When we were researching things to do in Queretaro there wasn’t a whole lot that came up. Despite the city’s proximity to Mexico City, it is still not a very touristy destination. Luckily we were visiting our local friends and they showed us the best things to do in Queretaro!
Below we are sharing our top things to do in Queretaro as part of our 3 day Queretaro itinerary!
Where is Querétaro?
The city of Querétaro (officially Santiago de Querétaro) is located just over 200km northwest of Mexico City in the state of Querétaro. It is a lovely city known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture and for being one of Mexico’s safest cities. If you are looking for a nice weekend trip from Mexico City we definitely recommend a visit to this beautiful place.
How to get to Querétaro
By bus:
Querétaro is easily reached by bus from Mexico City. For detailed information on how to take the bus check out our guide: Taking the Mexico City to Queretaro Bus.
By plane:
Querétaro has its own international airport (QRO) located a little outside the city. If you want to head directly to Querétaro and bypass Mexico City, you can find direct flights from a number of American cities. United, American and AeroMexico all have flights from the US to Querétaro. Departure cities include Chicago, Atlanta, Houston and Dallas.
You can also fly on domestic airlines from Mexico City, Cancun and other cities around Mexico.
Things To Do In Querétaro
A Perfect Weekend Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Check into an Airbnb
Arrive in Querétaro, either by bus or plane, and head to your accommodation to drop off your things.
There are all kinds of accommodation options to choose from, including high end hotels to budget rooms, but we recommend staying in an Airbnb right in the centre of the city. This way you can easily explore on foot.
Have dinner at La Mariposa
One of the best things to do in Querétaro is eat the fantastic food! Start off with a meal at a classic traditional Mexican restaurant right in the Centro Historico. La Mariposa has been open since 1940 and still has the old school diner feel to it.
The menu is simple but very traditional. And after dinner you can get some sweets at their traditional sweet shop!
Stroll around the Centro Historico
After dinner, stroll around the historic centre and admire the old Spanish colonial architecture. There are many families out and about and it felt very safe to wander around here at night.
Try some street food
While you are wandering the Centro Historico, try some yummy street food if you still have room! We loved the esquites (corn in a cup)!
Watch some street performers at the Plaza de Armas
Find a spare bench and sit and watch some street performers while enjoying your street food. It’s also a great place to just people-watch.
Where to stay in Queretaro: La Encantada
La Encantada is a beautiful 17th century house in the Centro Historico. All the rooms can be rented individually via Airbnb. We stayed in the “Condor” room and it was very comfortable and clean.
As soon as we stepped into La Encantada, it was very peaceful and calm. The inner courtyard is very pretty, with plants and birds. There is also a lovely view from the rooftop terrace.
The room itself is very tidy, complete with a kitchenette with everything you will likely need during your stay.
The location is perfect as it is only a 5 minute walk to Los Arcos and a few minutes to the Plaza de Armas. There is also great street food right outside the door!
Day 2
Check out the amazing aqueduct
The Aqueduct of Queretaro, or Los Arcos de Queretaro, is a a symbol of the city. This beautiful structure is 1280 metres long and although it was built in the 18th century it has been very well-preserved.
Visiting Los Arcos is one of the most popular things to do in Queretaro and it is quite impressive to see up close!
Have breakfast at Barbacoa Don Cuco III
Drive a bit out of the city centre and stop here for a delicious breakfast! This was actually one of my favorite meals I had in Queretaro.
The barbacoa here is lamb slow-cooked in a hole in the ground. Our friends told us this is the best barbacoa in Queretaro and we would have to agree! The meat is so tender and is served with fresh corn tortillas, onions, cilantro, salsa and of course a squeeze of lime. Absolutely delicious.
Visit Bernal
Bernal is a small village about a 40 minute drive from Queretaro City. It is known for the Peña de Bernal, a 433m tall monolith, the third largest in the world. The town is a very peaceful place and many people believe energy emanates from the large rock. Bernal has thus been labelled as one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos (magical cities) and a popular tourist attraction.
The monolith is also a popular spot for rock climbers. If you are looking for adventurous things to do in Querétaro, this is a perfect spot for you! Even if you are not a climber, you can hike up the trail if you are prepared for a moderately difficult hike with good shoes and enough water.
Try some cactus and gorditas for lunch
After hiking, stop at one of the many restaurants or food carts to try some nopales (cactus)! It is delicious eaten with some tortas.
Gorditas are another local specialty that are a must try!
Browse the local shops in Bernal
Wander the cobblestone streets and check out all the local handicraft shops. Sample some of the traditional sweets and local specialties along the way.
I found some nice, inexpensive scarves here. We also bought some local salsas to take home.
As we browsed, we also sampled some local ice cream (they even had cactus flavor!) and pastries.
Try fried crickets
Ever had fried crickets before? No? Well if you are feeling adventurous, you can try some here!
They were actually not bad and kind of just tasted like BBQ chips.
Visit Tequisquiapan
Head over to another Pueblo Magico, the touristic town of Tequisquiapan! The pretty town is known for its wine and cheese so if you are a foodie visiting here might be one of your favorite things to do in Queretaro.
Stroll around the main square, Plaza Miguel Hidalgo, take a photo with the Tequis sign, and check out the pretty pink sandstone church, the Templo de Santa Maria de la Asuncion.
If shopping for souvenirs is on your list of things to do in Queretaro then head to the Mercado de Artesanías for some local handmade crafts.
Another must do in Queretaro is try the local specialty amusingly called “pedos de monja” which translates to “nun’s farts”! They are quite delicious! We found them here in the main square of Tequisquiapan.
Check out the pink church
The Templo de Santa Maria de la Asuncion is located right on the Plaza Miguel Hidalgo. It is one of the prettiest churches I’ve ever seen!
View this post on Instagram
Try some cheese and wine
While you are in Tequis, you have to try the amazing local cheeses and wine! And if you happen to be visiting in May, check out the annual Wine and Cheese Fair (Feria Nacional del Queso y el Vino).
Tacos for dinner
Head back to the City of Queretaro and indulge in some delicious street tacos! Our pick is Taco Veloz. The tacos here are super tasty and cheap!
Day 3
Breakfast at the market
Wake up and head to Mercado La Cruz in the center of Queretaro City. This busy market is a great place to sample some authentic local food!
We went for some yummy tacos here and were not disappointed!
You can also buy lots of fresh produce, meats, and all kinds of clothing and shoes.
Check out the Old Train Station
The beautiful old railway station in Queretaro is over 100 years old but has been well-maintained. It stopped serving passengers in the late 90s and now houses a small museum and other cultural exhibits.
View this post on Instagram
If you are interested in historical things to do in Queretaro this is a great, free option!
Visit Cerro de las Campanas
The Cerro de las Campanas, or Hill of Bells, is a national park in Queretaro City. The name actually comes from special rocks that, when hit, make a bell sound.
We tried the rocks and they actually did sound like a bell when hit together!
The hill is notable as the place where Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg, as well as Generals Miguel Miramón and Tomás Mejía, were executed. The Emperor Maximilian Memorial Chapel was constructed on the hill in 1900.
At the top of the hill stands a large statue of Benito Juárez, former President of Mexico.
The park is a lovely place to stroll around and if you have time, you can visit the museum as well.
Wander around the Centro Historico
Head back to the city centre of Queretaro, this time exploring during the daytime.
Enjoy a paleta
Stop in at one of the many La Michoacana shops for a delicious Mexican paleta (ice cream bar). They are a nice, refreshing treat after wandering around in the heat!
Lunch at Karnes en su Jugo
Before you end your visit in Queretaro, enjoy one last foodie stop at Karnes en su Jugo. This Mexican restaurant is popular for its tender beef in a skillet served with its juices – a delicious dish!
Click here to read our full Privacy Policy and Affiliate Disclosure Statement
Map of Things to Do in Queretaro
Check out our other popular Mexico posts:
Mexico City: Perfect 3 Day Guide for Instagrammers
The Best Way to Visit Teotihuacan
Mexico City Guide for Budget Foodies
Pin this post!
[…] Things To Do In Queretaro, Mexico […]
[…] Looking for things to do in Queretaro? Check out Things To Do In Queretaro, Mexico!] […]