Why go
- City of Michoacán, Mexico.
- Served by General Francisco J. Mujica International Airport (MLM).
History
Morelia is the capital and most populous city of the Mexican state of Michoacán. Situated in the Guayangareo Valley in the north-central part of the state, it is the municipal seat of the municipality of Morelia. The main pre-Hispanic cultures here were the Purépecha and the Matlatzinca, but no major cities were founded in the valley during this time. The Spanish took control of the area in the 1520s. The Spanish under Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza founded a settlement here in 1541 with the name of Valladolid, which became rival to the nearby city of Pátzcuaro for dominance in Michoacán. In 1580, this rivalry ended in Valladolid's favor, and it became the capital of the viceregal province. After the Mexican War of Independence, the city was renamed Morelia in honor of José María Morelos, who hailed from the city. In 1991, the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved historical buildings and layout of the historic center. It is tradition to name people born on September 30 after the city.
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 7 airlines, 7 direct destinations
- Volaris Y4 (A319, A320) · 3 routes: Chicago, Los Angeles, Tijuana
- AeroMéxico AM (737-800, ERJ) · 2 routes: Mexico City*, San Francisco
- Aeromar VW (ATR) · 1 route: Mexico City
- American Airlines AA (ERJ-145) · 1 route: Dallas-Fort Worth*
- British Airways BA (ERJ-145) · 1 route: Dallas-Fort Worth*
- United Airlines UA (ERJ) · 1 route: Houston*
- US Airways US (ERJ-145) · 1 route: Dallas-Fort Worth
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is General Francisco J. Mujica International Airport (MLM); 2 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: MLM has direct flights to 7 destinations on 7 airlines (incl. Dallas-Fort Worth, Mexico City, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles…).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Morelia, México. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Coaches & shuttles
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.