Rich in history and culture, Guanajuato is one of the most beautiful places in Mexico. Guanajuato is well known for it’s mining history, colorful architecture, the museum of Mummies and for its Alley of Kiss, the narrow street with two balconies close enough for two people to kiss. Here are my suggestions on How to spend 24 hours in Guanajuano.
I got to Guanajuato late afternoon after spending a day in San Miguel de Allende. With the limited time, I had to plan in advance to make the most of my time in town.
Is Guanajuato safe
The short answer is “yes”. While Guanajuato is a small safe tourist city, following basic safety rule is a key. If traveling alone, exercise extra caution, be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables close.
How to spend 24 hours in Guanajuato
Late night city stroll
The city is beautiful during the day but even more lively and bright during the night. I walked around the city center, took tons of pictures of the Basilica, walked down to the Theater to see the night lighting and of course stopped by to get a drink.
I was visiting during the Day of the Dead celebration, so the entire city center was packed with locals and tourist watching the parade and walking around the colorful tapetes.
University of Guanajuato
I started the day really early hoping to see some tapertes from the Day of the dead celebration, but they all were gone.. What a disappointment! So, I headed to the central area of the town. I walked up the iconic Guanajuato University stairs and spent a lot of time there just standing and enjoying the view.
Did you know that University of Guanajuato is almost 300 years old? The school was founded in the 18th century, but received an official college status almost 100 years later.
I took couple of pictures from the top of the stairs and headed to see the Basilica.
Walk around the Basílica
Basilica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato is another another iconic building in Guanajuato. The construction of the church was fully funded by the miners residing in the area.
Visit Jardin de la Union and Teatro Juares
On my way to the park I stopped by San Diego church to look at very detailed church facade.
With fountains, tall trees and a lot of shades , the park is a perfect place for relaxing and people watching. I walked around the park and headed to the Theatro Juares. The sculls from the Dia de los Muertos celebations the day before were still there, so I had a . I got a ticket and spend time exploring the theater on my own. The second level floor above the main hall area and the dome both made of thick glass. So, the second level hall is very bright in the morning especially on sunny day.
The theater is really beautiful, totally worth visiting. To my huge disappointment, the Tosca was performing the night, the time I had to leave the town. I wish I could spend another night. This is thing to do for my next trip.
Ride Funicular Panoramico
Have you seen the famous image of the yellow basilica surrounded by colorful buildings from the top? The best place to see this exact view is from the top of the Funicula Panaramico.
You can also walk to the top of the hill, but I strongly suggest taking the funicular. Get there early. I got to the entrance of Funicular by 10 am and had to wait in line about 20 mins to get on cable car.
The view from the top is to die for.
Expect a lot tourists (and vendors) on the around the observation deck. I was wondering around the souvenir tents and stopped by the natural supplement stand. The lady offered me to buy some memory supplements. I probably looked like a person who needs memory supplements. 
Monumento a El Pípila
Monumento a El Pípila is a monument to the Mexican Independence War hero, El Pipila, located on the top of the mountain. According to the legend El Pililla set the Granary full of Spanish soldiers on fire, got inside and killed all of them.
I sat on the stairs for while enjoying the view, took couple more pictures and headed down to Alley of Kiss
Kiss (or not) on the Alley of Kiss.
Alley of Kiss is a narrow and fairly short street where balconies from two houses on the opposite sides of the street are close enough, so that two people standing on different balconies can kiss.
Another place, another legend. Guanojuato history is full of legends to the extend that the legends make the history, sometimes very bloody history. The legend behind the alley of kisses is, of course, heartbreaking love story. A girl from a rich family and a boy from a poor family fell in love, and kissed standing on different balconies, but the girl’s father did not approve teens love.
Read More:
How to kiss on Alley of Kiss in Guanajuato
Plazuella de San Fernando
With a couple or restaurants, benches and tall trees, San Fernando plaza is a great place for people watching, dining or just relaxing. I love the planters made of refurbished gold mining carts, the fountain in the middle of the plaza and a relaxing atmosphere.
Stop by Tepetapa, Old Rail Road station
On my way to the museum I stopped by the Old train station. The train station was built during the government of General Porfirio Díaz at the time of Mexican railroad expansion. The building is more than 100 years old.
Visit Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato
Want to see several dozen of real mummified bodies? How about 8 months old baby mommies? And if that is not disturbing enough, how about 6 months fetus mummy, the smallest mummy in the world?
Sounds exciting? If yes, this museum is a must see for you in Guanajuato.
The museum is equally unique, disturbing and educational. The history behind the museum is as disturbing as museum itself.
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Visiting Museum of the Mummies of Guanajuato
See Guanajuato murals
The walk back from the Museum was very interesting. I got lost couple of times following the narrow zigzag streets and stairs. Getting lost seems to be a theme through my entire Day of the Dead trip to Mexico. Eventually I found myself down from museum and got down to the Centro de Iniciación Deportiva, the building covered with huge murals.
The view from the Frog Park
The park itself has nothing special, just several concrete frogs and a fountain in the middle. What was cool is the view from Hidalgo avenue to the hill. It is one of the most colorful houses view in town.
Walk the tunnels
Guanajuato is well known for it’s tunnels. Currently the tunnel system is used to bring the traffic to the city and divert the traffic from the city center. The tunnels were initially created to prevent the flooding in the city during in the past. Later, the tunnels condition worsens and the river was redirected to the new lower underground tunnel leaving the original tunnels unused. Later on, the tunnel system was repurposed for cars and busses use.
The tunnels have sidewalks, so you can perfectly walk there if the air quality is not an issue.
Buy fresh fruits at Mercado Hidalgo
Yes, of course, my usual market stop. Originally built as a train station, Guanajuato market building has very interesting and unique architecture. It reminded me a market in Kiev city center (Bessarabsky market). I did my regular market walk, bought some fresh fruits and headed down to city center
Visit Templo De Belen
The full name of the church is Templo de Belén o Parroquia del Inmaculado Corazón de María. This is by far my favorite church in Guanajuato. Similar to San Diego Church, it has a very detail facade, stunning frescoes and altar inside.
The Granary
On my way back to the hotel I stopped by Alhóndiga de Granaditas, the former grain exchange building. This is the building where Spanish soldiers barricaded themselves and later were killed by El Pipilo according to the legend. Alhóndiga de Granaditas is one of the oldest buildings in Guanajuato. Currently the building hosts Historical Museum, which totally worth visiting if you have more than a day in Guanajuato.
Final thoughts.
Guanajuato is one of my most favorite cities in the world. With its colorful buildings, museums, great food and a lot of events, it became very popular local and even international tourist destination lately.
Have you been to GuanaJuato? Do you have suggestions on how to spend 24 hours in Guanajuato?
