Is Guanajuato 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 Guanajuato as the light faded into darkness. I was genuinely excited to see this place 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).

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. 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 best views of Guanajuato are 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 possibly 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.

(What the university usually looks like)

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.

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.

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 the city 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.

A pretty street running down Guanajuato University, with a church spire visible at the end

A beautiful fountain under trees in a plaza in Guanajuato

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).

Visitors can tour the upper section of the mine and is supposed to be well worth a trip (the mine is about 7km 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.

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: Hostel Casa A29. This hostel has the most perfect location one street over from the main square at the Basilica. It’s not directly on the main strip, so it’s a little quieter, but it’s just steps away from everything. Other advantages include no bunk beds, breakfast, a roof terrace and three sweet and friendly dogs. It has a small kitchen, but it’s mainly for staff use, so don’t expect to cook much, if at all.

Pretty art on the wall of Casa A29, a lovely and simple hostel in Guanajuato

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

This Wild Life Of Mine City Rating:

Prettiness: 10/10 Considering this entire blog post has been about how Guanajuato could be the prettiest city in Mexico, I don’t think I really need to elaborate further.

History: 8/10 The history of Guanajuato dates back centuries, way before the Colonial Era, but there’s very little on display around the city about the pre-Hispanic inhabitants. However, the strong links the city has with the Mexican War of Independence is fascinating and the community clearly has great pride in it.

Weather: 8/10 It’s Mexico, so expect blue skies and warm weather. However, even in spring the middle of the day was almost too hot for me, so I suggest planning any strenuous activity for the mornings or evenings.

Food: 9/10 I’m no foodie, and being a fussy vegetarian always has me playing it safe with food when abroad, but with the sheer number and variety of restaurants around the city, as well as the many stalls in the Mercado Hidalgo, there’s no way a real foodie wouldn’t love dining out in Guanajuato.

Budget: 9/10 I won’t hold the higher-than-expected price of Mexican intercity buses against Guanajuato, so apart from that, it was very easy to stick to my budget here. The local bus to and from the station was extremely cheap, and with such a huge range of restaurants to choose from, finding meals to suit every budget is possible. Because so much of what makes this city gorgeous and fun is simply wandering the streets, I never felt obliged to spend money to enjoy Guanajuato.

Doggos: 8/10 There were definitely a few streets dogs wandering around, though not many, and no particularly friendly ones. However, the fact that my hostel had not one, but three super cute and super friendly dogs shot this rating higher.

So what do you think? Is Guanajuato the prettiest city in Mexico?

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