Ten Things to do in Pachuca this summer

Like in most cities, you can get a taste of Pachuca’s true character by strolling along the alleys of its historical center. The city’s most representative monument is El Reloj Monumental in Plaza Independencia; dating to the beginning of the 20th century, Pachuca’s iconic neoclassical clock tower’s machinery is based on Big Ben's in London and is among the most peculiar landmarks to visit in town. Pachuca’s center also hosts several historical buildings that you will want to add to your itinerary. Among the most remarkable ones are the House of Culture (the Efren Rebolledo Cultural Forum), the Barreteros Market, the La Salle Pachuca University, and the Temple and Former Convent of San Francisco. The latter features a baroque white quarry façade that reflects the modesty and simpleness of the Franciscan order, although it conceals historical and artistic treasures such as the Capilla de la Luz with its altar and the relics of Saint Columba.

Connecting the town of Zempoala to Otumba, in the state of Mexico City, the 30 miles-long Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque is the largest single hydraulic system built in Latin America and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2015. Just a 30-minute drive from Pachuca, the Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque is an extraordinary example of the contamination between the European architecture techniques applied to hydraulic projects and the traditional Mesoamerican construction craft and is a fantastic destination for a short afternoon excursion.

As it always happens when you visit a new city, you will get to truly know Pachuca’s essence by delving into its culinary tradition. Hidalgo and Pachuca’s gastronomy includes a varied mix of traditional and experimental flavors that will entice your palate to discover more. The most representative local specialty is undoubtfully pastes, a savory baked pastry similar to empanadas traditionally filled with potatoes, meat, beans, or vegetables. In Pachuca, you will find close-to-infinite filling combinations, ranging from tuna and potatoes to pineapple and mole, and even sweet versions. Besides pastes, we recommend you have a barbacoa: according to Pachuca’s tradition, the barbecue is excavated deep in the ground and covered with stones and leaves, which are meant to infuse in the meat the typical aroma.

The Pueblo Mágico and archeological site of Teotihuacán is an unmissable option for history lovers visiting Pachuca. Located less than an hour from Mexico City, the town is mainly known for hosting the well-preserved remains of the ancient Aztec city that once occupied the area. Do not miss the emblematic Pirámide de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon) and the Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun), and the imposing buildings Templo de Quetzalcóatl, the Complejo de Quetzalpapálotl. Among the different activities you can enjoy in the area, we recommend you try flying above Teotihuacán on a hot air balloon and visiting the Museo de Sitio de la Cultura Teotihuacána. The museum displays a rich collection of items and rock carving pieces documenting the Aztecs’ life.

Around one hour from Pachuca, you will come across Tula de Allende, one of Mexico’s most visited archaeotourism destinations. This fascinating town houses the almost entirely preserved remains of the most prominent city of the Toltec civilization. Here you can admire the Atlanteans, the gigantic stone statues representing Toltec warriors guarding the ancient Ceremonial Center. The zona arqueológica has an immense value in terms of historical heritage: visit the on-site museum Museo Jorge R. Acosta and learn more about the rise and fall of the Toltec empire. When you stay in Pachuca, you can also easily reach El Pahñú archaeological site, around a 2-hour drive from Hidalgo’s capital. The zone houses the remains of a settlement of the Xajay population and offers breathtaking panoramic views of El Valle del Mezquital and El Cerro de Hualtepec.

Among the most exciting things to do in Pachuca for nature and adventure lovers, is certainly visiting the El Chico National Park. This incredibly rich natural preserve is one of the oldest national parks in Mexico and encompasses a varied territory that includes pine and oaks forests, rivers, and picturesque rock formations. The area offers countless chances for practicing outdoor activities and sports such as camping, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and sport fishing or simply enjoying nature and the diverse wildlife that inhabit the reserve. The Pueblos Mágicos of Mineral (or Real) del Chico and Mineral (or Real) del Monte are prime gateways to access the El Chico National Park. When staying in Pachuca without any time restrictions, we suggest you visit the Pueblo Mágico of Huasca de Ocampo. Boasting a prime location amidst the Reserva de la Biosfera de la Barranca de Metztitlán, the quaint Magical Town is famous for hosting the Prismas Basálticos (Basaltic Prisms), a spectacular rock formation in the form of hexagonal pillars that originated from lava.

Located respectively at 2 hours and around 30 minutes from Pachuca, the Pueblos Mágicos of Mineral del Chico and Mineral del Monte are among the most visited Magical Towns in Central Mexico. With an advantageous position at the gates of the El Chico National Park, Mineral del Chico, better known as Real del Chico, is a charming village with a strong mining past, as the distinctive architecture of its colorful houses and buildings still attest. When you are in Real del Chico, pay a visit to the neoclassical church Parroquia de la Purísima Concepción (Purísima Concepción Parish) and explore its beautiful interiors and make sure you try some typical barbecue. In Mineral del Monte (or Real del Monte), also boasting a strong mining heritage, you can taste the most delicious pastes in all of Hidalgo- in town, you will even find a museum dedicated to these exquisite pastries, the Museo del Paste- and will have the chance to venture into real mines that are still open to the public. From both villages, you can easily reach Pachuca and Tula.

Pachuca enjoys a reputation as the birthplace of football in Mexico, and the enthusiasm of its residents for this sport seems to prove it. If you are into soccer, we recommend you visit the Centro Interactivo Mundo Futbol (Soccer World, Interactive Center), Pachuca’s extraordinary interactive museum, where you can learn about the origins of this sport in Mesoamerica. The Centro Interactivo Mundo Futbol features a mini stadium where you can play with your friends, a 3D projection room, an area and equipment for professional training, and even a TV set where you can put your skills to the test and try as a commentator.

Sometimes beauty and art are displayed in unconventional ways or places; such is the case of Pachuca’s Macromural in the working-class neighborhood of Las Palmitas. The requalification of the area gave some local artists the chance to redecorate the whole district by realizing colorful mural paintings on the houses' facades. The rainbow of colors pops out of the grey cityscape, and the neighborhood conceals unexpected gems like the Parque David Ben Gurion, featuring a multicolored mosaic plaza by the artist Byron Gálvez Avilés dedicated to all world’s women.

Before you leave Pachuca, we recommend you try one of the city’s hallmark beverages, pulque. Considered Mexico’s oldest drink although less popular than mezcal or Jalisco’s specialty tequila, pulque is a fermented drink made from the autochthone maguey plant- also known as agave. With a rich history dating back over 1000 years and a strong flavor that makes it unique, pulque has passed different phases of rising and falling in popularity, remaining one of the most representative beverages of the country’s essence. In and around Pachuca, you will find several ex-haciendas offering guided tours, tastings, and workshops; join the Ruta del Pulque and learn how to make this historical drink while surrounded by fascinating natural landscapes.