Overview

New Mexico's capital city and the oldest capital in the United States, Santa Fe, is sited just 60 miles (97km) north of the state's largest metropolis, Albuquerque, from which it differs quite remarkably. Where Albuquerque is high-tech, Santa Fe is arty, having become a haven for artists of all persuasions and today featuring more than 250 art galleries and studios. The city is also confusing to navigate through with its narrow winding lanes and one-way streets, making it best explored on foot from its busy central plaza.

Tourists not only flock to this 400-year-old city at the foot of the Rocky Mountains for the museums and galleries, but also because it is surrounded by almost a hectare (two acres) of National Forest, offering great opportunities for skiing, rafting, mountain climbing, hiking and a host of other associated recreational pursuits.

The local culture is built firmly on Spanish and Native American roots, which is reflected in the city's historic architecture and the crafts sold on the plaza by the hawkers. The city makes an ideal base from which to explore the many Indian pueblos, which are within an hour's drive throughout the valley of the Rio Grande.