Best Things to Do in Zacatlán de las Manzanas
The city of apples, clockmakers, and cheese bread: Zacatlán really tries hard to stand out. And succeeds! And not to mention the beautiful mosaic murals you can find in various parts of this Magical Town (Pueblo Mágico). Zacatlán is situated on the Sierra Norte mountain range at 2.000 m above sea level in the north of the Puebla state. It’s surrounded by apple orchards and is even home to an endemic apple. Its narrow alleys invite you to take a stroll and discover restaurants, shops, and bakeries known for their cheese bread and apple pastries. Zacatlán lies directly at the rim of the Goldfinches Canyon over which you have a great view all along the Paseo de la Barranca street. As Zacatlán is a mountain village, it can get cold in the evening, especially in the winter season when the clouds sink over the houses and fog the streets. Make sure to bring some warm clothes when you come here, but also sunscreen as it can get sunny and hot during the day. Take pictures of the mosaic murals, drink cider (apple wine), have some cheese bread, and enjoy the view over the Goldfinches Canyon (Barranca de los Jilgueros)!
At a Glance: Zacatlán’s TOP 14 Highlights
- Enjoy the View Over the Goldfinches Canyon
- Take Pictures of the Mosaic Murals Around the Panteón
- Take Pictures of the Mosaic Murals in the Callejón del Hueso Street (“Zacatlán De Mis Recuerdos”)
- Take Pictures of the Mosaic Murals in the Linda Vista Street (“México Lindo y Querido”)
- Visit the Main Square with its Giant Flower Clock
- Take a Picture of the Giant Apple at the Main Square
- Visit the Franciscan Convent “Convento de San Francisco de Asís”
- Join a Cidre Tasting at the “Sidrería Artesanal el Convento 1567”
- Eat in a Restaurant with a View of the Canyon
- Eat Cheese Bread from a Traditional Bakery
- Visit the Watchmaking Museum Alberto Olvera Hernandez
- Go to the San Pedro Waterfalls
- Go Horseback Riding in the Piled Stones Valley (Valle de Piedras Encimadas)
- Visit the Apple Fair on August 15
1. Enjoy the View Over the Goldfinches Canyon
From all along the street Paseo de la Barranca, you have a great view over the Goldfinches Canyon (Barranca de los Jilgueros). But the best view is from the glass-floor lookout “Puente Cristal Mirador de la Barranca”, the perfect spot for some Instagram pictures. In the mornings and afternoons, you might still see the misty clouds hanging over the canyon; around noon, often the sun comes out and you can see the full dimension of the canyon full of lush forests. You might even spot a waterfall in the far distance. Some 90 meters west of the lookout, there’s the aviation monument (Monumento Avioneta Pueblo Mágico), a small plane that appears to be in full flight.
2. Take Pictures of the Mosaic Murals around the Panteón
Directly opposite the Mirador, you can find the mosaic murals that depict what Zacatlán is famous for: Apples:-) Among other things, of course. While Mexico is famous for its many colorful murals, the Zacatlán murals are made in a mosaic style and are in some smaller parts even 3-dimensional. The murals are all along the wall around the Panteón, the local cemetery, and cover about 400 m in length. To the left, they depict scenes from the bible. At the front, they depict Zacatlán’s people, apples, and more. When you walk further along the wall to the east, you get to the “Mural Vivir en el Universo Náhuatl” murals which show more traditional indigenous patterns. Below it, you’ll find a small passageway that goes under the street with a beautiful view over the canyon at its end (though not as splendid as the view from the Mirador).
3. Take Pictures of the Mosaic Murals in the Callejón del Hueso (“Zacatlán De Mis Recuerdos”)
As the mosaic murals have been quite a success for Zacatlán, they created more in the Callejón del Hueso. In this street about one block from the Panteón, the murals reflect contemporary scenes from old black-and-white pictures of Zacatlán. Therefore, these murals are mostly held in beige colors, and some might still be work-in-progress. Watch the local artists create new memories for Zacatlán’s visitors!
Here you can see one of the artists with the picture after which he created this mural; if you want a mural done at your place, contact Arte Marchena.
4. Take Pictures of the Mosaic Murals in the Street “Linda Vista” (“México Lindo y Querido”)
In the street “Linda Vista”, you can find mosaic murals that are part of the “México lindo y querido” project. The walls depict traditional clothing of the different Mexican states. This is still a work in progress, and during the day, you can find the artists working in their workshops on their part of the murals. Donations are appreciated.
5. Visit the Main Square with its Giant Flower Clock
One of the most iconic snapshots is definitely the giant flower clock you can find at the center of Zacatlán’s main square (zócalo). This clock was created in 1986 by Relojes Centenario, a clock company founded in 1918 and the first manufacturer of monumental clocks in Latin America. The main square has a kiosk with live music on Sundays. There’s also the municipal palace (Palacio Municipal) with a neoclassical facade on one side of the zócalo from 1876. Depending on the weather and the season, you can watch the clouds sink over the town in the afternoon and wrap the streets in a foggy cloak.
6. Take a Picture of the Giant Apple at the Main Square
If you head north from the Zócalo into the Benito Juárez García alley, you find the giant apple (Manzana Gigante) which is another great picture opportunity. To its left, you can find the “Caska casa de diseño”, a shop that sells Christmas balls from Chignahuapan, the neighboring town famous for this type of handicraft and also a Magical Town.
7. Visit the Franciscan Convent “Convento de San Francisco de Asís”
Built in 1567, this is the oldest church and monastery in the state of Puebla, dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. To the right of the church’s entrance, you can find the Museo Comunitario Luciano Márquez Becerra where you can learn more about the city’s history.
8. Join a Cidre Tasting at the “Sidrería Artesanal el Convento 1567”
With all the apple orchards around, Zacatlán needs to make good use of the apple harvest. One way it does this is by producing delicious cider. Join a cider tasting in the Sidrería Artesanal el Convento 1567, and buy some nice souvenirs for friends and family.
Tips & Tricks:
If you don’t have the time to walk to the sidrería, there are also many smaller shops along the streets around the pantheon (Porfirio Díaz/José Dolores Pérez streets) where you can taste and buy typical products from Zacatlán.
9. Eat in a Restaurant with a View of the Canyon
Eat AND enjoy the view of the canyon at the same time? Yep, that’s possible when you know where to go to. There are two popular restaurants where you can get the perfect package: Restaurante El Mirador, and La Barranca “El Mirador #5”. You can find more information in the section Where to Eat.
10. Eat Cheese Bread from a Traditional Bakery
You can’t visit Zacatlán without trying the cheese bread it’s famous for (pan de queso). The bread is stuffed with ranchero cheese and some are coated with pink sugar. There are different names for the different versions that cheese bread comes in: Burras, morelianas, gusanos, almohadas, and picadas. Try them all out at one of the traditional bakeries (panaderías) you can find all over the town, for example: Palafox, La Fama de Zacatlán, Pimental, Vázquez, or La Nacional – all just about 1-2 blocks from the main square.
Tips & Tricks:
Try also the “manzana hojaldreada”, an apple baked inside puff pastry. Not all bakeries have them, but usually, vendors walk along the streets selling a variety of the most famous pastries from their wicker baskets, among them these apple pastries. It’s similar to the Austrian “Apfelstrudel”, just without the raisins and with a whole apple inside.
11. Visit the Watchmaking Museum Alberto Olvera Hernandez
This museum from 1993 shows the history of watchmaking in Zacatlán. In 1918, Don Alberto Olvera Hernández started with his work on large-scale clockwork and founded the Centenario Clock Company (Relojes Centenario) – the first manufacturer of monumental clocks in Latin America. This is also the company that built the giant flower clock at Zacatlán’s main square. The museum shows antique clocks of all types from all over the world: Solar clocks, hourglasses, pocket and chain watches, and much more! In the entrance hall, you’ll get to see a short video about the company and its history. Then you pass through the workshop with its workers before you move on to the first floor where the museum is. It’s a small museum, but the entrance fee is only 20 pesos (1.20 USD). You get the tickets to the museum from the Casa del Tiempo shop around the corner.
12. Go to the San Pedro Waterfalls
Only about 3 km from Zacatlán’s city center, you can find the San Pedro waterfalls (Cascadas de San Pedro) with a beautiful stone bridge about 150 meters from it. Make sure to wear good hiking boots as the ground might be slippery. It’s a small waterfall, and it’s not a tourist spot, so if you want to see more impressive waterfalls, it’s best to take a tour of the Tuliman waterfalls. However, if you don’t have time for a tour or just don’t want to go very far, the San Pedro waterfalls are a nice option.
Tips & Tricks:
The path from the main road down to the waterfall is accessible by car (you can park about 50 meters from the waterfall). However, it’s a gravel road and if it has rained before, it might be muddy or washed out. You can also park at the side of the main road and walk the 200 m downhill to the waterfall.
13. Go Horseback Riding in the Piled Stones Valley (Valle de Piedras Encimadas)
About 30 km to Zacatlán’s northeast, the Valle de Piedras Encimadas (Piled Stones Valley) invites you to go hiking or horseback riding through the Sierra Norte. If you also want to enjoy archery and zip-lining, make sure to go at the weekend or during a holiday. During the week, there are fewer people and thus fewer activities are offered. There’s also a restaurant with a pretty decent breakfast for reasonable prices and very friendly staff. You can also camp here in tents or little huts. There’s no entrance fee and horseback riding costs around 200 pesos (12 USD) per person. Please note that the people working there aren’t financed by the government, so a donation that you can leave at the park’s entrance is highly appreciated.
Tips & Tricks:
The tour guides at the Piled Stones Valley speak only Spanish, so it’s best to book a tour from Zacatlán with an English-speaking tour guide. If you do go on your own, however, consider following the small road signs to “Piedras Encimadas”. Google Maps doesn’t necessarily know the current route (at least it tried to misguide us several times when we last went).
14. Visit Zacatlán’s Apple Fair on August 15
Once a year, Zacatlán celebrates its apples with a huge fair. There are many events, concerts, food, and drinks – and you surely don’t want to miss the crowning of the apple queen:-)
…What Else Can You Do in Zacatlán?
Get Active in the Zacatlán Adventure Park
Climbing, zip-lining, and more – if you feel you need some activity and adventure, visit the Zacatlán adventure park which is about 5 km from the city center.
Visit Chignahuapan
Another Magical Town, Chignahuapan is only 15 km from Zacatlán and known for its hot springs and Christmas sphere production. The proximity of these 2 towns is a great opportunity to see 2 Magical Towns in one trip!
Where to Eat in Zacatlán
Restaurante El Mirador
This is probably one of the most visited restaurants, and not without reason: You have a great view over the Barranca de los Jilgueros. The prices are reasonable, the service is friendly, and you can also buy local goods (try the homemade sauce “salsa de la casa”). At the weekend, you might have to wait 20 minutes before you get seated, but don’t let that hinder you – the view is really great! The food comprises typical Mexican dishes. Try the steak with onions, the mole, or the apple-and-nuts pie together with a “cafe de olla” (coffee with sugar and cinnamon).
La Barranca “El Mirador #5”
Another restaurant with a great view over the canyon Barranca de los Jilgueros. It provides a buffet for around 220 pesos (13 USD). A great way to try out typical Mexican food. The best is to go eat at the weekends; it’s busier then, but the food is fresher. You can also go outdoors on a small platform to take a few pictures of the great view. From 9 am to 2 pm they serve breakfast, from 2-6.30 pm a lunch/dinner buffet, and at the weekends they also have a seafood buffet (from 11 am to 6.30 pm).
Agave Bistro
A cozy restaurant with great local food. Try the tacos de chapulines (with grasshoppers), pan de ajo (garlic bread), the mole de 400 chiles (Mole sauce with 400 chilies), or the Mole Axiote. And as you’re in Zacatlán de las manzanas, order an apple soda (Manzanita de Zacatlán) to wash it all down. They also serve traditional beverages like pulque (also as distilled pulque), craft beers, and mezcal. On Friday and Saturday, they have live music.
La Casa de la Abuela
A traditional Mexican restaurant with a great variety of regional dishes. Try the mole poblano (spicy!), or the apple pizza.
El Andador
In this restaurant over 3 stories, you have a nice view of the San Francisco convent and the giant apple at the main square from its balconies. On the top floor, you have a view over the roofs of Zacatlán and the canyon in the far distance. The staff is very friendly, and the food is good (Mexican dishes).
Green Coffee
This restaurant is directly at the main square and you can also sit outside. It’s a bit hipper than the other restaurants mentioned before, and in the evenings there’s sometimes live music.
Where to Stay in Zacatlán
Casa San Miguel Hotel Boutique y Spa
A 5-star hotel in the city center. Free parking, air-conditioning, a terrace, and a spa and wellness center – what more do you need to make your stay in Zacatlán a relaxing vacation? The deluxe suite even has its own spa bath!
Hotel Posada Don Ramon
A colonial architecture hotel with a garden, a parking lot, and a restaurant with Mexican food (La Fuente). The hotel is only a 5-minute walk from the main square of Zacatlán. Basic, central, and nice, and price-wise a mid-range hotel. The rooms are simple but spacious, the showers have decent water pressure, and there’s free parking on the patio.
Casa Grande
Another mid-range hotel with spacious rooms, a garden, a shared lounge, free parking, and a restaurant and bar. If you want a garden view from your room, be sure to mention that when booking. Only 3 blocks from the main square and 1 block from the panteón with its murals.
Hotel del Rosario
A central mid-range hotel with rather basic rooms. Economic, with friendly staff. What more do you want?
Hotel La Estancia Zacatlan
This is a relatively new modern hotel with free parking, a garden, and a terrace. It’s located 5 blocks from the city center, which means a 15-minute walk to the main square.
How to Get There
Zacatlán is about 140 km to the north-east of the city of Puebla and about 200 km from Mexico City. Compared to other Magical Towns like Cuetzalan, Zacatlán is easy to get to. From Puebla, buses leave from the CAPU terminal. You’ll need around 3-3.5 hours to arrive by bus; by your car, it takes only 2-2.5 hours (if you take the toll road). Here you can see which bus line goes from Puebla to Zacatlán.
So…Is it for Me?
Do you love nature, towns with history, mosaic murals, and apples? Or do you want to taste local specialties like cider and cheese bread? I’m sure that Zacatlán is one of the places that offer such a great variety of things to see, do, and taste, that there’s something in it for everyone. Make sure to not miss out on this one! Pack your hiking boots, and also some warm clothing for the evenings as it can get a bit chilly, and enjoy this beautiful mountain village.
