Last Updated on May 10, 2024
This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I receive a small commission at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU.
Morelia is the capital of Michoacán and has to be the most underrated city in Mexico. It’s beautiful, rich in history, stunning architecture and culture. It’s very clean and not that hard to get to. There are plenty of things to do in Morelia, as well as fun day trips to take. There’s no shortage of beautiful hotels and great restaurants. Food in Morelia is amazing. Yet, the city seems to be way off the radar.
Despite all that it offers, Morelia is completely overlooked by international tourists. Majority of people who visit Morelia are Mexicans.
I went to Morelia during Dia de Muertos celebrations, not really sure what to expect. The architecture, culture, food and pretty much anything about Morelia exceeded my expectations. Morelia is absolutely gorgeous, its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of beautiful historic buildings and lovely squares. I think it’s a shame, that this city is not more popular among international travelers.
Getting around Morelia is easy, as the city is extremely walkable. If you stay in the historic center, which I recommend, you can get anywhere on foot. But if you get tired, you can hop into one of the Colectivo vans (they are called Combis in Morelia) and get across the city for just a few pesos.
If you’ve already been to other more popular Mexican cities like Oaxaca, Merida or Mexico City and are looking to add to that list, I can’t recommend Morelia enough. Not that I’ve seen all of them yet, but this has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the country. And if you are wondering what to do in Morelia, this guide is for you.
About Morelia
Morelia is the capital of Michoacán and the biggest city in the state. It was founded by the Spanish in 1541 and named Valladolid after the city in Spain. Morelia played a major role in the country’s history and Independence. After 286 years as Valladolid, the city was renamed Morelia in 1827, in honor of Jose Maria Morelos, one of the heroes of Mexican Independence.
How to get to Morelia
Morelia has an airport Aeropuerto Internacional General Francisco Mujica (MLM) with direct flights from other Mexican cities like Cancun, Guadalajara, Leon, Tijuana and Mexico City. If you are coming from the US, you can fly direct from Chicago, Dallas, Houston and LA.
From the airport, it’s about a 40 min taxi ride to the city. Before you exit the airport, there is a kiosk to your left, where you pay for the taxi. They give you a receipt with your destination, which you then hand to the next available taxi driver. Also, Uber works great in Morelia as well.
If you are already in Mexico, you can also take a bus to Morelia from several cities. It’s a 4-hour direct bus ride from Mexico City and Guadalajara. León is 2.30 hours and Guanajuato 3 hours away. The buses are comfortable and sometimes it’s even quicker when you take into account the time it takes to get to and from the airport and the wait time.
Morelia’s bus station is big and new, and just a quick 15-minute taxi ride away from the historic center.
Best time to visit Morelia
Morelia can be a year-round destination, as the weather doesn’t change drastically throughout the year. Having said that, October-April will be best weatherwise, when you can enjoy sunny days with minimal rain and cooler nights. May-August is the hottest and when you will see the most rain.
Late Fall and Winter is the best time to come if your goal is to see the butterfly migration. But easily the most special time to visit Morelia is during Dia de Muertos. Michoacán is considered to be one of the top places to celebrate the holiday and that’s when Morelia is the most beautiful and festive. It’s also the busiest, so be sure to make your hotel arrangements ahead of time.
Top things to do in Morelia
Visit Morelia Cathedral
The Baroque Morelia Cathedral is right in the Historic Center and is one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in Mexico. It was built using the pink quarry stone, called cantera, which is why Morelia is often referred to as La Cuidad de la Cantera Rosa. You will see the same stone all throughout the historic center. The Cathedral was completed in 1774 after 84 years of construction. Its two bell towers are 230 feet high and can be seen from afar.
Morelia Cathedral looks especially beautiful when it’s all lit up at night. I recommend taking a stroll after dark to see it. And if you happen to be in Morelia on a Saturday, you cannot miss the “light and sound” show, that takes place at 8:45 pm. Be sure to show up earlier to get a good spot. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Morelia on a Saturday night, so it does get crowded.
The Cathedral is free to visit, so be sure to step inside as well and see the interior. One of the highlights is the huge organ with 4,600 flutes, the second biggest organ in Mexico.
Hang out at Plaza de Armas
Right next to the Cathedral is Plaza de Armas, the main square in Morelia and the heart of the city. It’s a very popular hangout spot for locals, with plenty of benches and a gazebo in the middle. Nice spot to take a break from exploring the city, relax and do some people watching.
During holidays, like Christmas or Dia de Muertos, Plaza de Armas is beautifully decorated. Right outside of the square, you can often catch some performances. The most popular is the traditional dance called Danza de los Viejitos, the Dance of the Old Man. This is a traditional folk dance from Michoacán, dating back to Pre-Columbian times.
All around Plaza de Armas are cafes and restaurants. One I particularly recommend is La Tarasca.
Get a picture with the Morelia sign
It seems like everywhere you go in Mexico, each town or city, has the big, colorful letters spelling out its name. And Morelia is no different. You can find the bright colored letters right by Plaza de Armas. It’s a quick stop and it makes for a fun photo op.
Stroll down Hidalgo Street
Don’t miss this short, pedestrian street while walking around the city. You can recognize it by the beautiful installation, which makes the street very photogenic. There are stores and restaurants lining both sides. Hidalgo is especially lively at night, with people out and about, performers and street food.
Shop at Mercado de Dulces y Artesanias
One of the things Morelia is known for is candy. To the point, where there is an entire market devoted to selling sweets. If you have a sweet tooth, visiting Mercado de Dulces y Artesanias is one of the must things to do in Morelia. There you will find endless stalls selling all kinds of Mexican candy like Dulce de Leche, Tarugas, Rollos de Guayaba and many more. If you are looking to bring a gift or get a souvenir from Morelia, this is where you want to go.
But candy is not the only thing you can buy at this market. There are also plenty of vendors there selling leather good, clothing and souvenirs.
Speaking of candy, there is also a small candy museum in Morelia, Museo de Dulce. The admission includes a guided tour of the place and a demonstration of how the candy was made. The museum part if tiny and it’s more like a store than a museum. The staff is dressed in period clothing, so that’s cute, but I don’t think it’s worth the money. I’d say you can skip it and go to Mercado instead. If you do decide to visit the museum, know that the tour is in Spanish only.
Visit Centro Cultural Clavijero
Another must see in Morelia, especially for art lovers, is Centro Cultural Clavijero. This former Jesuit school is now Cultural Center and museum. There are several rooms with different art exhibits, that change over time. The building itself, made out of the pink stone, is beautifully preserved and there’s also a spacious courtyard with a fountain.
Centro Cultural Clavijero is open Tuesday- Sunday. It’s free to visit, but there is a donation box, if you’d like to support.
Stop at Jardin de las Rosas
This is one of the prettiest spots in Morelia, away from the hustle and bustle of the main street. With pretty flowers, fountains and plenty of shade, it’s a great place to relax. You will find several restaurants there with outdoor tables, so you can take a break from sightseeing and enjoy a snack/drink.
The day I went, there were also several artists displaying their work, mostly paintings.
Visit Morelia museums
I’m not much of a museum person, but if you are, there are several great ones in Morelia. A lot of them are free to visit, and most are closed on Mondays. Keep in mind, that most of these places have information in Spanish only. A museum visit could be one of the things to do in Morelia on a rainy day.
Here are some museums to check out in Morelia:
- Casa Museo de Morelos – the house where Jose Maria Morelos grew up turned into a museum dedicated to him.
- Museo Regional Michoacano – great place to learn the history of Michoacán, from the pre- through the Independence. A must for history buffs and it’s free to visit.
- Museo de Arte Colonial – small museum with a collection of mostly religious art. Free to visit.
- Biblioteca Pública de la Universidad – public library housed in the former church
- Antigua Palacio de Justicia – beautiful building, right next to Plaza de Armas. The highlight there is an impressive mural Morelos y la Justicia. It’s free to visit, but you will be asked to sign in.
- Palacio Gobierno – the Government Palace is a beautiful two story building, with great murals depicting the Mexican independence.
- Museo del Dulce – small museum/candy store
Have a drink at El Campanario roof top bar
If you are looking for a great view of Morelia’s center, head to El Campanario Cafe. It’s located on the 3rd floor right above Hotel Mision Catedral, which is right across the street from Plaza de Armas and Morelia sign.
The entrance to the hotel is on the side street. Simply walk in and take the elevator to the 3rd floor.
From the terrace you can enjoy great views of the Catedral, as well as Plaza de Armas. Seems like a great spot to watch the “fire and sound” show on a Saturday, but I imagine it gets really busy then. El Campanario is a popular spot around sunset, so chances for scoring tables with the best views are better during the day.
I only stopped for a drink, so I can’t speak for food, but they do have a full menu.
Stroll down Callejón del Romance
This next spot on the list of things to do in Morelia, is in another part of the city, about a 20-minute walk from Plaza de Armas. It was actually my favorite area of the city. There are several not to be missed attractions there, and Callejón del Romance is one of them.
Callejón del Romance is a small and charming alley and one of the prettiest spots in the city. The name comes from the plaques of love poems on the walls written by local poet Lucas Ortiz. There’s really not much to do there, but it’s a lovely spot to walk around and take nice photos. There are beautiful flowers and fountains, as well as a couple of restaurants with seating outside, if you’d like to stop for a drink.
Stop at Fuente de las Tarascas
Fuente de las Tarascas is the most famous fountain in Morelia and one of the city’s landmarks. The bronze statue depicts three native Purépecha women holding up a basket of fruit as a sign of prosperity, abundance and fertility.
The Tarasca Fountain is located between the Aqueduct and Calle Real and it sits right at the roundabout. If you want to cross the street to get a closer look, be very careful, as the traffic is pretty crazy there.
The fountain is also right next to Plaza Villalogin, with another fountain and Morelia sign, which is worth a quick stop as well.
Walk along the Aqueduct
Right near the Fuente de las Tarascas starts the Aqueduct, one of Morelia’s biggest landmarks. It’s about one mile long and consists of 253 arches. Back in the day, the Aqueduct supplied water to the city and today it’s one of the stops while exploring the city.
You can stroll alongside the Aqueduct, which will lead you to Plaza Morelos, the biggest square in the city. Alternatively, you can walk down Avenida Fray Antonio, which runs parallel to the Aqueduct. This is a tree lined, pedestrian street with several cafes along the way. I especially recommend Origo, at the very end of that street, for excellent coffee and selection of breads.
Try the local cuisine
There are many reasons why I love visiting Mexico, and food is one of the biggest ones. Mexican cuisine is actually UNESCO recognized. But this is a huge country and food varies from region to region. Certain Mexican states, like Puebla, Yucatan and Oaxaca really stand out with their regional cuisine. While in Morelia, I had a chance to try some of the regional dishes, and it was some of the best food I’ve had in Mexico so far.
So, if you are a foodie, one of the best things to do in Morelia is to try some of the Michoacán specialties. Here are some of them:
- Sopa Tarasca – bean and tomato soup, with garlic, onion and anchio chiles. Often topped with tortilla strips, sour cream and avocado.
- Corundas – are a Michoacán version of tamales. They are triangle shaped, wrapped and steamed in corn leaves.
- Uchepos – are similar to corundas, but they are sweet
- Gaspacho – not to be confused with the Spanish soup. Gaspacho in Morelia is cut up mixed fruit (pineapple, mango, jicama) served with chili and cotija cheese. It’s a great combination of sweet, salty and spicy. Makes for a great snack on the go and you can find it all over Morelia.
Visit a Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
Every year, thousands of Monarch butterflies migrate from the United States and Canada to Central Mexico. They start arriving in November and spend the winter in the forests in the state of Michoacán. They settle in the area, that is known as the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is highly protected.
There are several sanctuaries within the Reserve, that are open to public, two of them in Michoacán: El Rosario and Sierra Chincua. This is where most tours from Morelia go.
Monarch butterfly migration is one of the largest in the world and it’s an incredible thing to witness. Definitely one of the best things to do in Morelia, if you happen to visit between November and March. January and February are the best months to witness this phenomenon, as this is when the butterflies are most active.
The Monarch Butterfly Reserve is about a 2-hour drive from Morelia. Unless you have a car, the best and easiest way to visit is with a tour. If you do venture out on your own, you still need a guide to access the sanctuary. This top-rated Monarch Butterfly Tour leaves Morelia early in the morning, so you are one of the first people entering the reserve.
Take a day trip to Pátzcuaro and Janitzio
However long you plan on staying in Morelia (I recommend at least 2-3 days), be sure to add one day to visit Pátzcuaro and the nearby island Janitzio. Located about one hour away from Morelia, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán is a charming colonial town and one of Pueblos Mágicos in Mexico. It’s known as one of the best places to celebrate Dia de Muertos and while it’s especially festive during that time, it’s absolutely worth visiting year-round.
You can spend your time in Pátzcuaro strolling the cobblestone streets and visiting different churches, as there are many beautiful ones in town. Stopping in Plaza Grande with the fountain and statue of Don Vasco Quiroga is a must. There, you will also find the colorful Pátzcuaro letters. Not far from there is Plaza Chica with many local vendors. Do not miss Casa de los once Patios, a beautiful building worth visiting with several artisan shops. And just steps away is Mirador de Pátzcuaro, a viewpoint with lovely views of the town.
You can’t visit Pátzcuaro without hopping on a boat over to the island of Janitzio. The Pier, where the boats leave from is a short taxi drive away from downtown and the boat ride takes about 40 minutes. This is a small island and there’s not a ton to do there, but the boat ride over and the views from the island are reason enough to visit.
The biggest attraction in Janitzio is the cemetery, which overlooks the lake. Be sure to also climb to the top of the hill to see the giant statue of Morelos up close. On the way up, you’ll pass many vendors selling art, souvenirs, drinks and food. The views of the lake and boats coming and going are incredible from the top.
It’s very easy to get from Morelia to Pátzcuaro by public transportation. Buses run throughout the day (either from the main bus station or this spot here) and gets you to Pátzcuaro in about one hour. The bus station in Pátzcuaro is a short taxi ride away from town center.
If you want to visit Pátzcuaro and Janitzio during Dia de Muertos, do plan to spend a night in Pátzcuaro (and make hotel arrangements in advance). I went for what I thought would be a day trip from Morelia, but while getting there by bus was not an issue, coming back proved to be impossible. As one of the top places to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico, both Pátzcuaro and Janitzio get really busy, especially at night. There are a lot of people and crazy long lines to get on the boat.
Long story short, by the time I got back to Pátzcuaro from Janitzio, there were no more buses to go back to Morelia and none of the taxi drivers I asked was willing to drive to the city. There was way too much traffic and plenty going on in Pátzcuaro. I was lucky to find a hotel room last minute but do plan in advance if you want to visit on Dia de Muertos. A day trip from Morelia is totally doable other times of the year, but plan to spend a night during the Day of the Dead festivities, especially on Nov 1.
Dia de Muertos in Morelia
The end of October marks the beginning of one of the most important and beautiful holidays in Mexico, Dia de Muertos. While it takes place all over the country, some regions celebrate it more than others. Michoacán, especially Morelia and nearby towns are known to be some of the best places to experience Day of the Dead in Mexico.
Morelia is a beautiful city to begin with, but it’s especially stunning during Dia de Muertos. The actual holiday spans over three days: October 31, November 1 and 2, but preparations begin days before, so if you happen to arrive earlier, you can see all the preparations. There is a very festive vibe and it’s really fun to see the city being decorated with endless amounts of cempasúchil flowers and beautiful ofrendas appearing everywhere.
One of the best things to do in Morelia for Day of the Dead is to walk around and check out all the beautiful ofrendas and decorations. Every year students from different schools gather to create the most incredible tapetes, which are flower carpets on the ground made out of petals, colored sand, sawdust and other things. They are truly pieces of art. There were several around Plaza de Armas, but the biggest display was along Avenida Fray Antonio and in Morelos Square.
There are tons of cultural events and things happening in Morelia for Day of the Dead. There are parades and overall, a very festive vibe in the city. Without a doubt the best time to visit Morelia.
You also want to plan to visit Pátzcuaro and Janitzio, which have the biggest celebration in the state. It’s easy to visit on your own, but as I already mentioned, plan to stay overnight. If going alone sounds too overwhelming, there are plenty of tours from Morelia you can book. Most of them go all night and visit Pátzcuaro, Janitzio and Tzintzuntzan.
Is Morelia safe to visit?
Morelia is the capital city of Michoacan, one of the Mexican states, that is on the Do Not Travel list. Sadly, Michoacan has had issues in recent years. However, tourist destinations like Morelia are considered pretty safe.
I spent 6 days in Morelia with a side trip to Pátzcuaro and Janitzio and felt very safe the entire time. I traveled solo, and not once did I feel uneasy about anything. I took the exact same precautions I do anywhere else, especially traveling alone. My hotel was in the historic center and that’s the area I stuck to. I never walked around late at night and was always aware of my surroundings.
Mexico has the nicest people, and it wasn’t any different in Morelia. I found the locals to be very welcoming and friendly. It’s good to know some Spanish, or at least have a translation app handy. I found English to be pretty non-existent in Morelia.
Again, Michoacán does have its issues, but it’s a big state. As for Morelia, I can tell you from my experience, that I felt completely safe and had an incredible time exploring this beautiful city.
Where to stay in Morelia
When visiting Morelia, the best area to stay is the historic center. You’ll be within a walking distance to all the attractions and it’s also the safest part of the city. There are many beautiful boutique hotels in Morelia to choose from.
Keep in mind, that if you plan on visiting Morelia for Day of the Dead, make your hotel arrangements early. This is the busiest time of year, so you won’t find anything in the historic Center last minute.
Hotel de la Soledad – hands down, one of best hotels in Morelia. Everything about it is amazing. The location is perfect, just steps away from the Cathedral. The property is stunning, with a beautiful courtyard and a restaurant on site. Rooms are nice and big. The hotel also receives high praises from guests for its top-notch service and hospitality. You really can’t go wrong with this place.
Nana Vida – another great boutique hotel in Morelia, located in the heart of the historic center. Rooms are elegant and spacious.
Cantera 10 Boutique Hotel – beautiful place, with just 15 rooms, in an unbeatable location, right in front of the Cathedral. The hotel is in a 300-year-old historic building, but the rooms are renovated in a contemporary style.
READ MORE:
Click on the Pin below to save for later!
