Mexico
Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
Guanajuato
San Miguel de Allende
Things to Do in San Miguel de Allende
Santuario de Atotonilco
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Santuario de Atotonilco

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Santuario de Atotonilco
4.5
Tours & experiences
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Top ways to experience Santuario de Atotonilco and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
14 within 3 miles
Mama Mia Campestre
58
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mexican
El Coyote Flaco
118
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Barbecue • Grill
Nirvana Restaurant and Retreat
301
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
La Burger
268
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American
Cien Fuegos Pizza & Comfort food
20
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian
Yoalli Ristorante Italiano
11
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean
Amelia foodtruck
2
1.5 mi$ • American
Guamiche
1
1.9 miMexican
Fuego & Agua
5
2.7 miMexican • International
La Bastide
41
3 mi$$ - $$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
11 within 6 miles
Galeria Atotonilco
397
0.6 miAntique Shops
Santuario de Jesús Nazareno
53
0.8 miReligious Sites
Xote Parque Acuatic
70
2.6 miWater Parks
Tres Raíces
81
Wineries & Vineyards
Sortilegio
2
Art Galleries
Ascender Arte Fino
1
Art Galleries
Hacienda San Jose Lavista
3
Wineries & Vineyards
Rancho Las Sabinas
Gardens
Puente Josefa Viñedo
Wineries & Vineyards
Verde Antiguo Exoerience
Civic Centres
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
479 reviews
Excellent
367
Very good
82
Average
18
Poor
8
Terrible
4
Retired_teacher_56
Dwight, Canada509 contributions
Charming Church with Amazing Roof Murals
Jan 2020
Just a 30-minute drive from the centre of town, you’ll find the incredible Sanctuary of Atotonilco. We took an Uber there but once we walked through the church it was difficult to make our way back to San Miguel. I would recommend if you don't do a tour, take a taxi and arrange for the taxi driver to wait for you. You only need about 20 minutes to see the church.
This historic church complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its Mexican Baroque murals. The paintings are beautiful.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SunapeeTraveler
New Hampshire, USA51 contributions
Beautiful church
Jan 2020
After so many churches with beautiful art and design, it was nice to find something unique and beautiful. Worth a visit for sure. Go to Nirvana for lunch and the private gallery Atotonilco and you have a lovely day (expensive probably if you buy the wonderful art at the gallery!)
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Selma-voyager
Toronto, Canada46 contributions
Christian frescoes inside are impressive
Nov 2021
Outside doesn’t look as “pristine white” as the Trip Advisor photo. Inside felt smaller than expected, yet frescoes we’re well preserved. Worth paying a few pesos to see the special room to left of entrance, especially if you’re Christian or like these kind of painted walls with detailed religious scenes.
Written December 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ReviewerToronto
Toronto, Canada123 contributions
Fantasic Murals and Flemish Style paintings
Jan 2020
An 18th-century ornate baroque church.The outside walls are plain, but inside murals and paintings depict scenes from the Bible. The church is designated a World Heritage site and pilgrimage centre. Our knowledgeable guide Siovan was most helpful in pointing out the most interesting features.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ojerio
Los Angeles, CA513 contributions
Interesting frescos
Dec 2019
The chapel is lavishly painted, in a style a bit too primitive to warrant the Sistine Chapel comparison. Unusually, my photos are somewhat more stunning than the actual site. Nonetheless, very well worth seeing. In the street surrounding the chapel were vendors selling delicious-smelling food. We had, sadly, just finished breakfast.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sr. Adviser
Goleta, CA268 contributions
A Center of Faith and Religious Art near San Miguel de Allende
Mar 2020
The Santuario de Atotonilco has been referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Mexico, but this is very inaccurate. There is no substitute for the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. On the other hand, the Santuario de Atotonilco is extraordinary in its own solemn, religious way. It reminds visitors that Mexico is rightfully one of the centers of the Catholic faith in the New World. The expansive frescoes and statuary are rustic but exquisite.

The location is roughly 12 km from the center of San Miguel and can be easily and inexpensively visited with a rideshare service. My driver waited while I visited for one hour the Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary adds to the Colonial Spanish religious and artistic experience which the Parroquia in San Miguel de Allende already exemplifies.
Written July 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paulbrickman1
Baltimore, MD22 contributions
Worth a half-day combo tour
Feb 2020
We hired a local tour company for a half-day tour to The Atotonilco Sanctuary and Dolores Hidalgo. The scenes were phenomenal, pretty, clean and unusual. Make sure you try one of the better ice cream vendors on the main garden plaza of Dolores Hidalgo.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BnMadven
New York City, NY574 contributions
Special Sanctuario
May 2022
My partner is a UNESCO World Heritage fan, so this was on our list of places to see when we were in San Miguel de Allende. Thankfully, we had a car and could get to the outskirts of town where this was located. The starkness of the outside is definitely a contrast to the stunning detail of the ceiling frescos in the interior. Don't miss out on the side chapel to the left of the entrance which costs 10 pesos to get in, though the church itself is free. The visit was short, but definitely rewarding. If you need a snack or refreshment, stop off at nearby Gorditas Chikis to replenish yourself.
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcia S
Sturgeon Bay, WI6 contributions
Amazing art in unbelievable surroundings
Feb 2020
This place is a must see for anyone who appreciates art or history. So much is crammed into this one religious complex, it would take days to take it all in. A bit of a bumpy ride out to Antonilco, but worth the pesos. Do yourself a favor, and read up a bit before you go. And take your time when you are there, I did not realize that I missed a few of the chapels. Glorious murals and incredible work overall.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mer21maid
Copenhagen819 contributions
Beautiful little church
Jan 2022 • Family
It is certainly a beautiful church, but not sure it’s worth the long drive from SMA if this is your only purpose in the area.
The beautiful chamber to the left of the entrance that some visitors write about was locked, and there was no possibility of paying to get in there. You could see in through the fence, though.
Written January 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Santuario de Atotonilco - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Santuario de Atotonilco
According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Santuario de Atotonilco:

Santuario de Atotonilco Information

Excellent Reviews

367

Very Good Reviews

82

Santuario de Atotonilco Photos

542