I visited this WHS in December 2021. Puebla is the fourth largest city in Mexico after Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, so it is always going to seem crowded when compared to other cities or towns. That said, the incredible amount of churches, monuments, historic buildings and squares Puebla has on offer, paired with the never-ending gastronomical possibilites, make it one of Mexico's top WHS and colonial cities so I was glad to allow 3-4 days here.

Although the cathedral's sheer size is impressive, I was more attracted to the surrounding colonial buildings with several spires, balconies, stained glass and stucco decorations. The highlight here was the Biblioteca Palafoxiana (free entrance), known as the first and oldest public library in the Americas, It has more than 45,000 books and manuscripts, ranging from the 15th to the 20th century, and it was listed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2005. In the middle of the square, you'll surely spot the UNESCO WHS plaque on a yellow marker. In front of the San Cristobal Church there's also an information board with a copy of the UNESCO WHS inscription certificate.

The main highlight, surely not to be missed when visiting Puebla is La Capilla del Rosario in the Templo de San Domingo (closed on Mondays and open only for 2.5 hrs in the morning and 2.5 hrs in the afternoon; but better double check online with quick communication on Facebook Messenger!), described in the 17th century as the Eighth Wonder of the World. I wouldn't go that far but for a 20 pesos entrance fee it shouldn't be missed as it one of the most prominent examples of the New Spanish Baroque. It is full of symbolic elements representing beliefs related to Catholicism and the Dominican Order. From the gilded elements, found literally everywhere, my favourite were the "angel musicians" high above the entrance to the chapel. I also really liked its neat azulejos tiles too. No photo will ever do this chapel justice, so you really have to visit to see for yourself why it has been described so pompously in the past and up until present times. The red and white facade and the ornate stucco balconies on the side of the church's entrance are also worth viewing and share a similar over-the-top Baroque style with the Templo de la Compañía, also known as Templo del Espiritu Santo. 

Apart from the Zocalo, I really enjoyed the San Roque square area where there is the vibrant Barrio del Artista, with the Parian Market, the Casa de Alfeñique and several other historical buildings with fancy facades. Another pretty area is the mural-filled neighborhood close to the old Puente de Ovando to the Templo Conventual de San Francisco with plenty of old colourful churches in between. An easy half day trip from Puebla worth keeping in mind is the puebla magico of Cholula.