Looking for the best things to do in Pachuca? Well, you’re in the right place!
There’s no denying it… we have a soft spot for Pachuca and feel it deserves more time in the spotlight.
Pachuca has flown under the radar of places to visit in Mexico, but this bustling town deserves a few days of exploring. It is packed with culture, great food, and lots of things to see and do.
We stayed in Pachuca for two weeks and used it as our base to explore the Pueblo Magicos in the lovely Hidalgo region.
We want to spread the word… Pachuca is worth visiting and should be included on any itinerary to Central Mexico.
Here are the 10 best things to do in Pachuca Mexico.
10 Best Things to Do in Pachuca
After driving around Mexico for 6 months, Pachuca and the gorgeous region of Hidalgo remains one of our favorite places.
Not only does the colorful city of Pachuca have so much to offer, but it also fits right in with our travel style.
Let’s jump into the 10 best things to see and do in Pachuca!
1. Admire the Murals
The most impressive sight to see when visiting Pachuca is, without a doubt, the Macromural de Palmitas.
This expansive mural is the largest in all of Mexico and holds the Guinness World Record for most walls covered by a mural.
Completed in 2015 by a street art group named German Crew and its residents, it began as a social initiative to revitalize the neighborhood. It has drawn tourists to this unsuspecting city ever since!
Nearly every side of the 209 buildings is painted in waves of bright colors, to mimic and compliment Pachuca’s nickname, The Windy Beauty.
This intricate design of waves continues from building to building, creating incredible cohesive artwork. Honestly, this was definitely a highlight of our visit to Pachuca!
The best place to view this massive mural is from the pedestrian bridge over Rio de las Avenidas. We parked in the lot of Sam’s Club and climbed up to the walkway for amazing pictures.
We also drove through the neighborhood for a different view and some awesome close-up shots!
MACROMURAL DE PALMITAS
📍Location: Google Map
💲Cost: Free
2. Wander Independence Plaza
Although Pachuca’s historic center is quaint, colorful, and worth a visit.
The Plaza de la Independencia is a large space surrounded by colorful buildings of hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Of course, like every city in Mexico, there are colorful letters of Pachuca there for a great photo op!
Situated in the center of the plaza, is the iconic Monument Clock. At 40 meters tall, commemorates Mexico’s Centennial of independence.
The four female faces, sculpted from Italian marble, symbolize Reform, Liberty, Independence, and Constitution.
Independence Plaza is a popular place for cultural events in Pachuca. While we visited, dancers were preparing for Mexican Independence Day.
One of the things I loved most about Pachuca was that most streets were flat and easily walkable. This is important to me since I live and travel with chronic pain and fatigue.
We were lucky enough to snap a few awesome pics. Right place, right time!
INDEPENDENCE PLAZA
📍Location: Google Map
⌚Hours: All day
💲Cost: Free
3. Historic Center & Markets
Once you’ve explored Independence Plaza, we recommend wandering through the historic center.
You will come across the simple, but beautiful Parroquia de la Asuncion de Maria. It was built in 1553 and is the oldest church in Pachuca.
The Iglesia Metodista de México is also worth a visit, with gorgeous stonework making up the building’s exterior. We loved the architecture in this area and the freedom to explore.
✅Helpful Tip: If you have a car, don’t fret! There are plenty of free parking spaces located near the historic center and markets. Check out all our tips about Driving in Mexico!
Afterward, dazzle all your senses with a visit to the markets!
El Mercado de Barreteros, Mercado Miguel Hidalgo, and Mercado 1st de Mayo are all within walking distance. These local markets will not disappoint!
They are full of local vendors selling everything from fruits and vegetables to traditional food and clothing.
Buying local food and cooking for yourself in a vacation rental are excellent ways to spend less money while traveling.
PACHUCA MARKETS
📍El Mercado de Barreteros: Google Map
⌚Hours: Monday to Sunday 8 am – 6 pm
📍Mercado Miguel Hidalgo: Google Map
⌚Hours: Monday to Sunday 9 am – 8:30 pm
📍Mercado 1st de Mayo: Google Map
⌚Hours: Monday to Sunday 8 am – 7 pm
4. Visit the Delicious Bakeries
When we researched Pachuca, we didn’t find any mention of their bakeries. This needs correcting. The bakeries in Pachuca are unbelievable!
And you won’t need to look far… it seems like there is a bakery down every street. Honestly, this alone makes Pachuca worth visiting!
The amount of delicious baked goods you can sample in Pachuca is endless. Everything is fresh and homemade.
During our stay, we indulged in so many pastries… everything from croissants, cookies, fresh doughnuts, tarts, pastries, cakes, and fresh bread.
Sampling as many desserts as possible should be on your list of things to do when visiting Pachuca!
The host of our apartment provided a guidebook of nearby restaurants and bakeries. Thankfully, the Chapis bakery was just down the street. It became a daily ritual to try a different pastry every day!
We must have tried everything in the store during our 2-week stay and loved them all. Trust us, your stomach will thank you!
CHAPIS BAKERY
📍Location: Google Map
⌚Hours: Monday to Friday 8 am – 10 pm
⌚Hours: Weekends 9 am – 9:30 pm
5. Stroll Revolution Street
Pachuca is ideal for slow travelers like us. There are numerous colorful streets to explore.
One of our favorite things to do in Pachuca is to wander Revolution Street, a long walking street in central Pachuca. This is definitely worth a visit.
The palm tree-lined street is full of boutique shops, stylish cafes, salons, little bars, and restaurants.
It is a great place to relax with a coffee, listen to a local band, and sample some new food.
The Passion Café is one of the few restaurants to have an outside terrace. Everything is locally produced and homemade.
We recommend the smoothies and waffles for brunch, they are delicious!
Then for dinner, head over to Barbeque Revolution in front of the Mercado Revolucion on Calle 12 de Octobre.
Come hungry, as the famous Hidalgo-style barbacoa, a slow-roasted lamb, is amazingly tender and filling!
6. Hike to the Statue of Christ
The Cristo Rey statue towers above the city and is another fantastic thing to see in Pachuca. Located on the Mineral del Monte highway, the statue is 33 meters high and is visible from almost everywhere in the city.
As with all pieces of art, there is an interesting story about this sculpture too.
Local miners were riding the elevator to the top of the Paricutin mine when suddenly it stopped.
As they dangled hundreds of feet above the ground, they prayed to God. They promised that if He saved them, they would build a statue in His name.
Miraculous, the elevator started moving and safely lifted them up the mining shaft. In 1992, they followed through and built the Cristo Rey statue.
There are amazing views of the city to admire too!
CRISTO REY STATUE
📍Location: Google Map
💲Cost: Free!
7. Sample the Pastes
Pachuca, Hidalgo is known for its English-style pastes, a nod to the Cornish migrants who came to work the mines. It is one of Pachuca Hidalgo’s most iconic dishes.
Like an empanada, the paste dough is thick, yet flakey, and they come in a variety of flavors.
Several local shops sell pastes, as well as a few notable chain restaurants, like Pasteko.
Pasteko’s savory pastes include Chorizo and bean, beef and potato, and chicken with tomato.
Our favorites were the Pizza-Waiano, Champirrajas, and Mole Verde (chicken and green sauce) which surprisingly tasted a bit like Indian Curry.
We also liked the sweet, flavored pastes of Guayaba, Zarzamora, and Queso. Of course, we sampled as many as possible… and recommend you do the same. They are delicious, filling, and cheap!
Indulge in pastes while you can. We spent 6 months driving in Mexico and struggled to find them outside the Hidalgo state.
PASTEKO
📍Location: Google Map
⌚Hours: Monday to Sunday 7 am – 9 pm
💲Cost: Free!
8. Visit Nearby Pueblo Magicos
There are over 10 Pueblo Magicos and archeological sites to visit near Pachuca. They are all within easy driving distance from the city, making for excellent day trips.
Initiated by the Mexican Tourism Board, Pueblo Magicos are small towns that have been recognized for the unique or magical experience they offer visitors.
Towns become “magical” because they possess natural beauty, cultural richness, traditions, or historical significance to the area.
One of the best things to do in Pachuca, Hidalgo is to explore the nearby Pueblo Magicos. This includes the delightful town of Huasca de Ocampo and the adorable Mineral del Monte.
Both towns are within an hour of Pachuca. Each has its own style of architecture, is colorful, and is easily walkable for those traveling with chronic pain like me.
👉Two hours outside of Pachuca: Pueblo Magicos of Huichapan, Tepotzotlán, Zacatlán, Pahuatlán, Cholula, and Xicotepecde Juárez.
PUEBLO MAGICOS
📍Huasca de Ocampo Location: Google Map
📍Mineral del Monte Location: Google Map
9. El Mirador de Pachuca
Pachuca has an abundance of parks throughout the city. Many of them are spacious with huge trees offering shade among the many benches.
The surrounding parks are another reason why Pachuca makes a great base, and why we stayed for 2 whole weeks!
However, one place you should not miss while visiting is the El Mirador de Pachuca. The views from this lookout point are unbelievable!
We loved how you could see all the colorful buildings, historic center, and surrounding mountains of this awesome city!
EL MIRADOR DE PACHUCA
📍Location: Google Map
💲Cost: Free!
10. Museums & Archeological Sites
If you are interested in history or are looking for another wonderful way to see Pachuca, then consider visiting a museum.
Museums Worth Visiting:
👉 Cuartel de Arte
👉Football Hall of Fame Museum
👉Archivo Histórico y Museo de Minería
The mining industry is at the heart of Pachuca, and its surrounding towns. They have an interesting exhibit with numerous displays and artifacts that date back to 1556.
Plus, there is art sprinkled throughout the city! It won’t take long to discover the sculptures, photography exhibits, and street art beautifying little Pachuca!
Lastly, Pachuca is an excellent base for exploring the nearby archeological sites of Tula, Xihuingo, Huapalcalco, and Teotihuacan. All these ancient ruins are worth a visit.
We were able to visit the massive complex of Teotihuacan, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and were not disappointed!
TEOTIHUACAN
📍Location: Google Map
⌚Hours: Monday to Sunday 9 am – 5 pm
💲Cost: 80 pesos
How to Get to Pachuca
Here we outline the best and easiest ways to get to Pachuca, Hidalgo from Mexico City.
✈️Airplane
The closest international airport to Pachuca is Mexico City. When we plan a trip, we head to WayAway to find the best deals on international and domestic flights.
You can easily search multiple dates to find the best flight from a variety of locations.
WayAway makes it easy to search multiple flight airlines at the same time so you can find the best deal for your trip. There are no service fees, plus their website is simple and easy to use.
After selecting your flight, WayAway takes you to the actual provider’s website. There you can read the necessary information and decide if it’s the right flight and price for your trip.
✈️Find the Best Flights with WayAway!
✔️compare airlines
✔️offer the best rates
✔️plus 10% cashback
➡️Book Now with WayAway
Related Post: Check out How to Survive Air Travel with useful tricks & tips to make air travel easier.
🚌Bus
There are direct buses to Pachuca from the international airport and the main bus station in Mexico City.
Busbud is a fantastic site that compares different companies at the same time to find you the best price for your selected date of travel.
The 70-minute direct bus from Mexico City costs about 70 Pesos or $5 CAD.
🚌Find the best bus route & fare:
➡️Book Now with Busbud
🚗Rental Car
We love road trips and would recommend renting a car from the Mexico City airport. The 80-minute drive to Pachuca is easy and beautiful.
Renting a car allows you to venture off the beaten path, discover the colorful Pueblo Magico towns, and explore the mountainous region of Hidalgo at your leisure.
If you travel with chronic pain or limited mobility, as I do, renting a car makes your journey easier and more relaxed. It doesn’t add to my pain and gives us the freedom to travel at our own pace.
We like that Discover Cars offers the best selection for price, comfort, and customer service.
🚗Check availability & prices now:
➡️Book your rental car from Mexico City Airport here
How to Get Around Pachuca
The local transportation in Pachuca is colectivos or taxis. Colectivos are small public buses that run throughout the city.
It will stop in various places around the city but is less formal than bus routes in the USA or Canada.
Buses and taxis are very affordable in Pachuca. Your hotel will be able to provide more information on local bus routes.
As mentioned, if you prefer to travel at your own pace, enjoy added flexibility or plan to visit the surrounding towns renting a car is ideal.
We never paid for parking in Pachuca or any of the surrounding Pueblo Magicos.
So driving in this area of Mexico is very convenient and affordable.
Related Post: We spent 6 months driving in Mexico and wrote a post sharing our 25 Tips for A Mexican Road Trip.
Where to Stay in Pachuca
During our 6-month road trip through Mexico, Pachuca was the cheapest destination we visited.
The city offers a range of hotels and apartments for every taste and budget. We stayed ay the Privada 400 Casa & Suites and highly recommend it!
🏨Privada 400 Casa & Suites
✔️spacious kitchen & living
✔️comfortable beds
✔️quiet neighborhood
✔️mobility-friendly suites
We enjoyed our stay in this townhouse apartment.
It is close to shops, has 24/7 security, and free parking.
🏨Check availability & prices now:
➡️Book your stay at Privada 400 Casa & Suites
🏨Hotel Emily
✔️amazing views of the city
✔️comfortable rooms
✔️old world charm
✔️mobility-friendly suites
Located in the historic center, there is a restaurant and spa on-site,
free parking and breakfast are included in most room rates.
🏨Check availability & prices now:
➡️Book your stay at Hotel Emily
Travel Insurance
Purchasing travel insurance is always a must! Trust me, I have needed a hospital on several trips… Italy, Costa Rica, Hungary, China, Malaysia, and Greece!
We never go on a vacation without travel insurance.
SafetyWing is an excellent option for international coverage, long-term travel, and digital nomads. They make purchasing and renewing your policy incredibly easy to do from anywhere in the world.
They provide travel restrictions and vaccination requirements for all countries.
➡️We recommend SafetyWing for Travel Insurance.
Check Rates & Book Insurance Now
Looking for Packing Tips?
Check out our post on how to pack where we share 18 tips on how to make packing for your next trip as pain-free as possible.
FAQs: Things to Do in Pachuca
What is Pachuca known for?
Pachuca is known for 3 distinct things: its silver mining dating back to the colonial era, its unique architectural style characterized by colorful houses with sloping roofs, and as the birthplace of Mexican football (soccer), being home to one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in the country, Club de Fútbol Pachuca.
Is Pachuca, Mexico safe?
Pachuca is considered a safe destination for tourists, with a visible police presence and efforts to ensure public safety. However, just like any destination, it is recommended to stay informed about local conditions, avoid isolated areas at night, and use common sense when visiting.
What is the History of Pachuca?
Pachuca was originally inhabited by the indigenous Otomi people before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The city was shaped by its thriving silver mining industry during the colonial period, which brought wealth and settlers. Pachuca also played a role in various historical events, including the Mexican War of Independence and the Mexican Revolution.
What year was Pachuca founded?
Pachuca was founded in 1531 as a mining town due to the discovery of silver deposits.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Pachuca
From admiring museums and murals to strolling down Revolution Street sampling every bakery along the way… there are so many fantastic things to do in Pachuca Mexico!
Hopefully, our list of the 10 best things to do helped you plan your perfect visit to this artsy and overlooked town.
Let us know if you have any questions… otherwise, enjoy your journey!
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