Location: Guanajuato
Top Things to do in Guanajuato
- 1. Juarez Theater (Teatro Juarez)
- 2. Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel de Barrera
- 3. University of Guanajuato
- 4. Jardin de la Union
- 5. Don Quixote Iconographic Museum (Museo Iconografico del Quijote)
- 6. Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato
- 7. Alhondiga de Granaditas
- 8. Templo La Valenciana
- 9. Santuario de Cristo Rey
- 10. Monumento al Pipila
10 Things to Do in Guanajuato That You Shouldn't Miss
Best known for its Festival Cervantino, an arts festival that draws attendance from around the world, Guanajuato is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its old town dates back to the 16th century, and you can visit many of Mexico’s important religious and artistic sites. Guanajuato was also home to the Mexican independence movement and the site of the first failed rebellion against colonial rule.
Restaurants in Guanajuato
1. Juarez Theater (Teatro Juarez)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
This early 20th-century building is part Moorish, part Roman and part Greek and is one of the city's more noticeable landmarks.
Reviewed By chicago90Phoenix - phoenix
We tried on multiple occasions within a 2 day period to go inside the theater and finally lucked out on Saturday morning 10am (10:15am - mexican time schedule). The building also has multiple private company/official visit functions. For 35 pesos, you can wander through limited sections of the building. There was a discussion of the property in Spanish while in the theatre seats itself. It was clear the town had an abundance of wealth.
It is also fun day or night to sit on the steps and watch the world go by.
2. Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel de Barrera
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 370 reviews
17 Gardens Of Three Acres Located On The Grounds Of An Old 16th-century Hacienda, Which Still Includes Some Original Furniture.
Reviewed By 2WorldGypsies - Taos, New Mexico
If you love landscaping, Gardens, history, photographing, or the beautiful and intriguing Gardens of Europe, or you’re just ready to have an outdoor experience, do not miss a visit to Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel Barrera. A good friend recommended this to us and we owe her. We ended up spending the whole day there.
The landscape architecture is as amazing as anything we’ve seen in Europe. When you go, give yourself plenty of time to wander, sit, reflect and photograph because as soon as you walk through one archway and turn around it’s a whole new view to take in. And just when you think you’ve seen the whole place there is another stone stairway or archway leading to a new and different discovery. Every corner is completely intriguing.
This is truly a place to not just visit, but to “Experience”. Every area is unique to itself but connected to the Hacienda as a whole with incredibly well thought out continuity, and we were in a constant state of “Awe”. This may be our favorite garden experience yet.
The Hacienda itself with the beautiful art, historical decor and personal belongings gives you a fascinating snapshot of this family and time period.
A side note: do not underestimate the Cafe at the Exhacienda (located right as you walk in). Usually in a place like this you can expect marginal food and pay way too much for it, well not here. We had a couple of beers, their made to order guacamole and a Salmon lunch, we were so impressed everything very fresh and delicious for a very reasonable price. Very worthwhile for taking a break to reflect on the beauty you’ve just taken in.
3. University of Guanajuato
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 890 reviews
This prestigious university was constructed to blend in with the rest of the city.
Reviewed By chicago90Phoenix - phoenix
There are 2 entrances to the building; you can walk up the outdoor stairs or you can walk in through 2 other entrances on the ground floor (same side or around the corner). The outside architecture is gorgeous; the interior is nothing fancy or special, but it is always nice to walk through a college building for the overall energy and vibe.
4. Jardin de la Union
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
This popular plaza is the center of social activity in the city.
Reviewed By Chuck B - Steilacoom, Washington
A little island of green in the epicenter of the Historic District, this garden is a cool place to sit surrounded by the interlocking foliage of the beautiful trees. Apart from the cool temperature, it is perhaps a little too "cool" ringed by pricy restaurants, cafes and bars where the well-to-do while their afternoons away.
5. Don Quixote Iconographic Museum (Museo Iconografico del Quijote)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 357 reviews
This museum is dedicated to the story of Don Quixote and displays statues, murals and other depictions of this famous Literary figure.
Reviewed By johntpt - Toluca, Mexico
This pretty museum has many paintings of Don Quixote, some better than others. More interesting are the various Quixote printings in many languages from several centuries. This museum is located in a well preserved old residence. The day I visited the ticket was free! Well worth a stop if you are walking past.
6. Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 549 reviews
This 17th-century Cathedral holds a wooden image of the Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato that is thought be the oldest piece of Christian art in Mexico.
Reviewed By MarkfromtheIsland - Victoria
Every town of any size in Mexico seems to have a parochial style of church. Some are better (like San Miguel de Allende's), some not as good (like Dolores Hidalgo's).
This follows the formula.
If you're into churches - particularly of this architectural style - then it's worth a visit. Otherwise I'd give it a miss. Look at it from the outside or from up at the Pipila viewpoint but it's not worth going inside.
7. Alhondiga de Granaditas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 916 reviews
This huge stone granary was the site of the first major Mexican victory against the Spanish in the War of Independence.
Reviewed By NorthVanDMo - North Vancouver, Canada
This museum is an excellent place to learn more about Mexican history and culture: pre-Columbian, the silver trial, the fight for independence (a significant battle took place at this building), and modern history.
Housed in a beautiful building with a nice courtyard, the museum offers cards with English explanations of the various rooms.
One of the showstoppers is a large mural by Chavez Morado from 1955 depicting, among other things, harm done to indigenous peoples by the colonialists. I have seen similar murals by Rivera in Mexico City - but here I was struck by how much earlier than Canadians Mexicans began to confront this aspect of their past.
We enjoyed looking at pre-Hispanic artefacts - especially a large collection of "stamps" used by indigenous peoples in the GTO area. Moving into the 20th century, we also enjoyed the photo portraits of local families by Romualdo Garcia. Very interesting!
Another moving area is the memorial to Hidalgo and the other fighters for independence who's heads were hung on the 4 corners of the building (after they were captured and executed by the Spanish).
I highly recommend a visit here while in Guanajuato.
8. Templo La Valenciana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 446 reviews
This lavish 18th-century church was built by a silver baron from the nearby Valenciana mine.
Reviewed By womantraveler59 - Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
Travel on the rural route to La Valenciana and pass through Santa Rosa ....The pottery town.The history of mining in La Valenciana is interesting as are the mummy museum, the mining museum, and the Catrina museum just outside of town.
9. Santuario de Cristo Rey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 520 reviews
Located on a nearly 3,000-foot mountain called Cerro del Cubilete, this huge statue of Jesus is one of the largest in the world.
Reviewed By smokym1 - Inman, South Carolina
Its quite a driving experience as the road is a typical mountain road with cobblestone pavement. Well worth the trip up. I traveled with friends in a car. There is parking at the top. Its an easy walk from the parking lot. The air is cool and the view is fantastic. This is a trip I would repeat next visit to the area. I could linger most of the day looking at the spectacular views and the amazing statue.
10. Monumento al Pipila
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
This monument, which sits above the city atop a large hill, is dedicated to Pipila, an Indian miner who was killed after taking up arms against the Mexican government in an Indian revolt.
Reviewed By James H - Seattle, Washington
The monument itself is unspectacular. But you don't really go for that. You go for the view. It is great anytime of day. Unless you want to do a fair amount of uphill walking, I would recommend taking the funicular up and then meandering your way down via the paths and neighborhood
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