Zócalo de Puebla — Attraction in Puebla

Zócalo de Puebla is a wonderful park and a city centre in Puebla. This oasis of greenery with plenty of benches has a historic fountain known as San Miguel Arcángel, which was placed in the center in 1777. It remained the main source of potable water for much of the colonial period. There are four statues of muses installed at each corner of the park. Jan Hendrix's sculpture, Kiosko, is installed in the plaza, along with other sculptures.

Until the end of the 18th century, this main square was the most important market for the town. Bullfights were held here from 1566 to 1722. It has been the main cultural, political and religious center of the city till today. On weekends there is usually some outdoor dance and singing performances.

This georgeous place is surrounded by a hundred-block showplace of Colonial and Baroque architecture and extravagantly tiled buildings. This includes the City Hall, the Casa de los Muñecos and the Cathedral which is a masterpiece of Mexican ecclesiastical architecture. Also, one can walk along the paths, find plenty of restaurants, bars, coffe and gift shops, buy interesting antique art and exquisite crafts. Thus enjoy the culture and traditions. This place is safe and patrolled by law officers.

The local open-top tour buses depart and return from this location. They illustrate the history of the city both in Spanish and English. Will explain how this place became a convenient stopover for the Spanish colonialists on the route from the port of Veracruz to the Mexican capital. Especially due to its geographic location, favourable climate and the nearby labour pool from Cholula. You will find Colonial, Baroque, Mannerist and neo-Classical, all assembled in this small town.

However, we had our lunch here in a famous restaurant and came to the conclusion like many others, fortunately or unfortunately: that street food trumps fine...

It's a beautiful zocalo with views of an amazing cathedral and surrounding shops and restaurants. Puebla is a a conservative city with a small undercurrent of extreme liberals that conflict with the greater population. In my opinion the liberals detract from the beauty of the town. They also are a majority contributors to the overall rudeness you feel visiting here. They are primarily the rude smokers you encounter. The amount of smokers and smoking in public is disgusting. Nothing else in this town was worse than the smoking. It makes enjoying Puebla really difficult because it is that intrusive here.

While we were here, on the weekend they had a huge gay pride festival that was peaceful and enjoyable by all of that were participating. No problems. But it occurred right in front of the cathedral. The paradox was palpable. I saw older Mexicans from The community agape in disgust.

I think of all of these zocalos that we have been to in Mexico, this would be rated the worst solely because of the smoking. They need to educate these college students and educate the people here because it is a significant problem. It is extremely offensive to to all especially visitors and it detracts from everyone's experience.

While we were here, many of the shops and restaurants closed down around the zocalo early around 8:00 or 9:00. Be aware of this.

Puebla has a lot to offer, but if you have a choice of places to go and need to get rid of one, get rid of puebla... The smokers make this a disgusting place. It is...

The Zócalo in Puebla is truly the heart of the city and a must-visit destination for anyone exploring this vibrant colonial city. As one of Mexico’s most beautiful and historic plazas, it offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and lively atmosphere.

The square is surrounded by stunning colonial architecture, with colorful buildings and ornate facades that reflect Puebla’s rich heritage. The cathedral, with its impressive baroque design, dominates the skyline and adds to the majestic ambiance of the plaza.

During the day, the Zócalo buzzes with activity—locals and tourists alike gather to relax, enjoy street performances, or sip coffee at nearby cafes. At night, the area transforms with beautifully lit buildings, creating a romantic and picturesque setting.

The surrounding streets are lined with shops, markets, and restaurants offering delicious local cuisine, including Puebla’s famous mole poblano. It’s a great place to soak in the local culture, do some shopping, or simply people-watch.

Overall, the Zócalo in Puebla is a vibrant, historic, and charming place that captures the essence of the city. Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, or just soaking up the lively atmosphere, it’s an experience not...