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Historic mission · San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Missions
Four 18th-century Spanish missions south of downtown, with stone churches still in use, listed by UNESCO together with the Alamo.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About San Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions are four Franciscan missions founded in the 18th century along the San Antonio River, south of downtown: Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada. Together with the Alamo, they form a UNESCO World Heritage site as an example of Spanish colonization and the cultural mixing with the indigenous peoples of the region.
The stone churches remain in use by the Catholic parishes. San José, the largest and known as the queen of the missions, has walls, reconstructed indigenous dwellings, a mill and a carved stone window called the Rose Window; the park visitor center is located there. Concepción preserves original wall paintings. At Espada, an 18th-century aqueduct still carries water over a creek.
The missions form a national historical park, connected by a road of about 15 km and by the Mission Reach bike and walking trail along the river.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day to a full day to visit all four missions.
Best time
In the morning, from October to May. On weekends the churches hold Masses, and access to the interiors may be limited at those times.
How to get there
By car or by bicycle, via the missions road or the Mission Reach trail from downtown; San José is about 8 km from the Alamo. There is city bus service to some of the missions.
Tip
Begin at Mission San José, with the visitor center and the film about the missions. There is no admission fee for the national park missions.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about San Antonio Missions
How many missions are there in San Antonio?
Five: the Alamo, in the center, and four to the south — Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada — which form the national historical park.
Which mission should you visit first?
San José, the largest, where the park visitor center is located.
Do you have to pay to visit the missions?
There is no entrance fee at the four missions that are part of the national historical park.