Guanajuato: The Ultimate Guide

Last Updated on: 23rd March 2024, 10:35 pm

When it comes to eye-catching historic cities in Mexico, few places can top Guanajuato. Founded in the 16th century, the city was home to a booming mining industry for centuries, with much of the profits being spent on new elaborate Baroque and Neoclassical buildings. In the following Guanajuato guide, we’ll be covering the top things to do around town, including churches, mines, an ex-hacienda, a scenic hike, and even mummies!

But first, a bit of history:

Gold deposits in Guanajuato were first discovered by the Spanish in the 1540s, and it wasn’t long before a local mining industry emerged.

But first, the Spanish had to secure the safety of the workers and residents, as the area was under regular attack from the semi-nomadic Chichimecas.

The booming mining industry soon brought migrants from all over New Spain. And Guanajuato remained prosperous for centuries, even becoming the world leader for silver extraction in the 1800s.

Over the years, numerous Baroque churches were constructed throughout the city which can still be admired by visitors today.

In the early 19th century, the War of Independence was officially launched in the nearby town of Dolores, with Guanajuato being one of the first places taken by the rebel army. Following independence, the city saw frequent fighting between Liberal and Conservative factions.

Later on in the 1870s, the mining industry was reactivated by President Porfirio Díaz. Mining, in fact, persists in Guanajuato to this day. But presently, tourism is also a major part of the local economy.

With that being said, Guanajuato still maintains an authentic and low-key atmosphere, especially compared with nearby San Miguel de Allende.

In addition to it’s beauty, its hard to top the variety of things there are to do and see around town.

Guanajuato Guide

Exploring the Center

Guanajuato could be likened to an outdoor museum. By wandering its narrow, hilly streets, you’ll unexpectedly encounter elegant plazas and beautiful churches again and again.

While everyone should dedicate at least a little bit of time to aimless wandering, what follows are some of the architectural highlights to seek out around town.

Guanajuato Guide
Mercado Hidalgo

Within the city center is one of Guanajuato’s most prominent markets, Mercado Hidalgo. Built in the 1910s to commemorate a century of Mexican independence, it’s one of the most ‘recent’ buildings featured in this Guanajuato guide.

In addition to souvenirs, it’s a great place to grab a cheap breakfast or lunch before heading out to explore the city. My hotel just happened to be right across from it, which you can learn more about below.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Templo de San Francisco
Guanajuato Guide

If you’ve traveled extensively throughout Mexico, you’ll know that Guanajuato isn’t the only former mining town situated in a valley. But one thing that sets it apart is its rainbow-colored buildings, as opposed to a town like Taxco, where most buildings have been painted white.

The variety of colors gives Guanajuato a unique look and atmosphere. It also allows modern constructions to blend in with the cityscape by simply having them painted a bright color.

Guanajuato Guide

When exploring Guanajuato, you’ll sometimes have to squeeze through narrow alleyways barely wide enough for one person. And one of these alleyways, in particular, is the setting of a famous local legend.

Known as El Callejón del Beso, or Alley of the Kiss, its backstory revolves around a girl from a wealthy family who fell for a man her family forbade her to marry. But given the narrow alleyway beside the family home, the couple found a workaround.

Guanajuato Guide
El Callejón del Beso
Guanajuato Guide

The man rented out the room across from hers, allowing them to lean out their windows and kiss. The story, however, ends tragically, with the father finding out and stabbing his daughter to death!

Even though it’s marked on Google Maps, the alley is quite easy to miss. I walked past it a few times before I finally noticed the little sign.

Teatro Juárez

Nearby the Jardín de la Unión is Teatro Juárez, built in the French Neoclassical style in the late 19th century. Still in use today, it was named after President Benito Juárez, who was based out of Guanajuato during the Reform War.

Iglesia de San Diego

Just nearby the theater, meanwhile, is the 17th-century Iglesia de San Diego, immediately recognizable for its detailed Baroque facade. The church is dedicated to Saint Didacus of Alcalá, a Spanish saint who is revered in Guanajuato and elsewhere throughout Mexico.

Guanajuato Guide

Another prominent church in the city is the Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato. Built in the 17th century, it’s one of the largest churches in the city and is probably the only yellow church in town.

As we’ll cover below, you can get a great view of this church from the terrace in front of the El Pípila monument. 

Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato
Guanajuato Guide

Not far away is the Iglesia de la Compañía, yet another 17th-century Baroque church. Stunning both inside and out, this happened to be my personal favorite of all the churches I visited in Guanajuato. For whatever reason, it seems to get relatively few visitors.

Guanajuato Guide
Iglesia de la Compañía
Guanajuato Guide

Yet another unmissable landmark in this guide is the city’s main university. The Universidad de Guanajuato building was constructed in the 1950s, and it simultaneously stands out as unique while also managing to blend in with the overall look and atmosphere of the city.

Constructed in the Neoclassical style, the white-and-blue building is accessible via a huge staircase. And underneath it is a large arch that takes pedestrians to the northern part of the city.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato University
Guanajuato Guide

Guanajuato Museums

The Regional Museum of Guanajuato

To get a feel for the city and its history, a good place to start would be the Regional Museum of Guanajuato in the city center. But only if you understand Spanish. Unfortunately, as is the case with many prominent museums throughout Mexico, English signage is completely lacking here.

In any case, what follows is a summary of what you can expect to see and learn. 

Guanajuato Guide

Informational placards detail the history of the city and its mining industry, along with its prominent architecture.

You’ll also learn about the history of the building itself. The museum is situated in the former Alhóndiga de Granaditas, or former grain storage building. Constructed between 1798 and 1809, walking through the two-story Neoclassical building is one of the highlights of the visit.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

Other exhibits include a collection of small religious paintings known as ex votos. You’ll also find memorials to the heroes and instigators of the War of Independence, many of whom came from the state of Guanajuato.

Additional rooms focus on the region’s pre-Hispanic past, with a wide variety of artifacts from groups like the Otomi on display. Some artifacts in the collection also come from other Mesoamerican civilizations like the Aztecs.

The museum is closed Mondays and costs $75 MXN to enter as of 2024.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

The Mummy Museum

The Mummy Museum, one of Guanajuato’s most peculiar museums, is certainly not for the squeamish. But what is such a disturbing attraction doing in the heart of such a beautiful city?

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

In 19th-century Guanajuato, families were forced to pay a perpetual ‘burial tax’ for the continued interment of their loved ones. Naturally, not everyone was able to keep paying, so it was common for bodies to be regularly moved around.

But given specific conditions in the area, such as the dry climate and mineral-rich soil, many of the bodies had been inadvertently mummified. And they’ve been something of a local tourist attraction since as early as the late 19th century.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

Today, the museum, located right where the mummies were first found, is home to over 100 mummies preserved behind glass cases.

More than just gawking at the mummies and their ghastly expressions, visitors can also read about the backstories of certain individuals. Sadly, many of them died during a cholera outbreak in the 1830s.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

Unusually for Mexico, this museum charges an extra fee for photography, which is indicated by a sign near the ticket booth. But despite having paid, nobody ever asked me for proof as I walked around with my camera.

Even without the photography fee, the museum costs $85 MXN to enter. At the time of writing, it’s open daily.

Don Quixote Iconographic Museum

One of Guanajuato’s most quirky yet underrated museums is the Don Quixote Iconographic Museum. It’s essentially an art museum, though as the name suggests, all the art revolves around the classic Miguel de Cervantes novel.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

Even if you’re not a huge fan of Don Quixote, its importance to world literature cannot be understated. And purely from an aesthetic standpoint, the art on display at this museum is a lot more interesting than some of the other art museums in town.

At only 30 pesos to enter, you shouldn’t miss it.

Guanajuato Guide

The Diego Rivera House Museum

The Diego Rivera House Museum, as the name suggests, is situated in the childhood home of the legendary Mexican artist (1886-1957). The ground floor exhibits largely focus on the house itself, complete with recreations of how certain rooms looked in Rivera’s youth.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

The upper floors, meanwhile, feature original artwork, though most of them are merely rough sketches and drafts. 

Arguably the most interesting section of the museum is a room full of Rivera’s artistic interpretations of the Mayan Popol Vuh text. But unfortunately, photography is not allowed in a majority of the rooms. 

The Viewpoints

No visit to Guanajuato is complete without taking in the views of the city from above. There are a couple of viewpoints located to the south of the center which you can walk to relatively easily.

While you can also hire a taxi or Uber, making the steep walk up through Guanajuato’s narrow alleys is a big part of the fun.

Guanajuato Guide

I first made my way to a viewpoint simply labeled ‘Mirador Panoramica’ on Google Maps. From here, you can enjoy a great view of Guanajuato’s rainbow-colored buildings in the valley below. But if you’re short on time, the next viewpoint is the better of the two.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

Just several minutes on foot to the east of Mirador Panoramica is ‘Monumento Al Pípila.’ And in addition to the colossal monument, this viewpoint offers striking views of some of Guanajuato’s most prominent landmarks, such as Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato and the University.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

But who was El Pípila? Also known as Juan José de los Reyes Martínez, he played a major role in the fight for Guanajuato early on in Mexico’s struggle for independence.

A local miner, he strapped a large stone on his back for protection and then set fire to the door of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, a granary-fortress that was being used by Spanish troops. And the granary was located at the very spot where the monument now stands.

Guanajuato Guide

For a small fee, it’s possible to enter the monument and take an elevator to a viewing platform just behind it. But you can also just enjoy the views from the large terrace in front for free.

If you only have a single day in the city, visiting the viewpoint is one of the essential activities featured in this Guanajuato guide.

Guanajuato Guide

Valenciana

About 5 km to the north of the city center is an interesting area that’s home to one of Guanajuato’s most stunning churches, not to mention former mines.

To get there from the city center, take a bus that says ‘Valenciana’ or ‘Cristo Rey’ at the corner of the Alhóndiga and Calle 28 de Septiembre. Be forewarned that the bus can get packed, so you might want to consider taking an Uber instead.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

Getting off the bus, you should find yourself right next to the Church of San Cayetano, built between 1765-1788. Spend some time in the forecourt to take in the stunning Churrigueresque facade.

Stepping inside, you’ll find numerous intricately carved wooden altarpieces known as retablos. Painted in gold, they also feature sculptures of Jesus, Mary and numerous angels.

It shouldn’t come as a big shock that such an elaborate church was funded with wealth from the prosperous mining industry. And speaking of mines, you’ll find a former one just a few minutes away on foot.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
The tour starts by looking at models of important Guanajuato landmarks
Descending about 60 m into the mine

The Mina San Cayetano, one of the very first mines established in Guanajuato, can be visited for a modest fee of $50 MXN. This includes a mandatory tour guide (in Spanish only, of course). 

The guide will tell you about things like how gold and silver were extracted here as well as some of the dangers faced by the miners. Walking down a staircase, visitors will ultimately find themselves at a depth of 60 meters below the surface.

This is just one of several places in the Bajío region where one can visit a mine. But I found the length of this tour to be just right, in contrast to a larger mine I visited in Zacatecas where the tour seemed to drag on and on.

The Ex-Hacienda

A few kilometers to the west of the city center, the Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera is well worth the quick Uber ride to get there.

The former 17th-century hacienda is both massive and well-preserved, offering a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the local elite during the colonial era.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

As one might expect, the family who lived here earned their wealth through the mining industry.

Opened as a museum in 1979, visitors can now tour the original house along with the outer gardens. Notably, certain areas of the hacienda have been altered to represent different styles of gardens from throughout the world.

Guanajuato Guide

The museum also features a chapel, a wine cellar, and several other buildings that were once part of the hacienda,

The former hacienda costs just 50 pesos to visit and is easily one of the most unique things to do in this guide to Guanajuato.

Guanajuato Guide

Hiking to Cerro de la Sirena

Hiking excursions hadn’t come up in any of my prior research. But while casually checking Google Maps as I sipped a coffee in the city center, I happened to come across a hill called Cerro de la Sirena which seemed like a great place for a relatively short hike.

Now having done it, I can confirm that it is indeed a great experience, and it’s a mystery why it doesn’t appear in most city guides.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

The hike can take up to a few hours roundtrip, and considering the amount of scrambling involved, you’ll want to wear hiking boots if you have them. You can find the hill to the northeast of the city, though don’t expect any signage to tell you the way.

It would be wise to use the Maps.me app, where the destination is marked as ‘Monumento de la Cruz.’ As directed by a local on the way up, I took the northernmost trail of the two hiking trails shown on the app. 

Confusingly, however, the trail on the app disappears before the final destination.

Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide
Guanajuato Guide

Another confusing aspect of the hike is that there are actually a couple of different hills with crosses on top, though you can use these pictures for reference.

While there are a couple of different ways up the hill, the quickest way to the top is to scramble up the middle, where you’ll find numerous painted arrows to guide you.

Looking up at the peak from below, it appears to be quite a daunting climb. And while it is a bit tricky and tiring, it’s really not as bad as it first seems once you get the hang of it.

Guanajuato Guide

Reaching the top, you’ll find a large white cross in addition to incredible views of Guanajuato below. During my visit, I had the entire top of the hill to myself.

Guanajuato Guide

To the north, you can also find beautiful views of what appears to be a small reservoir tucked in between some mountains.

After enjoying the views, I walked around the area, looking for some type of trail back down. While the scramble up was manageable, there was no way I was going to descend the same way!

Guanajuato Guide

Figuring out a way down was indeed tricky, as there were no distinct trails in the area. But I gradually made my way down via the north side of the hill. It was a considerably longer route than the way up, but surely a lot safer!

If you’re a hiker visiting Guanajuato, don’t miss Cerro de la Sireno during your time in the city.

Additional Info

One of the best ways to get to know a historical city in a short amount of time is to take a tour with a local. This walking tour has hundreds of positive reviews, taking you to many of the landmarks featured above.

The state of Guanajuato has an airport located near León, the state’s largest city.

The airport has connections to cities all over Mexico, along with numerous destinations in the United States.

Otherwise, most people will be arriving in Guanajuato by bus. You’ll be able to find direct connections from places like San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City and Guadalajara.

Unfortunately, there are no direct routes to Morelia, so you’ll have to transfer in the city of Irapuato.

While Guanajuato is indeed a popular tourist destination, its small population means that certain routes don’t have as many buses per day as one might think. Therefore, it’s best to confirm the times in advance so you don’t get stuck waiting at the station for hours.

While the main bus station is located outside the city center, you can easily get to and from the station with an Uber.

Affordable accommodation in Guanajuato is abundant. I stayed at a place called Hotel San Carlo, which, as mentioned above, was situated just across from the Mercado Hidalgo.

Considering the location and size, it was a good budget option. The only problem was noisy guests shouting and laughing in the hallways past 1am.

If you’re looking for something mid-range, Casa de Pita and La Casa Azul are both highly-rated hotels in the heart of the center.

And those willing to splurge on something a bit more luxurious should consider the Hotel Gran Plaza.

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