Consistently named one of the ten most colorful cities in the world, UNESCO-listed Guanajuato is a beautiful city in the foothills of Central Mexico. El Centro Guanajuato is characterized by rainbow-colored homes tumbling down the hillside, incredible historic cathedrals, colorful colonial mansions, bustling tree-lined plazas, a series of underground tunnels, and a maze of cobblestone alleys.

Founded in the 16th century, Guanajuato continues to fly under the radar, hiding in the shadows of its more famous neighbor, San Miguel de Allende.

Guanajuato at a Glance

• Area: 384.8 mi²
• Elevation: 6,709 feet
• Population: 194,500 (2020)
• Hero: El Pipila
• Known for: Mummies

When to Go

Guanajuato is in central Mexico, with a climate similar to nearby Mexico City. It’s in the mountains, but not high enough to get altitude sickness.

When to visit is subjective. We visited in February and the weather was perfect – dry and warm during the day, and cool at night. It’s also shoulder season so fewer crowds and lower prices.

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Here are the best things to see in El Centro Guanajuato:

12 Tunnels

If you’re wondering where all the cars in the historic center are, they’re underground!

Originally built to prevent flooding of the nearby Rio Guanajuato from damaging the city, the labyrinth of tunnels beneath the city protects pedestrians from traffic. They are quite amazing, and you can walk into many of them to take a look

11 Bollo Preñao

Bollo preñao (“pregnant buns”) is a traditional Mexican pastry. It is a small, round, fluffy bread bun stuffed with either a savory filling such as chorizo, or a sweet filling such as chocolate or strawberry jam and cream cheese.

You’ll not likely find this little shop in any travel guide, but Bollo Preñao, located on a side street off the main historical center, has something unique – their “piggy buns” look like adorable baby hogs! They are made fresh, served warm, and are delicious.

10 Templo de San Francisco

Facing the Plaza de San Francisco, Templo de San Francisco was built in 1741 in a late baroque style. The stunning building is made of dark pink quarried stone, with decorative motifs added in the 19th century, including the clock on its facade. Franciscan friars have been running the church since 1828.

9 Monumento al Pipila

The great statue looms over the city, and from the top, it offers the best viewpoint of the city. El Pípila (“turkey man”) was a local hero of Guanajuato and played a crucial role in the victory of the insurgents in the capture of Alhondiga de Granaditas in 1810. Legend has it that he set the colonial’s arsenal ablaze while wearing a massive slab of rock on his back to protect himself from gunfire.

Built in 1939 out of pink quarry, the statue is easily recognized by its iconic torch. The statue’s location offers a panoramic 360-degree view of the city. From the top, you can fully appreciate the way the colorful buildings appear to run down the hill.

The best time to view Monumento al Pipila is just before sunset when the city is bathed in dazzling natural light.

There are three ways to get to the monument: (1) take the funicular; (2) drive; (3) undertake a suicidal uphill trek.

8 Jardin de La Union

The Jardin de la Union is a triangular-shaped plaza surrounded by lush trees, fountains, bars, and restaurants. The green space makes for a nice rest stop after walking around Centro Guanajuato. There are often live mariachi music and street performers to entertain locals and tourists.

7 Mercado Hidalgo

Bustling Mercado Hidalgo lies in the heart of the city and is the biggest market. The chaotic two-story market was originally built to serve as a railway station during the industrial era. As it was inaugurated at the time of the centennial celebrations of Mexican independence, it was named after Miguel Hidalgo, a famous Mexican priest who fought for freedom.  The clock tower on the rooftop was designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, creator of France’s iconic Eiffel Tower.

Vendors on the bottom floor sell mostly street food, fresh fruits, cheese, and meat. You’ll find traditional souvenirs on the second floor. The prices are good, so no need to barter. In fact, during our trips to Mexico in recent years, there no longer seems to be very much bartering anywhere.

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6 Teatro Juarez

Historic Juarez Theater is located across from Jardin de La Union (#8 above). You can’t miss the Doric columns topped by eight life-sized bronze statues hailing from Greek mythology. Originally built between 1872 and 1903, the Neoclassical auditorium is a functioning theater, so you might be able to book tickets for a musical or performance during your visit.

5 Plaza de La Paz

Located in the heart of Centro Guanajuato, Plaza de La Paz is buzzing with activity, street vendors, restaurants, cafes, and shops.

The most important building in the plaza is the Basilica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato which celebrates Guanajuato’s Catholic faith and is dedicated to the patron saint of the miners, San Nicolas Tolentino.

The17th-century canary yellow church has an impressive dusty pink Baroque dome, three entrances, a three-level bell tower, and another Churrigueresque (Spanish Baroque) style tower

Inside is the jewel-adorned statue of the Virgin Mary that was hidden in a cave for centuries.

4 Santo Café

The Santo Café was my favorite place to eat in Guanajuato. You can find it near the old entrance to the city, perched on a tiny bridge overlooking the street below and colorful buildings. There are only three or four tables (there are others inside, but who wants that?). We were lucky enough to snag one, and we thoroughly enjoyed watching people walk under the bridge while eating our delicious oversized portions of food.

3 Callejon de Beso

Callejón del Beso (“alley of the kiss”) is a narrow alley with steep steps known for a tragic “Romeo and Juliette” type love story that draws couples to its site to kiss.

According to local legend a wealthy young woman, whose bedroom window looked out onto the alley, fell in love with a young man from the wrong side of the tracks. The young man rented out the room in the building across from and they would secretly meet and kiss from their windows across the tiny alley. Unfortunately, the girl’s father found out, and in a fit of rage, stabbed his daughter to death, after which the young man then threw himself to his death in the alley below.

2 View from Above

While El Centro Guanajuato is a ton of fun to walk around, you can’t miss seeing the colorful city from above.

There are many opportunities to accomplish this. One is by taking the funicular to El Pipila (#9 above). You can also just start walking up any of the ascending alleys from the historic center. Spectacular views can be had all along the way, so if you don’t want to climb all the way (it’s steep), don’t worry, you don’t have to.

View from our hotel balcony

We were lucky enough to have a spectacular view from our hotel, so we didn’t take the funicular. Since we walked from our hotel to the city center (and back), we were treated to stunning views along both ways.

1 Wander El Centro

One of the best things to do in UNESCO-listed Guanajuato is just wandering around the colorful alleys, plazas, and squares. Guanajuato’s historical center is crisscrossed with beautiful cobbled streets contrasted by pink sandstone and gold churches, colonial buildings in vibrant colors of the rainbow, and cheerful flowers spilling out of the second-story window.

The government still offers monetary incentives for residents to paint their homes in bright colors.

Don’t worry about getting lost in the labyrinth of hilly streets; simply start walking downhill and you will eventually arrive back in the center of town.

Extended Visit

If you have more than one day to spend, there’s more to see than just Centro Guanajuato. Here are some recommendations:

• Museo de las Momias – a somewhat grisly museum displaying over 100 exhumed mummies (who allegedly didn’t pay the ongoing grave tax) including a pregnant female mummy and several children
• Valenciana Mina – famous silver mine
• Museo Iconografico Del Quijote – is a collection of art surrounding Don Quixote and Sancho Panza from the novel
• Museu Casa Diego Rivera – the birthplace and home to the world-famous painter, Diego Rivera known for his exquisite nationalist murals (and for being the husband of the equally talented Frida Kahlo)
• Bravos de León – the local baseball team can be a fun outing on weekends

Day Trips

San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is the most popular day trip from Guanajuato. Nowhere in Mexico will you find more beautiful architecture and romantic vibe than in the heart of the colonial city of San Miguel de Allendo’s historic district known as El Centro. Most of the town’s iconic structures are within the city’s cobblestoned center, including the epic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, a neo-Gothic church whose dramatic towering pink towers will take your breath away.

Dolores Hidalgo

Dolores Hidalgo is classified as one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos (“Magic Towns”). It’s a city of important historical significance; Mexico’s first “cry of independence” took place in 1810, securing Dolores Hidalgo’s place in history.

Local priest Miguel Hidalgo uttered the “Cry of Dolores” at the 18th-century Dolores Parish Church, rallying people to rise up against the Spanish. On September 16, 1810, he rang his church bell and gave the call to arms that triggered the Mexican War of Independence, making Dolores Hidalgo “la cuna de la independencia” or the cradle of independence for Mexico.

Tips for Visiting

1. If you only have one day, limit your sightseeing to the historic center to see as much as possible.
2. Wear good walking shoes. Guanajuato is very hilly and flip-flops won’t work. Forget about heels.
3. Have cash (pesos). Credit cards are not widely accepted.
4. Make sure you have water. Again, those hills.
5. Be sure to tip your waiter. Like the U.S., tipping is common practice.

Photos by Kary Kern.

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About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.