They are located in the city center, facing the Cathedral and other buildings from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

The first portal is right behind the cathedral and is separated from the Aldama portal by the "cerrada" of San Agustín. The Allende portal is where the town hall is located. The Mariano Matamoros portal surrounds the square. The Hidalgo portal is located just in front of the cathedral and is the most visited one due to its famous cafés. The Galeana portal is across Ignacio Zaragoza street.

Since the colonial period, they have housed a variety of shops and were a meeting place. They continue to be popular and are an excellent option for a nice coffee.