Typically ignored by travellers, Guadalajara is an interesting metropolis with a wealth of cultural sights, mouth-watering delicacies, and a few unbelievable nightlife — there are limitless issues to do right here to maintain you busy!
Mexico’s 2nd largest metropolis is positioned in the state of Jalisco, which is residence to 2 of the nation’s most well-known exports — tequila and mariachi.
Whereas it most undoubtedly lives in the shadow of the capital, Mexico Metropolis, there’s lots occurring in Guadalajara so as to add a cease right here in your Mexico travels.
In just some days right here, I took in the sights of the historic metropolis centre, visited the nation’s largest lake, and joined the raucous crowd for a soccer sport! These are just some of the various issues to do in Guadalajara, one of many high locations to go to in Mexico.
Take advantage of your journey to the town by trying out this record of high 21 issues to do in Guadalajara.
Notice: This text has been up to date 2021 to replicate present sights, prices and extra. Get pleasure from your journey to Guadalajara!
1. Discover the Historic Centre
The easiest way to get launched to Guadalajara is with a stroll by the Centro Historico (Historic Centre). Right here you’ll discover tree-lined plazas, attractive cathedrals, vital cultural establishments, bustling markets, and plenty extra. It’s an amazing place for an off-the-cuff stroll, as there are a number of pedestrian-only streets.
Begin your exploration off in the Plaza de Armas, which is surrounded by the double-spired Guadalajara Cathedral and the historic Governor’s Workplace.
You’ll want to stroll by the close by Liberation Sq. to snap a photograph with the Guadalajara signal. Wandering round this sq. is among the finest free issues to do in the town.
From right here you’ve easy accessibility to a number of museums, such because the Regional Museum of Guadalajara. You might additionally simply seize a espresso and watch the town go about its day.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Cancun – High 21 Things That Aren’t The Seaside
2. Go on a Free Strolling Tour
Whereas the historic centre is definitely visited by yourself, it’s all the time extra useful to get an area’s perspective on the town. Each morning at 10AM, you may be part of the free strolling tour to take in the sights together with insights from an area information. If you happen to’re questioning what to do in Guadalajara once you first arrive, that is it.
Excursions meet on the gazebo in the Plaza de Armas and final about two hours. Along with studying in regards to the historical past and tradition of Guadalajara, you’ll get strong suggestions from somebody who is aware of the town and also you’ll most likely find yourself making a couple of new pals.
Occurring a strolling tour is among the finest issues to do in Guadalajara to get your bearings in the town.
☞ SEE ALSO: Greatest Time to Go to Mexico – A Information For Travellers
3. Feast on Tortas Ahogadas
All that strolling round is bound to make you hungry. When in Guadalajara, you may’t miss out on the native favorite often known as tortas ahogadas. The title actually means “drowned sandwiches,” and also you’ll know why as quickly as you see one.
These native specialties are sometimes made with birote bread and chopped fried pork. The sandwich is then utterly drenched in a sauce made primarily from dried chili peppers.
They’re then served up with some slices of white onion, radishes, and the standard array of salsas and sizzling sauces you’ll discover on any Mexican desk.
Grabbing considered one of these sandwiches is among the finest issues to do in Guadalajara when you’ve a hangover — the locals take into account it the perfect remedy (and I’ve to say, I agree).
Take a look at Tremendous Tortas Ahogadas and Tortas Ahogadas Don Jose…or, ask your strolling tour information, Airbnb host or pal the place the perfect sandwiches in Guadalajara will be discovered! Consuming wonderful meals is unquestionably one of many high issues to do in Mexico.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Playa del Carmen – 21 Things You Received’t Need To Miss!
4. Go to the Authorities Palace
This 18th-century constructing seems to be very unassuming from the skin, however when you enter, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous murals from the artist Jose Clemente Orozco. The dimensions of the work are unbelievable, particularly the considered one of Hidalgo which is positioned on the primary staircase.
The Authorities Palace is free to enter, making it a high exercise for many who are backpacking Mexico on a finances. Notice that it’s not open on weekends.
5. Hearken to Stay Mariachi Bands
Maybe no kind of Mexican music is extra well-known than mariachi. It even made the UNESCO record for Intangible Cultural Heritage a couple of years in the past. In every single place you go in Mexico, the sounds of mariachi music comply with, whether or not it’s a roaming band on the seaside or the presidential inauguration ceremony.
It’s believed that modern-day mariachi music originated in Jalisco, the Mexican state that Guadalajara is the capital of. As such, there’s no higher place to dive into this conventional Mexican music than proper right here in GDL.
Head to the Plaza de los Mariachis in the night and rent a band to serenade you. Simply you’ll want to come ready with a couple of songs aside from “La Cucaracha.”
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Cabo San Lucas – High 21 Thrilling Things You Received’t Wish to Miss
6. Go Procuring in Tlaquepaque
If you happen to’re seeking to take residence some distinctive souvenirs out of your journey to Mexico, you’ll need to you’ll want to embody a visit to close by Tlaquepaque (attempt saying that one 3 times quick). As soon as its personal metropolis, Tlaquepaque was absorbed by the city sprawl of Guadalajara and have become a municipality.
Tlaquepaque is known for its lovely, hand-painted pottery. Within the Nahuatl language, the title truly means “place above clay land.” You can begin off in the Mercado de Artesanías to get a really feel for what’s on provide, after which department out and go to extra of the person outlets in city if you wish to see extra.
Don’t really feel like determining transportation and the logistics for a visit to Tlaquepaque? Take a look at at the present time tour.
One of the fascinating issues to do in Guadalajara is to a go to to the Cultural Institute Cabañas. It was based in 1791 as a hospital/orphanage by the Bishop of Guadalajara and ultimately turned a cultural establishment. It’s a fantastic neo-classical constructing with a number of courtyards and galleries to discover.
The spotlight of visiting is unquestionably seeing the wonderful frescoes by Mexican artist Jose Clemente Orozco, together with his well-known work Hombre de Fuego (The Man of Fireplace).
It’s closed on Mondays however free to go to on Tuesdays. In any other case, it prices about $2 to get in and one other $1 if you wish to use your digital camera. Click on right here to search out it on the map.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Tulum – A Checklist of The 21 Greatest
8. Drink Tequila in Tequila
Do you know that Mexico’s most well-known beverage comes from a city of the identical title?
Not removed from Guadalajara, you’ll certainly discover the Mexican city of Tequila. Taking a visit up there to go to the agave fields and some of the distilleries is unquestionably one of many coolest issues to do in Guadalajara, Mexico.
You may have a number of choices for visiting Tequila, from merely catching an area bus and doing it your self to taking a journey on the famed Tequila Specific practice. It’s a bit expensive, nevertheless it’s actually an superior expertise that’s price splurging on.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Oaxaca: 21 Things You Don’t Need To Miss
9. Take the Social gathering Bus to Lucha Libre
One of the enjoyable issues to do in Guadalajara is taking the Purple Pub celebration bus to the lucha libre fights.
Each Tuesday evening, they roll out their British double-decker bus and head to Enviornment Coliseo to take in the high-flying Mexican wrestling. The tour contains round-trip transportation, your ticket to the matches, and even a free beer again on the pub!
Even in the event you’re not an enormous wrestling fan like me, an evening of lucha libre is tons of enjoyable. My spouse continually rags on me for my love of American professional wrestling, however she loves going to lucha libre and has already seen three exhibits.
We even put collectively a handy-dandy information to seeing lucha libre in Mexico for you, so test it out and add it to your itinerary in GDL.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Isla Mujeres – High 19 Enjoyable Actions
10. Pattern Craft Beers
Overlook about Corona and Modelo once you’re in Guadalajara and take a look at a number of the metropolis’s superior cervezas artesenales (craft beers). The craft beer scene is quickly increasing right here, which means you’ve a number of decisions for the place to seize a pint.
One in all my private favorite spots to sip on a tasty craft beer in Guadalajara is the Patan Ale Home. They’ve tons of superior native beers on faucet, a strong menu of artistic bar meals, they usually even have DJs spinning on the weekend. Salud!
☞ See Additionally: 11 Unbelievable Things To Do in San Cristobal de las Casas
11. Wander Round Mercado Libertad
Mercado Libertad is a sprawling indoor market positioned in the historic centre of Guadalajara. For an all-out assault in your senses, wander across the maze-like stalls of this large market that appears to be promoting nearly every part underneath the solar. There’s recent produce, bootleg DVDs, leather-based merchandise, and even pets on the market right here.
It’s finest to come back to the market hungry, as there’s a big meals court docket right here cooking up a number of native specialties, such because the aforementioned tortas ahogadas and scrumptious bowls of pozole. It’s quick, low cost, and tremendous native – a profitable mixture.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in San Miguel de Allende: A Checklist Of The High 21
12. Take Half in a Native Competition (one of the vital cultural issues to do in Guadalajara)
There are completely different festivals occurring all all year long in Guadalajara, so you’ll want to verify the calendar earlier than planning your journey.
You may find yourself in city throughout a literary, movie, or music competition. In Mexico’s 2nd largest metropolis, there’s all the time one thing occurring. Click on right here to search out out what’s on throughout your journey.
One of the well-known and vital occasions of the yr in GDL is the Worldwide Mariachi Competition, which takes place on the finish of August.
There are parades, free live shows in the sq., and gala exhibits with world-class mariachi musicians in the theatre. Talking of the theatre, that brings us to the following level in our record of finest issues to do in Guadalajara.
☞ See Additionally: High 21 Things To Do in La Paz, Mexico
13. See a Present at Teatro Degallado
One of the lovely buildings in Guadalajara, Teatro Degallado is a neo-classical theatre in the historic centre of the town. To actually admire the constructing, you’ll need to go inside and see the unbelievable murals. It’s free to enter when there isn’t a present on.
There are common performances in the theatre, together with operas and symphony orchestras. If you happen to’re fortunate, you may rating tickets to one of many gala performances in the course of the mariachi competition.
I attended one this yr and extremely advocate it in the event you get the possibility. Click on right here to buy tickets to the theatre, or just cease in once you’re visiting Guadalajara to see if there’s a last-minute present you may attend.
14. Have Dinner at Birreria las 9 Esquinas
One other dish that Guadalajara is known for is birria – a spicy stew often constituted of goat or lamb. The meat is completely seasoned and extremely tender and is a must-try when in the town.
Whereas there are tons of locations cooking up birria in Guadalajara, few locations do it higher than Birreria las 9 Esquinas. You may need to attend for a desk right here, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly price it to do that native specialty.
⇒ See Additionally: 21 High Things To Do in Mazatlan
15. Go to the Gardens in Parque Colomos
Parque Colomos is a big inexperienced area in the northwest a part of the town. It’s stuffed with strolling paths and picnic areas, making for an amazing place to spend a leisurely afternoon outdoor.
A visit here’s a good break from the hustle and bustle of downtown and is among the extra enjoyable locations to go to in Guadalajara.
The most effective half about taking a stroll by Parque Colomos is having the ability to see the gorgeous Japanese gardens. If you happen to can ignore the man blasting reggaeton by his mobile phone, it’s virtually such as you’re truly in Japan.
⇒ See Additionally: Puerto Escondido – The Final Journey Information
16. Go to the Guachimontones
Not removed from Guadalajara (a few 45-minute drive), you’ll discover the wonderful archaeological web site often known as Los Guachimontones. It dates again to the Teuchitlan custom, a pre-Columbian society that existed from round 300 BCE to 900 CE.
This web site is notable for its round stepped pyramids, which aren’t discovered anyplace else in the world.
Exploring this archaeological surprise is among the most fascinating issues to do in Guadalajara and effectively definitely worth the day-trip. It prices 30 pesos to enter, or you may rent a information on web site for 200 pesos. If you happen to’d desire, you may be part of a tour.
Soccer is a large a part of Mexican tradition, whether or not it’s cheering on the nationwide group in the course of the World Cup or watching native groups compete in the Liga MX. Guadalajara is residence to 2 groups – Chivas and Atlas. The previous performs at Estadio Akron whereas the latter hosts their video games at Estadio Jalisco.
The dynamic between the 2 groups is sort of like that between the Yankees and Mets. One wins on a regular basis and the opposite, effectively, doesn’t.
If you wish to watch the most effective groups in the league, leap on the Chivas bandwagon. If you happen to’d fairly root for the underdog, give your help to the fledgling Atlas squad. Both manner, you’re assured a beer-soaked celebration if the native heroes win.
18. Social gathering on Avenida Chapultepec
Guadalajara is a metropolis that likes to celebration, and the most effective locations to take action is Avenida Chapultepec. This stylish avenue is filled with eating places, bars, and golf equipment and is enjoyable any evening of the week.
On the weekend, you’ll additionally discover a bustling market on the island in the center of the avenue. Native retailers peddle all types of wares right here, and it’s a very vibrant, vibrant scene.
19. Get pleasure from Automobile Free Sundays
If you happen to’re questioning what to do in Guadalajara on a Sunday, that is it. Whereas the celebration goes actually late on Saturday evening, Avenida Chapultepec transforms come Sunday morning.
Each week from 8AM-2PM, half of the road is shut right down to all motorized autos. Joggers, cyclists, dog-walkers, and skaters all take to the streets to get pleasure from a couple of hours freed from the grid-locked visitors that often plagues the town.
You’ll additionally discover pick-up volleyball video games, group health courses, and varied non-profit organizations arrange alongside the street. If you happen to’re visiting Guadalajara on a Sunday, you’ll want to test it out.
20. Go on a Hike in Parque Mirador
For some nice views of the canyon and a few recent air, head as much as Parque Mirador for a brief hike. After strolling as much as the perspective, you may sit right down to lunch on the Restaurant El Mirador.
This makes for a simple and enjoyable half-day journey out of the town. It’s powerful to get your self out right here on public transportation, so that you’re higher off ordering an Uber. Attempt to prepare for them to come back again and get you a couple of hours later.
21. Take a Day Journey to Lake Chapala
Situated about an hour drive south of the town is Lake Chapala, the biggest freshwater lake in all of Mexico.
There are a number of completely different cities alongside the lakeshore you may go to, corresponding to Chapala and Ajijic. Due to its average local weather and exquisite environment, Lake Chapala can also be a favorite of expats, snowbirds, and retirees. Take a look at this tour from Guadalajara which takes in Lake Chapala and Ajijic.
The lake is a very fashionable place for locals to go to on weekends and holidays. As such, it’s higher to go to in the course of the week if doable.
Get pleasure from a stroll alongside the lakefront Malecon or go on a brief boat journey out to the small islands. When you’ve got a couple of days to spare, I extremely advocate staying for an evening or two.
Now You Know The Greatest Things To Do in Guadalajara
As you may see, Guadalajara is a metropolis that has lots to supply potential travellers. It has all of the perks of a giant metropolis minus lots of the downfalls.
As an example, whereas there are unbelievable issues to do in Mexico Metropolis that you just shouldn’t miss, Guadalajara is way smaller and simpler to get round than the capital.
There’s sufficient to see in the historic centre to maintain you busy for a day or two, loads of superior day-trips to scenic places, and wonderful culinary and nightlife scenes to come back residence to.
If you happen to’re planning a visit to Mexico, you’ll want to add Guadalajara to your itinerary. It’s the proper place to cease for a couple of days on an extended journey round Mexico.
I visited the town between travelling round Guanajuato and having fun with the entire superior issues to do in Puerto Vallarta. Nonetheless you get right here, you’re positive to have a good time having fun with all the highest issues to do in Guadalajara.
Photos in this text are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
Like This Article? Pin it!
Disclaimer:Goats On The Street is an Amazon Affiliate and likewise an affiliate for another retailers. This implies we earn commissions in the event you click on hyperlinks on our weblog and buy from these retailers.