The 25 Best Things to Do in Guanajuato Mexico You Don’t Want to Miss
Looking for the best Guanajuato THINGS TO DO IN Mexico?
This top Mexico travel destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site has hundreds — but let’s start by exploring the 25 best things to do in Guanajuato City, the capital of Guanajuato state.
🎁 BONUS: All 25 have been pinned to the handy Guanajuato, Mexico Map which you’ll find towards the end of the article.
Located in Central Mexico, about five hours by car and bus from Mexico City, Guanajuato has been a popular place for Mexican national tourism for decades.
Nowadays, thanks to social media and YouTube, more and more foreign visitors are discovering this colorful, colonial city.
Ready to discover the 25 can’t miss places in Guanajuato? Let’s get to it.
After you check out the things to see, do and eat, keep scrolling for a Guanajuato Mexico travel guide, to learn everything you need to know to visit Guanajuato like a pro.
The 25 Best Things to Do in Guanajuato, Mexico
1. 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 on just one of the many quiet, narrow, cobblestone streets Guanajuato Mexico is famous for.
If there was ever a Mexican Romeo & Juliet story, it took place on these balconies with a tale of two star-crossed lovers, centuries ago.
Nowadays, visitors recreate their kisses across these two nearly-touching balconies in the Guanajuato Alley of the Kiss, a must see Guanajuato sightseeing stop.
📸 Want beautiful Guanajuato photos? Book this top-rated Guanajuato photoshoot and visit the most iconic places for the best photos.
The story of the Guanajuato alley of the kiss
According to legend, the daughter of a wealthy Guanajuato family had a bedroom window overlooking the alley.
Gazing out of her window one day, she spotted a handsome young man.
The two eventually fell madly in love, though 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, and this proximity provided the loophole they needed so they could kiss from across the balconies and still remain in their respective homes.
Unfortunately, the girl’s father eventually found out, and forbid them to continue their secret meetings.
In his desperation, Carlos attempted to jump from his window into Ana’s bedroom, but crashed to the ground, hitting the third step in the alley and breaking his neck.
Similar to Romeo & Juliet, this story 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 these star-crossed lovers once did.
2. Calle del Truco: One of the Best Guanajuato Streets
According to Guanajuato legend, this street is haunted, so you might want to explore it during the day!
It is said the ghost of a man named Martín, who lost his fortune and then committed suicide, wanders this street — the same street where the casino (AKA truco, or “trick house”) he lost everything in once stood.
🍽🍷 Guanajuato Travel Tips: After strolling this street for a bit, head to Truco 7, one of the best Guanajuato restaurants.
Guanajuato actually has several legends like this one and the legend of the Callejon del Beso (Alley of the Kiss); both may or may not be true.
One thing’s for certain, though, the Calle del Truco is one of the nicest streets in Guanajuato.
Book this Guanajuato Historic Walking Tour to learn more of about the history of the city, and it’s local legend folklore.
3. Calle De Sopeña
Another one of the most beautiful streets in Guanajuato — and if you spent about an hour leisurely walking the Calle de Sopeña, you’d see a good amount of the top sites in Guanajuato.
Start your walk at the Jardin de la Union and walk until the street ends at the Templo de San Francisco.
4. Calle Subterreanea (Underground Street)
Guanajuato was once a bustling mining town, and has a system of complex tunnels and underground passageways.
Both cars and pedestrians used the Guanajuato tunnels to get around the city today, so it’s almost as though there’s a second Guanajuato right under the city itself.
📍 The pin on the FREE Guanajuao Map marked “Calle Subterranea” will lead you to one of the more Instagram worthy Guanajuato tunnels.
However, there are several others throughout the city that you can visit (just not as pretty).
5. Guanajuato Mummy Museum: One of the Best Guanajuato Museums
The Museo de las Momias (Museum of the Mummies) is the top attraction in Guanajuato — but also one of the most unusual things to do in Guanajuato.
For those seeking out dark tourism in Mexico, this is considered one of the top places in the whole country.
🎨 Guanajuato Travel Tips: For a less macabre museum, head to the Museo Regional de Guanajuato Alhóndiga de Granaditas (Regional Museum of Guanajuato).
While the Guanajuato Mummies Museum might not be not for everyone, since the 100+ mummies of Guanajuato are real human bodies, it is a unique experience you can only have here.
If you’re unsure if you’ll like it or not, it’s worth checking out to see since admission is about $5 USD.
story of the Guanajuato MUMMIES
Wondering about the Guanajuato mummy story? It is an interesting piece of Mexican history indeed!
From 1870 to late-1950, Guanajuato’s government enforced what they called a burial tax or grave tax on all bodies buried in the local cemetery.
If the living 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 very well preserved and came out of the ground essentially mummified.
By the time the government stopped the grave tax in 1958, the city had so many mummified bodies that they decided to create a museum.
How to get to the Guanajuato Mummy Museum
• Guanajuato Mummy Museum Address: Explanada del Panteón Municipal s/n, Centro, 36000 Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico.
It is located within walking distance of Downtown Guanajuato, but it’s a bit of a steep walk in some parts.
• Walk: The museum is close enough to Downtown Guanajuato to walk.
If you walk, keep in mind that Guanajuato is a hilly town, and this is a mildly-strenuous uphill walk in some parts.
• Bus: Catch the public bus marked Las Momias (The Mummies) along Avenida Juarez (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 the center of the city, this should cost no more than $100 pesos (about $5 USD) each way.
• Guanajuato Mummy Museum Tickets: $85 pesos (about $4.50 USD)
6. Monumento al Pipila: One of the Best Guanajuato Monuments
If you want cityscape shots and 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, one of the major heroes in Mexican folk tales.
🇲🇽 Guanajuato Mexico Fun Fact: This is the second-tallest monument in Guanajuato State, after Cristo Rey en el Cerro del Cubilet, located in the city of Silao.
It is one of the highest monuments to Jesus in all Latin America, at 8,460-feet (2579 m) above sea level.
Guanajuato funicular (Cable Car)
The climb to the Pipila Monument is easy and should take less than 15 minutes.
However, the Guanajuato Funicular (uphill tram or cable car) is a fun way to go up, for a unique experience and some amazing city views along the way.
Tickets for adults are $35 pesos one way (about $2 USD), or $70 pesos round trip (about $4 USD).
7. Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera
Located outside of Downtown Guanajuato, but just an Uber ride away, is this beautiful ex-hacienda-turned-museum.
Stepping into the Museo Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera is like going back in time, and every inch of this property is incredibly picturesque.
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 English garden, eating at the cafe, and taking in the opulence of this fully-restored hacienda.
8. Diego Rivera Museum in Guanajuato City
Beautiful Guanajuato has been a haven for artists and creative types for some time, including one of Mexico’s most famous artists, Diego Rivera.
The muralist and mosaic artist, and Frida Kahlo’s husband, was actually born in Guanajuato in 1886.
💡 Guanajuato Travel Tip: The museum is closed on Mondays; as are most museums in Guanajuato.
The small Museo y Casa de Diego Rivera (Diego Rivera House and Museum) has some sketches and paintings by Rivera, displayed in the home where he grew up.
It is one of the top tourist attractions in Guanajuato, Mexico.
9. Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato: One of the Best Guanajuato Churches
The Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato 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’s ok to take photos inside Mexican churches, do remain respectful and quiet while inside.
10. Templo de San Diego
Guanajuato’s second most photographed church, the Templo de San Diego (Saint Diego’s Temple) has a picturesque red dome and churrigueresque style façade.
Popular in Europe, but very rare in Latin America, 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.
It’s really almost two photo ops in one, thanks to the temple’s red dome and pink entryway, so make sure to snap some photos here.
The temple is also located right next to Teatro Juárez, another instagrammable Guanajuato spot in this beautiful city.
11. Teatro Juarez
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 to this day.
It is closely associated with one of Mexico’s largest festivals, the Festival Internacional Cervantino — one of the largest performing arts festivals in the world.
The International Cervantino Festival is an annual music, theater and art festival that takes place in mid-October.
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) immediately follows the Cervantino, making October and November two of Guanajuato’s liveliest months.
12. University of Guanajuato
Guanajuato has many colleges and 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 and people-watch.
13. 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 and act respectful when doing so.
There are also several sculptures on the streets around the church that make for beautiful photos.
14. Casa del Conde Rul (Guanajuato Museum)
Located just in front of the Plaza de la Paz, the Casa de Conde Rul (House of Count Rul) is one of the most emblematic of Guanajuato’s neoclassical buildings.
The once-home to Count Diego Rul and Doña Ignacia Obregon in the late 1800s, is now an art museum with 10 unique gallery rooms.
💡 Guanajuato Travel Tip: The museum is closed on Mondays; as are most museums in Guanajuato.
15. Mercado Hidalgo (Guanajuato Market)
The largest traditional Mexican mercado (market) in Downtown Guanajuato is a fun, lively place to eat local foods, and shop for souvenirs.
As the market caters to both locals and visitors, you’ll find most of the shopping upstairs, separated from the lower part with fresh fruits and groceries.
Head inside to buy souvenirs at one of the best places for shopping in Guanajuato and to sample some authentic and local Guanajuato food.
For authentic, cheap eats in Guanajuato, the Hidalgo Market is a great choice. You could even do a self-guided food tour in there — making stops at all the places that have a long line!
16. Jardin de la Union (Union Garden): The Best Guanajuato Gardens
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 beautiful Calle De Sopeña (De Sopeña Street), one of the favorite places for photographers.
Jardin de la Union (Union Garden) is the perfect place to people-watch, listen to live music from street musicians, buy souvenirs from local street vendors and sample some Guanajuato street food.
When nightfalls, you can hire local guides to take you on ghost tours of Guanajuato City.
17. Plaza de la Paz
Located just next to the The Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato church is the equally beautiful Plaza de la Paz (Peace Plaza).
This plaza’s outdoor street cafes and old buildings look like they’re straight out of Europe, and make for a nice place to people-watch next to the iconic church.
18. Plazuela San Fernando: One of the Best Guanajuato Plazas
This is perhaps the most instagrammable Guanajuato plaza, out of all the pretty plazas in the city.
In fact, many artists come here to paint, sketch and draw it.
There are some cute cafes, bars and restaurants here for when you need a walking break. Plaza San Fernando is also great for people-watching.
💡 Guanajuato Travel Tip: This square is called both Plazuela San Fernando and Plaza San Fernando.
19. Plaza San Roque
In Plaza San Roque, you’ll find the San Roque Temple, as well as one of the prettiest, most colorful houses in Guanajuato City.
This historic church dates back to the 18th Century. The inside is very beautiful, but remember to remain quiet and respectful to worshippers when photographing it.
You’ll also find the Instafamous Guanajuato flower pot house in this plaza.
If you’re standing facing the San Roque Temple, the house is just to your right — just look for the colorful flower pots 🌷
Do note that this is a private residence, so be respectful of the homeowners by not climbing the stairs.
20. Plaza de Los Angeles
Plaza de los Ángeles (Plaza of the Angels) is located near the famous Alley of the Kiss.
It is often full of people, street performers, musicians and locals, hanging out on the steps and talking.
By night, you’ll find many of the famous Guanajuato Callejoneadas performers here.
As Guanajuato was the once-home to Spanish author, Miguel de Cervantes, who wrote Don Quixote, his influence is still felt all over the city.
The largest annual festival in Guanajuato, the Cervantino Festival, was named in his honor.
21. Santo Cafe: One of the Best Guanajuato Restaurants
In a city famous for narrow alleyways with pretty balconies, Santo Café stands out by having both.
This cafe is one of Guanajuato’s most Instagram famous eateries, so if you want this iconic balcony shot, arrive right when they open to avoid a long wait time because there are only 4-5 tables on the small balcony.
22. Estacion Gelato
Estacion Gelato (Gelato Station) is an adorable Guanajuato gelato shop with a cute balcony and the perfect rooftop to enjoy your ice cream.
It’s a great place to take in some nice city views on a break from walking around town.
They have a rotating lineup of flavors, from the traditional to the exotic, like maracuyá (passion fruit).
23. 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 and the outside is quintessential Guanajuato gorgeous.
La Clave Azul Restaurante Taberna (The Blue Key) is perfect for drinks, tapas and photos.
One of the best Happy Hours in the city of Guanajuato, head there from 2pm-6pm for FREE botanas (Mexican tapas) with your drink order.
🗺 Guanajuato Travel Tip: La Clave Azul Guanajuato is located at Segunda De Cantaritos 31, nestled in an alley just off Plaza San Fernando.
24. El Paisa II: Best Guanajuato Tacos
A locals’ favorite, this no-frills taquería serves up the best tacos in Guanajuato City. For cheap eats, El Paisa II can’t be beat, with their tasty 75¢ tacos 🤤
If you’re looking to sample some authentic Mexico food, and don’t mind venturing somewhat off the beaten path in Guanajuato City, head to El Pasia II — one of the best restaurants in Guanajuato City.
25. Mezcal Bar el Fusilado: One of the Best Guanajuato Bars
The Cantina El Fusilado Mezcal Bar is worth the 15-20 minute drive from Downtown Guanajuato.
This mezcalería (mezcal bar) is a locals’ favorite for its many types of mezcal, and old school Mexican cantina vibes.
As you can see in the photo above, the outside of this bright blue building with its flowering trees, is also quite beautiful.
In fact, this part of Guanajuato, located outside of the tourist zone is quite pretty and will give you an off the beaten path Guanajuato City experience.
🍺 Guanajuato Travel Tip: Looking for a cantina closer in downtown? Head to La Inundación de 1905, one of the best bars in Guanajuato.
Your Free Guanajuato Map
From the Guanajuato Mummy Museum and the picturesque Alley of the Kiss, to the best Guanajuato tacos and an authentic cantina, this map will get you to all the best things to do in Guanajuato.
If you’re planning to book some of these BEST Guanajuato tours — smart choice!
But if not, the map can serve as a great way to discover the must see Guanajuato sites.
Guanajuato Travel Guide
1. Is Guanajuato safe for travelers?
Short answer: Yes, for most travelers, Guanajuato is safe — but don’t just take it from me! Check out Jessica’s first-hand story of safe solo travel in Guanajuato.
Longer answer: As with much of Mexico, the tourist zones in Guanajuato are safe.
If you stick to Guanajuato City, San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo pueblo magico (the town where Miguel Hidalgo declared Mexican Independence from the Spanish Crown), and the neighboring state of Queretero, you should be perfectly safe.
As no place on Earth is 100% safe, you’ll want to follow the same general travel safety tips as you would when traveling anywhere on Earth.
You should also put your mind at ease with an affordable Mexico travel insurance policy, and register with the U.S. STEP Program and
2. Do I need a visa for Mexico travel?
No, U.S. passport holders don’t need a visa to travel to Mexico. This is just one reason Mexico is one of the best travel destinations for Americans.
When you arrive in Mexico and go through Customs and Immigration, you’ll receive UP TO a 180-day (6 month) FMM tourist visa.
This can be a stamp in your passport, a small piece of paper that you need to hold on to so you can give it back to an Immigration officer when you leave the country — so don’t lose your FMM!
3. What’s the best way to get to Guanajuato?
The closest airport to Guanajuato is Bajio Guanajuato International Airport (code: BJX), located in the city of Leon, which is also Guanajuato’s capital.
BJX Airport is less than 45 minutes away from the Guanajuato Main Square by rental car, private transportation, Uber or taxi.
The easiest, safest, and often cheapest way, is to book this private BJX Airport shuttle with door-to-door service.
As a smaller airport, you might not find direct flights to Leon Guanajuato, but you can connect through most major Mexico airports, including Mexico City (code: MEX), Guadalajara (code: GDL) and Puerto Vallarta (code: PVR).
You can also take a luxury-class ADO bus from Mexico City to Guanajuato, which takes about five hours, or from Guadalajara to Guanajuato, at closer to four hours.
When you factor in airport time, the bus often ends up being be best way to get to Guanajuato. ▶︎ BOOK NOW with BusBud!
4. What’s the best time to visit Guanajuato?
Guanajuato and Central Mexico have what’s known as “eternal spring” weather, so this part of the country has pleasant temperatures year-round.
Guanajuato Weather
Guanajuato’s rainy season lasts from about June-September, and then tourism picks back up in October for the Guanajuato Cervantino Festival, followed by Day of the Dead.
5. What are the best hotels in Guanajuato?
There are many options for places to stay in Guanajuato, from boutique hotels and historic haciendas, to hostels and home-stays run by locals.
Below you will find places for all travel styles and budgets, all located in the best part of town, Centro Historico (Historic City Center).
- Best Guanajuato hotel: Hotel de la Paz — with a great location and amazing views of the center of town!
- Best Guanajuato boutique hotel: 1850 Hotel Boutique
- Guanajuato unique stay: Hotel Ex-Hacienda San Xavier
- Best splurge ($$$$): Casa del Rector Hotel
- Best mid-budget ($$$): Hotel San Diego and Hotel Chocolate Guanajuato
- Best cheap Guanajuato hotel ($$): Casa Tecolote
- Best Guanajuato hostels ($): Casa Lupita Hostel and Hostal Casa de Dante
6. What do I pack for Guanajuato?
Guanajuato has warmer days and cooler nights all year-long, as you can see by the Guanajuato weather chart above.
As far as how to dress, Mexicans are modest dressers, so pants/jeans with long sleeved tops are the norm.
However, sundresses, flowy, breathable, cotton, and light-colored clothing work for the warmer days; but at night, you’ll want pants and a sweater or jacket.
My Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Guanajuato Mexico
Formerly a Mexico mining town, Guanajuato now relies on tourism as its main source of income — though it still manages to retain an authentic cultural feel, while still having a lot of fun things to do.
If you’re looking to explore more of Guanajuato’s history, you can still visit some of the old mines, like Valenciana Mine, located just outside downtown.
When staying in Guanajuato City itself, you can walk or ask a taxi driver to take you through the network of tunnels that connect the city.
Besides the silver mines, Guanajuato is a very artistic, lively town.
There are several annual festivals, art colleges and universities, and a large student population, which adds a youthful feel to this historic town.
Though somewhat off the beaten path, Guanajuato is definitely worth visiting.