How to Spend a Day in Atlixco: Mexico’s City of Flowers

Atlixco, a “Magic Town” located in the slopes of the Popocatepetl volcano, plays a concert of colours worthy of its nickname: the “City of Flowers”. The town claims it’s a perk that comes with having the best climate in the world and a fertile soil that gifts them with flowers and produce in abundance.

And as in most major towns in the state of Puebla, it also comes with its dose of historic churches with impressive façades and interiors.

Atlixco is a popular day trip from Puebla City as it’s only 30 kilometres (about 18 miles) southwest of the capital of the state.

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These are the things to do in Atlixco, Puebla, in one day

Relax at the Colourful Benches at Atlixco’s Zócalo (Main Square)

Atlixco’s pretty zócalo has the typical elements you find in a main square: mature trees, manicured gardens, benches, people chatting, and in Mexico: a quiosco (a huge gazebo in the centre). What makes this square different is that the benches and the planters are covered in glazed tiles with intricate patterns. Each bench has different colours, and most of them have a painting of an iconic landmark in Atlixco. It reminds me vaguely of the Fountain of the Lions in Puebla.

The Moorish-style central gazebo also gets its dose of tiling and, something rare in Mexico, is occupied by a café (with a terrace).

You may be lucky enough to visit during the display of giant flower mosaics in front of the Municipal Palace.

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Check Out the Historic Buildings in the Vicinity of the Zócalo

You don’t have to walk far from the main square to see great architecture from the 17th and the 18th century.

Bordering the square, on the East side, you’ll see the Municipal Palace, built between the 17th and the 19th centuries, featuring long balconies, arched doors, and the distinctive brick façade with tile inserts.

Inside you can find several murals painted by local artist Juan Manuel Martínez Caltenco, illustrating milestones of Atlixco’s history.

To the left of the Municipal Palace you’ll see the Church of Santa María de la Natividad, built between the 17th and the 19th century. The outside is rather simple, but the altarpieces inside are quite impressive.

One block from the zócalo, on Avenida Independencia and Calle 3 Poniente, you’ll see the Ex-Convent and Church of San Agustin. It was built between the 16th and the 17th century in Baroque style, with exquisite mortar decorations in white, resembling a fine icing swirl applied by a master baker on an ochre cake. 

Below the centered image of Saint Augustine you can read Gloria Tibi Trinitas: “Glory to You, O Trinity”.

Two blocks from the main square, on Calzada 16 de Septiembre 506, is my favourite building: the Chapel of the Third Order (Capilla de la Tercera Orden). It was built between the 17th and the 18th century by the Franciscan Third Order in Baroque style, with indigenous elements.

The façade is decorated with mortar depicting floral motifs, geometrical patterns, angels and cherubs. It also has four massive Solomonic columns flanking niches with statues of Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Francis of Assisi, and Saint Anthony of Padua. Inside you’ll find altarpieces in Baroque style from the 17th century.

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You can explore Atlixco on a day trip from Puebla, but if you want to try other activities available such as skydiving, or a Jeep tour to the slopes of the Popocatepetl volcano, you may want to stay overnight.

These are some highly-rated hotels in Atlixco, right next to the main square:

Casa de La Audiencia: a historic building from the 16th century with a spa and fully renovated modern rooms with a desk, a fridge, flat-screen T.V., tea/coffee machine, a balcony, and AC.
Book your stay here, with a rating of 9.5 based on more than 320 reviews.

Alquería de Carrión Hotel Boutique: this is a building from the 17th century featuring an outdoor pool and a spa, and modern rooms. Parking and breakfast are included.
Check rates at Alqueria, with a rating of 9.5 based on more than 145 reviews.

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Hop on a Trolley Bus for a Tour of Atlixco

Since we visited Atlixco on a day trip from Puebla the most convenient way to explore the town beyond the centre was to take the Jardín Mágico tour in the trolley bus from Recorridos Turísticos Atlixco.

It’s a 2-hour tour that departs from the main square and stops at several points of interest such as the Jardín Mágico (Magic Garden), a beer garden, an arts and crafts centre, a mezcal tasting, and a drive through the historic centre. It costs MXN$ 300 p/p.

Further below I’ll give you details about the best stops, including my favourite: the gardens.

They offer other tours, some of which don’t stop there (I wouldn’t skip the gardens if I were you).

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Stop at the Floral Clock

One of the first stops of the trolley is at the bottom of the wide stairs (escaleras anchas) leading to a giant clock made of flowers and plants. If you check other pictures in the internet you’ll see that it normally looks better than this. Probably my visit coincided with a time when they were switching designs, as some parts are missing. I wish you better luck.

The riser of the stairs is painted, forming a long mural. If you want more time here you can easily come back after the tour as it’s only four blocks away from the main square, on Calle 11 Sur, 101.

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Try Atlixco’s Artisanal Beers

The tour included a visit to the 5 de Mayo Brewery where you walk through their facilities, located in a former hacienda (Hacienda de San Mateo). You can order their artisanal beers and decide which one is your favourite (mine was Saga, a Blonde Ale) while relaxing in the beer garden.

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Get Inspired at the Magic Garden (Jardín Mágico) 

The Magic Garden, a medium size garden with more than 40 sculptures covered with plants, is a not-to-miss and my number one thing to do in Atlixco. You’ll see the typical displays with a variety of plants from different climates: desert garden, fruit trees, and medicinal plants. 

You’ll also see a rose garden, a French garden, a small maze, ponds, gazebos, and many birds flying around.

But the sparkling magic is in the large sculptures in the shape of birds, flowers, butterflies, crocodiles, fish and anything belonging to a garden. 

On site you’ll find a nursery, a restaurant, and an ice cream shop.

Open everyday: 9AM-6PM; General admission: MXN$55

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If you prefer to be picked up from your hotel in Puebla and have everything arranged for you, this private tour offers a day trip to Atlixco and Atlimeyaya. Some attractions are different from the ones I mention here. If you want to come here on your own, read below.

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How to Get to Atlixco from Puebla

If you decide to take a taxi, Atlixco is around 30 to 40 minutes from Puebla by car. 

To get here by bus you must go to CAPU (Puebla’s main bus station)  and hop on the Oro bus. The trip takes about one hour and the Oro Erco bus station is four blocks south of Atlixco’s zócalo (main square).

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When you visit this charming town with an imposing volcano in the background it’s easy to see why it’s called “Atlixco de las Flores”. The flowers, the architecture, the art and the flavours will make a memorable experience. Share this post with someone who is planning their next trip to Mexico.

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