Tlaxcala

) Tlaxcala North America > Mexico > Central Mexico > Tlaxcala (state) > Tlaxcala Tlaxcala (Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl) is the capital of the state of Tlaxcala . The city still has many of its old colonial structures including the former Franciscan monastery, as well as newer civic structures such as the Xicohtencatl Theatre. It was home to 90,000 people in 2010.

The best time to visit Tlaxcala depends on the region's climate. Generally, the dry season (November to April) offers the most pleasant weather for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The rainy season (May to October) brings afternoon showers but also lush green landscapes. High-altitude areas can be cool year-round, while lowland and coastal areas are warmer. Major festivals and holidays (Semana Santa, Día de los Muertos, Christmas) are vibrant but busy.

Walk or drive or use a taxi.

• Tlaxcala — the state capital; Mexico's smallest and oldest colonial city, with a beautifully preserved historic centre
• Huamantla — a pueblo mágico famous for its August bull-running festival and the La Huamantlada carpet of flowers
• Apizaco — a railway town and transport hub with easy access to surrounding archaeological sites
• Tlaxco — a highland town known for dairy production, manor-house haciendas, and cool pine forests
• Chiautempan — a major textile town where traditional woven fabrics and rebozos are still handcrafted
• Zacatelco — an agricultural town with colonial churches and a strong tradition of regional sweets
• Calpulalpan — a highland town at the edge of Tlaxcala with views of the surrounding volcanic chain
• Nativitas — a rural community known for traditional pulque production and agricultural fairs
• Ixtenco — an Otomí indigenous village with distinctive ceramic traditions and the annual Señor de Tlamapa festival
• La Malinche National Park — a volcanic peak (4,461 m) popular for hiking, with pine forests and sweeping views of central Mexico

🌍 La Fonda del Convento , San Francisco 1 , ☏ +52 246 462 0765 . 08:00–20:00 daily . Part of the former convent complex, offers a wide variety of local dishes and flavors. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Vinos y Piedra , Plaza de la Constitución 19, Centro , ☏ +52 246 466 3358 . Daily 08:00 - 00:00 . Contemporary restaurant serving nuevo Mexican cuisine. Extensive wine list featuring some outstanding selections from the Valle de Guadalupe . Outdoor rooftop dining area is very pleasant in the evening and offers some excellent views. M$250 . ( updated Jul 2024 ) 🌍 Barro Negro , Av. Miguel de Lardizábal y Uribe 31C, Centro , ☏ +52 246 157 9651 . M-Th 08:30 - 22:30, F-Sa 08:30 - 23:30, Su 09:00 - 22:00 . Traditional Mexican restaurant serving innovative nouveau cuisine in a beautifully upscale atmosphere that includes an outdoor patio. In addition to tacos, enchiladas and other traditional favorites there are pasta dishes and breakfast plates that borrow from European cuisines. M$300 . ( updated Jul 2024 ) 🌍 La Casona de Tlaxcala , José Ma. Morelos 6, Centro , ☏ +52 246 462 9673 . Daily 09:00 - 19:00 . Traditional Mexican restaurant serving regional Tlaxcalan dishes and offering a lunchtime buffet. Wash down your meal with one of the house pulques! M$250 . ( updated Jul 2024 ) 🌍 Samba Churrasqueria , Guillermo Valle 88, San Buenaventura Atempa , ☏ +52 246 327 1863 . Daily 13:00 - 20:00 . Brazilian style steakhouse with waiters bringing different cuts of grilled meats and an endless salad bar with some delicious sides and desserts. Valet parking available. M$350 . ( updated Jul 2024 ) 🌍 Casa de los Magueyes , Pl. Xicohtencatl 7-1, Centro , ☏ +52 246 462 7309 . Tu-Su 11:00 - 19:00, closed M . Rustic traditional Mexican restaurant serving regional Tlaxcalan favorites. Tasting board featuring 5 pulques. Beautiful outdoor seating area. M$300 . ( updated Jul 2024 ) 🌍 Leña y Olivo , Carr. Camino Real 35, Santa María Ixtulco , ☏ +52 246 466 8192 . M-Sa 14:00 - 22:00, Su 13:00 - 20:00 . Modern contemporary restaurant serving meat grilled over an open fire. Full bar with innovative drinks. Valet parking available. ( updated Jul 2024 )

Tlaxcala hosts a variety of cultural events and festivals throughout the year, celebrating its heritage, arts, and community spirit. From patron saint festivals (fiestas patronales) and regional fairs to music, dance, and culinary celebrations, there is often something happening. Major national holidays — Independence Day (September 16), Día de los Muertos (November 1–2), and Semana Santa — are celebrated with particular flair. Check local event calendars for timing.

The city center is compact and filled with colonial-era building painted in colors such as burnt umber, salmon pink and mustard yellow. Most of these buildings are centered on the main square called the Plaza de la Constitución. This square measures 75 m (246 ft) on each side and was established when the Spanish laid out the city in 1524. The current name was given in 1813 to honor the Cádiz Constitution and the Mexican constitutions of 1857 and 1917. In the center of this square is the Santa Cruz Fountain which was donated to the city by Philip IV in 1646. There is also a kiosk which was constructed in the 19th century. The Portal Hidalgo is on the east side of the main square, built as commercial space in 1550. The city hall was moved from its centuries-old home in the “Casas Reales” to this complex. The interior is dominated by the city council chamber (Salón de Cabildos) along with various municipal offices. On the lower level inside its section of the arches, there is a cultural space called “La Tlaxcalteca” which sells regional handcrafts and other goods as well as books about Tlaxcala's history. 🌍 Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotlan , ☏ +52 246 462 1073 . Pilgrimage place where the Virgin is said to have appeared to so and so in the 15th century, and that houses the venerated statue of Ocotlan along with rich embellishments in its bas-reliefs behind the altar. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Plaza de la Constitución . Tlaxcala's downtown square, framed by the Palacio de Gobierno and Palacio Municipal (former grain silo) on the north and Palacio de Justicia in straw yellow tones and Museo de Arte de Tlaxcala on the west. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Gobierno del Estado de Tlaxcala ( Palacio de Gobierno ), De La Constitución 3 , ☏ +52 246 465 2960 . M-F 08ː00-18ː30 . Historical governmental palace building housing murals and codices regarding the four dominions of Tepeticpac, Ocotelolco, Tizatlan and Quiahuiztlan. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Catedral de Tlaxcala , ☏ +52 246 462 1511 . Original construction was between 1537 and 1542, with the church and adjoining former Franciscan monastery. Original roof beams still intact. The church has some rare examples in the Western Hemisphere of Moorish art. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Museo Regional de Tlaxcala - INAH , ☏ +52 246 462 0262 . Tu-Su 10ː00-18ː00, closed M . Notable paintings and sculpture and ethnography exhibits in the five halls covering the pre-Hispanic period up to the 19th century and two halls set aside for temporary exhibits. Went from originally being a Franciscan monastery to a military barracks to its present use. Between here and the Plaza Xicohtencatl is the pedestrian-friendly corridor called Calzada San Francisco. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Museo Miguel M.Lira , Av Independencia 7, Centro , ☏ +52 246 117 5209 . daily 10ː00-17ː00 . Museum about a Tlaxcalan writer if you are so inclined to that sort of thing. And next door is a bullring that has played quite a part in Tlaxcala's history due to the popularity of the pastime. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Plaza Xicohténcatl . Town plaza where numerous art vendors and craft stalls are located, in addition to souvenir stores along the perimeter. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Museo de la Memoria de Tlaxcala , Av Independencia 3 , ☏ +52 246 466 0792 . Another historical museum of Tlaxcala. Lots of little religious artifacts here and things. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Museo de Arte de Tlaxcala , Plaza de la Constitución 21 , ☏ +52 246 466 0352 . daily 10ː00-18ː00 . Eclectic and religious art and a little bit of this and that. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Teatro Xicoténcatl , Av Benito Juárez 21 . Has some interesting Neoclassical architecture after being built during the Porfirio Diaz period. A city landmark. ( updated Nov 2020 ) 🌍 Parroquia de San José , Calle 1 de Mayo 4 , ☏ +52 246 462 1106 . daily 06ː00-21ː00 . 18th century baroque church that was the original diocese cathedral before it was transferred to Puebla. Has blue Talavera tiles and orange walls for a dazzling imagery of color. One block west of here across Plaza Juarez is the 19th century Palacio Legislativo that has an eye-pleasing facade of grey sandstone. ( updated Nov 2020 )