The charming, colourful Unesco World Heritage city of Guanajuato, in the north of Mexico, is nestled within a scenic valley and is steeped in history.
The cobbled streets and historic tunnels, that were once subterranean rivers, twist their way around and through the hillsides, which are peppered with a range of colourful homes.
Two days is the perfect amount of time to experience the vibrant city, found just 4-5 hours north of Mexico City by car.
We’ve rounded up the top 10 things to do in Guanajuato in just two days below. If you’re interested in more Mexico articles, you can check them out here.
Here’s an overview:
Top Things to Do in Guanajuato in 2 Days
Here’s our top itinerary for two days in Guanajuato.
Related read: The Ultimate 4-6 Week Mexico Itinerary
Day 1: Experience The City’s History and Culture
Alhóndiga de Granaditas
First things first, head to Alhóndiga de Granaditas, a grain storage-turned-museum, for a slice of Guanajuato’s history. The building was front-and-centre of the Mexican Independence movement in the 19th century, as the site where the Spanish formed a defensive position inside to hold off the Mexican rebels.
The museum is home to lots of artwork and artefacts that really highlight the city’s importance during this turbulent time.
Entry costs $30 pesos, which is around £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 most famous Mexican rebels to storm the Alhóndiga de Granaditas was El PÃplia. He was a miner who strapped a stone shield to his back, charged at the building and set the doors on fire, allowing the rebels to eventually breach the Spanish defences.
El PÃplia is memorialised with a statue high above the city, which is also an incredible viewpoint of the entire city below.
To reach the panoramic spot, you can enjoy the adorable funicular ride up the hillside to reach the El PÃpila Monument.
The view of all the colourful buildings spread out below is hard to beat, especially as the sun sets.
You can reach the monument without the funicular, but the walk up is steep! If you’re taking the funicular, the prices as of Nov 2024 are below.
Tickets each way cost $35 MXN for adults and $15 MXN for children (aged 4 to 11) and older adults with an INAPAM ID. Children aged 3 and under can travel for free.
Tip: Ride the funicular up to the monument, then walk back down for a change of pace and to save a few pennies!
Mummies Museum (Museo de las Momias)
The Mummies Museum is one of the most famous, yet most bizarre, attractions in Guanajuato.
During efforts to make room for more bodies in a local cemetery, naturally mummified remains were unearthed and relocated to the museum.
It really emphasises the Mexican people’s acceptance and celebration of death! Tickets cost $8 MXN, which is roughly £0.30 or $0.40 USD.
Mercado Hidalgo
Named after one of the leader’s of the independence movement, Miguel Hidalgo, this massive market hall is a perfect stop on your first day to fuel up on some delicious street food.
The enormous iron structure was originally intended to be a grand central train station, but the project was abandoned after the building was completed, when it was quickly repurposed into a market.
It’s a brilliant place to wander through and haggle for a souvenir, or sample some enchiladas mineras, or just soak up the chaotic and lively atmosphere.
Tip: Make sure you pick up a cup of aguas frescas (fruity drinks), which are a great way to cool off from the warm weather you’ll no-doubt experience here.
Callejón del Beso
No visit to Guanajuato would be complete without visiting the most iconic spot in the city!
Guanajuato might be home to many small alleys, but Callejón del Beso is definitely the most narrow! It translates to Alley of the Kiss in English, and measures just 168cm or 66 inches wide at some points, with the balconies on both sides of the alleyway almost touching.
The famous alleyway even has its own legend: a tragic, forbidden love story between Ana and Carlos, a daughter of a wealthy man and a humble miner…
Despite Ana’s father demanding that she marry a wealthy man, she fell in love with humble, poor Carlos. Her father found out and he locked her away to attempt to separate the two of them, but love knows no bounds! Carlos soon after bought the house next door, which had a balcony practically touching Ana’s bedroom balcony. The lovers would meet every night in secret and kiss across the narrow alleyway. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and one night Ana’s father caught them in an embrace. He fell into a fit of anger, shouting at and threatening Carlos, and accidentally killed his own daughter in the chaos. Carlos was distraught, and legend has it that he died of a broken heart not long after.
Despite being a very short alley – only about 25 metres in length – it’s a fun spot to visit. If you’re with a loved one, you can even pay the homeowners to each go onto a balcony and share a kiss across the gap!
Day 2: Enjoy Guanajuato’s Art, Architecture, and Delicious Food
JardÃn de la Unión
Start your day by visiting JardÃn de la Unión, which is a triangular plaza and one of Guanajuato’s main hangout areas.
You’ll find plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants around the edges, making it a great spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner – in case you wanted to come back later!
The JardÃn, which means Garden in English, is lined with neatly trimmed trees and plenty of benches where you can sit in the shade.
Bring a book and rest here for a while with a morning coffee before tackling the day ahead!
Teatro Juárez
Right next to the JardÃn de la Unión is the Teatro Juárez. Built in the late 19th century, it was inaugurated by the infamous dictator Portfirio DÃaz, and remains one of the most stunning theatres in all of Mexico.
If you know a little Spanish – or even if you don’t – experiencing a performance here is a great experience. You’ll find posters outside the theatre or bump into people selling tickets for upcoming shows, which are very affordable, often costing around $100 MXN (£3.85 or $4.90 USD).
Even if you’re not planning to catch a show, the architecture itself is worth a visit, which is a mix of neoclassical and Moorish styles. The interior is also beautiful, with stained glass and lavish woodwork everywhere you look.
Tip: You won’t be able to see much of the interior without a guided tour, which are in Spanish only. If you’re interested, the tours operate throughout the day – just ask a member of staff when the next tour will start.
Diego Rivera Museum
Most visitors to Mexico will already be aware of Diego Rivera, one of the country’s most famous artists. Many will know his wife even more – Frida Kahlo.
Mr Rivera was born in Guanajuato, and lived there with his family until he was 6 years old. Thankfully, his childhood home remained standing over the next 100 years until it was turned into a fantastic museum showcasing many of his early works, as well as a re-creation of the home as it would have looked in the 19th century.
If you’re a fan of art, it’s a great place to wander through the permanent (and temporary) exhibits, and learn a little more about one of Mexico’s most famous figures.
Callejones (Alleys)
In case you haven’t done this already simply by wandering around between sights, exploring the maze of narrow alleyways is a brilliant way to spend an afternoon. Without a map or route in mind, just explore on foot and see what you find. The colourful city streets are home to so many hidden gems, tucked away little courtyards and cafes with incredible views across the valley.
Go hunting for street art, for which Mexico is famous for, or follow the sound of mariachi bands playing in various plazas. Hop into local artist shops and pick yourself up something nice, or stop for a sip of tequila in one of the many quirky bars.
We’d recommend the area around the Diego Rivera Museum (Positos Street) for exploring. It’s full of aforementioned gems and seems to stay a little quieter than the main street at the bottom of the valley.
Another favourite of ours was the Plaza de San Fernando, which had plenty of restaurant and bar options, with a lovely atmosphere around the plaza!
Tip: Listen out for the Callejoneadas in the evening, which are tours led by local musicians (troubadours) through the tunnels and alleys in the underbelly of the city, telling various legends and tales through song!
Guanajuato Cuisine
Last (but by no means least) is sampling some of the delicious food native to Guanajuato. A local tour guide once told us that Mexico should be explored, experienced and LIVED through food – and we couldn’t agree more!
Make sure you try Enchiladas Mineras before you leave. The tortillas, originally prepared by local women hoping to sustain their husbands who worked the mines, are filled with chicken or cheese then topped with a healthy layer of cheese, lettuce and onion. They’re then smothered in a delicious enchilada sauce… so, so delicious!
If you’re not already full, give Tlacoyos or Gorditas a try, which are popular dishes in Guanajuato. Tlyacoyos are essentially a doughy pocket filled with cheese, beans or your choice of meat, then fried or grilled. Gorditas are similar, but they’re thicker and are often veggie-friendly! Both are often paired with salsa or guacamole.
Don’t forget to grab a cold cerveza alongside your delicious food, and you’ll have the perfect final meal for your two-day Guanajuato adventure!
Related read: A Complete Guide to Vegan Travel in Mexico
