Are you searching for the Best Places to Visit in Guanajuato? Are you thinking of a trip to North America and wondering what to explore in Guanajuato? We’ve got you covered. The charming old city of Guanajuato, the capital of the Mexican state of the same title, is located in the heart of Mexico. It has been a popular tourist destination for permanent residents and vacationers for many years.
Guanajuato is a valley-based city with narrow streets and alleyways. Some lanes even have underground locations. This charming UNESCO World Heritage Site features many small plazas, colonial-era homes, churches, and mansions made from pink or green sandstone. It also houses excellent museums and art galleries.
This beautiful colonial city is home to many world-class events, such as the Festival Internacional Cervantino, which draws artists from all over the globe every fall.
It’s only four hours north of Mexico City, and you can make it a day trip to the city or stay overnight. Our list of best places to visit in Guanajuato will show you the highlights.
Parish Church of San Miguel Arcangel
Parish Church of San Miguel Arcangel is one of the best places to visit in Guanajuato. The neogothic towers of a centuries-old parish church that honors San Miguel de Allende soar above the central plaza. It is easy to find the neogothic Parish Church San Miguel Arcangel.
It is the tallest building in the area and boasts a striking pink turreted facade. This important place of worship is known locally as La Parroquia. It is dedicated to San Miguel de Allende, the patron saint.
You will find hundreds of year-old religious paintings and a crypt containing the remains of several Mexican War of Independence heroes. Here is also General Anastasio Bustamante, who was President of Mexico on three occasions.
The Parish Church of San Miguel Arcangel was founded in the middle of the 16th century. The current structure dates back to the 18th century after the fall of the older system. The facade was designed by European Gothic architecture and was added to the building in the latter part of the 19th century.
Look up before you enter the church to see the magnificent bell towers, gargoyles, gargoyles, and statues. You can return to the church at night when bright lights accent it.
Oil paintings from the 17th- and 18th centuries can be viewed once you are inside. The large organ was imported from Germany in the middle of the 19th century. You can also visit the chapels to admire the intricate carvings of saints, such as one of St. Michael The Archangel.
The Lord of the Conquest is a revered statue of corn stalks and orchid bulbs. The icon is honored each March in El Jardin, the square in front of the church.
On the south side of El Jardin is the Parish Church of San Miguel Arcangel. You can walk to the church from all parts of El Jardin. There is limited street parking nearby. Although admission is free and open every day, donations are appreciated. Explore other historic buildings around the square, then relax in the park’s center.
Jardin de la Union and Kissing Lane
The city’s central square, the Jardin de la Union, is in historic Guanajuato. This pleasant plaza is always bustling with restaurants and hotels. It also has fountains and flower gardens, making it an ideal place to start exploring the rest of Guanajuato.
You’ll also find many architectural gems here, including the stunning old Baroque San Diego Church and the magnificent Juarez Theater (Teatro Juarez) that dominates the square. (Check out the church museum for the history of the convent as it is of the city).
Plazuela de Los Angeles is also worth exploring. It leads to the city’s most famous street, Callejon del Beso or Kissing Lane. This narrow road allows lovers to kiss each other from opposite windows. Couples love climbing the third step, located at the end of the alley. They then kiss and seal their eternal love.
Teatro Juarez
Teatro Juarez, also known as the Juarez Theatre, is a 19th-century theatre in downtown Guanajuato. It has Neoclassical architecture outside and an Oriental-inspired inside, featuring red and gold everywhere you look.
The original construction of the theater was between 1872-1803, and it has seen many modifications and modernizations over its 902-seat capacity. The most striking feature of the theater is its Doric columns, topped with eight bronze statues in life-size that are based on Greek mythology.
When there are no scheduled shows, visitors can book tickets for a performance or take a guided tour of the interior. Every year, the International Cervantino Festival takes place here.
Exploring Guanajuato’s Tunnels
The highlight of a Guanajuato walking tour is the dive into the city’s incredible network of underground streets and alleyways. The tunnels were built to manage the Guanajuato River (Rio Guanajuato), which once flowed underneath the city. A nearby dam was later constructed to keep the river from flowing upstream.
The vast network of tunnels left behind was used as roads, reducing congestion above ground and making them safer for pedestrians.
These cobblestone roads are also suitable for pedestrians, with a variety of marked footpaths that can be explored. In addition, the tunnels can be accessed from many stone staircases around the city.
They are a must-see attraction that can save you time and help you get to your destination quickly. Just make sure you have a map! ).
Cathedral of León
Cathedral of León is one of the best places to visit in Guanajuato.You can escape the chaos and enter the Cathedral of Leon, a peaceful place of worship. Here you can take a moment of reflection. The Cathedral of Leon is open to all visitors for free, so you can enjoy a great time in Leon Centro without spending a lot of money.
After you have finished visiting the main church, be sure to check out other attractions in the vicinity. You’ll be busy at Leon Stadium, Plaza del Zapato Commercial Center, and Leon Metropolitan Park.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato
The charming Peace Square, also known as Plaza de la Paz, is home to the Baroque Basilica Collegiate de Nuestro Senora de Guanajuato (the Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato). It’s well worth a visit. This attractive building, built in the 17th century, has been extensively altered.
It houses the revered seventh-century statue, The Virgin of Guanajuato. King Philip II of Spain presented this carved wooden figure with a silver base to the city in 1557.
The church is the largest in Guanajuato. It was built by area miners who supported its construction. This relationship continues to be celebrated during annual miners’ parades and offerings to the patron saint.
Other than its iconic statue, highlights include its tower and the many relics on the main altar, which Pope Francis presented. There are also important paintings by prominent Mexican artists.
Another church worth visiting is Templo De Belen, which was built in 1773. It is notable for its Churrigueresque façade, and Templo La Valenciana. These churches are notable for their three large altars, lavishly decorated with gold leaf.
Address: Ponciano Aguilar 7, Centro, 36000 Guanajuato, GTO
University of Guanajuato
The Universidad de Guanajuato – in English, the University of Guanajuato – is a university that serves this diverse community. The university’s history dates back to 1732 when the Hospice of the Holy Trinity founded it. It originally offered courses in mining, law, and sculpture.
The university offers more than 150 academic programs and has schools throughout Guanajuato. You can find the main campus just a block from the Basilica of Guanajuato. Its 133 steps are frequently crowded with students.
The main campus was built in the 1940s. Unfortunately, it didn’t match the yellow-colored buildings in Guanajuato. It is also home to the 16th-century Templo De Los Hospitales church.
Heroes’ Causeway Arch
Heroes’ Causeway Arch is one of the best places to visit in Guanajuato. This huge, lion-topped archway was built to celebrate Mexican independence. It is one of Leon’s most famous sights. The Triumphal Arch, also known as the Heroes’ Causeway Arch and one of the most enduring icons of Leon, is a symbol of Mexico’s pride.
The Triumphal Arch was built in 1883 to mark the nation’s independence. Marvel at Daniel Herrera Jimenez’s stonework, who is also responsible for creating the stones for the stunning Expiatorio temple, located just a few steps from the arch.
To photograph the arch, one of Leon’s most famous sights, it’s a symbol of the city’s fierce pride. Look up to see the bronze lion standing proudly at the top of the arch. Leon Zoo is the best place to visit to see the original cement lion that decorated the column before replacing it with the bronze one. According to legend, the lion represents the strength and pride that the residents of this area have.
Stroll around the arch’s base to admire the pink-stone Doric columns on one side. You can visit the hook at night to see the bronze lion illuminated, making it even more impressive. To soak in the atmosphere of Leon, you can stroll along the Heroes’ Causeway.
There are many places to relax under trees or in small gardens with a view of the arch. You will find dining options and accommodation along the road’s edge, as well as eight bronze sculptures.
The city sometimes decorates the arch to make it more patriotic.
For example, the hook is transformed into a massive Mexican flag when its columns are decorated with red, green, and green tinsel. An eagle symbol hangs from the middle. You can visit the Heroes’ Causeway arch at any time. It’s easy to find when you are in Leon.
You can walk here from the nearby Templo Expiatorio Corazon De Jesus, less than five minutes away. To reach Leon’s artistic center, the Bicentennial Theatre and Museum of Art and History, walk east for 20 minutes.
Juarez Park
This urban green space is a great place to relax and work out. It features beautiful green gardens, water features, and sporting facilities. Juarez Park is a lovely park in the city that offers great outdoor spaces, including French-style gardens, fountains, sculptures, and monuments. Relax away from the crowds and enjoy a workout on our exercise equipment while you picnic in shady, green surroundings.
This large green space is located along the banks of the Laja River. It was built in the early 20th Century. The name is Pablo Juarez Garcia Garcia, the president of Mexico who served five terms during the 19th Century.
Jog or stroll along paths lined with trees and lush vegetation, such as chirimoya and walnut trees. You can study the monuments and sculptures. Then, you can watch a game on the courts and work out on the exercise equipment. Finally, you can relax on a shaded bench. A children’s playground has swings, slides, and climbing structures.
You can have a picnic in one of the designated areas. You can also walk to Taco Corner if you’re hungry. It is located at the end of one of the roads leading to the park. This area is known for its street food vendors, who prepare hot snacks such as tacos, carnitas, and other dishes from their mobile kitchens.
On weekends, you can browse the works of local artists. They set up stalls to sell their work. Juarez Park can also be used for concerts and other cultural events. It hosts La Candelaria every year in February. This flower festival features thousands of flowers of all shapes and sizes.
Juarez Park is located south of El Jardin, just a five-minute walk from the historic center. Limited street parking is available, as with other areas in the city. The Paseo del Chorro, with its washhouses, is one of the most popular sites nearby. These beautiful structures, used to wash clothes since the 19th Century, are still in use. Artists use these buildings to paint and sell their work on certain days.
The Mummies of Guanajuato
The Mummies of Guanajuato is one of the best places to visit in Guanajuato. Although they are a bit gruesome, Guanajuato’s Mummies have been a popular attraction and remain an important cultural phenomenon relating to local customs.
The Mummies Museum is made up of naturally mummified remains from local people who died in a cholera epidemic in the middle of the 20th century. It was established after the bodies of relatives were disinterred between 1865 to 1958 because they failed to pay cemetery taxes. The curious paid a small fee to view the mummies. As word spread, the attraction became a popular tourist attraction.
The gruesome display is made worse by the fact that some of the buried are still alive today, which can explain the often frightening expressions on their faces. In addition, the museum claims that it has the world’s smallest and most intimate mummy, a fetus.
Address: Municipal Pantheon Esplanade, Downtown, CP 36000, Guanajuato, GTO
Conclusion
All destinations are awesome! According to my opinion, Teatro Juarez is the best to start. I hope you have enjoyed our list of Best Places to Visit in Guanajuato.
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