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Looking for places to visit in Guanajuato City, Mexico?

This Mexico travel destination & UNESCO World Heritage Site has hundreds — but let’s start by exploring the 24 most instagrammable places to visit in Guanajuato.

BONUS: These 24 are all pinned to a handy Google Map for you.

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A post shared by Shelley | Mexico Solo Travel (@travelmexicosolo) on Apr 28, 2020 at 3:37pm PDT

Nowadays, I think we can all agree sharing travel photos with our friends, family & followers is one of the fun parts of traveling!

If you’re looking to spread some Guanajuato travel love onto your social media feeds, you’re in the right place!

You’ve also come to the right instaguide.

Here’s the deal:

👋 I’m Shelley, I’ve been traveling solo all over Mexico since April 2018… and I love me some Instagram! I combined those things for this Ultimate Guide to colorful, instagrammable Guanajuato, Mexico.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

From the Mummy Museum to the Alley of the Kiss, this map will get you there! Please use the map as your free tour guide to discover the prettiest photography spots in Guanajuato.

Scroll down to see photos of some of the town’s best places! Then, use the map to find the rest.

— #1 —

Mummy Museum

The Museo de las Momias (Museum of the Mummies) is the most visited site in Guanajuato.

Disclaimer: This museum might not be for everyone, since the 100-plus mummies are real human bodies. However, this museum is a unique experience that you can only have here in Mexico.

Here’s the backstory of the Guanajuato mummies:

From about 1850-1950, Guanajuato’s government enforced a “grave tax” on all buried bodies.

If the relatives of the deceased failed to pay the tax for three consecutive years, the government had the body exhumed.

Given Guanajuato’s extremely dry soil, the bodies stayed well preserved. By the time the government stopped the grave tax, the city had so many mummified bodies that they decided to create a museum.

While this is undeniably a tourist destination, it’s also a uniquely Mexican experience.

The Guanajuato Mummy Museum is a quintessential example of how Mexicans view death in a much less taboo way than Americans.

How to get to the Guanajuato Mummy Museum

Walk: The museum is close enough to downtown to walk. If you walk (like I did!) keep in mind that Guanajuato is a hilly town, and this is an uphill walk. 

Bus: Catch the public bus marked “Las Momias” (The Mummies) along Avenida Juárez (Juarez Ave.) in downtown. The bus costs about $10 pesos (50¢) each way.

Uber/Taxi: The third option is to take an Uber or a taxi. From downtown, this should cost you about $150 pesos ($7USD) each way.

— #2 —

Alley of the Kiss

El Callejon del Beso (The Alley of the Kiss) is located on a narrow, winding alleyway. You’ll find it just behind the Plaza de Los Angeles (Plaza of the Angels).

If there was ever a Mexican “Romeo & Juliet” story, it took place on these two balconies with this tale of two star-crossed lovers. 

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According to legend, the daughter of one of Guanajuato’s wealthiest men had a bedroom window overlooking the alley. After many gazes out of her window, she spotted a handsome young man!

The two eventually fell madly in love. Sadly, their love was forbidden because he didn’t come from a wealthy family.

To keep their romance a secret, the young man rented a room in the building next to hers. The balconies from their two rooms were so close they nearly touched.

This close proximity provided the loophole they needed! Since they were so close, they could kiss one another from across the balconies and still remain in their respective homes.

Unfortunately, the girl’s father eventually found out. Similar to Romeo & Juliet, this story also had a tragic ending.

Today, however, the legacy of their love lives on! Each week, thousands visit the balconies in The Alley of the Kiss to photograph themselves kissing like our star-crossed lovers once did.

— #3 —

Monumento al Pipila

If you want cityscape shots & panoramic views of Guanajuato, the Monumento al Pipila is your place. This monument is a tribute to a local Guanajuato hero named Juan José de los Reyes Martínez Amaro, AKA “El Pipila.”

The climb to the Monumento al Pipila (Pipila Monument) is easy & should take less than 15 minutes. You can also take the Funicular (cable car) up for a unique experience!

Pro Tip: The views from the monument are better during the day than at night. This is also a popular sunset spot, but consider taking an Uber or taxi back after the sun goes down.

— #4 —

Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato

The Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato is instafamous. This is the big yellow church you see in so many Guanajuato photos.

Though the outside is more photographed, the inside is very beautiful as well. While it is ok to take photos inside Mexican churches, do remain respectful & quiet when doing so.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato is located in the equally instagrammable Plaza de la Paz (Peace Plaza). This plaza’s outdoor cafes & old buildings look like somewhere straight out of Europe!

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PLEASE JOIN ME ON THIS MEXICO TRAVEL JOURNEY…

— #5 —

Templo de San Diego

This is Guanajuato’s second most instagrammable church!

The Templo de San Diego (Saint Diego’s Temple) has a very picturesque red dome, but also a churrigueresque style façade. It’s really almost two photos ops in one.

• 

• 

Churrigueresque is commonly seen in the architecture of Mexico’s old colonial mining towns. In fact, Guanajuato was once one of the largest silver mining towns in all of Mexico.

The temple is located right next to the Teatro Juarez, the next instagrammable Guanajuato spot.

— #6 —

Teatro Juarez / Juarez Theater

Teatro Juarez (Juarez Theater) is among the most iconic of Guanajuato’s grand buildings. This historic theater dates back to the late-19th century, and still hosts live productions today.

It is most associated with one of Mexico’s largest festivals, the International Cervantino Festival. This annual music/theater/art extravaganza takes place in mid-October. 

Mexico’s famed Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) immediately follows the Cervantino, making October-November two of Guanajuato’s liveliest months.

— #7 —

Jardin de la Union / Union Garden

Located just in front of the Templo de San Diego, this triangular-shaped plaza is lined with restaurants, bars and cafes on two sides. Its third side opens onto the very instagrammable Calle De Sopena (De Sopena St.)

Jardin de la Union (Union Garden) is the perfect place to people-watch & listen to live music from street musicians.

• 

• 

— #8 —

University of Guanajuato

Guanajuato has many colleges & universities, but none more beautiful than the Universidad de Guanajuato.

The school’s dramatic main entrance has 133 steps leading to the entry door. This grand entryway makes for a beautiful backdrop, and a nice place to sit for a while & people-watch. 

— #9 —

Plazuela San Fernando

This is perhaps Guanajuato’s most instagrammable plaza! In fact, many artists come here to paint & draw it.

There are some cute cafes, bars & restaurants here for when you need a walking break. Plaza San Fernando is also great for people-watching.

Note: This Guanajuato City square is referred to as both Plazuela San Fernando and Plaza San Fernando.

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— #10 —

Santo Café

In a city famous for quaint alleyways and pretty balconies, Santo Café stands out by having both!

This cafe is one of Guanajuato’s most instafamous eateries, so if you want this iconic balcony shot, arrive right when they open to avoid a long wait time.

There are normally no more than four tables on the small balcony at a time.

— #11 —

Templo de San Francisco

As with most Mexican churches, the Templo de San Francisco is just as beautiful inside as outside! If you do want to take photos inside, just remember to stay quiet & act respectful when doing so.

There are also several sculptures on the streets around the church that make for beautiful photos.

— #11 —

Plaza San Roque

In Plaza San Roque, you’ll also find the San Roque Temple. This historic church dates back to 1726. The inside is very beautiful, but remember to remain quiet & respectful to worshippers inside when you’re photographing it.

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You’ll find Guanajuato’s instafamous flower pot staircase house in this small plaza. If you’re standing facing the San Roque Temple, the house is just to your right.

Please note that this is a private house. If you’re going to photograph it, be respectful of the homeowners by not climbing the stairs!

— #13 —

Calle Subterreanea / Underground Street

There is almost a second Guanajuato right under the city itself! Guanajuato was once a bustling mining town & has a system of complex tunnels and underground passageways.

The pin on the map marked “Calle Subterranea” (Underground St.), will lead you to one of Guanajuato’s most instagrammable tunnel entrances.

— #14 —

Estacion Gelato

Estacion Gelato (Gelato Station) is an adorable little gelato shop with a cute balcony to take photos on. Their rooftop is a great place to enjoy your gelato while you take in some nice city views.

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— #15 —

La Clave Azul Restaurant

This restaurant is a hidden gem, with many other hidden gems inside! The decor is a quirky-chic collection of antique treasures & the outside is quintessential Guanajuato gorgeous.

La Clave Azul Restaurante Taberna (The Blue Key) is perfect for drinks, tapas & photos. It is a little hidden, nestled in an alley just off Plaza San Fernando.

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Pro Tip: Located about 15-20 minutes by car from downtown, you’ll find the equally instagrammable Mezcal Bar El Fusilado. You’ll find this one listed on the FREE Map.

This mezcalería (mezcal bar) is a locals favorite for its many types of mezcal & old school cantina vibes.

— #16 —

Museo Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera

Located outside of downtown, but worth the trip, is this beautiful ex-hacienda-turned-museum. Stepping into the Museo Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera is like going back in time!

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Opened as a museum in 1979, Captain Gabriel de Barrera’s grand hacienda still features many of the opulent European period furnishings from when his family lived there.

Spend some time wandering the gardens, eating at the cafe, and taking in the opulence of this well-preserved home. Every inch of this property is incredibly picturesque!

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Head to the FREE Google Map to discover #s 17- 24 of most instagrammable places to visit in Guanajuato City, Mexico!

My amazing Guanajuato Airbnb!

As the saying goes — Location, location, location! Of all the numerous Airbnbs I stayed in throughout my 2+ years of Mexico travel, this one had the best location.

☀️🏡 Here’s the one I stayed in & highly recommend.

It was located only a few steps from the Plaza de los Angeles & the Callejon del Beso (The Alley of the Kiss). Guanajuato’s famous & photographed Templo de San Diego & adjacent Jardin de la Union (Union Garden) are also both nearby.

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This Airbnb had everything you’d need for a comfortable stay — in addition to it’s convenient & walkable location.

The amenities included: a king sized bed (full size is the standard in Mexico), a TV, strong WiFi, sofa, hot water & good water pressure in the shower (not always the case in Mexico!) & a full kitchen.

If this apartment doesn’t work for you, check out all the options Guanajuato City has to offer.

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Know of any other places to visit in Guanajuato?

Please let me know in the comments down below.

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