One of Mexico's most captivating destinations, Puebla is famed for its traditional cuisine, vibrant pottery, pleasant climate, and stunning colonial-era architecture. Now the country’s fourth largest city, its was the first to be built entirely by Spanish colonisers, and planned around the large central square which make up the UNESCO Heritage-listed old town. A fascinating architectural fusion of European, Central American and Arabic design influences, the city — and the best places to stay in Puebla — will delight heritage buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike.

Stroll down the winding streets of the old town, popping into artists’ studios and independent boutiques, or pausing for a coffee and an ice cream in sun-drenched squares. Admire the ornate Baroque interiors of the Rosary Chapel (Capilla del Rosario), marvel at Baroque-era art and music at the Museo Internacional del Barroco, and peer at pre-Columbian artefacts and artworks at the acclaimed Amparo Museum.

Set on the plain of Cuetlaxcoapan — meaning "where the serpents change their skin" — Puebla sits close to the ancient indigenous settlement of Cholula. Home to the largest man-made monument ever constructed, Cholula offers visitors a fascinating opportunity to explore the region’s rich indigenous culture, and guided tours come highly recommended. Return to your pick of the best places to stay in Puebla to savour fantastic regional fare in the evenings — Puebla’s food is reason enough to make the trip!