Visit San Antonio

A riverside promenade below street level, the most famous facade in Texas, four 18th-century Spanish missions to link by bike and tacos on every corner: San Antonio is best visited over two or three days, ideally in spring.

Why visit San Antonio?

San Antonio holds Texas's only UNESCO World Heritage Site: its five Spanish missions, including the Alamo, inscribed in 2015. Founded in 1718, the city keeps a strong Mexican and Texan culture, and its downtown can be explored on foot along the river.

San Antonio must-sees

Spanish heritage, Texan memory and Mexican culture, nearly all connected by the river.

The Alamo

The chapel of the former mission where the 1836 siege of the Texas Revolution took place, free to enter with a reserved time slot.

River Walk

A promenade one level below the streets, along a river loop lined with restaurants, to explore on a narrated boat ride or on foot.

Mission San José

The largest of the missions, nicknamed the queen of the missions, with its rebuilt walls, granary and the carved rose window of its church.

Mission Concepción

An 18th-century stone church that remains almost intact, where some interiors still show original frescoes with geometric patterns.

Market Square

El Mercado's Mexican market, with craft shops, bakeries and mariachis, especially lively during spring festivities and Day of the Dead.

Tower of the Americas

Built for the 1968 World's Fair in HemisFair Park, the tower offers an observation deck overlooking the whole city.

What to discover in San Antonio, from downtown to the missions?

Downtown and La Villita

Downtown gathers the Alamo, the city hall plaza and San Fernando Cathedral, whose foundations date back to the 18th century and onto which a light projection show is screened on some evenings. Nearby, La Villita, the city's first residential neighborhood, now houses artisan workshops in adobe and limestone houses. Everything can be done on foot in a day, dropping down to the riverside promenade regularly to enjoy the shade of the cypress trees between visits.

King William and Southtown

South of downtown, the King William district was laid out in the 19th century by German merchants, who built grand Neoclassical and Victorian mansions along the river. It takes an hour to explore, stepping into the Steves Homestead, open to visitors. Neighboring Southtown mixes galleries, cafés and restaurants set in former warehouses; the old Blue Star complex hosts a contemporary art center. The area livens up on the first Friday of the month, when galleries open late.

Mission Reach and the southern missions

South of the city, a bike and walking trail of about 13 km follows the restored river and links the Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada missions. By bike, allow half a day to a full day stopping at each; bike share is available in town. All four missions belong to a free-entry national historical park, and all of them still host active parishes. The San José visitor center, with its introductory film, is the best starting point.

Museum Reach and the Pearl

North of downtown, the Museum Reach section extends the river promenade for several kilometers to the San Antonio Museum of Art, housed in a former brewery, then on to the Pearl, an old brewing site turned district of restaurants, shops and hotels. A farmers market takes place there on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Allow half a day, walking up from downtown or by river taxi. For another Southern city with a blended culture, New Orleans lies about eight hours' drive east, across the southern United States.

Frequently asked questions about San Antonio

How long does it take to visit the Alamo?
Allow one to two hours for the church, the Long Barrack and the exhibition center telling the story of the 1836 battle. Church entry is free with a reserved slot, while some guided tours and exhibits are paid. Arrive at opening time to enjoy the grounds before the groups.
Can you visit the San Antonio missions without a car?
Yes, by bike on the Mission Reach trail, which links the four missions over about 13 km from the south of downtown. A bus line also serves Mission San José. In summer, set off early: the trail has little shade and the heat builds quickly.
Is the River Walk better by day or by night?
Both. In the morning the promenade is calm and shaded, ideal for walking to the Pearl or King William. In the evening the central loop lights up and terraces fill; it is the time for narrated cruises, but also when waterfront restaurants are most expensive.
What to eat in San Antonio besides Tex-Mex?
Texas barbecue, brisket and smoked sausages, is the other local staple. The Pearl gathers chef-driven restaurants and a cooking school. For Tex-Mex, look for puffy tacos, a fried and puffed shell the city claims as its own, and breakfast tacos in the morning.
When does Fiesta San Antonio take place?
Every year in April, for about ten days. The festival, born in the late 19th century to honor the heroes of the Alamo and San Jacinto, strings together river parades and night parades. Book your hotel months ahead if you are targeting this period.
Can you combine San Antonio and Austin?
Yes, the two cities are about 1 h 30 apart by car on Interstate 35, which is often jammed at rush hour. A five- to seven-day loop can add Hill Country, with Fredericksburg, its wineries and its wildflower fields in spring.
Where to stay in San Antonio to do everything on foot?
Along the central River Walk loop, a few minutes from the Alamo and La Villita. The Pearl offers a quieter setting and characterful hotels, about 25 minutes' walk from downtown along the river. King William suits fans of bed and breakfasts.

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