The quaint feel of a faraway Italian village isn’t something most people would visit Mexico for. But in recent years, Tlaxcala’s Val’Quirico — a small, European-style community that began construction in 2014 and opened to the public in 2015 — has become exactly what it set out to be: a magical Tuscan getaway, right in the middle of Mexico’s relatively sleepy countryside. Over a decade into its existence, Val’Quirico — which became the first designated locale in Mexico’s federally-funded “Kingdoms of Mexico” program in 2023, awarded to towns that represent an international fusion of architecture, cuisine and culture, while generating an economic boost in their region — is certainly thriving.

When it was announced as part of the “Kingdoms of Mexico” program three years ago, Tourism Minister Miguel Torruco Marqués predicted that the town would “generate revenue of more than 80 million pesos per month (US $4.52 million) … (and) 11,400 jobs — 3,500 direct and 7,990 indirect.” He was right. In 2026, the charming pueblo — replete with pedestrian-only cobblestoned roads, Spanish wine and tapas bars, Italian pizzerias and much more — is booming. Though relatively expensive to visit in comparison to a typical Mexican pueblo, a weekend stay will quickly win over any guests who are looking to escape Mexico’s often chaotic energy for a tranquil, anachronistic experience in the middle of the country.

Getting to Val’Quirico Val’Quirico is located under 20 minutes driving from the Puebla International Airport, and approximately two hours away from the center of Mexico City. As such, the destination-worthy town receives a high volume of visitors from outside states and foreign countries. When arriving, the region’s landscape quickly transforms from a regular Mexican countryside — pueblos, torta stands, stacks of tires and corn fields — into a quirky, if not slightly cheesy medieval town.

If you’re on the road from the city of Puebla, your first indication that you’ve time-traveled your way to the right place is when you pass the Gasolinera Valquirico gas station, which has an architectural facade reminiscent of an aged, European chateau. The roads are suddenly paved, and buildings turn into rustic stone. Val’Quirico itself is, as of this writing, divided into four separate neighborhoods — the central square (where mixed-use commercial spaces and restaurants double as apartment buildings for tourists and full-time residents alike), Barrios Bosques, Laurel and Fresno.

The latter three are private, gated areas that are strictly used for residential purposes, but still maintain the feel of a high-end country club in a rustic Italian setting. How to get around Since cars are not allowed into the main square — which is sizable, and includes no less than a combined 200 small businesses and eateries, plus ample lodging options — you’ll have to park in a giant lot that is located on the opposite side of the rural highway (50 pesos a night on weekdays; 200 pesos on weekends, holidays and festivals). The lot is attended 24/7 by security, and you can even get your car washed by locals who set up their equipment daily and look after your vehicle (though it is optional of course, and is safe to leave overnight regardless).

Only about two hours by car from Mexico City, Val’Quirico is a good weekend getaway option for capitalinos. (Visit Mexico) The brief walk from the lot into the heart of town will highlight Val’Quirico’s magic touches: suddenly, you’ll feel like you’ve left Mexico behind. As live music floats through the town, nicely dressed peddle bikers cluster at the entrance and will offer to give you a welcome tour of the zone; they will end by dropping you and your luggage off at the door of your residence (some locations on the other side of the pueblo are more likely to require a lift than others, but everything is within a 10 minute walking distance).

Over 1 million visitors per year — and counting Once you’ve crossed into the threshold of Val’Quirico, there is only one way in, through a security checkpoint. The entire town is bordered by high stone walls, and in some parts, barbed wire fences, and the perimeter is patrolled around the clock by private security guards. You’ll feel as if you’ve entered a Mexican Disneyland for adults.

There is no shortage of international culinary options, bars, dessert shops, coffee stations, souvenir outlets, fashion boutiques — the whole nine. You can snag artisanal chocolates from Yucateco chocolatiers at Ki’Xocolátl, then fill up with a generously-sized bowl of birriaramen at HOFU, all within an alley’s worth of exploration. (Beware of the endless streams of Instagram influencers who seem to wander the town at all hours, stopping at every floral decoration and ornate fountain to pose without much regard for anyone around them.) According to Lourdes Caciano, the brand director for Kingdoms of Mexico, who spoke exclusively with Mexico News Daily, the town sees upwards of one million annual v