Magical Towns of Estado de México

Estado de México has 13 Magical Towns: Aculco de Espinoza, El Oro, Ixtapan de la Sal, Jilotepec, Malinalco, Metepec, Otumba, San Martín de las Pirámides, Teotihuacán de Arista, Tepotzotlán, Tonatico, Valle de Bravo and Villa del Carbón. The first to receive the designation was Tepotzotlán (2002) and the most recent, Otumba (2023). Discover their history, traditions and what to see in each one.

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  Magical Town since 2015

  Aculco de Espinoza

  White quarry stone, arcades and waterfalls such as La Concepción and Tixhiñú: a quiet getaway from Mexico City, Toluca or Querétaro, with local cheeses.

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  Magical Town since 2011

  El Oro

  Mining heritage and Porfirian architecture: the Municipal Palace, Juárez Theater, Mining Museum, the San Juan mine tunnel and northern forests.

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  Magical Town since 2015

  Ixtapan de la Sal

  Hot springs, thermal parks and spas in a warm climate in the southern State of Mexico, near Tonatico and the Estrella Caves.

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  Magical Town since 2023

  Jilotepec

  Climbing crags, reservoirs and one of Mexico's oldest Franciscan parishes on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, 100 km from Mexico City.

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  Magical Town since 2010

  Malinalco

  An Aztec temple carved from a mountain rock face, an Augustinian convent with murals, mountains and living traditions in the south of the State of Mexico.

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  Magical Town since 2012

  Metepec

  The State of Mexico's pottery capital: Trees of Life, catrinas, potters' workshops, the crafts market and El Calvario hill, next to Toluca.

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  Magical Town since 2023

  Otumba

  Colonial history near Teotihuacan: former convents, the Viceroys' House, pulque haciendas, a railway museum and the famous Donkey Fair.

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  Magical Town since 2015

  San Martín de las Pirámides

  Shares with Teotihuacán de Arista the Teotihuacan archaeological zone, one of the largest cities of the ancient Americas and a World Heritage Site.

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  Magical Town since 2015

  Teotihuacán de Arista

  Gateway to the City of the Gods: the UNESCO-listed Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, sunrise hot-air balloon flights, obsidian crafts and local food.

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  Magical Town since 2002

  Tepotzotlán

  A jewel of New Spain baroque on the UNESCO-listed Camino Real de Tierra Adentro: a former Jesuit college that now houses the National Museum of the Viceroyalty.

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  Magical Town since 2020

  Tonatico

  Thermal pools, the Estrella Caves, a waterfall and suspension bridge at Parque del Sol, right next to Ixtapan de la Sal.

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  Magical Town since 2005

  Valle de Bravo

  Lake, forest and mountains about two hours from Mexico City: sailing and water sports, paragliding, Velo de Novia waterfall and monarch butterfly sanctuaries.

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  Magical Town since 2015

  Villa del Carbón

  Leather jackets, wool sarapes, cobbled streets and reservoirs such as Presa del Llano and Taxhimay in the Sierra de Monte Alto, near Mexico City.