The arcade
1,280 metres of stone.
Pabloangulo84 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Carlos Valenzuela — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Carlos Valenzuela — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Carlos Valenzuela — CC BY-SA 4.0
An 18th-century stone aqueduct, the symbol of Querétaro and one of the largest aqueducts in Mexico, built to carry water from springs in the hills to the city. Its line of pinkish stone arches runs for about 1,280 metres in 74 arches averaging some 28 metres high. The arches stride in a straight line over avenues and modern districts, so you can see them from far off, and they are lit at night, when they look even finer. At one end is a dedicated lookout where visitors see the whole line at once. The aqueduct is part of Querétaro's historic centre on UNESCO's list, one of Mexico's loveliest colonial centres, with quiet squares, cobbled lanes and stone buildings. The city itself is clean and relatively safe, a weekend escape from the capital. The best time to see the arches is just before sunset or at night when they are lit. From Querétaro, the giant Peña de Bernal rock and the small towns around it make a half-day trip.
1,280 metres of stone.
The whole line at once.
Arches after dark.
Calzada de los Arcos, east of Querétaro's historic centre; about three hours by road from Mexico City
From the dedicated lookout at one end, where the arches line up in one view. They look best just before sunset or at night when lit.