Today Querétaro is the trendy destination in Mexico, in fact the specialized international guide "Travel Lemming" has named it the new Napa Valley of the world, and the first place of the 50 best destinations to travel in 2022.
Gone are the days when Querétaro was a place of passage, and it has become a vibrant destination, where there is a fever of the sophisticated national and international traveler, to spend at least one weekend.
What is happening in Querétaro that everyone wants to go? While the charming colonial Historic Center is intact, very clean and safe, and preserves its churches and mansions, also among its cobblestone streets you can see the most modern galleries, bars and boutiques of local design. Also a short distance away you have the Art, Cheese and Wine Route, with select vineyards, super cool artisan cheese factories and luxurious boutique haciendas. All this framed by the holistic environment of the Peña de Bernal and/or the natural grandeur of the Sierra Gorda.
If you are one of those who urge you to go see this thing that is so much talked about, here is a three-day tour that you are going to love.
Friday
1. World Heritage Bar Hopping - 5 pm
Spending an evening in one of the most beautiful Historic Centers in Mexico is an unusual experience. It is worth starting at the Plaza de Armas portals with a coffee or a wine from the region.
2. Dine in a house from 1800 - 7 pm
From there, you can go down the 5 de Mayo walkway to the Di Vino Restaurant, where in addition to finding one of the best cellars in the city, you will try its delicious Italian cuisine, it is worth having at least the aperitif on the terrace.
3. Decisions – 10 p.m.
Late after dinner, you have two options; the first is to walk through the streets to La Grupa , a roof top from where you can see the entire Historic Center illuminated and order a Mexican carajillo, very different from the Spanish one, but if you come with more energy it is very worthwhile to go, also on foot, to Funky Mama, the grooviest club in Querétaro; shots, African-American music, and lots of good vibes. The Historic Center is very safe and has many bars to change from one to another.
Some highly recommended hotels in the area include Hotel Criol, Doña Urraca , and La Casa de la Marquesa.
Saturday
4. The World's New Napa Valley – 10 a.m.
Wine tourism has become a revelation in Querétaro. Although there are other regions in Mexico with a great reputation for wine, this region – which goes throughout the state – has slipped in as a favorite for the proposal of its vineyards, the character of its wines (2nd place nationally, award-winning wines), the road infrastructure, the proximity to the capital and the Magical Towns of Bernal, Tequisquiapan and Cadereyta de Montes. But above all because of the peace and security that is felt throughout the journey.
There are more than 30 vineyards so it would be impossible to talk about all of them, some very exclusive could be Puerta del Lobo, with its wine tourism park, Bodegas Vaivén, which in addition to its wine is the home of its already famous craft beer Cirquera, or Viñedos Azteca and its wine and horse experience. On the route you can also visit several artisan cheese factories such as Tierra de Alonso that has a couple of cava spaces for romantic dinners or the favorite grill of the locals where they produce 70% of their vegetables in their garden and also make their own whiskey: Bárbaro Asador de Campo, fire food.
Here you can find many vineyards and how to book them.
5. Sleep among vineyards, horses or stranded on the rock - 6 pm
Touring several vineyards is usually exhausting, so to rest it is recommended to stay that night in the region. In Tierra de Alonso itself, in Tequisquiapan, there are rooms with terraces that overlook their vineyards, but if you want to venture out to learn more, one of the first options is Hacienda Tovares, a wonderful space that has one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in the country and a stable hostel, where you literally sleep in them with horses, which is a unique experience in the world. You could stay a week alone in this great spot in the Magical Town of Cadereyta de Montes. Another very interesting option is the Hotel de Piedra, stranded on the slopes of the Peña de Bernal, definitely a must-see.
Both options have excellent restaurants serving Mexican cuisine and their own house wines for dinner.
Here you can find many places to stay in the area and how to book them.
Sunday
6. Breakfast Between Bells - 9am
It will take you between an hour and a half to return to the Creative Metropolis. It is very beautiful to see the Historic Center of Querétaro during the day and especially on Sunday when the dozens of churches come to life in their calls. That's why the recommendation is to have breakfast there, there are three options: the most elegant is Allora Bistro Downtown, in the boutique hotel Casa Brunella, where you can try the best Benedictines. You can also go to the traditional option and try the gastronomy of Querétaro at La Mariposa , the best enchiladas and ice cream with ice cream. And a very interesting option is also to go for gorditas querétanas to the Mercado de la Cruz.
7. Biergarten Hercules in the old fabric factory - 2pm
This place belongs to the favs of the locals; A beer garden set up in an old textile factory, really a great space to drink craft beer from the beer company of the same name. On Sundays there is a pretty good brunch and usually some events such as organic markets, live music, art installations, etc. In fact, the Querétaro Wine School lives in this space.
8. Top Art Museums – 5pm
In Querétaro on Sundays there are museums until 8:00 p.m., so you can take the opportunity to close the day there. There are several very interesting museums, a couple that are worth not only for the exhibitions of great artists from all over the world, with very good local, national and international content, but also for their incredible architecture: the Museum of the City, in a former convent, and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Querétaro (MACQ), in a former barracks.
If you go on this route:
You can go on your own, the route considers average stay times and transfers.
In the image, a postcard of the Peña de Bernal from the exclusive Hotel de Piedra
Di Vino Restaurant - La Grupa - Funky Mama - Hotel Criol - Doña Urraca - La Casa de la Marquesa - Puerta del Lobo - Bodegas Vaivén - Azteca Vineyards - Tierra de Alonso - Bárbaro Asador de Campo - Hacienda Tovares - Hotel de Piedra - Allora Bistro Downtown - Casa Brunella -La Mariposa -Biergarten Hércules - Museo de la Ciudad - Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Querétaro (MACQ)
Don't know where to go? Visit these bars with terraces to take the best photos of Querétaro while enjoying a drink.
The unprecedented event in the country will take place from May 19 to 29, with the participation of 1,500 horses
Ex-Hacienda El Lobo is a magical place from the seventeenth century where rest, luxury and ambience go hand in hand.
Di Vino Restaurant - La Grupa - Funky Mama - Hotel Criol - Doña Urraca - La Casa de la Marquesa - Puerta del Lobo - Bodegas Vaivén - Azteca Vineyards - Tierra de Alonso - Bárbaro Asador de Campo - Hacienda Tovares - Hotel de Piedra - Allora Bistro Downtown - Casa Brunella -La Mariposa -Biergarten Hércules - Museo de la Ciudad - Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Querétaro (MACQ)
Di Vino Restaurant - La Grupa - Funky Mama - Hotel Criol - Doña Urraca - La Casa de la Marquesa - Puerta del Lobo - Bodegas Vaivén - Azteca Vineyards - Tierra de Alonso - Bárbaro Asador de Campo - Hacienda Tovares - Hotel de Piedra - Allora Bistro Downtown - Casa Brunella -La Mariposa -Biergarten Hércules - Museo de la Ciudad - Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Querétaro (MACQ)
