Queretaro Self-Guided Walking Tour, Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico

Despite often being overlooked by tourists, Querétaro (full name Santiago de Querétaro) has a lot to offer. One of the most prominent cities in Mexico during the colonial period, it is here that the first rumblings of independence and rebellion against the Spanish crown were stirred. Querétaro later went on to have a key involvement in two subsequent revolutions, playing a significant role in shaping the history and future of the country.

Querétaro, the capital of the eponymous state, has many historical buildings, plazas and squares dating back to colonial times, while it is consistently ranked as amongst the most safe, stable and happy cities in Mexico. Despite being a large city, the historic centre is also very walkable. Check out this self-guided walking tour of some of the key sites in the city centre!

Start at the Mirador de los Arcos. The Querétaro aqueduct is probably the most iconic symbol of the city, and this is the best place to see it. Built in the 1700s, the aqueduct stretches over a kilometre across the city’s skyline. Some of the main highways in the city pass under the aqueduct’s arches, and you can get the best view of its impressive scale and grandeur from this viewpoint. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).