This colonial city has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Besides being the capital of the state of Michoacán, it is also the state's largest and most populated city. It is the seat of important government institutions and offers the most prestigious higher education institute in the region: the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo.

For those who love colonial architecture, Morelia's historic center is a treasure trove of elaborately decorated buildings and structures. Among the notable examples are: the aqueduct, with its 253 Baroque arches, which was constucted in 1785 to provide drinking water to Morelia; the Alhondiga, which was built in 1774 as a granery, but now houses the civil courts; and the Cathedral of the Divine Savior of Morelia.

The cathedral  is nothing short of stunning with its pink cantera stone facade and more than two hundred pilasters instead of columns. It was built between 1660 and 1744 and because of this features elements of Neoclassical, Herreresque, and Baroque architecture. Inside there is an organ from Germany with 4,600 pipes, making it one of the largest in Latin America. The cathedral is something to behold, especially on Saturday evenings when there is a sound and light show.

Like the rest of the state, Morelia has a lot to offer its visitors, from the colonial spectacle of each of its buildings and streets to delicious regional cuisine. Since 2003, the Morelia International Film Festival has also been held each October and has featured renowned movie makers such as Alejandro González Iñárritu, Quentin Tarantino, Pedro Almodóvar, and Guillermo del Toro, among others.

This makes Morelia the most cultural city in Michoacán, offering its visitors a wide range of museums, art galleries, as well as cafés to chat and share pleasant moments.

Like all cities, it has stadiums, sports arenas, convention centers, colleges, restaurants, and top-level hotels, as well as movie theater and concert and entertainment venues. There are also activities to make the most of the natural wooded environment and put visitors in contact with Mother Nature. For example, nearby is Lake Patzcuaro, which some natives believe is the place where the barrier between life and death is the thinnest. The lake lies at an elevation of 1,920 meters, and its basin is of volcanic origin.