Querétaro is a landlocked state in central Mexico, known for the baroque Historic Monuments Zone of its capital, Santiago de Querétaro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Beyond the capital, the state holds the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, the Franciscan missions of Jalpan de Serra, the Pueblo Mágico of Tequisquiapan, and the towering monolith of Peña de Bernal. Querétaro is also Mexico's second-largest wine-producing region, with vineyards and cheese producers strung along the Ruta del Vino y Queso.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Peña de Bernal & Bernal Magic Town
Highlights: Climb the lower monolith trail to the chapel and cross for panoramic views · Browse the Pueblo Mágico's plaza stalls for local wine, cheese, and textiles · Visit the 17th-century Templo de San Sebastian Martir · Sample gorditas de maiz quebrado, a Bernal specialty · Combine with a wine-route stop at a nearby vineyard
Tequisquiapan
Highlights: Stroll the colonial Jardin Hidalgo plaza and Templo de Santa Maria de la Asuncion · Shop the Mercado de Artesanias for wicker baskets and regional cheese · Relax at a thermal-spring balneario hotel · Taste wine and cheese at boutique shops on Calle Moctezuma · Combine with a nearby vineyard visit on the wine route
San Miguel de Allende
Highlights: See the pink Gothic-Revival facade of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel · Browse galleries and studios at the Fabrica La Aurora arts complex · Shop for textiles and silverwork at the Mercado de Artesanias · Walk up to the Mirador San Miguel for panoramic town views · Dine along Calle Correo near the Jardin Principal
Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve & Jalpan de Serra
Highlights: Tour the 18th-century Misión de Santiago de Jalpan facade and museum · Hike to Cascada El Chuveje within the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve · Drive the mountain pass through Pinal de Amoles for sweeping sierra views · Sample regional cecina and gorditas de horno in Jalpan's plaza · Combine with a visit to the Misión de Concá for a fuller missions circuit
Cadereyta de Montes & Jardín Botánico Regional Xavier Chacón
Highlights: Walk the marked trails of the Jardin Botanico Regional Xavier Chacon cactus collection · See rare Sierra Gorda endemic succulents labeled by species · Visit the 18th-century parish church in Cadereyta's town plaza · Photograph peak cactus and succulent blooms in spring · Combine with a stop in nearby San Juan del Rio or Tequisquiapan
San Juan del Río
Highlights: Watch opal cutters at work in a family-run workshop · Browse hand-tooled leather saddles and belts at a local talabarteria · Visit the 16th-century Templo de San Juan Bautista · Walk the historic Jardin Independencia plaza · Sample gorditas and regional moles at the central market
Amealco de Bonfil (Rag Doll Town)
Highlights: Learn the history of the Muñeca Lupita rag doll at the Museo de la Muñeca Artesanal · Watch Otomí artisans hand-stitch dolls at a local workshop · Walk the plaza and 16th-century parish church · Visit the Presa Centenario reservoir for a quieter outdoor stop · Buy a handmade doll directly from an artisan family
Misión de Concá
Highlights: View the brightly painted ochre, red, and blue facade of the Misión de San Miguel Conca · Photograph the mission against the arid Arroyo Seco desert landscape · Combine with the Misión de Santiago de Jalpan for a fuller missions circuit · Drive the scenic Rio Verde deviation from Jalpan de Serra · Visit the small adjoining chapel beside the main mission facade
Viñedos La Redonda Winery Day Trip
Highlights: Walk the vineyard rows and production facility on a guided tour · Taste cabernet sauvignon, malbec, and sparkling wines paired with regional cheese · Eat lunch at the on-site restaurant overlooking the vines · Visit during the August-September harvest for seasonal events · Combine with Bernal or Tequisquiapan, both under 20 minutes away
Tolimán
Highlights: Walk to the El Cerrito pre-Hispanic pyramid complex on the edge of town · Visit the 17th-century parish church on the main plaza · Browse the local market for regional textiles and produce · Experience Otomí and Chichimeca cultural festivals in spring · Sample barbacoa and gorditas at plaza-side fondas
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Santiago de Querétaro to Bernal and Tequisquiapan, often combined with a wine-and-cheese route stop, from roughly $600-1,200 MXN ($33-67 USD) per person including transport
- Private
- Private car or van with driver from about $1,800-3,000 MXN ($100-165 USD) per day, useful for combining Bernal, Tequisquiapan and the wine route or for the winding Sierra Gorda roads
- Public
- Coordinados/Flecha Amarilla, ETN Turistar, Primera Plus and Flecha Azul buses depart the Central Camionera de Querétaro for all of the destinations below; check schedules at taqro.com.mx or the Boletotal app
- Rental
- Car rental from about $500-900 MXN/day ($28-50 USD/day); the most practical option for the Sierra Gorda missions and multi-stop wine-route days, where bus service is infrequent
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
The Central Camionera de Querétaro is the hub for nearly every day trip in this guide - check the departures board or the Boletotal app before queuing for tickets
Bernal, Tequisquiapan, and the wine route towns pair naturally into a single long day by rental car, since they sit within about 30 minutes of each other
The Sierra Gorda missions (Jalpan de Serra, Concá, and beyond) are better suited to an overnight stay than a rushed same-day round trip from Querétaro given the 3.5-4 hour drive each way
Book ETN or Primera Plus seats in advance for weekend and holiday travel to San Miguel de Allende and Bernal, which sell out
A rental car is the most practical way to reach Cadereyta's botanical garden, Concá, and Viñedos La Redonda, none of which have direct public transit to the gate