It is no surprise to discover how much there is to see in Guadalajara Mexico, also known as the pearl of the west of the country. This city has much more to offer than just an idyllic climate.
Thanks to its many historical and cultural landmarks, Guadalajara is currently one of the most visited destinations by travellers and locals alike. You’ll find a myriad of options in this majestic city that you’ll definitely want to return to. Read on to find out more!
To organise your travel route, we recommend that you do so on the Passporter, totally free, easy and functional. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you the most by adding them to the route map.
Things to see in Guadalajara Mexico
Temple of Atonement
Also known as the Temple of the Blessed Sacrament, this place is one of the most acclaimed spots in Guadalajara and a true architectural gem.
Endowed with a completely Italian neo-Gothic style on the outside, its interior is characterised by a French design. With a structure full of stained glass windows and spectacular dimensions, the Temple of the Expiatory is a place that deserves a visit.
Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres
A short distance from the Guadalajara Cathedral you will find one of the most beautiful monuments in the city: the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres.
Located inside a beautiful park full of trees, this structure formed by seventeen columns contains the remains of emblematic people for the local culture. We recommend you take advantage of the natural surroundings for a pleasant stroll once you have seen this stone marvel.
Fountain of the Minerva
The Minerva Fountain is located in the centre of a huge roundabout. Surrounded by a group of agaves, it has a slender sculpture of the goddess Minerva in the centre.
On the stone supporting the goddess, there are engravings of the names of some of the people who contributed most to the development of the city. This part of the city usually hosts different events throughout the year, such as the triumph of the local football team. Without a doubt, this is a place you must see on your trip to Guadalajara.
Degollado Theatre
This huge theatre, located in the central square of Guadalajara, houses the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jalisco and is one of the most beautiful monuments in the city.
With a beautiful neoclassical façade and Italian influences, this theatre hosts a variety of events, from concerts to dance exhibitions. Also, its characteristic name was acquired in honour of General Santos Degollado, and nowadays it is one of the most visited places in the city.
San Juan de Dios Market
The Mercado San Juan de Dios is undoubtedly the most famous and impressive market in the whole city. You’ll understand what we’re talking about once you step inside.
You will be fascinated from the first second by its immensity and the number of stalls. From all kinds of food to the most curious spells, you can spend hours wandering around the market without ever quite seeing it all. You’ll be enchanted by the good atmosphere, the array of aromas and the warmth of the stallholders.
Regional Museum of Guadalajara
Inside a beautiful building dating back to 1742 is the Regional Museum of Guadalajara, probably the most interesting museum in the city.
It offers completely different themes, each one distributed on a different floor. Throughout the visit you can discover more about archaeology, the history of the province. Also, you can even contemplate a series of paintings belonging to different periods, all of which are marvellous!
Tlaquepaque
Also known as San Pedro Tlaquepaque, this area on the outskirts of the city belongs to the metropolitan area of Guadalajara. It is an area highly visited by locals, especially on weekends, so if you want to enjoy its animation, we recommend you to go there on those days.
Besides enjoying a pleasant stroll through the little streets of Colonia Centro, you can’t leave Tlaquepaque without tasting some of its traditional gastronomy or going to one of its typical handicraft stalls. Don’t forget your camera!
Liberation Square
The Plaza Liberación is undoubtedly one of the busiest places in the city of Guadalajara, both for travellers and locals.
Besides being surrounded by some of the most important buildings in the area, such as the Degollado Theatre and the Regional Museum. In this square you can enjoy a pleasant stroll and contemplate the fountain in the centre and some little street shops. Or if you prefer, you can choose to sit on one of its benches to rest.
Guadalajara Cathedral
The Cathedral of Guadalajara, also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral, is one of the most emblematic buildings of this beautiful city.
With an impressive façade that mixes different architectural styles ranging from Gothic to Neoclassical, if you visit its interior you will be even more amazed. Inside you can visit the crypts beneath the main altar. What’s more, admission is completely free. You won’t miss it, will you?
Cabañas Hospice
The Hospicio Cabañas monument is a favourite place for locals and tourists alike.
Having been built by the renowned architect Manuel Tolsá, its main purpose was to house numerous orphans for more than a century. Today, it houses the headquarters of the Cabañas Cultural Institute. In addition, inside you can enjoy some artistic murals. A 100% recommended visit at an exceptional price.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to do around Guadalajara Mexico?
Visit Tequila
Located in the state of Jalisco and only an hour from Guadalajara is Tequila, one of the most visited villages in the region.
Besides having tequila as its main characteristic element, there is a lot to do in this town. We recommend a visit to the Zócalo, one of Tequila’s most picturesque walking areas. As you would expect, you can’t leave the town without visiting a tequila factory and learning more about the tequila process. Undoubtedly, it’s really interesting.
Lagos de Moreno
This small but beautiful town is located in the Altos de Jalisco, and a getaway to this place will certainly be the perfect plan to escape from the city for a while.
With its many temples and buildings of historical value, Lagos de Moreno contains one of the most beautiful historical centres in the area. Moreover, so much so that it has been declared a World Heritage Site. In addition, you can finish your excursion by entering the Museum of Sacred Art. You won’t regret it!
Get to know Lake Chapala
Lake Chapala, with an extension of more than 1100 square kilometres, is undoubtedly the largest lake in Mexico.
Besides being the main source of water supply in Guadalajara, this site is a real tourist jewel. Thanks to its cultural value, the lake receives daily a high number of travellers who want to go on boat rides. From there you can access the beautiful Isla de los Alacranes.
Tapalpa
Located high up in the Sierra Madre Occidental, Tapalpa is a small town with an unbeatable location and views.
Completely surrounded by nature, in this village you will be able to breathe an air of absolute peace. In addition to strolling through its charming little streets, you can also visit the Salto del Nogal waterfall, the Valley of the Enigmas and even the ruins of the first Latin American paper mill. Don’t miss this little town full of magic.
Escape to Ajijic
Ajijic is one of the well-known “magical towns” of the province of Jalisco. Characterised by its colourful houses and good atmosphere, you can’t miss a visit to this town on your trip to Guadalajara Mexico.
Having several places to visit, what you cannot miss under any circumstances are its main square and the famous Malecon promenade, located on the shores of the incredible Lake Chapala. In this area you will find many different places to stop for a drink. Moreover, you will be amazed by its climate and the warmth of its people.
Itineraries for your trip to Guadalajara Mexico
What to do in Guadalajara in 2 days?
- First, see the Temple of the Expiatorium
- Also, visit the Degollado Theatre
- Then, visit Tlaquepaque
- Moreover, stroll through the San Juan de Dios Market
- In addition, photograph the Guadalajara Cathedral
- Finally, escape to Lagos de Moreno
What to do in Guadalajara in 3 days?
- Firts, visit the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres (Rotunda of the Illustrious Jaliscienses)
- Later, go to the Regional Museum of Guadalajara
- Also, visit the Liberation Square
- Then, go to the Hospicio Cabañas
- Moreover, escape to Tequila
- In addition, go to Tapalpa
- Finally, photograph the Minerva Fountain
Frequently Asked Questions
The tourism of Guadalajara is mainly urban, since it is a big city, but it also includes rural tourism, since in its surroundings there are some of the most important villages of the province.
Tlaquepaque is considered the most beautiful and crowded metropolitan area of Guadalajara, as it has a strong traditional and artisan essence. In addition, it has numerous emblematic sites of great value for Guadalajara, such as the Jardín Hidalgo or El Parián.
To get to Guadalajara you must take a plane from Spain and make at least one stopover. Depending on your departure location, you can choose one option or another.
– First, you can take a direct flight from Madrid airport (MAD) to Mexico City airport (MEX), make a stopover and from there fly to Guadalajara airport (GDL).
– Also, you can fly from Madrid airport (MAD) to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) and from there fly to Mexico City airport (MEX). Then, you will have to take a flight to Guadalajara airport (GDL).
The best time to travel and enjoy the good weather in Guadalajara is from January to June and from October to December, since July to September is when there is the most rainfall.
The general risk in the city of Guadalajara is medium, as there are several crimes related to drugs and robberies. Even so, one can travel with peace of mind if certain preventive measures are taken, such as not taking any valuables into tourist areas.
Some of the most dangerous areas in Guadalajara to avoid, if possible, are Santa Cecilia, San Juan de Dios, Del Fresco, El Sauz, Ladrón de Guevara and Villa Guerrero.
How to plan your itinerary of places to see in Guadalajara Mexico?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organized way and according to the days and places you want to see in Guadalajara Mexico.
With the app you can:
- Be inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Save valuable information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
- Know the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish as you go your own photos and experiences in each of the places.
If you are interested in learning more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.
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