DESTINATION

Cholula

An Ancient Ceremonial City Built Around the World’s Largest Pyramid

Destination Vibes

Why to Visit

In Cholula, different eras coexist within the same landscape. Beneath a grass-covered hill lies the largest pyramid in the world by volume, while a yellow church stands at its summit facing the distant Popocatepetl volcano. Around it, quiet streets link colonial plazas, traditional markets, and terraces animated by the town’s university life. Walking through Cholula reveals layers of history—ancient temples, colonial bell towers, regional food traditions, and sunsets that illuminate the volcano and the surrounding valley.

Cholula is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the Americas. For more than two thousand years, it has served as a meeting point for cultures, beliefs, and traditions that have shaped both its physical landscape and its cultural identity.

Located only a few kilometers from the city of Puebla, Cholula offers a setting where pre-Hispanic history, colonial heritage, and contemporary life intersect naturally.

The symbolic center of the town is the Great Pyramid of Cholula, known as Tlachihualtepetl. Built and expanded by multiple civilizations over centuries, this massive ceremonial platform is the largest pyramid in the world by volume. Over time the structure became covered by vegetation, giving it the appearance of a natural hill.

During the sixteenth century, Spanish settlers constructed the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Remedies at the summit of the pyramid. Today the church has become one of the most recognizable images of central Mexico: a colonial sanctuary rising above an ancient pyramid with the Popocatepetl volcano visible in the distance.

Beyond the pyramid, Cholula’s streets reveal colonial churches, traditional markets, artisan workshops, and a lively cultural environment shaped in part by nearby universities. Cafes, galleries, bars, and restaurants share space with historic plazas and residential neighborhoods where everyday life continues at a relaxed pace.

The result is a town where ancient history, religious traditions, and contemporary culture exist side by side. Exploring Cholula often leads to unexpected discoveries, from pre-Hispanic murals and colonial courtyards to viewpoints overlooking the valley and the surrounding volcanoes.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Signature Experience

Don't Miss

Photo: Getty Images

Great Pyramid of Cholula

The largest pyramid in the world by volume. Its monumental base and layered construction reveal centuries of pre-Hispanic development.

Photo: Sacred Land Film Project

Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Remedies

Es la iglesia más icónica de Cholula, construida sobre la Gran Pirámide, también conocida como Tlachihualtepetl; sus dos cúpulas bellamente decoradas y su construcción patrimonial de piedra la convierten en uno de los lugares de interés turístico más visitados. The most iconic church in Cholula, built atop the Great Pyramid. Its twin domes and historic stone structure make it one of the most visited landmarks in the region. From the exterior terrace, visitors can also observe the smoking silhouette of the Popocatepetl volcano.

Photo: Arch Daily MX

Parish of San Pedro

The tower of this parish church is the tallest structure in Cholula and dominates the town’s skyline. Built in 1640, the church reflects early colonial architecture. Its dome includes decorative churrigueresque elements added later, and the interior contains paintings including one attributed to the colonial artist Cristobal de Villalpando depicting Saint Michael.

Photo: México Destinos

Portales Guerrero

Constructed by Indigenous builders around 1593, this structure originally served as shelter during local celebrations. It was remodeled in 1646 by the local magistrate Juan de Llano. Today it is considered one of the longest arcades in Hispanic America, with 46 stone arches forming a gallery approximately 170 meters long.

Cholula Site Museum

A museum that explains the history of the ancient ceremonial center and displays archaeological pieces discovered in the area.

Photo: El Universal Puebla

Pre-Hispanic Murals of the Pyramid

Among the most notable are the mural of Los Bebedores and the mural of Los Chapulines, important examples of Mesoamerican painting.

Photo: Visit Puebla City

Plazas of San Pedro and San Andres Cholula

Two historic districts with distinct identities where markets, churches, restaurants, and daily life converge.