5 Reasons Why Guanajuato Should Be Your Next Mexico Destination
This site uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission when you use our links and make a purchase without incurring additional fee yourself. Many thanks for supporting this website. Please see our disclosure page for more details.
Forget white-sand beaches and seaside resorts. Mexico is much more than that. Do you know that there’s a place in central Mexico bustling with Mexican history, culture, architecture, gastronomy, and festivals? Let me introduce you to Guanajuato. Home to 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this colonial heartland radiates vibrant energy and historic charm that is hard to resist. If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, visit Guanajuato. You’ll fall in love the moment you arrive, just as we did!
Top 5 Reasons Why You Need To Visit Guanajuato Now
1 | It is the Birthplace of the Mexican War of Independence
Guanajuato played a major role in Mexico’s independence movement. It was here where Mexicans fought hard to win their freedom from Spanish domination. It is here where you will hear stories of Mexico’s greatest heroes and their revolutionary battles against the Spanish.
Take a journey through the town of Dolores Hidalgo where the war began. Stop by the charming San Miguel de Allende, the birthplace of Ignacio Allende – the Spanish Army officer who sympathized with the Mexican Independence movement. Wander through the city of Guanajuato and learn about how the insurgents won their first victory over the Spanish forces.
2 | It is an Architectural Wonderland
Visiting Guanajuato is to travel back in time. Baroque colonial architecture can be found everywhere. Especially in the 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato
[irp posts=”7573″ name=”48 Hours in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: Where to Eat, Play, Sleep!”]
Go inside sumptuously decorated Juarez Theatre in Guanajuato and admire the intricate arabesque pattern. Or take a tour at San Miguel’s famous Sanctuary of Atotonilco and get lost in a world of sparkling, multicolored detail. No matter where you go, you will find something intriguing at every turn.
Juarez Theatre
Sanctuary of Atotonilco
3 | It is a Culinary Destination for Authentic Mexican Cuisine
Obsessed with Mexican food? Come to Guanajuato! Guanajuato’s gastronomy is one of the best in Mexico. In fact, in 2015, it was awarded the title of Gastronomic Culture Capital of Ibero America!
With its ever-growing culinary scene, Guanajuato state is flourished with locally owned restaurants that allure visitors with mouthwatering Mexican dishes. Here, you can have traditional chilaquiles for breakfast, try exotic local delicacies such as escamoles, and find authentic tacos to fulfill your craving.
escamoles
In addition, Guanajuato hosts the International Gastronomy Summit “Guanajuato Si Sabe” every year. This gastronomic festival brings together national and international chefs to share their culinary creations and showcase traditional dishes originating in Guanajuato.
chiles en nogada
Guanajuato also has a rich wine and tequila heritage. Follow the wine trail from San Miguel de Allende to Dolores Hidalgo and take part in wine tastings. Indulge in the spirit of tequila as you explore the tequila circuit in Southwest Guanajuato. Or even better, join an exclusive tequila tasting of Casa Dragones, Mexico’s finest and premium sipping tequilas!
4 | It Hosts Many Important Festivals and Celebrations Throughout the Year
Dances, music, fireworks! Guanajuato has a remarkable number of events and festivals going on all year round.
Wine Harvest Festival, for example, takes place in August, featuring gratitude rituals, tastings, and guided tours at San Miguel’s wineries.
Every October, the world-famous International Cervantino Festival draws artists, musicians, and visitors from around the world to Guanajuato City to celebrate the works of Cervantes.
Then, there’s Guanajuato International Film Festival at the end of July for young filmmakers to come and share their passion for cinema.
And of course, there is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), one of the world festivals that you just have to see for yourself!
5 | Just Look at All the Mind-Blowing Colours. It’s a Photographer’s Dream!
Pink, orange, purple – a rainbow of colors shining brightly at you around every corner. These vibrantly coloured houses line the hilly, cobblestone streets, making it a fantastic place for street photography.
[irp posts=”7545″ name=”6 Fun Things To Do in Guanajuato City, Mexico For First-Timers”]
Wandering through the cobbled alleys, tree-filled plazas, and opulent colonial buildings, it is hard not to get completely immersed in the magic of such a charming atmosphere. Be prepared to get lost in the maze of color. Before you know it, you will discover so many charming little corners that you’ll want to stay a bit longer.
Our trip to Guanajuato introduced us to the real Mexico – the Mexico that is so full of life, culture and colours. Are you convinced to visit Guanajuato next?
Guanajuato is nothing short of a revelation. Such a fascinating place with a rich history and heritage.The Juarez theatre looks magnificent. The Sanctuary of Atotonilco is simply exquisite. A colourful ode to the hands that shaped it.
I have heard of Guanajuato and that it is one of the most colourful places on the planet 😀 I didn’t know it was the birthplace of the Mexican War of Independence. I agree there is so much more to see than beaches in Mexico. I actually went just to Cancun a few months ago because we won a trip, But can’t wait to explore more of Mexico and would definitely go to Guanajuato.
We would love to do some Mexico travel and Guanajuanto looks like such a great place to visit and so colorful! Also, what a cool history! I would love to come during International Gastronomy Summit especially!
I’ve never had authentic Mexican cuisine and it looks simply amazing. I also love historical buildings and colonial architecture is so beautiful! I couldn’t stop staring at the photo of the Sanctuary of Atotonilco. It’s so mesmerizing.
Wow, this place looks great. First of all, I love visiting destinations that are rich in architecture. From the pictures that you’ve posted here of Guanajuato, I think it would not disappoint. I would also LOVE to try to authentic cuisine. Mmmm. Now I’m hungry. Thanks for this great guide 🙂
This place looks awesome! Mexico is on my to-do soon list and I’ll definitely be adding this place to my itinerary when I finally make it. It looks beautiful.
I’ve never heard of Guanajato before! The food looks delicious! I didn’t know that Mexico had a wine route, thanks for the tip!
The photos of the theatre and the colourful houses are soo beautiful! Thanks for putting this city on my radar!
This looks like a cool place. Will visit here soon!
Loving the colours of those houses in the photo. It reminds me of my visit to Mexico City but then I think colour and Mexico are synonymous
You had me at architectural wonderland! I love cities with gorgeous architecture and of course, authentic Mexican cuisine is only icing on the cake. I’ve been reading and hearing so much about Mexico lately, I’m going to have to plan a trip soon!
Did not know about the historical significance of the place. More than anything that ceiling painting in Juarez theatre is just jaw-dropping!
Thanks a lot for your introduction of Guanajuato and it really interests me to visit! I visited cancun before but it’s nice to get in touch a little bit of the Spanish colonization history in Mexico and your photos are wonderful! @ knycx.journeying
I haven’t heard of Guanajuanto, so thank you for all the info here! I love the view, the churches and most especially the food, oh man! I am now craving for some authentic Mexican food!
You can buy taco from almost anywhere in the world but it’s still different experience to try an authentic one from Mexico. Aside from the food, the fine baroque and neoclassical buildings also look amazing.
Mexico tops my list of fav countries just for its cuisine. Great you have it in your list too.
The history bit is new to me and makes it more interesting.
Oh wow! I am right there with you about forgetting the beaches, I am not much of a beach person myself, but more of a museum goer and an architecture lover…Guanajuato looks amazing for someone who loves to sightsee like me! Thanks!
Thanks for the introduction to Guanajuato! Definitely seems to be a lot of energy and history to dive into. I had no idea that this was the Birthplace of the Mexican War of Independence; you can definitely see the Spanish influence in the Baroque colonial architecture. Such beautiful buildings which look so well preserved. The roof of the Sanctuary of Atotonilco is stunning – something I would expect from the Vatican!
Such a charming town! Love the maze of color too!
Thanks for sharing some info on Guanajuato. I have never heard of the city, but love to read about new places, especially cities in the center of Mexico, since a vast majority of articles are written about the coastal areas. The food looks amazing, and wouldn’t mind waking up to a plate of chilaquiles every morning!
Architectural wonderland and authentic mexican cuisine takes the cake for me! Thank you for telling us more about this particular place in Mexico!
Awesome! I’ve heard a lot and seen a lot of photos about Guanajuato. An artist friend of mine organizes an annual print-making workshop there, in July. Let me know if you want to know more.
I’m convinced! I’m dying to explore Mexico more than I have, and Guanajuato is at the top of my list, thanks to your posts on it! The architecture just looks absolutely stunning! I love, love, love all of the brightly colored buildings! Plus, the history!
WOAHHh the architecture and the food have me wanting to hop on a plane! I legit didn’t know this even existed…now it’s on my list! 🙂
I love all the colors. I would definitely visit San Miguel. If nothing else, I would just want to find the perfect mask to put on our wall of masks. That is the one souvenir we make a point of buying.
I LOVE Guanajuato. Such a vibrant and lovely city. The colors are just insane, and my favorite activity was getting lost in those windy cobblestone paths. You make me want to return!
It certainly looks bright and colourful! Also, the fact that the two places are closeby really adds to the tourist offer. I’ll add it to my ever-growing bucket list.
Yes!!!!! I’m convinced I need to visit Guanajuano before I die. I love the Sanctuary of Antonilco. And I’d love to witness one of the interesting festivals. Mexico cuisine is bomb!!!!!! I’ve visited Mexican restaurants here and I know know I’d not want to miss that.
You had me at “Gastronomic Culture Capital” I am learning so much via your Mexico posts, it’s awakening a desire to visit that didn’t exist before I started reading your posts. Thanks for opening my eyes to all the possibilities!
History and battles rarely entices me to visit a place, but the architecture, colors and picturesque hillside draws me in. Plus the food. Oh, the food. That’s reason enough to visit any part of Mexico to me.
While I love beaches, I would almost always pick a destination like this first. I can sit on a beach anywhere but I love architecture, colorful cities, and history. I’ve never been to Mexico (aside from one cruise port which I don’t count) so I’m definitely adding this to my list!
So much history there and I love the architecture there! Sanctuary of Atotonilco looks so amazing! Mexican food always make me drools too.
You make me feel like there’s still so much more I need to see in Mexico! I’ve only been to the Yucatán and clearly need to venture out 🙂
I love the architecture and food in Latin America! We have Westjet credits we have to use by next Aug; definitely considering Mexico in 2018.
You had me at the photos of the incredible food! I’ve always wanted to visit Guanajuato but never got the chance when I was last in Mexico. You’re so right about it being so photogenic too. Sanctuario del Atontonico is just stunning!
Wow! This seems quite an interesting place to visit. The architecture, the rich history and the tempting flavours, everything is simply amazing! Love the vibrant colours of the buildings and the fascinating statues. Added Guanajuato to my bucket list. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
As if I need another reason to go to Mexico! I can’t believe how beautiful the ceiling is in the Sanctuary of Atotonilco. So stunning! And the food sounds delish.
It is an architectural marvel, indeed! I would love to try all that delicious food – who doesn’t love Mexican food? I will have to stop by to admire the intricacies of the Sanctuary of Atotonilco. Cheers!!
I never heard before about Guanajuato but this place has marvellous architecture and specially those 2 UNESCO structures. Capturing colorful houses would be my thing to do. I love to take pictures of local houses. Also authentic Mexican food tempts me to explore this place.
I visited Guanajuato a few years ago and got completely lost driving in through those tunnels, I made it into the city though! You are right about it being an architectural wonderland! So many colorful colonial buildings in the UNESCO historic center.
This is such a great place, especially with these yummy dishes. I would love to try chiles en nogada, and escamoles. Then I will take a city tour and visit Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato as well as other places. This place is truly an architectural wonderland!
Ah, Mexico! Beautiful destination 🙂 I am lucky enough to been multiple times already and every time I visit my love for Mexico continues to grow. Your picture area put of this world ! And that Chile en Nogada dish is a sight for sore eyes. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! Guanajuato seems truly magnificent and definitely worth visiting, Cat. Your pictures are so stunning. How many days would be enough to see all the highlights in Guanajuato?
Hi Agness, Thank you! I think 2-3 days would be sufficient to see the highlights of Guanajuato City, but Guanajuato has many amazing places nearby so even if you stay for 5 days, you will have plenty to see!
Mexico has been on my bucket list for so long! I would love to visit and explore – your pictures are amazing!!
Thanks for providing such an amazing information. This place looks awesome! Now a days Mexico is on top list for investing in San Miguel de Allende real estate.