A charming city with a history that’s full of mysticism, religiousness, culture, magic and ingenuity, its streets are a manifestation of the Mexican pride.
Come see this wonderful place! The old Valladolid, as its name used to be, was founded by the Spaniards in 1541 but, its civilization and first inhabitants, the Purepecha, one of the most culturally renowned ethnicities of Latin America, had already established their cities some 300 years before around the XIII century.
Morelia is also the birthplace of some of the most important national heroes; e.
g.
José María Morelos y Pavón, one of the leaders of the Independence War to which, this city was also of crucial importance; later, Valladolid was renamed as Morelia in honor of this Mexican great man.
There is a local saying that “in Morelia, one can pick up a stone and find culture”, and proof of that is that in 1991, it was declared by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage.
The architecture of its churches, cathedrals, libraries, and temples add up to 1113 outstanding buildings of baroque stateliness.
Start your trip with a visit to the Cathedral and admire its baroque architecture of pink quarry stone which took 110 years to build; then, still downtown, continue to the Mártires Square (Plaza de los Mártires), the Clavijero Palace (Old Jesuit Monastery and College) which today, houses temporary and permanent art exhibits; the Public Library (next to the palace) was founded by the Order Of The Company Of Jesus, and it stands out for its grand and spacious areas as well as for holding one of the most important literary collections in the country.
Complement your tour with the impressive aqueduct, a construction of extraordinary architecture, which was built in 1785 to provide the city with water during the extreme droughts.
To finish your trip on a high note, if you happen to be in Morelia between the months of October and March, don’t miss the experience of watching the monarch butterflies in their sanctuaries.
A spectacle like you have never seen before! All through the year, there are many diverse festivals and cultural events: The Purépecha Artistic Festival, celebrated in October is one of the most significant ones with representations and artistic displays of that ethnicity.
The day of the dead is particularly mysterious and colorful; during this month the International Film Festival of Morelia (FICM) brings some of the biggest filmmakers, actors, producers and general public, thus raising its glamour, culture, and liveliness.
Of course, an important event is the anniversary of the foundation of the city in May, when the festivities are especially luxurious and very joyous.
There is no doubt that your trip to Morelia will be filled with beauty, history, and culture.


Wejoytrip recommends
Go for a picnic at the Bosque Cuauhtémoc, then stroll along the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Alfredo Zalce; start the with these two, and then go to Museum Casa Morelos, or Museum Casa Vasco de Quiroga, and the Museum of Colonial Art.
Morelia is renowned for its handicrafts; you can see and purchase some very beautiful ones at the Museum of Handcrafts, and the Museum of Masks.
Treat yourself at the Museum of Sweets, where you will discover the origins –and the making of- some delicious Mexican candies.
These are only a handful of the many museums that you have to see in Morelia.
Now, how about some adrenaline? You can rent an ATV at the Águila racetrack, or attend a car or motocross race, you are sure to get your heart pumping! After a great day, spiff up and say hello to the nightlife with the fireworks at the Cathedral, and then head on for drinks and dinner.
Be adventurous and try something local like atápakuas (a broth of vegetables or beef with ground maize that resembles mole)Enhance your trip with these nearby destinations: Since you are already in Michoacán, you could visit one –or all- of the following: Janitzio (61 km away; boating, trekking, the day of the dead celebrations, temples, monuments; Pátzcuaro (59 km from Morelia, trekking, fishing, boating, horseback riding, ATV, hanging bridges, mountain biking, archaeological sites, hiking; Santa Clara del Cobre, a magical town in the Pátzcuaro area famous, mainly, for its coppersmiths and beautiful copper products; Uruapan –a little bit further, 110 km- is the most important producer of avocados, ecotourism here is a great joy, and you can also see its museums, monuments, and indulge in some uchepos or corundas, two typical dishes (like tiny tamales) of Michoacán made with fresh maize, the first is sweeter and the latter is more on the savoury side.
A most singular attraction not far from Uruapan is Pueblo Viejo de San Juan Parangaricutiro which, in 1943, saw the sudden birth of the Paricutín volcano – today, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world- that later buried it and a neighbouring town in lava.
The volcano is now dormant and people hike it to see the ruins of its church peeking through the lava rocks.

Things to see and do
to sum up: trekking, hiking, festivals, culture, history, architecture, cuisine, nightlife, Festival Internacional de Cine de Morelia –FICM-, The Gastronomy Festival; business tourism.
  Read +