• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-223974192699
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "mexico/northern-central-highlands/guanajuato",
  "destination": "Guanajuato",
  "title": "guanajuato",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Guanajuato",
  "region": "Northern-Central-Highlands",
  "country": "Mexico",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

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

Overview

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

Get unlimited data while you travel with Holafly eSIM. Peace of mind and no hidden fees wherever you go.

LEARN MORE

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

Mexico City: A Week of Cultural and Culinary Marvels

highlights

  1. 1See Frida Kahlo’s masterpieces in their place of origin at Casa Azul
  2. 2Taste Mexico City beyond its trademark tacos on a street food tortilla crawl
  3. 3Visit the magnificent Castillo de Chapultepec and Museo Antropología on an architectural tour
from $2,415

per person

book this tripsee trip details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-19179351629
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "mexico/northern-central-highlands/guanajuato",
  "destination": "Guanajuato",
  "title": "guanajuato",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Guanajuato",
  "region": "Northern-Central-Highlands",
  "country": "Mexico",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-476916346541
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "mexico/northern-central-highlands/guanajuato",
  "destination": "Guanajuato",
  "title": "guanajuato",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Guanajuato",
  "region": "Northern-Central-Highlands",
  "country": "Mexico",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Guanajuato

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-584584464946
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "mexico/northern-central-highlands/guanajuato",
  "destination": "Guanajuato",
  "title": "guanajuato",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Guanajuato",
  "region": "Northern-Central-Highlands",
  "country": "Mexico",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}