After a few days in Mexico City, we headed for one of Mexico's foremost foodie destinations - Puebla. With indigenous and Spanish influences, the Historic Centre, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, was a wonderful destination for culture, architecture, and incredible food.

Exploring Puebla's Historic Center

With only a day to explore the fourth-largest city in Mexico, we focused on the historical center. We loved, at first sight, the colorful facades, the colonial buildings, and the baroque architecture. The city center was clean, lively and safe with multiple pedestrian streets - a perfect place to wander around for a few hours.

Puebla's Zócalo and Cathedral

We started our walking tour with Puebla's Zócalo, the main city square and the heart of the city. By the central plaza, we admired the gorgeous Cathedral of Puebla, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The building was a treasure of colonial art with its imposing facade and ornate interior.

The vibrant area was lined with numerous cafes, bars and restaurants. We couldn't resist! We stopped for a gargantuan Mexican dinner at El Mural de los Poblanos ↗.

Puebla's Culinary Treasures

After an exquisite and traditional meal, we savored authentic Mole Poblano (the famous chili and chocolate sauce that originated in Puebla) and Chalupas (small fried tortillas with toppings). The flavors were incredible - this is where mole was invented, and you can taste the centuries of culinary tradition!

Puebla is considered the birthplace of several iconic Mexican dishes, and the food culture here is deeply rooted in both indigenous and Spanish colonial traditions.

Biblioteca Palafoxiana: Oldest Library in the Americas

We visited the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, the oldest library in the Americas (founded in 1646). The library was just stunning - a hidden gem in Puebla. The baroque hall houses over 45,000 historical volumes on wooden shelves reaching to the ceiling. It's a bibliophile's dream and a UNESCO Memory of the World treasure.

Chapel of Rosary: Baroque Splendor

Inside the rather sedate-looking Templo de Santo Domingo, we found an unbelievable treasure: The Chapel of Rosary. Every square inch was decorated largely with gold leaf! The gleaming dome was not our personal taste, but we could understand why the chapel is so appreciated by Poblanos for celebrating weddings and baptisms. It's considered one of the finest examples of New Spanish baroque art.

La Calle de los Dulces (Sweets Street)

We strolled along 6 Oriente Street, affectionately referred to as "La Calle de los Dulces" (Sweets Street). The street specialized in handmade candies and sweets which are famous all over the country. From camotes (sweet potato candies) to tortitas de Santa Clara (coconut cookies), Puebla's confectionery tradition dates back to colonial times when nuns created elaborate sweets.

Museo de la Revolución

Further down the road, we found the Museo de la Revolución Mexicana. The bullet holes on the facade testified to the first shot of the Mexican Revolution, which began in Puebla in 1910. This house played a crucial role in Mexico's history.

Teatro Principal and Barrio del Artista

We ended the tour with the beautiful and photogenic Puebla's Teatro Principal. The building, completed in 1760, was among the oldest theaters in Mexico and is still functioning as a theater today. The neoclassical facade is stunning, especially illuminated at night.

Next, we explored artist studios and bars around the city's Artists Quarter, or "Barrio del Artista". The place was perfect for a last drink before heading back to our Airbnb - colorful buildings, local art galleries, and a bohemian atmosphere.

Our Puebla Experience

Puebla exceeded our expectations. The combination of UNESCO World Heritage architecture, incredible food (especially the mole!), fascinating history, and vibrant culture made it one of our favorite stops in Mexico. The city felt authentic, less touristy than some other colonial cities, yet incredibly welcoming.

One day wasn't nearly enough to experience everything Puebla has to offer, but we made the most of our time exploring the highlights. The foodie reputation is well-deserved - this is a culinary capital of Mexico!

Have you visited Puebla? Did you try the famous Mole Poblano or Chalupas? Which restaurant did you enjoy most? Did you explore the Chapel of Rosary or the Biblioteca Palafoxiana? What about the street food and sweets on La Calle de los Dulces? Share your Puebla experiences in the comments below!

Puebla is an absolute gem - a perfect blend of culinary excellence, colonial beauty, and authentic Mexican culture. The UNESCO World Heritage historic center is stunning, the food scene is world-class (home of mole!), and the city has a welcoming, less-touristy vibe. Whether you're a foodie, history buff, or architecture lover, Puebla delivers on all fronts. Highly recommended!