Guanajuato

Mexico

Mexico Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Colorful street scene, Guanajuato, Mexico

Getty Images/Gallo Images

Why visit Guanajuato

The extraordinary Unesco World Heritage city of Guanajuato was founded in 1559 due to the region's rich silver and gold deposits. Opulent colonial buildings, stunning tree-filled plazas and brightly colored houses are crammed together on to the steep slopes of a narrow ravine where excellent museums, handsome theaters and a fine marketplace punctuate cobblestone streets. The city's main roads twist around the hillsides and plunge into long dank subterranean tunnels, formerly rivers.

Meet your new travel partner

Stay connected in Guanajuato

Holafly eSIM provides unlimited mobile data with no hidden fees, giving you peace of mind wherever you travel. Stay connected even after your plan ends with Always On. Use code LONELYPLANET for an exclusive discount.

Get 5% off

Take your Mexico trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Caroline Chambers + Mattis + Calum: Yucatán and Riviera Maya

8 days / 7 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Tasting, molding, and decorating distinctive Maya chocolate in a chocolatier-led Uxmal workshop
  2. 2 Boating through the pink, flamingo-clad waters of Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas
  3. 3 Learning to cook cochinita and traditional, in-season Maya fare with the Yaxunáh community
from $4,183

per person

book this trip see trip details

Explore more trips

  • Mexico City: A Week of Cultural and Culinary Marvels
    Mexico

    7 days / 6 nights

    Mexico City: A Week of Cultural and Culinary Marvels

    FROM $2,415

    per person

    See Trip Details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Top places to visit in Guanajuato

Discover the best attractions in Guanajuato from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Guanajuato