The serene lakeside resort town of Valle de Bravo, nestled in forested hills, blends rustic charm with understated luxury. High-end hotels, lavish spas, and upscale dining cater to those with pesos to spare, while yoga retreats and plant medicine experiences attract the spiritually minded. The man-made lake is a centerpiece, especially at sunset when the distant Nevado de Toluca volcano casts its shadow. Valle de Bravo’s allure lies in its balance, offering both escape and refined indulgence.

Tepoztlán, located in the mountains of Morelos, is considered a spiritual hot spot. It’s a great place to find a temazcal spa or just linger and soak up the chill vibes. This Magical Town fills up on weekends and Mexican holidays, when reggaeton blasts from speakers at a number of little beer stands selling micheladas and mixed drinks. (Still charming, just not quite as relaxing.) When you catch Tepoz at the right time, however, it’s like walking back in time—in the best way.

Malinalco, another designated Magical Town, is also the site of a formerly active Indigenous settlement of Aztec warriors, with a pyramid above the small village. Like a mini Tepoztlán, it’s not overrun by tourists, except during Mexican holidays. Connect with the relaxed pace of pueblo life with all the modern—and hip—conveniences of a much larger city. Bars, restaurants, and shopping are popular activities, with many artisans selling their wares around the town center.

Mexico’s classic silver city, Taxco, is a charming colonial destination settled during the mining boom. Today, it’s a top spot for weekend vacations from Mexico City, with a stunning 18th-century church, though many visitors come to buy economically priced and well-made silver jewelry. Take a second-level seat at any of the downtown restaurants and watch golondrinas (swallows) flock to the trees around the zócalo at sunset.

A laid-back, chilly town in the forested mountains of Hidalgo, Huasca was settled by Cornish miners, leaving it with an odd favorite local food: the pasty. Wander the forests, looking out for chunks of volcanic glass peeping out of the soil, or visit the basaltic prisms and waterfalls just outside of town. You can also reach Mineral del Chico and a number of excellent hikes where immigrants and Mexicans alike came in search of gold, silver, and copper in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

One of Mexico’s oldest cities, Cuernavaca is known for having the best of both worlds. It’s surrounded by natural beauty, including the UNESCO–listed archaeological ruins of Xochicalco, but it’s also a proper city with plenty to eat, drink, and see. Cuernavaca has a reputation as a weekend home for the capital’s well-heeled, as the climate is a bit more friendly for lounging by a pool. Renting a house with a pool in Cuernavaca is as much of a Mexico City thing as al pastor tacos.

Several hours north of Mexico City, Querétaro is often overlooked in favor of its flashier neighbors. Enjoy the laid-back vibes of this functional yet stunning town, a UNESCO World Heritage site where tourists don’t dominate. Known for its aqueduct, art museums, and romantic cobblestone streets, the town offers a number of outdoor eating options ranging from tacos to fine dining. Querétaro has grown significantly over the years but remains one of the best-kept secrets in the Valley of Mexico.

Cholula is a living mosaic of pre-Hispanic heritage interwoven with the buzzing pulse of modern Mexican life—with lasting vestiges of the colonial era in its abundance of churches. Nestled beneath the watchful eye of Popocatépetl volcano, this ancient city unfolds around the towering, centuries-old Great Pyramid of Cholula, the world’s largest pyramid by volume, now crowned with the striking ochre-and-white Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedios.

Just a 4-hour drive southwest of Mexico City—and a hop, skip, and a jump by plane—Acapulco is the nearest major beach destination. Once the glittering playground of the Hollywood jet set, it still holds an undeniable allure despite the trials of time. The crescent-shaped bay, with its shimmering turquoise waters and golden sands is best admired from the dizzying heights of La Quebrada, where brave cliff divers awe spectators.