Visiting Mercado de Artesanías

About Mercado de Artesanías

A long, narrow lane of stalls on the Andador Lucas Balderas sells tin lanterns, papier-mâché, painted ceramics, glassware, textiles and silver. It joins the Mercado Ignacio Ramírez, the town's everyday food market, where you can buy fruit and eat at the fondas.

Tip: Buy punched-tin mirrors and lanterns here, which are a local craft, and compare a few stalls before choosing.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 1 hour.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Centro, cobbled streets, the Jardín and the Parroquia.

Best time to visit Mercado de Artesanías

To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:

• May: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• February: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, busy crowds.
• March: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, busy crowds.

When to visit San Miguel de Allende has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day San Miguel de Allende itinerary visits Mercado de Artesanías on day 3, together with Calle Aldama and El Mirador.

• No. 11 of the 15 sights in our San Miguel de Allende things-to-do list.
• Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
• Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in San Miguel de Allende.
• A family favourite in San Miguel de Allende with kids.

Near Mercado de Artesanías

Also in Centro, so you can walk between them:

• Calle Aldama — 20 minutes, free
• Templo de San Francisco — 20–30 minutes, free
• Templo de la Concepción (Las Monjas) — 20–30 minutes, free

If you like Mercado de Artesanías

• Fábrica La Aurora — Colonia Guadalupe, 1.5–2 hours

Staying near Mercado de Artesanías

Stay in Centro ($$$$) to walk here: cobbled streets, the Jardín and the Parroquia. All areas to stay in San Miguel de Allende.

Questions travellers ask