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Enough with the all-inclusives in Cancun, the debauchery partying around PV’s Romantic Zone, and the splurge on luxury retreats in Cabo: this year It’s high time you delve deeper into the matter Real Mexico.
You know, the one that sounds more Me-hello-cowhere you don’t hear shrill Americans at the table next to yours, in every cantina you go to, and where paying for stuff doesn’t make sense in dollars with a peso price tag.
Located in central Mexico, at the foot of the thundering Popocatépetl volcano, Atlixco is known for its ffascinating mix of colonial charm and indigenous heritagebeautiful architecture and lively street markets.
Most importantly, it is actively calling on tourists to visit this year as it aims to move away from the off-road territory and position itself as a mainstream cultural destination:
Could Atlixco Become Mexico’s Next Big Thing?
By 2025, Atlixco received more than 2.8 million visitorsan increase of 5.7 percent compared to the previous year, and a record figure for the municipality with 142,000 inhabitants.
Granted, the vast majority of tourists are Mexicans, but you only have to do a quick search on Reddit to find that Atlixco is starting to gain quite a bit of traction in international circles.
Unlike other parts of Mexico, Americans and Europeans are not exactly flocking there en masse yetbut the city does have the potential to burst out of its own little Mexican bubble and attract the international crowd it deserves.
This month, the municipality of Atlixco officially launched the Apasiónate by Atlixco (“Fall In Love With Atlixco”) campaign, and maybe that’s just the marketing push needed to finally achieve national stardom.
As Mayor Ariadna Ayala stated, tourists are welcome to “come, enjoy, celebrate and make Atlixco part of their story.”
Sounds promising, okay, but it’s not just empty words. Apasiónate by Atlixco is a literal year-round events calendar, which aims to consolidate the city as one of the leading destinations in the country.
Be that as it may Valle de Catrinas, an open-air route of giant lady skull figures for Día de Muertos, Huey Atlixcayotla folkloric festival celebrating local indigenous culture, or Villa Illuminadathe winter-themed Christmas light show, there’s plenty to look forward to when you head to Atlixco this year, no matter the season.
Most beautiful unusual city in Mexico?
If you get the chance to fly to Europe for its stunning architecture, timeless streets paved with old cobblestonesand age-old allure, you immediately feel at home in Atlixco.
The historic center, full of colonial-era buildings dating back to Spanish times, revolves around a picture-perfect Zócalo, or main square. Super lively, with flowers everywhere, surrounded by street food kiosks.
Dominates the church, right next to the municipal building, Parroquia de Santa María de la Natividad is a monumental yellow-washed church with an ornate bell tower and a beautiful neoclassical interior.
Near the main square, Avenida Hidalgo, better known as ‘Street of Flowers’, is lined with colorful facades, decorated with flower pots and murals, cafes and cute little historic townhouses. An iconic walk that takes you through the heart of Atlixco.
Must-see places in Atlixco
For that classic ‘I’ve been there’ photo spot, take a look at La Escalera Anchaa photogenic staircase with steps covered in native artwork.
For delicious street food that will satisfy your cravings, Mercado Benito Juarez is the best spot in town: just a 5-minute walk from the main square, it’s lined with vendors handing out chalupas, cemitas, and mixiotes (all your favorite Central Mexican treats) that usually cost less than $5.
Atlixco is also surrounded by the green nature of Central Mexico, and the best way to get a feel for the landscape is to walk Cerro de San Miguel: a green hill overlooking the church towers and roofs of the city, and the mountain ranges in the distance.
On clear days you can even see the smoking Popocatépetl volcano from there.
How to get to Atlixco this season
For most Americans, the easiest way to reach Atlixco is to fly into Puebla, the nearest city with a major international airport.
Direct flights are available several times a week from Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR) and Los Angeles (LAX), usually starting from around $300 – $450 USD.
From Puebla, hop on an Oro or ERCO bus to Atlixco. A one-way trip costs approx 140MXN | $7.60and the journey takes about 1 hour.
