As a popular gathering place and busy plaza, Zócalo Square is the cornerstone of Puebla life. The streets of the Centro zone are centred around this picturesque courtyard, where you will find events, cafés and restaurants and some of the city’s biggest attractions. Plan your visit to the city in this lively spot, as you prepare to see the sights of Puebla.
Capture photos of the scenic square, which is lined by trees and public works of art. The name Puebla is spelled out in colourful letters beside benches and patches of grass with floral displays. Inspect the tall Tree of Life sculpture, which resembles the branches of trees carved into delicate white walls. It is particularly pleasant when rays of sunlight permeate the gaps.
Gaze up at the spectacular Puebla Cathedral that dominates the southwestern side of the square. The 16th-century colonial church has a great blend of neoclassical, Baroque and Renaissance touches.
Walk along the northeastern side of the plaza for its range of shops and cafés. Here, you will find the Municipal Palace Gallery of Art. Make your way through the city centre, which was named a UNESCO site for its array of churches and colourful colonial architecture.
Take a break from sightseeing and enjoy a few snacks and refreshments at one of the cafés with seats arranged in the square. Sit at a bench and read a book in the heart of Puebla. People-watch and chat with locals for a sense of the culture and the sights here.
Zócalo Square is the nucleus of the city around which the Centro area grows. Take a bus to the nearby boulevard and walk northwest for a few blocks to get here. Rent a bicycle from the stands on the southeastern corner of the plaza. Visit some of the sights in the zone, such as Amparo Museum, Sapos Bazaar and the Santo Domingo Church and its glorious Rosario Chapel.
