Top Reasons to Visit Guanajuato, Mexico's Most Beautiful City

Guanajuato is in esteemed company. Alongside only a handful of Mexican cities, it’s been recognized as a Unesco World Heritage site, thanks to its colonial and baroque architecture; thin, winding streets that run across town; the mines on which the city was founded; and the key role it played in the Mexican Revolution. Needless to say, there’s a wealth of history to be discovered here.

All over the state of Guanajuato, you’ll see monuments dedicated to the region’s contributions during the war of independence. An event that’s considered as the start of the war – El Grito, a call-to-arms by priest Miguel Hidalgo – happened northeast of Guanajuato City in the small town of Dolores. The city itself is where Hidalgo’s army of insurgents first laid siege. Every September 15 and 16, residents pour into the downtown plaza to celebrate Independence Day.

Guanajuato’s streets brim with history. High above town you’ll see one monument, El Pípila, standing tall. Dedicated to an independence hero, the 82ft (25m) statue offers the best view in town. Back at the bottom, the Callejón del Beso is a tiny alley with a romantic story. According to legend, couples who kiss on its third step will be blessed with love and happiness.

Guanajuato is filled with things to do year-round, but the city’s festivals alone make it worth a visit. The famed El Cervantino offers cultural events and late-night parties all through October, ending just before the Day of the Dead festivities begin. Before that, the Festival de las Vendimias (wine harvest festival), takes over town from August to September.

Among Guanajuato’s theaters and open-air venues, the Teatro Juárez stands out. Located downtown, the 19th-century neoclassical construction hosts some of the nation’s top artists – from pop bands to opera singers. It’s worth seeing a show here just to marvel at the richly decorated, art nouveau interior. It’s also a meeting point for the not-quite-as-famous callejoneada guides, who take visitors through town while serenading them with classic Mexican songs.

One of the best aspects of Guanajuato is the abundance of greenery. Many streets feature manicured trees and hedges, softening the edges of this urban metropolis. One of our favorite green spaces is the Jardín de la Unión, near Teatro Juárez and the Iglesia de San Diego. It’s a welcome oasis, filled with finely clipped hedges, bright blooms and a trickling fountain. Grab a snack from a street vendor, get comfortable on a bench, and indulge in people-watching.

Known for its above-ground alleyways, Guanajuato also has an extensive tunnel system criss-crossing town. Originally built to divert a river that frequently flooded the early city, the tunnels are now open to cars and pedestrians. Entrances are elaborately decorated, and the intricately laid stonework is still impressive centuries later. Head down the Calle Subterránea to catch a glimpse of what lies under the city.

While this street fare isn’t originally from Guanajuato City – but rather León, less than an hour away by car – guacamaya is a must-try if you’re in town. A sandwich served on a wide bolillo roll, the guacamaya is filled with pork rinds, avocado, pico de gallo, salt and a squeeze of lime. Pick one up from the vendors along Guanajuato’s main avenues and grab a napkin – it’s as messy as it is delicious.