31 Best Things to Do in Guanajuato, Mexico in 2024
In the core of Central Mexico lies Guanajuato City, a colonial city brimming with charm. Guanajuato is known for its maze of winding cobblestone streets, gorgeous mountain landscapes, vibrant colorful buildings, historical silver mines, and a captivating history that draws tourists from all over the world.
We recently spent 6 weeks living and working as digital nomads in Guanajuato City and absolutely loved our time there. From the delicious food to the gorgeous views from rooftop bars scattered across the city, there is no shortage of incredible things to do in Guanajuato City.
Trust us, you are going to love your trip here! So without further ado, here are the best things to do in Guanajuato City.
31 Best Things to Do in Guanajuato City, Mexico
1. Hike or Take the Funicular to Mirador Panorámica (El Pípila)
Hiking or taking the funicular to this panoramic lookout is a must-do when visiting Guanajuato City. From up here you can have a bird’s eye view of all the colorful houses and churches as well as the mountains that surround the city.
At the top, there is also a statue of El Piplia who is a very famous character in Guanajuato’s history. El Piplia played a big part in sparking the Mexican Revolution and his statue commemorates his heroic actions.
To visit the El Piplia lookout you have two options, you can either take the funicular or you can walk.
- The Funicular – The Funicular is a short ride on a tram straight up the mountain and costs 30 pesos for one way or 60 pesos for return.
- Walk – If you’re in the mood for some exercise you can start at the El Callejón del Beso and follow the signs to the lookout.
2. See a Show at Teatro Juarez
When we were looking for things to do in Guanajuato City we stumbled upon the different theaters in town that hold concerts and other cultural events! Guanajuato is a University town and the students often put on different concerts, plays, and expos.
Check out the Teatro Principal during your stay to see if any symphonies are being held. We were lucky and while we were there Teatro Juarez (the big, gorgeous theater across from the Jardin) had a symphony that cost 100 pesos for us to attend.
Check out the university’s website for cultural events happening during your stay.
3. Visit Guanajuato’s Mummy Museum
No Guanajuato things to do guide would be complete without a visit to the Mummy Museum. In my opinion, it is quite a… different museum to say the least.
The bodies were thought to be disinterred during the late 1800s. During that time there was a tax that was required to be paid if you wanted your loved one to be buried forever.
If you couldn’t afford the tax, the bodies were dug up and placed in a nearby building waiting for someone to pay the tax. Due to Guanajuato’s climate, the bodies were still intact after being dug up and they remain this way where you can go see them now today.
Even though it can be quite a controversial topic and experience, we enjoyed our time spent at the mummy museum. You can see photos of Guanajuato in the period at which the people passed away and a lot of their clothes and shoes are still intact.
- Price: $85 pesos
- Hours: 9-6pm daily.
It is quite a walk from the town center and from where most people stay so we suggest getting a taxi there and walking back. Any taxi driver will know where you want to go if you say Museo De Los Momias and it should cost you no more than 100 pesos from anywhere in the city.
Money-saving tip: If you have a student ID, some places in Guanajuato will let you use it, while others will only accept it if you have a Mexican student ID.
4. Hike to La Buffa
If you’re looking to get away from the city and into nature, we would recommend a hike to La Buffa. You can see incredible views of the city and countryside on this hike.
La Buffa is famous for rock climbers, but there is an easier way up that does not require any rock climbing (only a bit of rock scrambling.)
Make sure you bring plenty of water and go with a group, as it can sometimes be dangerous to go alone. Download the app WikiLocs for a trail you can follow made by an avid Guanajuato hiker.
Alternatively, if you’d like to do this hike but aren’t quite sure about going on your own, you can go on this guided tour where your guide will teach you all about the history of the area and point out special things to see along the hike.
5. Go On A Walking Tour
One of the best things to do while visiting Guanajuato is to go on a walking tour. Walking tours are our favorite way to get to know a city and learn about its history.
There are two options when it comes to walking tours:
- Book a Guided Walking Tour – On this incredible Guanajuato walking tour your guide Marianna will take you to all the best spots in the city and will teach you the cultural significance and history of each spot. You will also get to taste a traditional drink special to this region as well as get recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city.
- Free Walking Tour in Guanajuato – Being somewhat budget travelers, we often opt for free walking tours when we visit places. We enjoyed our time on this Guanajuato Free Walking Tour. Please always keep in mind that these tours aren’t 100% free and it’s expected that you tip your guide!
6. Marvel at Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato
It’s almost impossible to miss the gorgeous cathedrals that are sprinkled throughout the city.
The most famous one, Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato, is right in the middle of the city and totally worth a moment to go inside and marvel at the amazing architecture and paintings.
When we visited we were able to enter the Basilica for free. It was built in 1696 and features a Mexican baroque architectural style that is adorned with unqiue mining and silver details leftover from when Guanajuato was a hot spot for mining silver.
7. Sneak a Kiss at Callejon del Beso (Kissing Alley)
A trip to Guanajuato wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this fun tourist attraction. This famous walking tour will also take you to this spot if you plan to book this tour!
The story behind the Callejon del Beso is quite sad (and probably not true.) The legend goes there was a couple that lived across the alley from one another and would sneak kisses over the alley on their balcony each night.
One night the guy got a little frisky and snuck into the girl’s room. Soon after her father caught them and got so angry he stabbed his daughter and her lover. Once realizing what he did he then stabbed himself.
It is very common to go to this alley and take a picture of you and your significant other kissing. You can even pay extra to go up on the balconies and lean over to kiss. If you don’t want to pay- don’t worry- just snap a photo down below on your own.
8. Check out the University- and the view!
The University of Guanajuato is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and deserves a stop when looking for things to do in the city.
The building dates back to the 1950s and the design is said to be controversial as it is very unusual compared to the rest of the colorful buildings you’ll find throughout the city.
You’ll find students eating lunch or just hanging out on the steps and if yo climb all the way t the top you can see a unique view of the city and buildings surrounding the Universidad de Guanajuato.
9. Explore El Mercado Hidalgo
Visiting the market was one of our favorite things to do during the 6 weeks we spent living in Guanajuato. There is a commercial grocery store right across the street, but we loved buying all our produce from the local farmers who would come to the market daily with fruits and veggies.
The Hildago Market is located very centrally and used to be an old train station right in the middle of the city. The market is a great place to experience Mexican culture by shopping alongside the locals for your fruits and veggies and other food items.
Another fun thing to do is to have lunch at one of the stalls outside the market. There are a ton of vendors set up with a variety of Mexican dishes to choose from! Find a stall where lots of people are congregating and choose a stool.
You can try dishes such as enfrijoladas, tortas, tacos, or enchiladas here.
10. Wander the Streets
Our absolute favorite thing to do when we lived in Guanajuato was to just wander the beautiful streets and enjoy the local life.
We find that just wandering around without an itinerary usually ends up being our favorite days when traveling. That way you can be spontaneous and pop in whatever shops look interesting and try the different street foods you stumble upon.
While you are wandering the streets don’t forget to try the ice cream and the tamales, these were our favorites that we stumbled upon!
11. Spend an Afternoon at Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel De Barrera
This was our absolute favorite thing to do in Guanajuato and should 100% go on your must-see list while exploring this incredible town. Join this tour to easily see the Ex-Hacienda plus a historical mine in the area.
Haciendas are common throughout Mexico and are large estates or plantations where super-rich people build their houses. When the hacienda becomes an ex-hacienda, the person has died and the estate is now public or private property where people can come visit and enjoy the gorgeous gardens and scenery.
Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera has some of the most gorgeous Mexican-style garden architecture I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t stop snapping pictures! If you are looking for a great place to have an Instagram photo shoot, look no further.
As you are walking through the ex-hacienda each garden has a different theme and a different feel. Bring your drinks and snacks to have a picnic surrounded by the lush gardens and pretty buildings.
The Ex-Hacienda is located in Marfil and is not within walking distance from downtown Guanajuato. It costs $40 pesos to get in and it’s open daily from 9-6 pm.
Getting There: Any taxi driver will know where you want to go if you say Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera. When leaving, ask the person manning the front desk to call you a taxi. A taxi should cost no more than $70-100 pesos each way.
12. Visit the Museums in Guanajuato
There are a ton of museums in Guanajuato and honestly, it could have taken us an entire month just to visit them all. We’ve listed the ones that stood out to us and we think are worth a visit below.
Museo Inconografico del Quijote
If you are a Don Quijote fan then this museum is for you. Ron started reading the Don Quijote book while we were in Guanajuato so he enjoyed the subtle salutes to him throughout the town. The museum has some gorgeous works of art as well as some large murals. I’m not much of a museum person and I enjoyed my time here.
It cost $30 pesos to get into the Museo Inconografico del Quijote. There is also a nice coffee shop amidst the paintings and statues where you can relax while drinking a coffee if you’re not much of a museum person.
Diego Rivera Museum/Home
The Diego Rivera Museum is a museum of Diego Rivera’s works of art as well as his childhood home. The part that is his home, in my opinion, wasn’t very exciting but I did enjoy walking around this interesting museum.
It costs $55 pesos to get into both the Diego Rivera Museum and home. If you are looking to see a Diego Rivera mural, there is (just) one inside this museum!
Alhóndiga de Granaditas Museum
The Alhóndiga de Granaditas building is a museum in itself. The building used to be a grain storage building and was a pivotal place in the Mexican War of Independence. The museum has many different rooms where you can learn about Mexican history and the War of Independence. If you don’t read/speak Spanish we suggest using your phone to translate the signs so you can have a better understanding of the museum as a whole.
The Alhóndiga de Granaditas museum costs $50 pesos to get in and is open 10-6 pm every day but on Mondays.
13. Take a Tour of the Mines
Guanajuato used to be a mining town in the 18th century and supplied 75% of the world’s silver for 50+ years! After the mines were shut down, Guanajuato became somewhat of a ghost town until the government decided to open the University of Guanajuato.
It is now a booming University town and a huge tourist destination because of its rich culture.
You can visit two different mines just outside of Guanajuato:
El Nopal Mines
El Nopal Mines are the closer but smaller of the two mines you can visit near Guanjuato.
It is possible to visit the mines on your own without a tour if you would like. Tour guides are local students who are studying in this field and will give you a tour of the mines in Spanish. We think it’s still worth it to go even if you don’t compeltely understand the language.
The cost is $25 pesos which includes entrance and a tour (tips are appreciated!)
Getting there: Any taxi driver will know where you want to go if you say El Nopal Mines and should not cost you any more than $100 pesos one way.
La Valenciana
This mine is much larger than El Nopal and was the deepest and most extensive mine back in the 17th century.
Visiting La Valenciana is not a super common thing to do while in Guanjuato, but we think it’s one of the best things you can do just outside of the city!
You will take an elevator 60m down into the mine where you can explore the laybrinth of tunnels and learn about the history of the mine and it’s significance back in the day.
We would recommend going on this awesome tour to see the mine that includes transportation, a guide and a stop at Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera (mentioned above!)
14. Attend a Cultural Event at Museo Iconografico Del Quijote
Besides just being a museum, the Museo Inconograbidoc del Quijote holds concerts, shows movies, and has cultural events in the atrium at different times throughout the month.
When we were there, there was a schedule posted out front explaining the different cultural activities, times, and prices.
We would recommend popping by the museum when you first arrive to see what the schedule is for the month and see if anything looks interesting to you!
15. Have a Drink in the Plazas
While you’re wandering around the gorgeous streets of Guanajuato, you will find yourself in these picturesque plazas with beautiful ornate fountains in the middle.
Each plaza is a bit different but they all have a European vibe with lush greenery and cobblestone streets.
Our favorite plaza to just chill out in and watch life go by while sipping a cerveza or michelada was Plaza De Fernando. For a secluded & secret rooftop with a view, go up the stairs in Tragaluz and head to the back.
16. Join a Callejoneada
When walking around Jardin de la Union and Teatro Juarez you’ll notice students everywhere dressed up in Spanish colonial outfits. They will most likely try and sell you tickets to join a Callejoneada.
A Callejoneada is an evening tour that takes you around the many alleyways all while entertaining you with traditional music and folk dance.
You’ll hear interesting stories, funny jokes, and traditional myths that have been told for hundreds of years in this area. (Tours take place in Spanish, but you can always ask if there is a student there who can translate for you. We still enjoyed the tour even though we didn’t understand all of it!)
You can catch the first part of the Callejoneada show right in front of the Museo ex Convento Dieguino (next to Teatro Juarez) where the men sing their hearts out and perform with their outfits on.
Buy tickets on the spot near Teatro Juarez for $90-120 pesos or pre-book your Callejonada tour here.
17. Go on a Street Food Walking Tour
Hands down one of the best things to do in Guanajuato is to go on a street food walking tour. Guanajuato has some delicious street food, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to find where the best places are to eat!
Go on this street food tour as soon as you get to Guanajuato and you can continue to visit the food stalls you went to the rest of the time you are in Guanajuato.
18. Try Different Mezcals
Guanajuato is a great place to sample different mezcal made throughout the region. If you have never tried mezcal, just know that the Mexican people sip it rather than taking it like a shot.
When it’s served, it usually comes with a variety of fruit, some chili powder, and maybe some salt. After you take a sip it is common to eat a bite of fruit dipped in chili powder to get rid of the bite.
A great place to try a variety of mezcal that also has an awesome outdoor garden area with really nice vibes is Café Carcamanes. If you are not such a fan of mezcal, Café Caramanes also has a great selection of craft beer made throughout Mexico!
19. See a Baseball Game
Besides soccer, baseball is super famous in Guanajuato. We lived close to the baseball stadium (Estadio Jose Aguilar y Maya) and found it a fun thing to do on Saturday or Sunday morning.
Stop by the stadium during the week to get the schedule for the weekend- games usually happen Friday-Sunday.
20. Row Your Boat at Presa De La Olla
The other direction from Guanajuato Centro is a section of Guanajuato called La Presa. It is worth the time spent walking there (~35 mins from Centro- I would suggest walking so you can take in the views and beautiful architecture along the way.)
Right before you near the Olla (reservoir), there is a beautiful park called Parque Florencio Antillon where you can take a stroll and step into nature for a bit.
Once you get to the reservoir you can rent a row boat for $40 pesos per person and enjoy a nice time on the water admiring the towering mountains and nature.
21. Salsa in the Jardin
Every Thursday around 5 pm, people gather in the Jardin to show off their salsa and rumba dance moves while also dancing the night away.
Even if you aren’t the best dancer, anyone wondering what to do in Guanajuato has got to check this out. Besides just watching the dancing, it’s great for relaxing in the gorgeous atrium-style garden and listening to some awesome mariachi music.
22. See the City from a Hot Air Balloon
There is no better way to enjoy a view over the city than on a hot air balloon ride! Enjoy seeing Guanajuato and neighboring cities as well as the gorgeous mountain peaks from high in the sky on this incredible hot air balloon tour.
This tour includes transportation from your hotel, a toast at the end of the flight, and is 4 hours long so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the views.
23. Enjoy a Coffee at Santo Cafe
If you’re walking around downtown Guanajuato and notice people eating on a bridge above you, that’s Santo Cafe!
Santo Cafe is one of the best places to enjoy a coffee or lunch in Guanajuato while also people-watching on the streets below.
Arrive early if you want a spot on the bridge. If you can’t get a spot on the bridge, don’t worry, the inside of the cafe is super cute and just as enjoyable as the outside.
24. Admire the Street Art
There is a ton of amazing street art to find scattered all over the city. One of our favorite streets to see some beautiful murals is along Perros Muertos (I know, what a terrible name for a street.)
Our favorite part of finding street art is to just wander and see what we find. Guanajuato is covered in colorful buildings and paintings on the walls lining the streets, so you won’t have to go far to find something to admire.
25. Taste Craft Beer
Did you know that Guanajuato has an awesome craft beer scene? We love craft beer, so we couldn’t miss the opportunity to try out some of Guanajuato’s breweries.
Our favorite brewery in Guanajuato is The Beer Company Guanajuato. They have an amazing selection of all kinds of craft beer from all over Mexico. They also have a rooftop with an amazing view where you can enjoy your beer.
26. Sample Delicious Gelato
You wouldn’t think Guanajuato was a place where you can find delicious Gelato, but you certainly can! Our friends at Estación Gelato y Café Truco take gelato so seriously that they went to Italy to learn how to perfect their gelato recipe.
We went to Estación Gelato one day looking for a nice rooftop to work from and ended up meeting the owner, Rodolfo, and becoming friends. Rodolfo and his wife are the sweetest people, their gelato is amazing, and the rooftop of their shop is spectacular!
We definitely recommend stopping by for a sweet treat while you’re wandering the streets in Guanajuato.
27. Grab a Drink at La Clave Azul
La Clave Azul is one of the most unique bars in Guanajuato. We ended up here by accident one night, but really enjoyed our time. The entrance to this bar is in the corner of a super picturesque street and the walls of the bar are lined with antiques and collections to look at.
The inside is cozy and feels like you’ve been transported back in time. We recommend stopping in for a cerveza or some mezcal!
28. Visit the Rooftops
There is no shortage of amazing rooftops in Guanajuato to admire the view from. We are a bit of rooftop connoisseurs so we visited a bunch during our 6 weeks living in Guanajuato.
Here are some of our favorites that you should put on your list:
- Estación Gelato y Café Truco
- The Beer Company Guanajuato
- Tragaluz
- La Notaría Terraza Bar
- Bartola
- Condesa Rooftop
Alternatively, you can join this rooftop bars tour to have a guide take you to some of the best rooftop bars in the city complete with signature drinks at each bar.
29. Cristo Rey Statue
A bit outside of the city but still worth a visit is the Cristo Rey Statue. This is one of the ultimate views of the city where you can see views of the city, the countryside, and even the town next to Guanajuato, Leon.
The statue is supposedly located at the geographic center of Mexico, making it a fun tourist attraction to visit.
To get there, hop on the bus that says ‘Cristo Rey’ at the Alhóndiga Museum. Or you can book a guided tour with transportation.
30. Go Wine Tasting
Another unique thing to do in Guanajuato is to go wine tasting. Guanajuato and San Miguel De Allende are surrounded by a lush wine country, and many people don’t know anything about it!
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a car to drive to the wineries yourself. Some of the best wineries to not miss are Tres Raices, Viñedo Toyan, and Santisima Trinidad.
Our favorite way to see the wineries is by going on this tour. That way you don’t have to worry about how much you drink and it includes a 5-course meal as well as a cheese board at one of the wineries.
31. Go ATVing
Another fun must-do adventure is ATVing through the mountains surrounding Guanajuato!
On this ATV tour, you will discover the old mining towns that are hidden outside of the city as well as drive through the city to visit some of the most famous sites. This is a super unique way to see the city but not have to walk everywhere!
32. Take a Day Trip to San Miguel de Allende
Last but not least is taking a day trip from Guanajuato to San Miguel de Allende. If you’re looking for other things to do during your stay, this day trip will not disappoint.
San Miguel de Allende is only a 1 hour and 20 minute drive away from Guanajuato and totally worth the day trip! This incredible city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial cities.
This city was actually voted on Travel and Leisure as one of the best 25 cities in the world – so you know that it’s going to be an amazing visit!
Getting there: You can easily take a bus from the Guanajuato Bus Station for around $18 USD. Or you can join this tour and get to visit Dolores Hildago as well. Or book a private transfer here and don’t worry about figuring out the bus.
Wrap-Up: Guanajuato Things to Do
There are so many unique things to do and places to visit in Guanajuato. From the winding maze of cobblestone streets to the vibrant colorful buildings, you could spend weeks here and not see it all!
We absolutely loved our 6 weeks living here and didn’t want to leave when it was time to move on. We hope this article has helped you discover how incredible this city is and you have a wonderful time visiting!
We hope this article about the best things to do in Guanajuato City, Mexico helps you plan your trip. We would love to connect with you! You can learn more about us here or read more of our recent blog posts here. Also, follow us on Instagram (@UnearthTheVoyage) and Facebook to see what we are up to next!
