Monterrey
Mexico · Country profile
Monterrey is the dynamic, industrial metropolis of northern Mexico, the modern financial and manufacturing capital of the country that spreads its canyons of glass and its vast sprawl beneath the dramatic saw-toothed peaks of the Sierra Madre, at the crossroads of the trade routes to the Texas border. The capital of the northern state since the seventeenth century, once a quiet colonial town and now the great business engine of the north, it combines the enormous modern towers, the malls and the industrial parks of the present with the historic centres, the museums and the public squares of its longer history. The grand plaza of the city, the museums of the contemporary and the northern art, the mountain viewpoints of the Saddle and the subterranean canyon of the Grutas anchor the essential visits, while the famous restaurants, the craft markets and the football nights of the town run its vigorous proud culture. Ambitious, industrious, and intensely regional, Monterrey is the self-styled heart of the industrial north of Mexico.
About Monterrey
Monterrey is a city in Mexico. The city's documented population is around 1,142,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN) and Spanish is spoken; the dialling code is +52. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Monterrey International Airport.
The Grand Plaza and the Museums of the Centre
Monterrey is a large, multi-centred city where the essential circuit moves between the grand plaza of the downtown, the museums and the historic quarter, and the modern shopping and business districts of the great avenues, with the mountains of the horizon framing the whole metropolis. The museum of the contemporary art with its celebrated sculpture, the park of the Fundidora with its iron chimney heritage and the viewpoints and the cable routes of the peaks anchor the curated days, while the vast market of the center, the football stadiums and the restaurants of the town run the proud cultural life. The canyon train and the caves and the stone villages of the surrounding sierra fill the day trips of the region, and the whole city moves to the confident industrial rhythm of the north.
The Monuments of the Park and the Mountains of the Skyline
The climate of the city is the hot desert of the northern interior, with the scorching dry summers, the mild, pleasant winters and the occasional intense storms of the late summer, while the mountains of the west gather their own clouds and their surprises through the year. The peso of the country is the currency, with the Spanish the language of the city and the English common in the business and the corporate districts. The grand plaza, the museums and the parks make the core circuit, and the mountains and the villages of the sierra lie within the easy reach of the metropolis. Light clothing for the summer heat, a light jacket for the winter and comfortable shoes for the long avenues complete the practical essentials of the northern city.
The Canyons and the Villages of the Sierra
The grand plaza of the capital of the north, the enormous public square at the heart of the downtown with its central lighthouse tower and its umbrella of the sultana, hosts the museums, the cathedrals and the terraces of the classic centre, including the celebrated museum of the contemporary art and the palace of the government of the state. The mountain of the Saddle, the double-peaked Cerro de la Silla that towers over the city, is the great emblem of the metropolis, and the viewpoint of the cable route and the caves of the Canyon reach its summit and its flanks. The park of the Fundidora, the vast green park laid out in the old steelworks of the company at the edge of the town, with its restored industrial monuments, its concerts and its skate bowls, and the famous cabrito restaurants and the football nights of the passionate northern city, complete the essential portrait of the industrial capital of Mexico.
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- Country
- Mexico
- Population
- 1,142,000
- Coordinates
- 25.7785, -100.1070
- Capital
- Mexico City
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- Mexican Peso (MXN)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +52
- Country code
- MX
Entry requirements for Mexico
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Mexico for tourism.
Getting to Monterrey
Airports we list for Monterrey:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Mexico
Other cities we cover in Mexico:
Frequently asked questions
Is Monterrey the capital of Mexico?
No — the capital of Mexico is Mexico City.
What currency do I need in Monterrey?
The local currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). Languages spoken in Mexico include Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Mexico?
The international dialling code for Mexico is +52.
Which airport should I fly into for Monterrey?
Monterrey International Airport (MTY) is the airport we list for Monterrey.
How far is Monterrey from the nearest airport?
Monterrey is about 670 km from Guadalajara International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Mexico?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Italy currently enter Mexico visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Monterrey? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.