Toluca Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Toluca, the capital city of the State of México, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and industrial development. Located just 70 kilometers southwest of Mexico City, Toluca is a city where tradition and modernity converge, making it an intriguing destination for travelers.

The city is perhaps best known for its stunning natural landscapes, including the Nevado de Toluca volcano, which towers over the area and is a favorite spot for hiking and nature photography. The volcano's crater is home to two beautiful lagoons, the Laguna del Sol and the Laguna de la Luna, which are steeped in local mythology and offer breathtaking views.

In the heart of Toluca, visitors can explore the Cosmovitral, a botanical garden housed in an art nouveau building that features a striking stained-glass mural by Leopoldo Flores. This impressive work of art, along with the lush vegetation within, provides a serene escape from the bustling city.

The city's historical center is characterized by colonial architecture, with the Toluca Cathedral being a prime example. This majestic church, with its twin spires and neoclassical façade, is a focal point of the city's cultural identity. Nearby, the Portales de Toluca offers one of the longest sets of arcades in Mexico, lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes, perfect for enjoying local cuisine and shopping for artisanal goods.

Toluca is also an important economic hub, known for its thriving automotive and manufacturing industries. The city's industrial growth has attracted business travelers from around the world, contributing to its cosmopolitan atmosphere.

For those interested in cultural events, Toluca's annual International Festival of Cultural Tollocan is a highlight, showcasing music, dance, and art from both local and international artists. The city also celebrates a vibrant Day of the Dead festival, where the streets come alive with marigold flowers, colorful altars, and traditional sugar skulls.

Culinary enthusiasts will enjoy Toluca's local specialties, such as chorizo toluqueño, a flavorful sausage that is a staple of the region's cuisine. The Mercado de Toluca is the perfect place to sample this and other local dishes, including green chorizo, tacos, and quesadillas with unique fillings like huitlacoche (corn smut) and squash blossoms.

Local name: Toluca de Lerdo Population: 489.3 thous.Area: 174.66 mi²Elevation: 8750 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 19°17'25"N, 99°39'13"W

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MéxicoMexico

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Toluca Top Attractions

Toluca Attractions - What to See and Explore

Toluca offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Fine Arts Museum of Toluca, Cosmovitral, Mumci, Toluca Cathedral. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Museum
Fine Arts Museum of Toluca
Nestled in the heart of Toluca, Mexico, the Fine Arts Museum of Toluca is a cultural gem that beckons art enthusiasts and history buffs alike. This museum, housed in a majestic neoclassical building, offers a deep dive into the artistic heritage of the region, as well...
Botanical garden with stained glass
Cosmovitral
Nestled in the heart of Toluca, Mexico, lies a mesmerizing spectacle of art and nature known as Cosmovitral. This breathtaking botanical garden is housed within a stunning stained glass structure that was once a bustling market.
Museum • Science museum
Mumci
Nestled in the heart of Toluca, Mexico, the Museo Universitario de Ciencia y Arte (MUMCI) stands as a beacon of culture and education. This contemporary museum, dedicated to the promotion of science and art, offers a unique experience that blends learning with...

Church • Historical place
Toluca Cathedral
Nestled in the heart of Toluca, Mexico, the Toluca Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, stands as a testament to the city's rich religious heritage and architectural grandeur. This majestic church, with its gothic-style façades and towering...
Museum • Art museum • Historical place
Centro Cultural Mexiquense
Centro Cultural Mexiquense is a cultural center located on the western edge of the city of Toluca in central Mexico. The center is run by the State of Mexico government through an agency called the Instituto Mexiquense de Cultura, the largest and most important of this agency, receiving about 80,000 visitors a year.
Valley • Nature
Toluca Valley
The Toluca Valley is a valley in central Mexico, just west of the Valley of Mexico, the old name was Matlatzinco. The valley runs north–south for about 35 km, surrounded by mountains, the most imposing of which is the Nevado de Toluca Volcano. It is one of the highest valleys in Mexico and for this reason has a relatively cold climate.
Archaeological site
Calixtlahuaca
Calixtlahuaca is a Postclassic period Mesoamerican archaeological site, located near the present-day city of Toluca in the State of Mexico.
City • Area
Metepec
Metepec is a municipality in the State of Mexico in Mexico and is located directly to the east of the state capital, Toluca, at an altitude of 2,635 metres above sea level. The center of Mexico City lies some 50 km further to the east. Its municipal seat and largest city is Metepec.
Zoo • Aquarium
Zoológico de Zacango
Zacango Zoo is located in Mexico. It has more than 180 different species from all over the world, of which 80 are endangered.
Hispanic colonial architecture
Pottery of Metepec
The pottery of Metepec is that of a municipality in central Mexico, located near Mexico City. It is noted for durable utilitarian items but more noted for its decorative and ritual items, especially sculptures called “trees of life,” decorative plaques in sun and moon shapes and mermaid like figures called Tlanchanas.
Universities and schools
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
The Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México is a public university in the State of Mexico, Mexico. It is the largest university institution in the state with over 84,500 students, with its central campus located in the state capital of Toluca.
Universities and schools
Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, also known as Tecnológico de Monterrey or just Tec, is a secular and coeducational private university based in Monterrey, Mexico, which has grown to include 35 campuses throughout the country.
19°17'31"N • 99°39'23"W
Municipal Palace of Toluca
The Municipal Palace of Toluca is a building where the offices of the Municipal Presidency of that city, capital of the state of Mexico, are located.

Things to See and Do in Toluca by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Toluca.

Shopping

Galerías Metepec
Toluca
ShoppingShopping centre
Galerías Toluca
Toluca
ShoppingShopping centre
Plaza El Punto
Toluca
ShoppingShopping centre

Active

Estadio Nemesio Díez
Toluca
FootballArenas and stadiumsSport
Estadio Universitario Alberto "Chivo" Córdoba
Toluca
FootballArenas and stadiumsSport
Estadio La Congeladora
Toluca
SportSport venue

Other categories

Museum

Day trips

Toluca – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Toluca, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Museo Nacional de Antropología (Mexico City), Chapultepec Castle (Mexico City), Museo Soumaya (Mexico City).

32 milesE
Museum with Mayan artifacts
Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City
The Museo Nacional de Antropología, located in the heart of Mexico City, is a gateway to the ancient cultures of Mexico. As the largest and most visited museum in Mexico, it houses an extensive collection of artifacts from the country's pre-Columbian heritage...
32 milesE
Hilltop castle housing a history museum
Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City
Perched on a hill in the heart of Mexico City's lush Chapultepec Park, Chapultepec Castle is a historic gem and a testament to the diverse layers of Mexican history. The only royal castle in the Americas, it has served many purposes over its long existence, from a...
31 milesE
Art museum with many European works
Museo Soumaya, Mexico City
The Museo Soumaya, a striking presence in Mexico City's vibrant cultural landscape, is a testament to the city's dedication to the arts. This modern museum, known for its distinctive, shimmering façade that resembles a silver cloud, houses a vast collection of art...
35 milesE
Palace with government offices
Palacio Nacional, Mexico City
Nestled in the heart of Mexico City, the Palacio Nacional stands as a testament to the nation's rich history and cultural heritage. This grandiose building, located on the east side of the Zócalo, the city's main square, has been a key witness to the unfolding of...
35 milesE
Museum dedicated to the Aztecs
Templo Mayor, Mexico City
The Templo Mayor, a pivotal archaeological site and museum nestled in the heart of Mexico City, stands as a testament to the grandeur of the Aztec civilization. Once the central temple of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan, this majestic structure was dedicated to the...

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Best Time To Visit Toluca

Learn when is the best time to travel to Toluca weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Best Ways to Experience the City

Food & drink

Cuisine

A guide to some of the best local dishes and drinks that you will meet in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Toluca?

The top attractions to visit in Toluca are:

What is the best time to visit Toluca?

With a few exceptions, the popularity of visits remains at a similar level throughout the year. The air temperature in this location remains at a similar level throughout the year.