarks. This architectural jewel was built between 1650 and 1690, and at the time, it was considered one of the world’s 8th wonders.
Regarded as one of the most prominent examples of the New Spanish Baroque, the Chapel of the Rosary is rich in symbolism related to Catholicism and the Dominican Order. It is a UNESCO heritage site, part of the Historical Center of Puebla listing.
The chapel’s interior is astonishing, as every architectural structure is covered with golden stucco. The gold used to cover the chapel originated from Guanajuato and is of high quality, 24 carats, which explains why it remains so impressive after 300 years.
Churches, lots of churches
Puebla is also home to many churches – beautiful, colorful churches. Almost every street in Puebla has a church, nearly all of which were built in colonial style and painted in bright, stunning colors.
With hundreds of churches across the city (the historic centre alone is full of surprising chapels), wandering is the best way to discover them.
The churches are one of the most remarkable features in Puebla, a city sometimes called the City of Angels, as it was initially known as Puebla de los Ángeles.
Together with Capilla del Rosario mentioned above, the immense and imposing cathedral is the most famous church in Puebla. You can’t miss these two, but seeing all the others is tantalizing. They illuminate the city with their architecture and vibrant colors.
Some of our favorites include La Compañia, Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Ex-Convento de San Francisco de Puebla, Nuestra Señora de la Luz, and Templo de San Juan de Dios. However, the most enjoyable experience is wandering around the city and discovering the architectural treasures that most people usually overlook or don’t discuss.
Talavera pottery
What is Puebla famous for producing? Talavera pottery and tiles are widespread answers. These distinctive pottery and tiles are initially from Talavera de la Reina in Spain, but were introduced in Puebla soon after the city’s founding. In 1550, Puebla was already a center of Talavera production in Mexico.
After its establishment, Puebla experienced rapid growth, and numerous churches were constructed. Talavera de la Reina artisans were brought to the city to adorn these churches. Additionally, the region’s availability of high-quality clay facilitated the growth of the ceramic industry. Soon, the art was also taught to indigenous people, resulting in new styles, influences, and eventually the creation of a Talavera Poblana.
Talavera Poblana pieces are usually unique and signed at the base, meaning they can become quite pricey, particularly if they are larger or more intricate. Besides the adornment of churches, today it is possible to find numerous decorative objects in Talavera, ranging from monumental vases and plates to sink basins and even toilets.
This traditional art decayed for a few centuries but has been revived in recent decades. There are not about ten certified workshops in Puebla. The most famous is probably the Uriarte Talavera factory, close to the city center.
Heroica
The city of Puebla is also known for being Heroic, which is why the city’s former full name was Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza. In fact, it is known for having been Heroic four times in the short span of only 50 years.
These were among the most significant events in Mexico’s history, where Puebla and its citizens played crucial roles in shaping the country’s identity and independence. These events were:
- Cinco de Mayo Battle in 1862 – We have explained it above.
- Siege of Puebla in 1863 – Puebla fell to the French army, but its heroic resistance allowed the Mexican army to reorganize. The bravery and exertion in this battle made it legendary.
- The taking of Puebla in 1867, where the Republican army, led by Porfirio Díaz, defeated the imperialist army. A deciding moment for the creation of the Mexican Republic.
- Mexican Revolution 1910 – when the brothers Aquiles Serdán and Máximo Serdán started a rebellion against the government of Porfirio Diaz. They were eventually assassinated but became martyrs of the Mexican Revolution cause, hence their heroic nature.
Puebla completely surprised us — it’s elegant, historic, and bursting with flavor. It has all the charm of a colonial city but with a local authenticity that’s hard to find elsewhere in Mexico.
Whether you come for the food, the culture, or to wander its colorful streets, Puebla will likely steal your heart as it did ours.