Guanajuato Travel Guide
La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, San Miguel de Allende. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Guanajuato is the silver state: the colonial mining wealth of the 18th century built two of Mexico's most beautiful cities, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende. The state is small and easy to travel, with the two cities about 90 minutes apart and the independence history of Dolores Hidalgo between them.
Guanajuato city is a UNESCO-listed maze of colourful houses in a ravine, famous for its underground streets, the Alley of the Kiss, and the October Cervantino festival. San Miguel de Allende is the polished expatriate favourite with its neo-Gothic Parroquia. October's Festival Internacional Cervantino, running since 1972, is one of Latin America's great arts festivals.
Destinations in Guanajuato
Historic center and underground streetsThe UNESCO-listed ravine city: colourful houses, subterranean roads and the Jardin de la Union.
La Parroquia de San Miguel ArcangelThe pink neo-Gothic parish church that defines the city's skyline. UNESCO-listed with Atotonilco.
La ValencianaThe baroque church beside what was once the richest silver mine in the world.
Callejon del BesoThe Alley of the Kiss: balconies so close that legend says lovers kissed across them.
Dolores HidalgoWhere Father Hidalgo gave the Cry of Independence in 1810; also famous for its exotic-flavoured ice creams.
Museo de las MomiasThe famous mummy museum: naturally mummified bodies from the local cemetery.
Fabrica La AuroraThe old textile factory turned art and design center.
El Charco del IngenioThe botanical garden and nature reserve in the canyon above town.
Hover a state to explore it. Click a city pin to open its guide.
Top Cities & towns in Guanajuato
Regional food
- Enchiladas mineras: the miner's enchiladas of Guanajuato
- Cajeta de Celaya: the goat's-milk caramel of nearby Celaya
- Exotic nieves in Dolores Hidalgo: avocado, beer, shrimp flavours
Getting there
Leon/Guanajuato International (BJX) serves both cities. Buses from Mexico City take about 4-5 hours; Guanajuato and San Miguel are about 90 minutes apart by bus.