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Toluca

Like many colonial Mexican cities, Toluca’s development has created a ring of urban sprawl around what remains a very picturesque old town. The traffic problems alone can be enough to dampen the city’s appeal, but those who make time to visit will find Toluca a pleasant, if bustling, small city. It’s an enjoyable place to spend a day exploring attractive plazas, lively shopping arcades, art galleries and museums.

The vast Plaza de los Mártires, with the cathedral and Palacio de Gobierno, marks the town center. Most of the action, however, is concentrated a block south in the pedestrian precinct ringed by arcos (archways). Shady Parque Alameda is three blocks west along Hidalgo.

Explore Toluca

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Cosmovitral Jardín Botánico
At the northeast end of Plaza Garibay, the stunning and unique Cosmovitral Jardín Botánico was built in 1909 as a market. The building now houses 3500 sq…
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Museo Luis Nishizawa
This musuem exhibits the work of modern Mexican-Japanese muralist and landscape artist Luis Nishizawa (1918–2014). Nishizawa was born in the state of…
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Museo de Arte Moderno del Estado de México
The Museo de Arte Moderno traces the development of Mexican art from the late-19th-century Academia de San Carlos to the Nueva Plástica and includes…
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Museo de Antropología e História
This standout museum presents exhibits on the state’s history from prehistoric times to the 20th century, with a good collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts…
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Museo de Culturas Populares
This museum has a wonderfully varied collection of Mexico’s traditional arts and crafts, with some astounding ‘trees of life’ from Metepec, whimsical Day…
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Centro Cultural Mexiquense
This large cultural center, 4.5km west of the city center, houses three good museums (which all keep the same hours). It’s no must-see, but still a…
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Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez
Dedicated to Mexican painter Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez (1824-1904), the Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez is divided into eight rooms in an 18th Century…
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Museo José María Velasco
This museum is dedicated to landscape painter José María Velasco (1840–1912), who helped to create a sense of Mexican identity through the country's…
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Museo de Bellas Artes de Toluca
The ex-convent buildings adjacent to the Templo del Carmen, on the north side of Plaza Garibay, house Toluca’s Museo de Bellas Artes, which exhibits…

C
Cosmovitral Jardín Botánico
At the northeast end of Plaza Garibay, the stunning and unique Cosmovitral Jardín Botánico was built in 1909 as a market. The building now houses 3500 sq…
M
Museo Luis Nishizawa
This musuem exhibits the work of modern Mexican-Japanese muralist and landscape artist Luis Nishizawa (1918–2014). Nishizawa was born in the state of…
M
Museo de Arte Moderno del Estado de México
The Museo de Arte Moderno traces the development of Mexican art from the late-19th-century Academia de San Carlos to the Nueva Plástica and includes…
M
Museo de Antropología e História
This standout museum presents exhibits on the state’s history from prehistoric times to the 20th century, with a good collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts…
M
Museo de Culturas Populares
This museum has a wonderfully varied collection of Mexico’s traditional arts and crafts, with some astounding ‘trees of life’ from Metepec, whimsical Day…
C
Centro Cultural Mexiquense
This large cultural center, 4.5km west of the city center, houses three good museums (which all keep the same hours). It’s no must-see, but still a…
M
Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez
Dedicated to Mexican painter Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez (1824-1904), the Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez is divided into eight rooms in an 18th Century…
M
Museo José María Velasco
This museum is dedicated to landscape painter José María Velasco (1840–1912), who helped to create a sense of Mexican identity through the country's…
M
Museo de Bellas Artes de Toluca
The ex-convent buildings adjacent to the Templo del Carmen, on the north side of Plaza Garibay, house Toluca’s Museo de Bellas Artes, which exhibits…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Toluca.

See
Cosmovitral Jardín Botánico
At the northeast end of Plaza Garibay, the stunning and unique Cosmovitral Jardín Botánico was built in 1909 as a market. The building now houses 3500 sq…
See
Museo Luis Nishizawa
This musuem exhibits the work of modern Mexican-Japanese muralist and landscape artist Luis Nishizawa (1918–2014). Nishizawa was born in the state of…
See
Museo de Arte Moderno del Estado de México
The Museo de Arte Moderno traces the development of Mexican art from the late-19th-century Academia de San Carlos to the Nueva Plástica and includes…
See
Museo de Antropología e História
This standout museum presents exhibits on the state’s history from prehistoric times to the 20th century, with a good collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts…
See
Museo de Culturas Populares
This museum has a wonderfully varied collection of Mexico’s traditional arts and crafts, with some astounding ‘trees of life’ from Metepec, whimsical Day…
See
Centro Cultural Mexiquense
This large cultural center, 4.5km west of the city center, houses three good museums (which all keep the same hours). It’s no must-see, but still a…
See
Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez
Dedicated to Mexican painter Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez (1824-1904), the Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez is divided into eight rooms in an 18th Century…
See
Museo José María Velasco
This museum is dedicated to landscape painter José María Velasco (1840–1912), who helped to create a sense of Mexican identity through the country's…
See
Museo de Bellas Artes de Toluca
The ex-convent buildings adjacent to the Templo del Carmen, on the north side of Plaza Garibay, house Toluca’s Museo de Bellas Artes, which exhibits…

Guidebooks

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