Welcome to a place full of charm and mystery, where history and tradition intertwine to create a dreamlike setting. In this blog, we invite you to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Magic Towns in the State of Mexico, one of the most visited and recognized destinations in Mexico. From cobbled streets telling ancient stories to festivals celebrating life, each of these destinations will take you on a journey through time while connecting you with the authenticity and cultural richness that characterize this region.
The Magic Towns in the State of Mexico stand out for hosting several of Mexico's most visited magic towns. Among them is Valle de Bravo, recognized as one of the top 10 Magic Towns in the country. By exploring these charming destinations, travelers have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural richness and history that define them, allowing them to choose which they consider the best Magic Town in the State of Mexico.
Magic Towns in the State of Mexico
Aculco
Among the mountains and spectacular cliffs and waterfalls, the sun bathes its cobbled streets in golden light, illuminating its alleys and reflecting its glow on the white walls throughout the town. Thus begins the day in the historic Aculco, where you can not only learn about one of Mexico's ethnic groups, the Otomíes, but also admire its architecture and embark on an adventure in its natural attractions.
Aculco retains the features of its traditional architecture, full of narrow streets and houses with spacious courtyards and corridors, constructions supported by quarry and cobblestone columns. It is a place that combines natural wonders with a sanctuary; La Cascada de la Concepción has a 15-meter drop that moistens huge basaltic columns alongside magnificent traditional architecture.
El Oro
El Oro, a Magical Town, is one of the ancient mining glories of the country. Founded in the 18th century, it grew due to the fame of mines like La Esperanza, El Consuelo, or La Providencia. The gold rush attracted people from around the world, particularly English companies. Its buildings reflect all European styles of the time, such as the Juárez Theater and the Municipal Palace, known for their decoration and Art Nouveau and Neoclassical styles. El Oro boasts a picturesque train station, opened in 1889, and a Mining Museum, which preserves machinery and the memory of its people through photography. A must-see is the Chapel of Santa María de Guadalupe, with a closed atrium full of roses.
The surroundings of El Oro are covered by lush pine and cedar forests, where the Brockman and Victoria Dams are located, as well as one of the sanctuaries of the monarch butterfly.
Ixtapan de la Sal
Ixtapan de la Sal is synonymous with rest and health. A place for meditation, healing, and above all, relaxation with excellent massage and physiotherapy services. You'll spend days in magnificent sunny weather and renowned hot springs known for their healing properties, surrounded by lush vegetation.
In this Magical Town, you can also cool off in the largest water park in Latin America, or enjoy the Grutas de la Estrella with their wonderful stalactite and stalagmite formations due to water seepage in the rocks.
If you're very adventurous, you can descend to the underground river El Zapote. It's a journey that takes place between February and June, where you'll be amazed at how surprising it can be to see a beam of light touching the water.
Malinalco
Surrounded by unparalleled beauty, nestled among mountains with peculiar formations and lush vegetation, lies Malinalco. It's a charming Magical Town with cobblestone streets and the scent of flowers where you'll breathe tranquility.
You can discover its traditions and customs that are part of the great heritage of a town that turns this enchanting place into a living legend every day; its former Augustinian convent and its Mexica worship site atop the hill in the archaeological zone with its majestic ceremonial center erected by the Mexicas; when you enter the temple, the tongue of a snake will welcome you like a carpet spread beneath your feet, introducing you to the magical pre-Hispanic world of the Eagle and Jaguar Warriors, which are built directly on the rock of the hill.
Cuauhtinchán, located amidst the Texcaltepec mountain. Its living museum hosts infinite colors in tiny and strange animals that you can even, if you wish, feel walking on your arms; furthermore, this small town with a strong indigenous flavor boasts a variety of signature restaurants. Malinalco has become a perfect getaway in the heart of the country.
Metepec
Metepec is a charming community in the State of Mexico filled with colors, scents, and flavors of ancient Mexico. Those who know it are amazed not only by its landscapes and architecture but also by the indigenous artisans' creations, true works of art crafted by master potters.
You can stroll through picturesque neighborhoods like Santa Cruz, San Mateo, San Miguel, Coaxustenco, and Santiaguito, or visit the Old Franciscan convent that stands in this Magical Town where you'll be surprised by the whispers of history, with the San Juan Bautista temple and its façade together with the atrium.
In the Civic Square, you can admire the beautiful Tlanchana Fountain, which, at night, makes the lights blend into the liquid and sprout differently as the water emerges again.
Otumba
Otumba is a Magical Town in the State of Mexico with a rich legacy dating back to indigenous times, when it was home to the Acolhuacan lordship or the setting of the event of La Noche Triste, where Cuitláhuac defeated Hernán Cortés. It served as a viceregal station upon the arrival of the Count of La Coruña, Lorenzo Suárez de Mendoza, in 1580. Here, power was symbolically transferred to the new viceroys. In more recent times, it was the birthplace of the great painter Gonzalo Carrasco, a student of the celebrated landscape artist José María Velasco.
Must-Visits:
Railway Museum
Burrolandia
Gonzalo Carrasco Museum
In May, don't miss the National Donkey Fair
Algibe
Ex convent of Oxtotipac
San Juan Teotihuacan y San Martín de las Pirámides
Here, the ringing of the bells blends with the sound of the huehuetl. Ancient history invites you to discover the life of these two towns.
Teotihuacán was one of the largest pre-Hispanic cities in Mesoamerica, but both towns combine ancient and colonial culture.
The jewel of these places is the enormous archaeological site. It is one of the most admired pre-Columbian sites in the world. And surprisingly, that's not the only thing to see; the San Juan Bautista Ex-Convent stands out for its beauty and architectural projection; you can also see the Temple of Our Lady of the Purification with its imposing facade and pristine interior of this Magical Town.
Tepotzotlán
From sunrise to dusk, this beautiful Magical Town will enchant you with its charms and changing forms.
You can take advantage of the sun's rays that highlight the vibrant colors of the crafts market, where you can walk among its multicolored stalls, stroll through its green parks or along its ancient aqueduct, and uncover its age-old stories while your ears delight in the town's traditional music.
At night, both the National Museum of the Viceroyalty and the majestic Temple of San Francisco Javier it houses, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty, are illuminated with their intricate decorations that make them a jewel of Baroque art.
Tonatico
To the south of the state lies the town of Tonatico; like few others, here natural beauties, historical monuments, and ancestral traditions coexist under the same landscape. The Nahuas said it was the place where the sun was born, and perhaps that's why its climate is semi-tropical throughout the year. Those who step onto its charming ground fall in love with its hot springs, its forests full of mysteries, and the attachment to its beliefs and devotions.
Must-Visits:
Appreciate the laminated gold altarpieces of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tonatico.
Walk through its Central Garden and colonial Portals.
Enjoy the hot springs.
Marvel at the waterfall in Tzumpantitlán Park.
Valle de Bravo
It seems like the mission of this place, a Magical Town, is to connect you with the most primitive natural elements. Its lake, as the center of life, attracts with its vastness and beauty.
The air awakens the adventurous spirit. The country's best sailors come from here, and flying in a paraglider or hang glider is greatly enjoyed to see everything from above. The land is abundant in beauty, with green mountainous landscapes everywhere that take your breath away. Finally, the fire that lulls spirits in chimneys, bonfires, and sweat lodges invites rebirth time and time again.
Its friendly climate allows for the practice of sports and recreational activities such as water skiing, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, motocross, ziplining, hiking, camping, hang gliding, paragliding, and golf.
Villa del Carbón
Villa del Carbón is a Magical Town that preserves its colonial-era splendor, when its main economic activity was coal mining; its forest is one of the region's main treasures.
Surrounded by mountains and lush vegetation, it's a tranquil environment filled with the aromas of pine and the chirping of birds that blend with the harmonious sound of water from its fountains, inviting you to stroll through its cobblestone streets and red-tiled roofs before relaxing at one of its ecotourism centers.
Explore the magic of the State of Mexico and immerse yourself in the beauty of its Magical Towns! From the historic charm of Villa del Carbón to the colonial allure of Tonatico, each corner offers a unique experience filled with history, culture, and nature. Don't wait any longer to embark on this fascinating journey and create unforgettable memories!
Fuente: Pueblos Mágicos del Estado de México- Visit Mexico
https://www.visitmexico.com/es/mapa?destiny_type=Pueblos%20m%C3%A1gicos
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