Two of the prettiest towns in the Sierra Norte of Puebla make an excellent full-day escape from the city. Zacatlán de las Manzanas is known for its apple orchards, its cider and its cool mountain air, and it is home to a famous flower clock and a fine plaza ringed with shops selling preserves, fruit wines and local sweets. Chignahuapan, a short drive further, is celebrated for its glass Christmas ornaments, produced by local families in workshops that turn out thousands of hand-painted spheres, and for its handsome plaza with a grand kiosk and a large church. The landscape between the two is green, hilly and dotted with farms, a world away from the flat city grid, and many versions of the trip include a stop at a waterfall or viewpoint in the surrounding hills. The tour is run by a driver-guide who collects visitors from Puebla, handles the winding mountain roads and brings local context to each stop. It suits travellers who want to see the countryside, taste regional products and enjoy the slower life of small Mexican towns. Because the route climbs into the sierra, the weather is cooler and damper than in Puebla, so pack a jacket and layers. The day is long, with a good deal of driving, but the scenery and the atmosphere of the plazas make it one of the most rewarding excursions available from the city.
What happens
The day typically begins in the morning with a drive north through rolling country, then stops in Zacatlán to see the flower clock, the plaza and tasting stands for cider and apple products. After lunch you continue to Chignahuapan to visit an ornament workshop, walk the plaza and see the church. Some itineraries add a waterfall viewpoint or a short walk, depending on the season and the group.
Who it suits
Couples, families and independent travellers who enjoy small towns, local crafts and food. The walking is light, mostly on plazas and short paths. Children can enjoy the ornament workshops and the sweets. If you get carsick, sit at the front and take medication in advance, as the roads are curved. Practical notes: bring a jacket even in the warm months, as mountain weather changes quickly, and carry cash for crafts, snacks and tips.
Ornament shops can close on certain days, so confirm what is open on your date. Allow the whole day and plan nothing for the evening. Lunch is normally paid separately, and local specialities include trout, apple dishes and regional cheeses. Combine this day with Cholula and Atlixco on other days to see three very different sides of the region, and book early in the Christmas season, when the ornament towns are especially popular.
Making the most of it
Buy preserves, cider and small ornaments early in the day so you are not carrying them everywhere, and ask the guide for recommendations on where families have made the products for generations. Try the regional food at lunch, such as trout or apple dishes, and take a few minutes at each plaza to sit and watch local life. Bring a small bag for purchases and wear layers for changing weather.
What to expect
The experience
A full-day trip by road to two mountain Magic Towns, with tastings, a workshop visit and time to wander the plazas.
Best time
Dry months for clear views, or the weeks before Christmas for the ornament shops.
How long
A full day.
Tips
Pack a jacket, carry cash and take motion-sickness medication if you need it.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want mountain scenery, small towns and regional products.
- Families
- Good for children who enjoy workshops and sweets, though the day is long.
- Couples
- A scenic day with tastings and relaxed plazas.
- Pair with
- A quieter city day afterwards and the Atlixco trip on another day.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
What is Zacatlán known for?+
Apples, cider and preserves, its flower clock and its mountain setting.
What is Chignahuapan known for?+
Hand-painted glass Christmas ornaments and a handsome plaza with a kiosk.
How long is the drive?+
The mountain roads make it a long day, so expect a good amount of time in the vehicle.
What should I wear?+
Layers and a jacket, since it is cooler and wetter in the sierra.
Is lunch included?+
Check the details when you book, as meals are often paid separately.
