Guanajuato – what to see in the prettiest city in Mexico

The first thing I noticed when I arrived on a cramped public bus into the centre of Guanajuato was how busy it was. The second thing I noticed was how colourful it was. I could tell immediately that this was a town to get lost in. On my first evening in town, I decided to do no deliberate sight-seeing. Instead I simply wandered, not looking at a map or my phone, just taking in the atmosphere of the city as the light faded into darkness. I was genuinely excited to see Guanajuato in daylight. Even though it’s not one of the Pueblos Magicos like the historic town of Tequila, I knew it would be a definite contender for the prettiest city in Mexico (in my opinion).

Guanajuato is a fairly small city, so you don’t need more than two days to see it at a nice relaxed pace. Here are some of the most beautiful locations not to miss.

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Callejon del Beso

Sometimes it seems like every place in the world has its own Romeo and Juliet story. Guanajuato is no exception. The ridiculously narrow Callejon del Beso (Alley of the Kiss) is less than two metres wide, but that doesn’t stop the crowds from wandering through it. As I walked down the short alley, I could see two balconies above my head, almost touching. The story goes that the daughter of a wealthy man lived on one side, and the poor man she fell in love with bought the house on the other so he could be with her. Naturally her overbearing father found out one night, and became so angry he stabbed his daughter to death (how very Shakespearean). Her lover tried to save her, but fell to his death on the third step below the balconies.

Nowadays, couples kiss while standing on that third step (helpfully painted in red so you know where to stand), in the hopes of receiving a lifetime of luck from the spirits of the star-crossed lovers.

Even if you’re just a solo traveller like me, it’s still a cute little stop while exploring one of the prettiest cities in Mexico.

Teatro Juárez/Jardín de la Union

The Teatro Juárez is Guanajuato’s premier theatre, and one of the most beautiful in Mexico. Inspired by ancient Roman architecture, the columns that make up the exterior entrance definitely reminded me of the Pantheon in Rome. Statues of eight classical Muses line the top of the building, which is an important part of the cultural aspect of the city.

Right on the doorstep of the theatre is the Jardin de la Union, the heart and soul of the city community and one of the best things to see in Guanajuato. Filled with mariachi bands and people resting under the shade of the immaculately-pruned laurel trees, this is the best place to go to feel like you’re a part of the city. Some of the best bars and restaurants in town line the streets bordering the park, so if it’s nightlife you’re after, this is the place to be.

Both the park and the theatre (named after Mexico’s first indigenous President) date from the late nineteenth century, so are a well-established part of the city’s identity.

Funicular Panoramico & El Pípila

By far the way to see Guanajuato is from the El Pípila Monument high up on a hill above the city. This 20-metre tall statue erected in 1953 is of Guanajuato’s folk hero from the Mexican War of Independence, a crippled man who bravely risked his life against the Spanish soldiers in the city. Many domestic tourists come to the monument to pay respects to the historic figure. With a wide viewing platform in front of the statue, the spectacular view shows off what I think is the prettiest city in Mexico.

To get to El Pípila, you can either take the long slog up many, many steps, around many winding streets, or you can ride the funicular. With the lower station located just behind the Teatro Juárez, it’s easy to find, and it’s a cheap ride too. In less than a minute, the funicular rises above the rooftops, the view getting better and better with each passing moment. From the upper station it’s just a few short steps to the viewpoint.

Universidad de Guanajuato

Though a lot newer than the rest of the city, Guanajuato’s main university campus blends in beautifully with the pretty houses and narrow streets around it. Known mostly for the gorgeous long, white staircase reaching up to the main entrance, it’s a popular photo spot for visitors and students alike.

Unfortunately when I was visiting the city there was some construction work occurring, so the staircase was blocked by wooden partitions. In any case, I could see what a beautiful building it was.

Parroquia de Basilica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato

Now, that’s a mouthful. This huge, yellow basilica dominates the Plaza de la Paz, the main square in the city. To some the yellow and red church may be too bold, to ostentatious, but what would the prettiest city in Mexico be without an attention-grabbing centerpiece? Personally, I think it’s fabulous. One of the oldest buildings in Guanajuato, the basilica is definitely the most note-worthy of the 23 churches within the city and is quite the sight to see.

Plaza de la Paz, like Jardin de la Union, is one of the beating hearts of the city, with bars, restaurants, musicians, bus routes, taxis, crowds of visitors milling around. As an introduction to Guanajuato (it’s where I first hopped off the bus), it can be a bit daunting, but I also found inside the basilica to be the perfect place to find a bit of quiet in the bustling city.

Mercado Hidalgo

This huge covered market building was originally built to be a train station for a railway system that never materialised, and has been the city’s major food and souvenir hub since 1910. One of the coolest things about the Mercado Hidalgo is the iron clock tower perched on top, which was created by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the engineer who designed THAT Parisian tower.

A chaotic mess of market stalls and mini restaurants, the Mercado Hidalgo is a great place to find cheap, authentic Mexican food or stock up on souvenirs and gifts. When you’re in Guanajuato, it’s somewhere you just have to see for yourself.

So is Guanajuato the Prettiest City in Mexico?

If these attractions haven’t convinced you that Guanajuato could very well be the prettiest city in Mexico, here are a few more pictures from around the city centre. One of the best ways to see Guanajuato is simply to wander the streets. I definitely recommend taking the most convoluted route between attractions. In a pretty city like this, the straight path is never the best one to take.

If you want a deeper dive into the history of the area, consider booking a walking tour of the town. There are also multiple attractions in the area if you have more time, including a Mummy Museum, mining tunnels now open to tourists, and some hiking trails. There’s also this very cool night tour with traditional music from local callejoneadas.

Nearby Attraction: La Valenciana Silver Mine

Guanajuato wouldn’t be the city it is today without the wealth it gained from the La Valenciana Silver Mine. For several centuries, the mine produced huge amounts of silver, about 30% of the world’s total silver production at the time. The history of mining in the region is one of the reasons Guanajuato is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (which you know I love to see).

Visitors can tour the upper section of the mine and is supposed to be well worth a trip (the mine is about 7 km outside the city). But when I learned that the tours given by ex-miners are only in Spanish (and my Spanish was non-existent) and there was little signage in English, with my limited time in Guanajuato, I decided not to go. It stills sounds like a fascinating attraction. However, there are now some tours you can book online that offer English-speaking guides.

Practical Information

Getting to Guanajuato: the main bus station for the city is actually a bit of a distance outside the historical city centre, so you’ll need to take a taxi or local bus once you’ve arrived. Taxis don’t use meters so agree a price beforehand. The local bus system is extremely cheap and pretty easy to use. Because the narrow streets of the city centre don’t allow for buses or sometimes even cars to pass, most traffic uses the underground tunnels. If you’re unsure when to hop off the bus, just ask the driver to let you know.

Where I Stayed: The hostel I stayed in has since closed, but there are a couple of highly rated options in town, as well as plenty of hotel and guesthouses to choose from.

Practical Information:

• Language: Obviously, Spanish is the main language spoken here, but English is commonly spoken amongst those working in hospitality. However, having a few phrases of the local language is always a good thing, even just as a way of showing a little respect.
• Currency: The Mexican peso. As of February 2026, the conversion rate is: €1 = 20 pesos, US$1 = 17 pesos, £1 = 24 pesos.
• Getting there: Guanajuato is around 3.5 hours from Guadalajara, the biggest city in the region, and there are plenty of transport options between the two. Many visitors also come from San Miguel de Allende (or vice versa), which is less than 2 hours away.
• Getting around: Guanajuato is an incredibly walkable city, so you shouldn’t need to take any public transport or taxi to get around (except for the funicular, of course).
• Staying connected: I highly recommend getting an eSIM before your trip, because they’re so handy and it means you’re connected from the moment you land instead of having to figure out getting a local SIM on arrival. I’ve used Airalo in multiple countries and have always been happy.

Other This Wild Life Of Mine city guides:

Visit Guadalajara: The Perfect Mexico Starting Point

The Best Places To Visit In San Francisco

Sofia – Why It Shouldn’t Be Overlooked Or Underrated

How To Spend Four Days In St. John’s, Newfoundland

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