The 20 best places to visit in Toluca

Mexico is so big that it always has new and unexpected places to discover and enjoy. Today we have to tour Toluca, whose capital is the city of Toluca, which is in turn the capital of the State of Mexico.

This municipality has great attractions both colonial and current, with architecture of impressive richness in details.

Let’s know the best 20 places to visit in Toluca.

1. Toluca Cathedral

The first place to visit in Toluca is the majestic Cathedral of Toluca, an impressive neoclassical construction south of the Plaza de los Mártires.

There was once the Franciscan convent that had to be demolished due to its deterioration. Although the construction of the new cathedral began in 1867, it could only be ready in the second half of the 20th century.

In order for you to make contact with the religious experiences and traditions of the city, you must include this religious temple in the list of places to visit in Toluca.

2. Temple of the Lord of Chalma

The municipality of Chalma, an hour’s drive from the city of Toluca, houses the Temple of the Lord of Chalma.

According to a legend from the 1500s, the catechizing friars discovered that the indigenous people worshiped a god called Oxtotéotl in a cave, to whom they offered human lives in his honor.

The priests convinced the indigenous people to replace the image of their god with that of the Holy Christ, a figure that was in the cave for 125 years.

The place is now a pilgrimage and prayer site, accompanied by dances and music.

3. Cosmovitral Botanical Garden

This installation on the corner of Lerdo de Tejada street was built at the beginning of the 20th century, for the operation of the “September 16” market.

During the 1970s, it underwent a remodeling that included an Art Nouveau installation, made up of 65 stained glass windows made with more than 1,500 pieces of colored glass from Europe. Leopoldo Flores Valdez, a native of Toluca, was responsible for the work.

Now this spectacular place is home to the Cosmovitral Botanical Garden, which contains more than 1,000 plants from Mexico and other countries in America, Asia and Africa.

It is an unforgettable visit and experience to be able to see the plants in the midst of more than 3,000 square meters of crystals of 28 different colors, which shed unique flashes of light.

4. Nemesio Diez Stadium. “The Bombonera”

The Nemesio Diez Stadium is home to the soccer team, Deportivo Toluca, a sports complex with capacity for 27,000 spectators.

The inauguration of “La Bombonera”, as it is popularly known, was in 1954. Since then, the fans and followers of the Red Devils of Toluca have gathered there.

5. The Portals

Los Portales is located on the corner of Hidalgo and Bravo streets, a space for shops where they sell typical products of the area such as green chorizo, sweets from Toluca or Toluqueños and “mosquitoes”, the latter an orange liqueur.

Every year the Alfeñique Fair is celebrated on the occasion of the Day of the Dead. There you can see a construction made up of 120 arches.

Los Portales is one of the most striking and representative tourist attractions, which is why we include it in our list of places to visit in Toluca.

6. Mexican Cultural Center

The Mexiquense Cultural Center is an essential visit on any tour of Toluca. It is in what was the headquarters of the Hacienda de San José de la Pila, a place dedicated to history, culture and art.

There you can visit the Museum of Anthropology and History and Modern Art, the Central Library and the Historical Archive belonging to the State of Mexico.

It is a place with free and important admission for students, researchers and the general public who want to learn more about Mexican art, culture and history. Exhibitions, workshops and festivals are also held.

7. Museum of Fine Arts of Toluca

Important example of the architectural heritage of Mexico in the former convent of the Nuns Carmelitas Descalzas, a construction from 1697.

Exhibitions as important as Tutankamón and the Impossible Exhibition have been presented in its rooms. It has also had samples of Mexican artists such as the painter Leopoldo Flores, creator of the Cosmovitral stained glass windows.

You can also see galleries of sacred art and between the 16th and 19th centuries. There are objects in honor of the Divine Face, as well as representations of saints and saints. They organize art workshops and temporary exhibitions.

Selecting the Museum of Fine Arts in the places to visit in Toluca will be a great cultural and religious success.

After undergoing renovations, it has been reopened to the public.

8. Watercolor Museum

Museum in one of the oldest buildings in Toluca with great national and international prestige, which made it be listed as Historical Heritage of the State of Mexico, declared by the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico.

The function of its 8 rooms is to house, disseminate and exhibit the art that uses the watercolor technique as a means of expression. Each of them bears the name of a renowned watercolorist in the country.

The museum offers complementary activities such as book presentations, conferences, plays, vacation courses and drawing workshops; You can also opt for a guided tour for the general public.

9. Calixtlahuaca

Impressive center for ceremonies of the indigenous Matlatzincas constituted by the ceremonial center of Calixtlahuaca, an archaeological zone 10 kilometers northwest of Toluca.

In the area, the buildings of Quetzalcóatl and Tláloc stand out, which is indicative that, due to the characteristics of the constructions, the Teotihuacan and Toltec cultures were settled there.

10. Metepec

City and municipality very close to the city of Toluca that is part of the metropolitan area of the so-called Valle de Toluca. Some people consider Metepec as an extension of Toluca.

The place has had an important economic rebound with constructions and financial investments that represent the progress of the country. You will find refined subdivisions for homes and elegant and attractive shopping centers.

This modernization has not detracted from Metepec’s traditions and cultural activities, such as the work of Metepec’s clay and pottery artisans, especially the so-called Tree of Life handicrafts, one of the most famous, widespread and representative of the State of Mexico inside and outside the country.

For this and more, we include Metepec among the places to visit in Toluca.

11. Teotenango

Important pre-Hispanic city to the south of the Toluca Valley, 25 kilometers from the city of Toluca, located on the top of a large hill known as Tetépetl.

Its foundation dates back to the last periods of the Teotihuacan civilization by a group of indigenous people known as Teotenancas. With the arrival of the Matlatzincas, it became an important religious and military center.

The Román Piña Chan Archaeological Museum was established in the area, where you can see all the archaeological pieces found and rescued on the site.

12. Snowy Toluca

The Nevado de Toluca cannot be left out in the choice of places to visit in Toluca. It is the fourth highest mountain in Mexico with a height of 4,680 meters above sea level, perfect for fans of excursions, climbs and adventures in the open air.

This also a volcano with seismic activity included in the list of active volcanoes in the country, has 2 lagoons, walking areas and the best space for ecotourism activities, such as climbing in rocky areas such as El Fraile and Pico del Águila.

13. Ixtapan de la Sal

Ixtapan de la Sal is a place with hot springs rich in minerals, a pleasant climate and an unbeatable environment to rest, just over an hour’s drive from the city of Toluca.

It is a small town but full of roads populated with jacaranda trees that offer a beautiful show when they are in bloom. It has a main square, cobbled streets, houses with red tile roofs and a very picturesque architectural appearance.

If in addition to taking a bath in hot springs you want a few days off, include Ixtapan de la Sal in the places to visit in Toluca.

14. The Marchioness

“La Marquesa” is really called, Miguel Hidalgo Insurgent Park, a place of spectacular natural landscapes perfect for outdoor activities and the practice of extreme sports, 32 kilometers from the city of Toluca.

You will find an important center for conservation and promotion of ecology, trails for hiking and a space to rent horses.

15. Bravo Valley

Place to vacation very visited by its climate and its proximity to Mexico City (separated by 150 kilometers). It is on Lake Avándaro, to the west of CDMX.

The lake is surrounded by forests, so horse riding and tennis became very popular practices. You can also do water sports.

Valle de Bravo has very attractive places such as the Three Trees Square, the Mirador de la Capilla and the Pier, where you can rent boats.

The streets are covered with cobblestones and surrounded by very well preserved colonial buildings. In the center of the Plaza de la Independencia is the Church of San Francisco de Asís, from the 17th century.

In the valley there is also the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, the place where millions of migratory butterflies live.

16. The Gold

City on an important mineral area one hour and a half north of the city of Toluca, whose French-style constructions are testimonies of the vast wealth of the area, due to the mineral found in its lands.

Its attractions go beyond the buildings and the presence of gold, which also gives the city its name. It also has the Brockman Dam, surrounded by cedar and pine forests, ideal for picnics and walks, as well as for sport fishing in its waters.

To live a special experience, add the city of “El Oro” to the places to visit in Toluca.

17. Bicentennial Towers Museum

Museum inside a modern construction known as Torres Bicentenario, pillars erected in 2010 to commemorate the bicentennial of Independence and the centenary of the Revolution.

The towers are in the old Puerta Tollotzin, on Paseo Tollocan. A work of 30 meters at its base and 6 meters in diameter at the top, with a height of 65 meters, by the architect, Guillermo Maya López.

At the top of its almost 70 meters high, it gives the feeling that they are intertwined, in a contemporary design with clean and simple elements in all its forms. The silhouette of both towers suggests the path, the projection and the direction towards the future of the nation.

The museum exhibits the passing of the history and evolution of Mexico as a country from its beginnings as a colony, to the present day.

18. Zacango Zoo

The Zacango Zoo is 30 minutes from the historic center of the city of Toluca, a space to include in the list of places to visit in Toluca, especially if you are traveling with children.

In its more than 150 hectares of land, which make it one of the largest and most varied in Latin America, you will find more than 180 different species of animals from around the world, including 80 in danger of extinction.

In addition to meeting the animals, you can take boat rides on its lake.

19. Amaranth Restaurant

It is one of the most elegant restaurants in the city of Toluca with impeccable decoration, in the center of the city, Colonia Universidad, Francisco Murguía 402.

It is a place to savor and enjoy local food, as the chef improves, honors and reinvents Mexican food. The entire menu constitutes a walk through the State of Mexico.

20. Dona Chofi

Restaurant with a long tradition with the most typical stews such as beef tongue, meatballs, spinach in green mole, belly and many other stews that will leave you satisfied for little cost.

“Las Fondongas”, as it is also known, is in J. Ma. González Arratia, between Ignacio Pérez and Nezahualcóyotl.

What can you visit in Toluca?

When visiting Toluca you cannot stop walking through the following destinations:

Toluca Valley.
Cathedral of Toluca.
Zacango Zoo.

Cosmovitral Botanical Garden.
Museum of Anthropology and History.

Places to visit in Metepec

Being part of the Toluca Valley, Metepec has some of the best alternatives to know such as:

The People’s Museum.
The Calvary Church.
The Zacango Zoo.

The Tree of Life Park.
The Bicentennial Environmental Park.

Places near Toluca to visit with children

Toulca’s snowy.

Cathedral of Toluca.
Zacango Zoo.
The Portals of Toluca.

Bicentennial Towers Museum.
Cosmovitral Botanical Garden.

Natural attractions of Toluca

The marquesse.

Brave Valley.
Ixtapan de la Sal.
Toulca’s snowy.

Cosmovitral Botanical Garden.

Places to eat in Toluca

Mrs. Chofi.
The Botticella.

Cambalache Toluca.
Amaranth restaurant.
Apapacho Toluca Restaurant.

Mexico has hundreds of flavors and colors that are waiting for you and Toluca is an excellent example of it. Get ready for a unique cultural and gastronomic experience and give this list of places to visit in Toluca a try.