Best of Morelia

The crown jewel of Michoacan, Morelia is a vibrant city with a fabulous collection of baroque churches, 18th-century palaces and museums packed with colonial art and relics. The entire historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991, yet Morelia remains surprisingly little known to many foreign travelers. A city tour of Morelia will introduce you to its many treasures, including one of Mexico’s most beautiful cathedrals. 

Villages outside the city make a fine counterpoint to the urban experience, and previous kimkim travelers have visited artisan workshops in Purépecha indigenous communities in Tupátaro, Cuanajo and Santa Clara del Cobre. Michoacan is Mexico’s agricultural powerhouse. You can experience the strong connection to the land on a visit to an avocado plantation, followed by a tasty avocado-based meal. Although Morelia is far from the ocean, there are some impressive islands you can visit on a day trip, including the fascinating Isla Janitzio in Pátzcuaro Lake.