14 Cool Places in Mexico That Will Make You Feel Like You’re in Europe

Ever travel somewhere and feel like you're really in a different country? Well that seemed to happen to us all the time, at some really cool places in Mexico!

The country is so much more diverse than people think, and some spots have some truly European vibes when it comes to the architecture or the landscapes. Here are 14 cool places in Mexico that will make you feel like you're in Europe.

1. Xochimilco (Venice, Italy)

Let's teleport ourselves over to the Venice of Mexico! Xochimilco offers romantic boat rides through the canal just like the beautiful Italian city we all know and love. The difference? Xochimilco is full of brightly colored boats that you can enjoy food, drinks, and music! We actually prefer the Mexico version, as it's cheaper and more fun. 

Want to learn more about Xochimilco? Check out our full article about it below!

2. San Miguel de Allende (Scotland)

San Miguel de Allende will make you feel as if you've just thrown yourself right into a Disney fairytale. This city is actually an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and makes us feel like we are in several different European cities.

The Parroquia de San Miguel de Allende is a pink church that we like to compare to the pink Craigievar Castle in Scotland. While the colorful streets of the city make us feel like we are in Italy. A perfect combo right? Well, check out all the reasons to visit San Miguel de Allende below.

3. Guanajuato (Italy)

Guanajuato is seriously a European city that has been picked up and placed right in the middle of Mexico. The small alleyways and colorful buildings just scream Italy. Even better? Head over to Callejon del Beso to get some true Romeo & Juliet vibes, just like you would in Verona!

Guanajuato is one of our favorite cities in all of Mexico. Want to learn why? Head to our full article!

4. Castillo Santa Cecilia (Spain)

Nothing says Europe like castles, and Guanajuato features one right in the middle of the city! Castillo Santa Cecilia will make you feel as if you've been teleported to Spain.

The best part? You can actually stay the night! Hotel Castillo Santa Cecilia is now a full-functioning hotel with a restaurant right on site. If you're looking for cool places in Mexico to stay, then this needs to be on your list.

Want to go to Guanajuato but don't have a car? Here are a few options for getting there:

5. Arcos del Sitio (Segovia, Spain)

Let's explore more of Spain and head over to Arcos del Sitio! This three tiered aqueduct will make you feel like you're right in Segovia.

But what makes it better? Unlike Segovia, you can walk along the top! Take in the stunning views of the rolling green hills around, or walk over the suspension bridge to get a good look from afar.

6. Prismas Basalticos (Iceland)

Let's fly over to Iceland! Los Prismas Basalticos are located in the state of Hidalgo, just a couple of hours from the capital of Mexico City.

This very particular structure was created 2 million years ago by the collision of water and lava, and is strikingly similar to the formation that you can find on Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland.

Want to visit but don't want to go on your own? Here are a few different tour options:

7. Aguas Azules (Iceland)

Let's stay over in Iceland, the land of a million waterfalls! Well, Aguas Azules are just one of the many spots in Mexico that made us feel like we were in Iceland. Not many people think of cascading falls surrounded by greenery, when they think of cool places in Mexico, but there are actually plenty of spots we found like that!

Want to go explore Aguas Azules and the surrounding attractions? Here are some tours that you can take:

8. Laguna Atexcac (Iceland)

We can't help but keep you dreaming of Iceland wile you're in Mexico. Laguna Atexcac reminds us of the Kerid crater lake. Both have turquoise waters, and are carved into a green hill.

Another spot this reminds us of (although not in Europe) is Laguna Guatavita in Colombia, and Laguna de Quilatoa in Ecuador!

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

Laguna Atexcac is a true hidden gem located two hours outside the capital city of Puebla, and is also free of charge! If you're looking for cool places in Mexico without a ton of tourists, then this one is for you!

9. Atlixco (Tuscany, Italy)

Time to head back to Italy, but this time, to Tuscany! Have you ever seen the pictures online of perfectly pointed Cypress trees all over Tuscany? Well, we found a replica right outside of the center of the Pueblo Mágico of Atlixco.

It is unclear whether this is owned by anyone, but it was a nice stop of the side of the road that made us feel like we were right back in the Italian countryside.

10. Zacatlán (The Alps)

Have you ever seen the large glass skywalk platforms that jut out over the greenery, surrounded by mountains? There are actually a few scattered throughout Europe in Switzerland, Austria, and Norway.

Well Zacatlán features one of these glass skywalks as well. Also, unlike the rest of Mexico, the weather is drastically different in Zacatlán, as it is much chillier than the sourounding areas, and is also covered with a blanket of fog. Walk along the "Barranca" and you will truly feel like you are in the middle of the Alps.

Want to learn all about the great things to do in Zacatlán? We have a full travel guide we've written:

11. Grutas de Tolantongo (Switzerland)

Grutas de Tolantongo just may be the most magical spot in all of Mexico, and one of the most unique in the world. But there is one part that gives us those European mountain vibes that we just can't get enough of.

Wake up early to soak in the thermal pools, while being surrounded by mountains. This will give you all the Swiss mountain vibes, just with slightly warmer temperatures, and much less expensive!

If you're looking for cool places in Mexico, then this is our number one. Check out all of the other reasons to visit Grutas de Tolantongo below:

Want to visit on a day trip from Mexico City? Here are a few tours that you can take to check out this stunning place.

12. Isabella Cafe (London, UK)

Let's take a trip over to London, to some of their cute cafes! Have you ever heard of EL & N London or Peggy Porschen Belgravia? Well, these pink cafes have stolen the hearts of many British bloggers, and there are now more popping up all of the UK capital!

Well let's get back to the capital of Mexico, and go to Isabela Café, where the entire café is also decorated from top to bottom in pink flowers and neon signs. The pastries and coffee concoctions are so delicious, and also for a fraction of the price that you would find in London!

If you're looking for cool places in Mexico City to have coffee, then this is the spot for you.

13. Taxco Guerrero (Italy)

Now let's not only teleport to Europe, but let's step back in time and head over to one of our favorite Pueblos Mágicos, Taxco Guerrero.

This city has preserved its old architecture and styles, and it is really a sight to see. The houses built into the sides of the hills will make you feel like you are in an Italian countryside, but decades back.

Taxco Guerrero is just 2 1/2 hours south of Mexico City, and has so many more reasons to visit! Want to read why you should add it to your bucket list? Check out our full travel guide below.

Will you be in Acapulco and want to visit Taxco Guerrero? Here are a few different excursion options:

14. Festival de Globos (Cappadocia, Turkey)

Who needs to fly all the way over to Turkey when you can experience the same right in Mexico? Don't get us wrong, Cappadocia is one of the most magical places in the entire world, but this festival will give you all the same vibes.

Every year in November, the city of Leon hosts one of the biggest balloon festivals, where you can find hot air balloons flying early in the morning of all different colors, sizes, and shapes!

Want to visit the festival but don't have a car? Here are some public transportation options:

We hope you've enjoyed your virtual trip through European Mexico with us! Want to see more cool things to do around the country? We have plenty of other Mexico travel guides for cool places in Mexico to visit.

Looking to plan your next trip? Stress less and let us do the hard work. With our Travel Planning Services you can now explore more and spend less. Want to learn more? Take a look at our different Travel Planning Services that we offer.

You'll also love: