Two Days Among The Colourful Streets of Guanajuato, Mexico
If you have only two days in Guanajuato, Mexico, you will experience the quaint town in a whirlwind. Even so, two days is long enough to take in the colours, sights, energy and food of Guanajuato.
Where is Guanajuato, Mexico?
Guanajuato is a state in Mexico located right in the centre. It is known for the capital city, also called Guanajuato, which I write about here. Guanajuato City is extremely colourful and quaint town with hilly streets.
To get there, fly into Del Bajío International Airport, located in the town of Silao, Guanajuato. This is still a 30 minute drive from Guanajuato City, so it’s best to arrange an airport transfer in advance.
Guanajuato can also be reached by bus or car. It is located 358km or 222 miles from Mexico City. This drive can take up to 5 hours. Busses in Mexico are cheap and safe, so this is an option if you have time to spare.
What to eat in Guanajuato, Mexico?
When in Mexico, street food is always a go-to. For me, the horchata and fresh fruit are favourites. If you eat meat, you may want to ease into the street offerings, as your stomach may not be used to the style of cooking. To play it safe, fresh quesadillas can often be made vegetarian. Try them with the hot sauces!
Guanajuato has some restaurants with open air seating, as in the photo above. This is a fantastic experience on a nice day. Try chilaquiles for brunch one day. This Mexican dish has tortilla chips, cheese, egg and either mole, green or red sauce. So yummy!
Grab a coffee from a cafe and start wandering the streets of this colourful city.
So Many Alleys!
The city has over 3,200 alleys! Some are barely 60cm wide in parts, while others function as regular streets. You’ve likely heard of the Alley of Kiss, a narrow stairway where two building’s balconies are almost touching. It is a must see, although you may be waiting in a long line if you want a photo with the iconic spot.
My favourite way to spend time is to get lost among the colourful alleyways of Guanajuato. Wandering around on foot is the best way to experience the richness of the city. Each corner you turn brings a new surprise. Of course, the vibrant walls make for great photos. Much of the city has pedestrian-only areas, making it easy to travel on foot safely.
Street performers line the main streets with beautifully painted faces and costumes. The level of skill is incredible! You may hear musicians playing, birds chirping, and the general bustle of a happy city. Keep your eyes and ears open to take it all in!
And Tunnels, too
A unique part of Guanajuato is the amount of tunnels and underground streets it has. With a total of 8 kilometres, it’s considered the longest tunnel network in the world! You may drive into the city through an underground street, or can hop down to one while exploring on foot.
Amazing Markets
A highlight of a short trip to Guanajuato is the vibrant markets. Mercato Hidalgo is a massive indoor market where you can find anything from delicious quesadillas to roasted nuts, beaded handbags and clothing and endlessly unique trinkets.
There are also pop up street markets including one selling paintings, a book market and surely many more throughout the city! For shopping, there are many boutiques offering clothing, handmade goods, soaps, genuine leather shoes and bags.
Exquisite Theatres
While in Guanajuato, I saw a dance performance at Teatro Cervantes. There are often performances happening here, so check the schedule if you’re available! It’s always interesting to see local art on a local stage.
Teatro Juárez is an incredibly beautiful theatre that sits central in the town. It was built between 1872 and 1903, and hosted the most famous artists of the time. You won’t miss it, just look for the stunning pillars and statues on it’s exterior. If you need some shade from the sun, the steps in front can be a welcome resting spot.
There is also the Teatro Principal de Guanajuato, with an interesting history. It was built in 1788 with a neoclassical style for the purpose of providing entertainment to all classes of society. In the early 19th century it was considered one of the best theatres in Mexico, until it fell into disrepair. After the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1920, it was turned into a cinema. A fire followed, and the theatre was closed until the ’50’s. Now it is run by the University of Guanajuato, and hosts plays and contemporary dance events.
Nearby Interests
With some extra time, you can venture outside the brights walls of the city and check out some nearby attractions.
León is the most populated city within the state of Guanajuato. Interestingly, the city has a strong leather-making economy. Inhabitants even have the nickname ‘green belly’, or ‘panzaverde’ in Spanish, because of the green tint left on the skin after treating leather. Driving to León from Guanajuato takes 46 minutes and can be done by taxi. There is also direct busses departing every 30 minutes.
El Museo de las Momias or the Mummy Museum is an interesting stop along the way. This museum contains naturally and partially embalmed bodies of people who died during a cholera outbreak in 1833. There was a tax for burials and people who’s family didn’t pay it were disinterred and stored in the building that is today the museum. There are 59 of the 111 mummies on display in the museum.
Enjoy Guanajuato!
I hope this post has encouraged you to check out Guanajuato, Mexico! If you’re travelling to Mexico for the first time alone as a female, please check out my post Is Mexico City Safe For Solo Female Travel?. For a fun gift, this Guanajuato journal features Spanish proverbs. For nice walking sandals, Birkenstock’s can’t be beat. Need a place to stay in Guanajuato?Check availability via Booking.com. Have you been to Guanajuato, Mexico? Comment below.