Guadalajara
As Mexico’s second-largest city, Guadalajara delivers a less frenetic alternative to the nation’s capital. And, while many of the images recognized as Mexican have their roots here – mariachi music, wide-brimmed sombreros, the Mexican hat dance and charreadas (rodeos) – Guadalajara is as much a vanguard of the new Mexico as it is guardian of the old. An embarrassment of museums and theaters drive the cultural life forward, fusion chefs have sharpened the edges of an already legendary culinary scene and foresighted local planners are doing their damnedest to tackle the traffic.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Guadalajara
Standing proudly at the eastern end of dramatic Plaza Tapatía is one of Guadalajara’s architectural landmarks, and a Unesco World Heritage site since 1997…
Guadalajara
Guadalajara’s cathedral is the city’s most conspicuous landmark with distinctive neo-Gothic towers built after an earthquake toppled the originals in…
Guachimontones Archaeological Site
Guadalajara
Just 40km west of Guadalajara is the fascinating and distinctive archaeological site known as Guachimontones – one of the only ancient ruins in the world…
Guadalajara
One of the city's most important churches, the Basílica de Zapopan, built in 1730, is home to Nuestra Señora de Zapopan, a petite statue of the Virgin…
Guadalajara
On Thursday and Sunday, Tonalá bursts into a huge street market that sprouts on Avenida Tonaltecas and crawls through dozens of streets and alleys and…
Guadalajara
This superb collection of over 500 pieces of national folk art is housed in a converted religious mission and includes well-displayed miniature figurines,…
Guadalajara
Guadalajara's most important museum tells the story of the city and the surrounding region, somewhat haphazardly, from prehistory to the revolution…
Guadalajara
This huge plaza due east of the cathedral was a 1980s urban planner’s dream project – two whole blocks of colonial buildings to be knocked down and…
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Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Day Trips
Guadalajara is a large, dynamic city. If you’re looking for a different side of Mexico or just need a break from all that urbanity, then you’re in luck.
Read articleMoney and Costs
Follow these money-saving tips to stretch your budget on a visit to Guadalajara.
Read articleFree Things to Do
The second largest city in Mexico, Guadalajara is a complex metropolis conjuring images of colonial churches and outdoor markets, mariachi bands and…
Read articlePlan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from Guadalajara
Destination Practicalities
Get ready for Guadalajara with these top trip tipsAug 16, 2024 • 6 min read
Public TransportFrom tequila tasting to mountain hiking, these are Guadalajara’s 5 best day tripsAug 19, 2022 • 5 min read
ActivitiesTop 10 free things to do in Guadalajara - murals, mariachis, markets and moreAug 11, 2022 • 5 min read
Destination PracticalitiesThe 5 best neighborhoods in Guadalajara: the best areas to stay, eat and sightseeAug 7, 2022 • 5 min read
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