Saltillo is the capital of Coahuila state in northern Mexico, sitting at about 1,600 metres in a high desert basin surrounded by mountains. It's one of Mexico's most important industrial cities — the automotive cluster here produces a significant share of Mexico's vehicles — but also has genuine colonial heritage at its centre. The baroque cathedral on the Plaza de Armas is considered one of the finest in northern Mexico.
The city has a cooler climate than the lowland north thanks to its altitude, and the surrounding desert and mountain landscape is scenic. The Sarape de Saltillo, a distinctive striped blanket, is the city's most famous craft product and is still woven here. The Museo del Desierto is the best museum in the region, with excellent dinosaur fossils from Coahuila. From Cristo de las Noas, a giant hilltop Christ statue on the city's edge, you get fine views across the desert basin. Saltillo is not a major tourist destination but is a worthwhile stop for those crossing northern Mexico.