Tour the free Museo del Palacio inside the state palace

Gran Hotel Ancira opened in 1912 on Plaza Hidalgo as the Gran Hotel Monterrey and was declared a national artistic monument in 1992. It now runs as Gamma Monterrey Gran Hotel Ancira, with French-influenced architecture, a short walk from the Palacio de Gobierno. Even if you sleep elsewhere, stop by Bar 1900, restored…

The Festival Internacional de Cine de Monterrey, known as FICM, began in 2005 and usually runs from late September into early October. Past editions have screened films at Cineteca Nuevo León, Teatro Centro de las Artes in Parque Fundidora and a mall cinema, and its top prize is the Cabrito de Plata. Dates change each…

Every Sunday Calle Mina in Barrio Antiguo turns into an open-air art and craft market with jewelry, paintings, books, vinyl records and collectibles, and antique dealers work the streets nearby. It has run for about two decades, so locals treat it as a Sunday ritual. Opening hours differ between sources, so confirm on…

The Orquesta Sinfónica UANL, born from Monterrey's opera seasons and debuting in 1960, plays several series a year, usually a New Year concert, three numbered regular series and special programs. Recent concerts have been at the Teatro Universitario, with tickets sold at the box office or online through the…

Glorias are the signature candy of Nuevo León, small creamy rounds of burnt milk wrapped in red cellophane, and they trace back to Linares. In Monterrey look for them in craft markets, shops that specialise in local sweets and at the airport. Taste at a specialty shop before filling a bag, then use them as easy gifts…

The Mirador del Obispado, on the hill above the old Bishop's Palace, shows the city with the Sierra Madre behind it. Frame the skyline under the giant flag at sunrise or sunset, when the light is soft, and arrive half an hour early to pick your spot. The Museo Regional de Nuevo León inside the palace is a separate…

MARCO, the contemporary art museum beside the Macroplaza, sits in a building by Ricardo Legorreta and is guarded by Juan Soriano's bronze dove, La Paloma. It opens Tuesday to Sunday, stays open later on Wednesdays and is closed on Mondays, so do not plan it for the start of the week. A free digital guide is available…

Metrorrey has moved to a rechargeable card and a phone app, and cash is being phased out at the stations. Buy the Muevo León card at a station, or install the Urbani app before you head out. Stations have run short of plastic cards before, so having the app ready saves a detour. Rules change often, so check…