Only have one day in Guanajuato? No hay problema! Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect Guanajuato itinerary, from the best things to do, how to get there, and tons of other super helpful tips!
Guanajuato was one of my favorite stops on my most recent Mexico trip. This fascinating city has a vibrant historic center, with colorful streets and quaint alleyways.
I have to admit that I didn’t know much about Guanajuato, except that I once came across a photo of it and it piqued my interest. It took me awhile to get here (and I only had one day in Guanajuato!), but I’m glad I finally made it here!
Guanajuato is sometimes referred to as “Mexico’s most beautiful city,” and even spending only a day here, you can easily see why. The streets are endlessly charming and photogenic, the buildings are in a kaleidoscope of colors, there’s some stunning historic architecture, and there are plenty of sweeping views of it all.
It’s only an hour away from San Miguel de Allende, which is its more polished cousin. While I enjoyed both cities, I found that Guanajuato was a little gritty around the edges (not necessarily a bad thing!), which gave it a more authentic vibe.
It’s a popular destination with Mexican tourists, but is still relatively unknown with foreign visitors. It was kind of like uncovering a hidden gem – its streets not jam-packed with people, and still having to rely on my (very mediocre) Spanish skills to get around.
There’s plenty to do on your Guanajuato itinerary, from exploring the colorful streets and hidden alleyways, admiring some beautiful architecture, checking out the city’s best view from the Al Pipila monument, exploring the city’s bustling marketplace, exploring some museums, hanging out in the plazas, and much more.
Here’s all the best things to do in Guanajuato in one day, and all the tips so you can plan the perfect trip!
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About Guanajuato, Mexico
Guanajuato City is the capital of the Mexican state of Guanajuato, located smack dab in the middle of Mexico. The city has a population of about 200,000 people, and is also home to one of the most prestigious universities in Mexico.
The city was founded in the early 16th century by Spanish colonists, and has a fascinating history. It was once one of the richest silver mining centers in the world. Guanajuato also played a large role in the Mexican War of Independence, and was the first city to fall to Miguel Hidalgo, known as the “Father of Mexico.”
Today, the city center and the surrounding mines have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Center, thanks to its historical significance.
A few tips for your one day in Guanajuato…
- Don’t be surprised if you’re out of breath: The city sits at 6709 feet in elevation and it’s pretty hilly. If you find yourself needing to catch your breath (I certainly did!), you’ll know why. Hey, it’s just another reason to stop and take in those views, right?
- The city center is fairly walkable: Despite the hills and elevation, the city center is fairly walkable and one of the best things to do in Guanajuato is to wander through those colorful streets. Leave those heels home though, as there are cobblestoned streets here. My favorite travel shoes are from Allbirds (my favorite are the Tree Runners or Wool Runners), super comfortable for a full day of exploring!
- Definitely learn some Spanish: While Guanajuato is a popular tourist destination for Mexicans, there aren’t many foreign visitors and English is not commonly spoken. You’ll definitely need to speak Spanish to get by – either brush up on some basic Spanish phrases on Duolingo, or use Google Translate. Also, if you want to book some tours, note that many of them take place in Spanish.
- It’s *very* lively on the weekends: Guanajuato is a college town after all, so it gets *very* lively on the weekends. We arrived on a Friday night and there were tons of people out and having a good time. Luckily, we couldn’t hear much of the noise from our hotel, but something to keep in mind if it bothers you.
- Overall, the city center is pretty safe: The tourist areas of Guanajuato are generally considered to be safe. We were a group of three women in our 30s and we never once felt unsafe. However, always keep your guard up and keep aware of your surroundings!
- Have some cash on hand: While there are some places that accept credit cards, they’re not as widely accepted as in San Miguel de Allende, so I recommend having some cash on hand.
- Carry a jacket: It can get breezy in the evenings, even in the summer, so have a jacket or cardigan on hand.
- Don’t drink the tap water: The tap water isn’t safe to drink in Mexico.
The Perfect Guanajuato Itinerary: Things to Do in Guanajuato in One Day
Take the funicular to Monumento Al Pipila
Start off your Guanajuato itinerary by visiting one of the city’s most popular attractions – the Monumento Al Pipila!
Perched up on top of a hill overlooking the city, the Monumento Al Pipila is named for the giant sandstone monument dedicated to a local hero, nicknamed El Pipila, who helped garner the first victory of the Mexican Independence movement.
It’s also home to an observation deck where you can catch some incredible panoramic views of the city of Guanajuato.
It was seeing a photo taken of the view from here that initially drew me to Guanajuato. From here, you can see the entire city before you, with all of the colorful buildings of the city spread out to the hillsides, along with its beautiful churches and historical monuments.
The best way to get here is via the Funicular Panoramico, which was erected in 1883 and has become an icon of the city. It costs 30 pesos each way, and the ride is short, but the views are already spectacular on the way up – and once you get up to the viewpoint, it gets even better and I was in awe!
I recommend coming here first thing in the morning to avoid crowds. The funicular opens at 8am on weekdays, and 9am on weekends. It gets crowded here as the day goes on – we could see all the people up top from town and were really glad that we came when it wasn’t busy.
Stroll through the colorful streets
While you can certainly take the funicular to the city center, I think that it’s much more fun to walk back down! Honestly, I think one of my favorite things to do in Guanajuato was to just stroll through the streets and find all the little alleyways and colorful corners.
It’s not a very long walk back to the city center, but it took us an hour because we couldn’t help but stop every 30 seconds and take a bazillion photos!
You’ll have no trouble finding some charming streets on the walk back, but the one I want to point out in particular is Callejon del Potrero. Here, you’ll see the colorful buildings of the street lead the eye perfectly to the tower of the pink Templo de San Francisco church. It’s such an iconic view of Guanajuato!
Stop for a Mexican brunch
Next, you might be feeling hungry, so it’s time to stop for a Mexican brunch!
We stumbled upon El Chahuistle when we got back into the city center, and decided to stop in. It’s a small, quaint restaurant that has some yummy traditional Mexican breakfast dishes. The chilaquiles were absolutely delicious!
The inside is a bit small and there’s no AC, so we asked to get seated on the patio. It was lovely to enjoy our breakfast while people watching.
Admire the Teatro Juarez
The lavish Teatro Juarez is one of the most iconic buildings in the city, showcasing a mix of Baroque and Gothic architectural styles. The 19th century theater was constructed by Mexican Dictator Porfirio Díaz, and features ornate columns and bronze statues with 8 of the 9 muses from Greek mythology.
Even if you don’t go inside, you should definitely spend some time admiring the outside! We didn’t go inside, but if you wish, you can take a guided tour (only available in Spanish, though). It’s also said to be one of the best performance theaters in Mexico, and I’d love to see a show there one day!
Relax in Jardin de la Union
Right across the street from Teatro Juarez is the Jardin de la Union, one of the city’s best green spaces. You’ll find a perfectly manicured garden surrounded by immaculately landscaped trees, shaped into archways.
There are a number of benches here, where you can sit and people watch. I found it such a nice place to sit and take a break for a bit, as there is such nice shade from the trees here. On the weekends, the park comes alive, with street performers and vendors.
Visit the churches of Guanajuato
Guanajuato is home to a number of beautiful churches. You may have admired them from above when you went to the Monumento al Pipila viewpoint, but take some time on your one day in Guanajuato itinerary to admire them up close.
The most famous church in the city is the Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato, recognizable by its vibrant yellow facade, topped with a massive red dome. The 17th century church was built in the Mexican Baroque architectural style, with distinct details left by the silver miners and barons.
If you go inside, the church is also home to a jewel-encrusted statue of Virgin Mary, Guanajuato’s patron saint, from the 8th century. It was apparently hidden in a cave for 800 years before being gifted to the city.
Right in front of the Basilica is Plaza de la Paz, a triangular-shaped plaza featuring a well-manicured garden, which is the perfect spot to admire it in all its glory.
A few minutes’ walk away is the Templo de San Francisco, a baroque-style church featuring a pretty pink facade. Built in the early 1700s, the church features decorative motifs and a grand stone entrance.
Sit on the steps at the Universidad de Guanajuato
Guanajuato is a vibrant college town, home to one of the most prestigious universities in Mexico. The Universidad de Guanajuato was founded in 1732, and is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and lively student population.
You can go on a guided tour of the university, but you probably won’t have time on your Guanajuato itinerary. However, I do still recommend stopping by to check out the university, as it is housed in one of the most distinctive buildings in the city.
The striking white marble building dates back to the 1940s, and apparently was pretty controversial when it was first built because it looks so different from the other buildings in the city.
In any case, definitely check it out, because it really is striking. On the front of the building is a set of more than 100 steps, which make a cool photo op. Be sure to climb to the top for an awesome view of the city!
Steal a kiss at Callejón de Beso
The Callejón de Beso (“Alley of the Kiss”) is one of the quirkiest stops on your Guanajuato itinerary. At the top of this super-narrow alley has two balconies that are so close together that they almost touch, just 68 centimeters apart.
There’s also a tragic love story here, reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. As the story goes, the daughter of a wealthy family fell in love with the son of a poor mining family. When the girl’s father forbade her from seeing the boy, he rented a room across the alleyway from hers so they could keep seeing each other. Long story short, the father found out and tragedy struck.
So, if you’re visiting here with your special someone, stealing a kiss here is one of those must-do things to do in Guanajuato! It is said that couples who kiss on the third step here will have 7 years of good luck.
You don’t have to pay to take a photo in the alley itself, but you can also pay a few pesos to go up to the balcony of the souvenir shop here to snap a romantic photo.
Wander through Mercado de Hidalgo
One of my favorite things to do in Mexico is to explore the local markets, and I loved wandering through the Mercado de Hidalgo in Guanajuato. The two-story market dates back to 1910 and was originally intended to be a train station.
You’ll find hundreds of vendors inside the market, as well as right outside. There are stalls selling a wide variety of goods, from fresh produce, local street food, indigenous herbs, artisan handicrafts, leather goods, and more.
If you’re looking to buy some Mexican souvenirs and gifts to take home, this is the place to do it! They had so much stuff, and I found the prices to be cheap, especially compared to San Miguel de Allende.
If you want a bit to eat, there’s tons of food vendors here, too! We weren’t very hungry so we didn’t eat, but we stopped for some fresh-made juices which were very refreshing as it was starting to get pretty warm out!
Hang out in the plazas of Guanajuato
One of my favorite things about Guanajuato was to hang all the European-style squares in the city. These lovely squares all have colorful buildings, pretty fountains, and leafy trees and I definitely recommend spending some time in them on your Guanajuato itinerary.
Perhaps my favorite was Plaza San Roque. The quaint cobblestoned plaza is surrounded by charming buildings housing a number of souvenir shops, outdoor cafes, and restaurants. If you walk towards the Templo de San Roque church, you’ll also find a super pink and blue house with flower pots – it’s such a cute backdrop for photos!
Behind the church, you’ll also find a number of colorful streets and alleyways. There’s also a perfect view of all the colorful houses on top of the hills.
Another one of my favorite plazas was Plaza de Los Angeles, which features a beautiful garden, plenty of colorful buildings, a pretty fountain, and street food vendors. You’ll also find plenty of street performers and musicians here, which gives it an especially lively feel!
Relax in a cafe
Afterwards, spend some time relaxing in a cafe and enjoying a tasty beverage as you start to wind down your day trip to Guanajuato. You can stop at a cafe in one of the squares listed above, or head to La Vie en Rose, which is where we went.
It’s a lovely cute French cafe, with delicious French pastries and coffee drinks. We ordered a few pastries to share (the lemon tart was amazing!), and had some iced coffee drinks. It’s a super cute cafe, with lots of green plants, cool hanging lamps, and framed paintings on the wall.
We had to catch our bus to San Miguel de Allende after this, which left at 6pm. However, if you have the evening to spend in Guanajuato, you can enjoy some dinner, do more exploring, or even join a Callejoneada tour (more on that below).
More things to do in Guanajuato
If you have more than one day in Guanajuato, then lucky you! There’s plenty more to discover in this amazing city. Here are some suggestions for what to do if you have more time in the city:
Visit a Museum
Guanajuato is home to some interesting museums, most notably the Mummy Museum. It’s the most popular attraction in the city, but I left it off my itinerary because it does sit a bit outside of the city center. Do note that it’s not for everyone, though – if you get a bit squeamish, you might want to skip it.
Other museums of note include Museo Casa Diego Rivera (Diego Rivera’s house), Alhóndiga de Granaditas Regional Museum (a history museum focusing on Mexican history and the War of Independence), Museo del Pueblo de Guanajuato (the Guanajuato City Museum), and Museo Iconográfico del Quijote (Don Quixote Museum).
Join a Callejoneada tour
A Callejoneada tour is one of the most unique cultural experiences in Guanajuato – it’s not your average walking tour! You’ll meet an Estudiantina (student tour guide), and they will lead you on a procession through the streets and alleys of the city. Meanwhile, you’ll enjoy music, dancing, and more.
The tour is in Spanish, but I’ve heard that you don’t necessarily need to know Spanish as it’s more of a theatrical performance, and can be enjoyed even if you don’t speak the language. I would’ve loved to do this, it sounds so fun!
Explore the tunnels and mines of Guanajuato
Guanajuato was once a silver mining town, and thus has a network of underground tunnels and silver mines under the mountains of the city. By taking a tunnels and mines tour, you’ll get to discover these hidden networks as well as learn more about the history of Guanajuato.
Where to stay in Guanajuato
If you’re spending the night in Guanajuato, then you have plenty of options! I highly recommend staying in the city center for maximum convenience and to be close to all the top sights. Here are some recommendations for where to stay in Guanajuato:
- Casona Alonso 10: This is where we stayed, and I highly recommend it! It’s a beautiful boutique hotel with spacious and comfortable rooms, with elegant decor and art featuring both Mexican and international artists. It’s located in the historic center, but not so central that it’s not so loud and crazy at all hours. It was *very* lively outside, but we couldn’t hear any of it from our room.
- Agua Trece Hotel Fusion: This boutique hotel is tucked into a quiet corner of the historic center, modern rooms, chic decor, and a lovely rooftop terrace with amazing views of the city.
- Hotel Boutique 1850: Housed in a historic building, this boutique hotel features beautifully decorated and spacious rooms, with stylish decor, a rooftop terrace, and a spa. It’s located right in the historic center with beautiful views of the city.
More things to know for your one day in Guanajuato…
How long to spend in Guanajuato – is one day enough?
One day in Guanajuato is enough time to experience the highlights of the city center, to see some of its top sights, and to wander through the charming streets. A day trip to Guanajuato will give you a sense of why the city is so special.
However, after spending the day here, I did end up wishing that I had more time to soak it all in. If you can spare it, I’d suggest spending 2-3 days here. One day is enough to *see* the city – more days will help you truly experience it!
One of my friends spent 4 days here and she really got to immerse herself in the city!
How to get to Guanajuato
Flying to Leon/Guanajuato International Airport (BJX)
The easiest way to get to Guanajuato is to fly into León/Bajio International Airport, also known as Guanajuato International Airport. The airport offers direct connections to many Mexican cities, as well as a handful of destinations in the US (including my home airport of LAX!).
The airport is located about 30 kilometers (~18 miles) outside of the city center. From here, you can take a taxi, Uber, shuttle bus, or private transfer to get into the city. The trip usually takes about 30-40 minutes.
Bus from Mexico City
Another option is to fly into Mexico City, and then take a bus to Guanajuato, which is what we did. I personally think this is a better option, since Mexico City has a larger international airport, with tons more direct flights (which tend to also be cheaper than flying into Leon).
I also found the buses in Mexico to be super nice! There are a number of luxury bus companies that operate in Mexico, but Primera Plus and ETN are considered to be the best ones.
We took ETN, and found it to be super comfortable, and we felt safe the entire time. The seats were super wide, reclined, and had foot rests. The buses also came equipped with personal TV screens, charging ports, and free WiFi. Our one-way ticket cost around $50 USD.
Buses to Guanajuato leave from the Central de Autobuses del Norte station. You can take Uber there from the airport – leave yourself plenty of time, because traffic can be a nightmare! From there, the trip to Guanajuato takes about 5 hours, so bring plenty of snacks.
Do note that the bus station in Guanajuato is located a bit outside of the city center. You’ll have to call an Uber or take a taxi. We noticed that there weren’t very many Ubers available from the bus station (although there are plenty once you’re in the city center), so we took a taxi. There are plenty of taxis that are lined up outside of the bus station. The taxi fare from the bus station to our hotel was 120 pesos.
From San Miguel de Allende
If your travel plans in Mexico include San Miguel de Allende, you can easily plan a Guanajuato day trip, as the two cities are only an hour apart and there is frequent bus service between them.
Do note that the bus station in San Miguel de Allende is also located outside of the city center, so you’ll have to take a taxi or Uber/Didi in order to get there to and from your accommodations. When we arrived in San Miguel de Allende, we found taxis lined up outside of the terminal, and it cost us 100 pesos to get to the historic center.
When to visit Guanajuato
Honestly, there really isn’t a bad time to visit this region of Mexico. It’s never too hot or too cold here, with highs topping out around 85 degrees, and lows averaging between 40-50 degrees. The city doesn’t really see any humidity, either.
November through May is the dry season, where you’ll see the least amount of precipitation. December and January are the chilliest months, but highs still hover around 70 degrees. It does get pretty cold at night though, so bring a jacket! April and May are also the warmest months, with highs in the mid-80s.
June through October is the rainy season, but this doesn’t mean that you’ll encounter pouring rain all day, every day. You just might see an hour or two of torrential downpour in the afternoons. We visited in July and encountered perfect weather in Guanajuato (although we encountered those torrential downpours and thunderstorms when we headed to Mexico City).
Is Guanajuato safe?
Mexico unfortunately gets a bad reputation for safety, so you may be wondering – is Guanajuato safe?
The reality is that Mexico has the same travel advisory as most destinations in Europe. That said, there are definitely places in Mexico that are unsafe to visit, but those that are frequented by tourists are generally safe to visit.
We visited as a group of 3 women and felt safe the entire time. For one of my friends, it was her first time in Mexico. She was paranoid about kidnappings before the trip, but even she admitted that it felt pretty safe.
One thing to note is that there is a heightened alert for the state of Guanajuato, which isn’t considered to be safe as a whole. However, even this is not in effect for Guanajuato City (and San Miguel de Allende), which are generally considered to be safe.
In any case, do not let your guard down, always be aware of your surroundings, and use common sense! Keep a close eye on your belongings, don’t walk around by yourself late at night, always be aware of your surroundings, and don’t get too intoxicated.
Have you ever been to Guanajuato? What are some of your favorite things to do in Guanajuato?
More Mexico content you may enjoy:
- One Week Central Mexico Itinerary
- 28 Things to Do in San Miguel de Allende: Mexico’s Dreamiest City
- 15 Beautiful Photo Spots in San Miguel de Allende
- 3 Epic Days in Mexico City Itinerary
- Best Places to Eat in Mexico City
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Caroline is a Southern California based traveler, writer, and photographer. She travels all around California, the US, and the world in search of the most colorful places, the most delicious food, and bucket-list adventures. Her aim is to inspire other travelers discover how to add more adventure and joy to their lives. On Pictures & Words, you’ll find detailed guides + itineraries, along with vibrant photos to help you plan the the most epic trips. When she’s not traveling, Caroline also runs half marathons.