The fascinating, vibrant Unesco International Heritage town of Guanajuato, within the north of Mexico, is nestled inside of a scenic valley and is steeped in historical past.
The cobbled streets and historical tunnels, that had been as soon as subterranean rivers, twist their manner round and during the hillsides, which can be peppered with a spread of colorful houses.
Two days is the very best period of time to enjoy the colourful town, discovered simply 4-5 hours north of Mexico Town by means of automotive.
We’ve rounded up the best 10 issues to do in Guanajuato in simply two days beneath. For those who’re fascinated with extra Mexico articles, you’ll be able to test them out right here.
Right here’s an summary:
Most sensible Issues to Do in Guanajuato in 2 Days
Right here’s our best itinerary for 2 days in Guanajuato.
Comparable learn: The Final 4-6 Week Mexico Itinerary
Day 1: Revel in The Town’s Historical past and Tradition
Alhóndiga de Granaditas
First issues first, head to Alhóndiga de Granaditas, a grain storage-turned-museum, for a slice of Guanajuato’s historical past. The development used to be front-and-centre of the Mexican Independence motion within the nineteenth century, because the website online the place the Spanish shaped a defensive line within to carry off the Mexican rebels.
The museum is house to a lot of paintings and artefacts that in reality spotlight town’s significance right through this turbulent time.
Access prices $30 pesos, which is round £1.15 or $1.50 USD, and is open 10am – 6pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 10am – 3pm on Sundays.
El PÃpila Monument
One of the crucial well-known Mexican rebels to hurricane the Alhóndiga de Granaditas used to be El PÃplia. He used to be a miner who strapped a stone defend to his again, charged on the development and set the doorways on hearth, permitting the rebels to ultimately breach the Spanish defences.
El PÃplia is memorialised with a statue top above town, which may be an implausible point of view of all the town beneath.
To achieve the panoramic spot, you’ll be able to benefit from the cute funicular journey up the hillside to achieve the El PÃpila Monument.
The view of all of the vibrant constructions unfold out beneath is tricky to overcome, particularly because the solar units.
You’ll be able to achieve the monument with out the funicular, however the stroll up is steep! For those who’re taking the funicular, the costs as of Nov 2024 are beneath.
Tickets every manner price $35 MXN for adults and $15 MXN for youngsters (elderly 4 to 11) and older adults with an INAPAM ID. Kids elderly 3 and underneath can go back and forth totally free.
Tip: Experience the funicular as much as the monument, then stroll go into reverse for a transformation of tempo and to save lots of a couple of pennies!
Mummies Museum (Museo de las Momias)
The Mummies Museum is likely one of the most renowned, but maximum atypical, sights in Guanajuato.
All over efforts to make room for extra our bodies in an area cemetery, naturally mummified stays had been unearthed and relocated to the museum.
It in reality emphasises the Mexican other people’s acceptance and party of demise! Tickets price $8 MXN, which is kind of £0.30 or $0.40 USD.
Mercado Hidalgo
Named after some of the chief’s of the independence motion, Miguel Hidalgo, this huge marketplace corridor is an ideal prevent to your first day to gas up on some scrumptious boulevard meals.
The giant iron construction used to be at the beginning supposed to be a grand central teach station, however the challenge used to be deserted after the development used to be finished, when it used to be temporarily repurposed right into a marketplace.
It’s a super position to wander thru and haggle for a memento, or pattern some enchiladas mineras, or simply absorb the chaotic and vigorous environment.
Tip: You should definitely pick out up a cup of aguas frescas (fruity beverages), which can be an effective way to chill off from the nice and cozy climate you’ll no-doubt enjoy right here.
Callejón del Beso
No consult with to Guanajuato can be whole with out visiting essentially the most iconic spot within the town!
Guanajuato could be house to many small alleys, however Callejón del Beso is undoubtedly essentially the most slender! It interprets to Alley of the Kiss in English, and measures simply 168cm or 66 inches broad at some issues, with the balconies on all sides of the alleyway nearly touching.
The well-known alleyway even has its personal legend: a sad, forbidden love tale between Ana and Carlos, a daughter of a rich guy and a humble miner…
Regardless of Ana’s father hard that she marry a rich guy, she fell in love with humble, deficient Carlos. Her father came upon and he locked her away to try to separate the 2 of them, however love is aware of no bounds! Carlos quickly after purchased the home subsequent door, which had a balcony nearly touching Ana’s bed room balcony. The fanatics would meet each night time in secret and kiss around the slender alleyway. Unfortunately, all just right issues should come to an finish, and one night time Ana’s father stuck them in an include. He fell right into a have compatibility of anger, shouting at and dangerous Carlos, and by accident killed his personal daughter within the chaos. Carlos used to be distraught, and legend has it that he died of a damaged center now not lengthy after.
Regardless of being an excessively brief alley – most effective about 25 metres in period – it’s a amusing spot to consult with. For those who’re with a liked one, you’ll be able to even pay the householders to every cross onto a balcony and proportion a kiss around the hole!
Day 2: Experience Guanajuato’s Artwork, Structure, and Scrumptious Meals
JardÃn de la Unión
Get started your day by means of visiting JardÃn de la Unión, which is a triangular plaza and certainly one of Guanajuato’s major hangout spaces.
You’ll in finding quite a lot of cafes, bars and eating places across the edges, making it a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner – when you sought after to come back again later!
The JardÃn, because of this Lawn in English, is covered with well trimmed bushes and quite a lot of benches the place you’ll be able to take a seat within the color.
Carry a e-book and leisure right here for some time with a morning espresso prior to tackling the day forward!
Teatro Juárez
Proper subsequent to the JardÃn de la Unión is the Teatro Juárez. Constructed within the overdue nineteenth century, it used to be inaugurated by means of the notorious dictator Portfirio DÃaz, and stays one of the crucial shocking theatres in all of Mexico.
If you recognize somewhat Spanish – or despite the fact that you don’t – experiencing a efficiency right here is a brilliant enjoy. You’ll in finding posters out of doors the theatre or stumble upon other people promoting tickets for upcoming displays, which can be very inexpensive, continuously costing round $100 MXN (£3.85 or $4.90 USD).
Even though you’re now not making plans to catch a display, the structure itself is value a consult with, which is a mixture of neoclassical and Moorish types. The internal may be stunning, with stained glass and extravagant woodwork in all places you glance.
Tip: You gained’t be capable to see a lot of the internal with out a guided excursion, which can be in Spanish most effective. For those who’re , the excursions perform right through the day – simply ask a member of team of workers when the following excursion will get started.
Diego Rivera Museum
Maximum guests to Mexico will already pay attention to Diego Rivera, some of the nation’s most renowned artists. Many will know his spouse much more – Frida Kahlo.
Mr Rivera used to be born in Guanajuato, and lived there along with his circle of relatives till he used to be 6 years previous. Fortunately, his formative years house remained status over the following 100 years till it used to be become an out of this world museum showcasing a lot of his early works, in addition to a new version of the house as it might have regarded within the nineteenth century.
For those who’re keen on artwork, it’s an excellent spot to wander during the everlasting (and brief) shows, and be informed somewhat extra about certainly one of Mexico’s most renowned figures.
Callejones (Alleys)
For those who haven’t executed this already just by wandering round between attractions, exploring the maze of slender alleyways is a smart technique to spend a day. With no map or direction in thoughts, simply discover on foot and spot what you in finding. The vibrant town streets are house to such a lot of hidden gem stones, tucked away little courtyards and cafes with fantastic perspectives around the valley.
Pass looking for boulevard artwork, for which Mexico is known for, or apply the sound of mariachi bands taking part in in more than a few plazas. Hop into native artist stores and pick out your self up one thing great, or prevent for a sip of tequila in some of the many quirky bars.
We’d suggest the world across the Diego Rivera Museum (Positos Side road) for exploring. It’s stuffed with aforementioned gem stones and turns out to stick somewhat quieter than the primary boulevard on the backside of the valley.
Some other favorite of ours used to be the Plaza de San Fernando, which had quite a lot of eating place and bar choices, with a ravishing environment across the plaza!
Tip: Pay attention out for the Callejoneadas within the night, which can be excursions led by means of native musicians (troubadours) during the tunnels and alleys within the underbelly of town, telling more than a few legends and stories thru tune!
Guanajuato Delicacies
Ultimate (however not at all least) is sampling one of the crucial scrumptious meals local to Guanajuato. A neighborhood excursion information as soon as instructed us that Mexico will have to be explored, skilled and LIVED thru meals – and we couldn’t agree extra!
You should definitely take a look at Enchiladas Mineras prior to you permit. The tortillas, at the beginning ready by means of native ladies hoping to maintain their husbands who labored the mines, are stuffed with rooster or cheese then crowned with a wholesome layer of cheese, lettuce and onion. They’re then smothered in a scrumptious enchilada sauce… so, so scrumptious!
For those who’re now not already complete, give Tlacoyos or Gorditas a take a look at, which can be standard dishes in Guanajuato. Tlyacoyos are necessarily a doughy pocket stuffed with cheese, beans or your number of meat, then fried or grilled. Gorditas are an identical, however they’re thicker and are continuously veggie-friendly! Each are continuously paired with salsa or guacamole.
Don’t omit to clutch a chilly cerveza along your scrumptious meals, and also you’ll have the very best ultimate meal on your two-day Guanajuato journey!
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