Guanajuato, Mexico: 22 Best Things to Do and See

The city of Guanajuato is called the most beautiful and colorful city in all of Mexico. We spent almost two months there and can only agree. In this guide I will share with you Guanajuato, Mexico: 22 Best Things to Do and See. Guanajuato is a paradise for all digital nomads and experienced travelers.

Guanajuato is located in the higher regions of central Mexico, which adds to its beauty and appeal. Colorful houses and architecture contrast with the arid surroundings, and constant festivals, interesting history, and a variety of good restaurants and cafes together create an experience you won’t tire of even after several weeks.

What You should Know about Guanajuato

The original settlement on the site of today’s city was transformed into a prominent mining town during the silver rush. It is from this period that the colonial architecture originates, permeating all of Guanajuato and found almost at every turn.

In the 18th century, Guanajuato was a world leader in silver mining and has retained its architectural elements from that time to this day (for example, a complex of underground streets).

The historic center and adjacent silver mines are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites (along with 34 other sites in Mexico), and the local Baroque and Neoclassical buildings have inspired architects throughout Mexico for centuries.

Guanajuato is not very well known among foreign tourists, but it is all the more popular with Mexican visitors, whose numbers literally fill the streets during the season. Even outside of peak season, we met tourists, but only a handful of them were from the USA and Europe.

Safety in Guanajuato City

The city of Guanajuato is located in the state of the same name (Mexico is a federal state), which was considered relatively dangerous in 2019. The reason is clashes between local gangs and government forces trying to suppress them.

However, the city itself is unusually safe, and we felt safest here out of all of Mexico. Guanajuato is a university city, so you’ll commonly encounter groups of students in cafes or pubs.

Additionally, there is a large community of Americans living here who run the Facebook group Guanajuato Travelers.

We recommend joining the group; they’ll be happy to help you with everything, from interesting places to visit to buying a house.

How Long to Visit Guanajuato

If Guanajuato is just one stop on your trip, book at least two to three nights to have enough time to explore all the main attractions and activities we’re writing about here.

However, we strongly recommend a longer stay (even 2-3 weeks), as that’s the only way you’ll be able to experience and taste everything we write about in this guide.

Best Activities in Guanajuato City

The city was not originally planned, so you might find it difficult to navigate. Therefore, we’ve created an interactive map for you that you can save to your phone and refer to anytime.

Also, be prepared to walk a lot uphill and downhill. There’s almost no flat ground in the city.

All the places we write about can be found on this map:

1) a Walk through the Historic Center

Start exploring the city in the historic center with a proper walk. The city center is a labyrinth of colorful alleys filled with small shops, restaurants, and cafes. You’ll discover something new around every corner!

Also, try walking through one of the underground tunnels. Previously, the tunnels served for water drainage during heavy rains; today, most vehicular traffic is routed through them.

The tunnels have pedestrian walkways, and sometimes you can use them to shorten your route across the city.

2) Visit the Mummy Museum

Yes, you read that right. Guanajuato has its own museum full of mummies, the Museo de las Momias. In the 19th century, a cholera epidemic broke out in the city, and many people lost their lives then, all being laid to rest in hastily dug graves.

Decades later, the cemetery administration decided to impose a tax on relatives for grave maintenance. And whoever didn’t pay, their deceased would be exhumed. Some people indeed refused to pay, so the city exhumed many remains.

It turned out that thanks to the unique geological subsoil, an almost perfect mummification process occurred, and the bodies were nearly intact. More and more people came to see this curiosity, and later a museum was built for the mummies.

If the thought of mummies doesn’t make you sick, take a look at photos from the museum here before you go. Maybe it’ll deter you 😉

3) Visit the Grand Basílica City Church

Basílica de Nuestra Señora is a church on the main promenade where church weddings are often held. The church was built in the 17th century and, like the surrounding buildings, is bursting with colors.

If you like visiting churches, come here on Sunday for a local mass.

4) Visit one of the Silver Mines

Visiting a silver mine is almost a must, although we resisted these dark depths. We recommend visiting the El Nopal Mina mine, where local engineering students conduct tours. This mine is not as frequently visited, so expect a shorter waiting time until enough interested visitors gather for a tour.

The Valenciana Mines is more popular, but it’s 5 kilometers from the center, so you’ll need to use public transport.

Guided tours of the mines are in Spanish.

5) Funicular Ride

From the city center, you can reach the central viewpoint of the Pipila Monument either on foot or by the red funicular. We recommend paying for the ride up and walking down through the winding streets.

The steep funicular ride is 102 meters long, overcomes an elevation of 76 meters, and takes only a few minutes. However, it offers some of the best views of the city you’ll find in the area.

6) City View from the Pipila Monument

The Pipila Monument is visible from almost every corner of the historic center. At the top of the hill is a huge statue overlooking the city below. A funicular leads to the monument, and the reason is simple. It offers the best view of the historic center and a significant part of the entire city.

Only here will you be able to soak in the city’s colorful atmosphere and discover that even the rooftops of houses often burst with color.

7) Traditional Kiss at Callejón Del Beso

The local alley, Callejón del Beso, is the alleged setting of a tragic story. A girl from a wealthy family fell in love with a boy of working-class origin here, and her parents disapproved.

So the boy rented a room across from his girlfriend’s house so they could kiss across the balconies at night. The story ends tragically: the boy climbed into the girl’s room, and her father caught them. For an incomprehensible reason, he stabbed his daughter in a rage, and the boy killed himself falling from the balcony while trying to escape.

There’s probably not much truth to the story, but the balconies are indeed very close here, and homeowners allow visitors, for a small fee, to go onto the balconies and take a picture while kissing.

8) Go for a Trek to La Bufa

Although it seems unlikely, you’ll find opportunities for trekking even around Guanajuato. The hike to the La Bufa viewpoint isn’t marked anywhere, and you can only join the trail outside the city center, but it’s definitely worth it.

On the way to the viewpoint, you’ll pass several waterfalls (they are often dry), and at the end, a steep ascent awaits you to a smaller mountain with a metal cross at the summit.

The entire trek takes about three hours, including breaks for photos and snacks.

9) Explore the Local University

The local university is no small school. Over 30,000 students attend here, which is why the campus is spread almost throughout the entire city center. You won’t distinguish most university buildings from others, but you definitely won’t miss the main building.

The iconic staircase leading to the university’s main entrance is a popular spot for student gatherings and romantic dates. There are also beautiful views of the city from here.

10) Visit Local History and Art Museums

In Guanajuato, you’ll find a variety of museums where you could easily get lost for days. We visited three (the best ones, in our opinion) and highly recommend them to you.

Diego Rivera Museum (Diego Rivera Museum)

The most famous Mexican painter, Diego Rivera (Frida Kahlo’s husband), was born in Guanajuato. The local museum is the artist’s birthplace and shows how he spent his childhood. Of course, you’ll also find many of his paintings here.

• ($25 pesos, 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM)

Museo De Iconografico

This museum was built in honor of Spain’s most famous literary character, Don Quijote. The museum’s owner fell in love with him and collects art objects and paintings on this theme from all over the world.

• ($65 pesos, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM)

11) Explore (and Visit) Teatro Juarez

The Juarez Theater was built in the 19th century and is one of the more European-style buildings. Throughout the year, a variety of plays and musical performances are held here. If you have the time and inclination, definitely go see something. You can also visit the theater during the day; you’ll just pay a small entrance fee.

12) Boats on Presa De La Olla Lake

A bit outside the center, you’ll find a relatively forgotten beautiful park with a small reservoir, Presa de la Olla. For a few pesos, boats are available for rent here, and we definitely recommend taking one out.

In the immediate vicinity, there are several local restaurants and pubs, including a small tower from which you can get yet another view of the city.

13) Trip to Hacienda San Gabriel De Barrera

This opulent 17th-century estate consists of several grand buildings and a huge garden. It is one of the remnants of silver mining – the hacienda was built by the owners of one of Guanajuato’s significant mines.

This former colonial home is now a meticulously maintained museum with a beautiful mature garden and a unique display of the luxurious life of that era.

14) Visit Hidalgo Market

Mercado Hidalgo is a huge market with fruits, vegetables, meats, clothes, trinkets, and many other interesting things. Definitely go check out the market, even if you don’t want to buy anything. It’s definitely worth a visit, and you can combine it with lunch.

In the back of the market, you’ll find a variety of stalls where locals go for a quick meal. Tacos, soups, and many traditional dishes here cost literally a few pesos and taste better than in many tourist restaurants.

Best Culinary Experiences in Guanajuato

What kind of article would this be if we didn’t mention our favorite Guanajuato restaurants and food spots?

15) La Esquinita – Divine Vegetarian Tacos

This tiny restaurant, La Esquinita, with just a few tables, offers the best tacos we’ve tasted in all of Mexico. They also have a wide range of vegetarian options. For lunch, we recommend buying 4-5 tacos; have two with mushrooms and three with pastor de soya.

The tacos are always made by the same lady, who is also the waitress and cashier. She simply owns and takes care of the business herself. You can’t miss the restaurant; it’s right on the corner of the street and has garage-like doors.

16) Delica Mitsu Campanero

If you like Thai cuisine or sushi and get tired of Mexican food, head to the Japanese restaurant Delica Mitsu Campanero in the center. It’s one of the few Asian restaurants you’ll find in Guanajuato (if not the only one), but their food is absolutely luxurious.

We especially recommend the Thai green curry and the desserts (with seaweed) from the display case, which they prepare fresh several times a day.

17) Habibti Falafel Guanajuato Centro

Do you like falafel? We’re crazy about it, which is why we were regulars at Habibti. Try the falafel balls with vegetables wrapped in a tortilla. You definitely won’t go there for the last time.

18) Ice Cream at La Garrafa Nieves

While walking around the city center, you’ll surely come across one of the branches of the local ice cream maker La Garrafa Nieves. They make their own ice cream and offer a wide range of unique flavors you’ve never had before.

We stuck to the conservative strawberry and chocolate, but the adventurous can opt for chili, tequila, or cheese flavors.

19) Street Food

Buying and consuming food directly on the street is common in Guanajuato. On every corner, you’ll find a stall with tacos, gorditas, or esquites (cups with corn and cheese).

Definitely try everything you like. And choose stalls where there are longer lines, or where locals are also buying. That’s how you’ll recognize true quality.

Best Coffee in Guanajuato

We lived and worked in Guanajuato, so we needed to find cafes with good coffee. And we succeeded!

20) Vivo Café

The only European-style cafe in Guanajuato is Vivo Café, located in a secluded alley in the city center. They have luxurious coffee, a great giant table perfect for working on a computer. You’ll especially appreciate the cafe on hot days, as it offers pleasant dimness and coolness.

21) Aguamiel Café

This restaurant is hidden on an upper floor of one of the local hostels, and few people visit it. Yet, Aguamiel Café offers absolutely luxurious seating by open windows and excellent sandwiches and burgers you won’t find elsewhere.

22) Cafe Tal

Our absolute favorite. Cafe Tal has two branches and is an absolutely amazing cafe. Coffee costs around 20 CZK, and you can get free refills all day.

The cafe has a total of three buildings and spaces adapted for laptop work – smaller tables, power outlets, and soft lighting from lamps. Simply amazing. The location outside the city center also offers seating on a rooftop terrace!

Where to Stay in Guanajuato

If you’re only visiting Guanajuato for a few days, it’s best to stay near the city center. There’s a wide selection of hotels, hostels, and luxurious apartments and villas available.

However, if you’re moving to Guanajuato for a while, consider Airbnb, where you can find cheaper monthly rentals (mostly with locals).

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Recommended Hostels in Guanajuato

• Casa de Dante – a renowned hostel with clean rooms and excellent breakfast, where you can stay for around 20 USD per night
• La Fuente – a hostel in the historic center with a view from the rooftop seating area

Recommended Hotels in Guanajuato

• Casa de Pita – Great location right in the center for 30 USD per night with breakfast
• Hotel de la Paz – Hotel in the very center of the city with large, elegantly furnished rooms

Guanajuato, Mexico: 22 Best Things to Do and See

What to pack Check out our travel packing guide to help you prepare. Choose the right travel backpack, explore travel gadgets, and don’t forget anything important at home. Where to find flights Look for cheap flights on Kiwi, our favorite portal. Be sure to read our guide on how to find cheap flights. Car rental We commonly use the comparison tool RentalCars.com, which helps us choose a car rental provider. Accommodation booking Booking.com is our favorite hotel search engine. We always compare hotels with local apartment and room listings on Airbnb (725 CZK discount). Read how we find cheap accommodation. Don’t forget insurance Travel insurance is an absolute must. For shorter trips, we choose AXA (50% discount), and for longer trips, the British insurance company True Traveller. Check out  a comparison of all insurance companies and choose the one that suits you best.