21 Greatest Issues To Do in Guadalajara in 2023

Usually neglected by travellers, Guadalajara is a captivating metropolis with a wealth of cultural sights, mouth-watering delicacies, and a few unimaginable nightlife — there are limitless issues to do right here to maintain you busy!

Mexico’s 2nd largest metropolis is situated within the state of Jalisco, which is dwelling to 2 of the nation’s most well-known exports — tequila and mariachi.

Whereas it most positively lives within 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 only a few days right here, I took within the sights of the historic metropolis centre, visited the nation’s largest lake, and joined the raucous crowd for a soccer recreation! These are only a few of the numerous issues to do in Guadalajara, one of many high locations to go to in Mexico.

Benefit from your journey to the town by testing this listing of high 21 issues to do in Guadalajara.

1. Discover the Historic Centre

One of the best ways to get launched to Guadalajara is with a stroll by way of the Centro Historico (Historic Centre). This tour with skilled information, Diego, is a good choice and can cowl the entire spots.

Right here you’ll discover tree-lined plazas, beautiful cathedrals, vital cultural establishments, bustling markets, and plenty extra. It’s a fantastic place for an informal stroll, as there are a number of pedestrian-only streets.

In case you determine to go by yourself, begin your exploration off within 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 way of the close by Liberation Sq. to snap a photograph with the Guadalajara signal. Wandering round this sq. is without doubt one of the greatest free issues to do within the metropolis.

From right here you might have 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.

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2. Go on a Free Strolling Tour

Whereas the historic centre is definitely visited by yourself, it’s at all times extra helpful to get an area’s perspective on the town. Each morning at 10AM, you may be part of the free strolling tour to soak up the sights together with insights from an area information.

In case you’re questioning what to do in Guadalajara whenever you first arrive, that is it.

Excursions meet on the gazebo within the Plaza de Armas and final about two hours. Along with studying concerning the historical past and tradition of Guadalajara, you’ll get stable suggestions from somebody who is aware of the town and also you’ll most likely find yourself making just a few new pals.

Happening a strolling tour is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Guadalajara to get your bearings within the metropolis.

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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 usually made with birote bread and chopped fried pork. The sandwich is then fully drenched in a sauce made primarily from dried chili peppers.

They’re then served up with some slices of white onion, radishes, and the everyday array of salsas and scorching sauces you’ll discover on any Mexican desk.

Grabbing one in all these sandwiches is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Guadalajara when you might have a hangover — the locals think about it one of the best remedy (and I’ve to say, I agree).

Try Tremendous Tortas Ahogadas and Tortas Ahogadas Don Jose…or, ask your strolling tour information, Airbnb host or buddy the place one of the best sandwiches in Guadalajara will be discovered! Consuming wonderful meals is certainly one of many high issues to do in Mexico.

I extremely advocate becoming a member of a meals tour like this one to not solely style the meals, however have an skilled native information inform concerning the historical past and significance of every dish. Discover out extra about one of the best meals tour in Guadalajara right here.

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4. Go to the Authorities Palace

This 18th-century constructing appears very unassuming from the skin, however when you enter, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful murals from the artist Jose Clemente Orozco.

The dimensions of the work is unimaginable, particularly the one in all Hidalgo which is situated on the principle staircase.

The Authorities Palace is free to enter, making it a high exercise for many who are backpacking Mexico on a funds. Be aware that it’s not open on weekends.

Be a part of a strolling tour extremely rated one so you may have an area information present you the sights and clarify the historical past and tales behind the sights. This strolling tour could be very extremely rated with a pleasant and educated information. Click on right here to be taught extra.

5. Hearken to Dwell Mariachi Bands

Maybe no kind of Mexican music is extra well-known than mariachi. It even made the UNESCO listing of Intangible Cultural Heritage just a few years in the past.

All over the 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.

Try this tour the place you’ll get to see the unimaginable Mexican conventional Charro cowboys, full with a Charreada (rodeo) and a few drinks whereas being serenaded with Mariachi. Click on Right here to be taught extra about this expertise.

It’s believed that modern-day mariachi music originated in Jalisco, the Mexican state the place Guadalajara is the capital. 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 within the night and rent a band to serenade you. Simply make sure to come ready with just a few songs apart from “La Cucaracha.”

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6. Go Purchasing in Tlaquepaque

In case you’re trying to take dwelling some distinctive souvenirs out of your journey to Mexico, you’ll wish to make sure to embrace a visit to close by Tlaquepaque (strive saying that one thrice quick).

This tremendous cool day journey tour will take you to Tlaquepaque and Tonala, two of one of the best villages for procuring round Guadalajara. Click on Right here to be taught extra about this tour.

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 stunning, hand-painted pottery. Within the Nahuatl language, the title really means “place above clay land.”

You can begin off within 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 retailers on the town if you wish to see extra. Don’t really feel like determining transportation and the logistics for a visit to Tlaquepaque? Try this present day tour.

7. Go to the Cultural Institute Cabañas

Some of the attention-grabbing issues to do in Guadalajara is to go to the Cultural Institute Cabañas. It was based in 1791 as a hospital/orphanage by the Bishop of Guadalajara and finally grew to become a cultural establishment. It’s a fantastic neo-classical constructing with a number of courtyards and galleries to discover.

This cool strolling tour with a pleasant information will actually assist you make a visit to the Cultural Institute of Cabañas in addition to many different sights across the metropolis. Click on Right here to be taught extra about this tour.

The spotlight of visiting is certainly 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 digicam. Click on right here to seek out it on the map.

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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’ve gotten a number of choices for visiting Tequila, from merely catching an area bus and doing it your self to taking a experience on the famed Tequila Specific practice. It’s a bit dear, but it surely’s actually an superior expertise that’s price splurging on.

In case you don’t wish to take the practice, this enjoyable tour consists of transport there and again, tequila tastings, snacks, a pleasant and educated information, and a go to to a distillery. Click on Right here to be taught extra.

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9. See a Lucha Libre Struggle

Some of the enjoyable issues to do in Guadalajara is seeing a Lucha Libre match. This was a spotlight of my journey to Guadalajara for positive.

On Tuesday evening, head to Area Coliseo to soak up the high-flying Mexican wrestling. The expertise consists of round-trip transportation, your ticket to the matches, info out of your native information about what is definitely occurring, and drinks.

Even when you’re not an enormous wrestling fan like me, an evening of lucha libre is tons of enjoyable. My spouse continuously 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. Don’t miss this reasonably priced, enjoyable exercise in Guadalajara! Click on right here for particulars. 

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10. Pattern Craft Beers

Neglect about Corona and Modelo whenever you’re in Guadalajara and take a look at among the metropolis’s superior cervezas artesenales (craft beers). The craft beer scene is quickly increasing right here, which means you might have a number of selections for the place to seize a pint.

You possibly can be part of this distinctive tour that may embrace strolling round and testing a few of Guadalajara’s cool structure, adopted off by a brewery tour and sure… some scrumptious native beers. Click on right here to be taught extra.

Certainly one of 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 stable menu of inventive bar meals, they usually even have DJs spinning on the weekend. Salud!

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11. Wander Round Mercado Libertad

Mercado Libertad is a sprawling indoor market situated within the historic centre of Guadalajara. For an all-out assault in your senses, wander across the maze-like stalls of this enormous market that appears to be promoting nearly every little thing underneath the solar.

This highly-rated strolling and meals tour is led by a really skilled information who has spent a long time procuring, consuming and guiding vacationers across the market. Extremely advisable! Click on right here to be taught extra.

There’s recent produce, bootleg DVDs, leather-based merchandise, and even pets on the market right here.

It’s greatest to return 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. Discover the market on the map, right here.

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12. Take Half in a Native Competition (one of the crucial cultural issues to do in Guadalajara)

There are totally different festivals occurring all all year long in Guadalajara, so make sure to verify the calendar earlier than planning your journey.

You may find yourself on the town throughout a literary, movie, or music pageant. In Mexico’s 2nd greatest metropolis, there’s at all times one thing occurring. Click on right here to seek out out what’s on throughout your journey.

Some 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 within the sq., and gala exhibits with world-class mariachi musicians within the theatre. Talking of the theatre, that brings us to the following level in our listing of greatest issues to do in Guadalajara.

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13. See a Present at Teatro Degallado

Some of the stunning buildings in Guadalajara, Teatro Degallado is a neo-classical theatre within the historic centre of the town. To really admire the constructing, you’ll should go inside and see the unimaginable murals. It’s free to enter when there isn’t a present on.

There are common performances within the theatre, together with operas and symphony orchestras. In case you’re fortunate, you may rating tickets to one of many gala performances throughout the mariachi pageant.

I attended one this yr and extremely advocate it when you get the possibility. Click on right here to buy tickets to the theatre, or just cease in whenever you’re visiting Guadalajara to see if there’s a last-minute present you may attend. Discover the theatre on the map, right here.

14. Have Dinner at Birreria las 9 Esquinas

One other dish that Guadalajara is known for is birria – a spicy stew often comprised of goat or lamb. Though, typically it may be made with beef, mutton, and even rooster. The meat is completely seasoned and extremely tender and is a must-try when within the metropolis. It’s top-of-the-line dishes, I find it irresistible!

Whereas there are tons of locations cooking up birria in Guadalajara, few locations do it higher than Birreria las 9 Esquinas. You might need to attend for a desk right here, but it surely’s positively price it to do that native specialty.

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15. Go to the Gardens in Parque Colomos

Parque Colomos is a big inexperienced house within the northwest a part of the town. It’s stuffed with strolling paths and picnic areas, making for a fantastic place to spend a leisurely afternoon outside.

A visit here’s a good break from the hustle and bustle of downtown and is without doubt one of the extra stress-free locations to go to in Guadalajara.

One of the best half about taking a stroll by way of Parque Colomos is having the ability to see the beautiful Japanese gardens. In case you can ignore the man blasting reggaeton by way of his mobile phone, it’s virtually such as you’re really in Japan. Click on right here for instructions to the park, it’s top-of-the-line free issues to do in Guadalajara.

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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 on the planet.

Exploring this archaeological marvel is without doubt one of the most attention-grabbing issues to do in Guadalajara and properly definitely worth the day-trip. It prices 30 pesos to enter, or you may rent a information on web site for 200 pesos. In case you’d choose, 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 staff throughout the World Cup or watching native groups compete within the Liga MX. Guadalajara is dwelling to two soccer groups – Chivas and Atlas. The previous performs at Estadio Akron whereas the latter hosts its 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, properly, doesn’t.

If you wish to watch top-of-the-line groups within the league, bounce on the Chivas bandwagon. In case you’d fairly root for the underdog, give your help to the fledgling Atlas squad. Both approach, 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 occasion, and top-of-the-line locations to take action is Avenida Chapultepec. This fashionable road 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 midst of the avenue. Native retailers peddle all types of wares right here, and it’s a extremely vibrant, vibrant scene. You’ll find the road right here.

19. Get pleasure from Automotive Free Sundays

In case you’re questioning what to do in Guadalajara on a Sunday, that is it. Whereas the occasion goes actually late on Saturday evening, Avenida Chapultepec transforms come Sunday morning.

Each week from 8AM-2PM, half of the road is shut all the way down to all motorized automobiles. Joggers, cyclists, dog-walkers, and skaters all take to the streets to take pleasure in just a few 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-revenue organizations arrange alongside the highway. In case you’re visiting Guadalajara on a Sunday, make sure 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 point of view, you may sit all the way down to lunch on the Restaurant El Mirador.

This makes for a straightforward and enjoyable half-day journey out of the town. It’s powerful to get your self on the market on public transportation, so that you’re higher off ordering an Uber. Attempt to organize for them to return again and get you just a few hours later.

21. Take a Day Journey to Lake Chapala

Positioned about an hour’s drive south of the town is Lake Chapala, the largest freshwater lake in all of Mexico.

There are a number of totally different cities alongside the lakeshore you may go to, reminiscent of Chapala and Ajijic. Because of its average local weather and delightful environment, Lake Chapala can be a favorite of expats, snowbirds, and retirees. Try this tour from Guadalajara which takes in Lake Chapala and Ajijic.

The lake is a very talked-about place for locals to go to on weekends and holidays. As such, it’s higher to go to throughout 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. In case you have just a few days to spare, I extremely advocate staying for an evening or two. This can be a chilled out place that we actually loved visiting. In case you have the time, make sure that to take a look at Lake Chapala.

Visiting Guadalajara: FAQs

Now You Know What 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 an enormous metropolis minus quite a lot of the downfalls.

As an illustration, whereas there are unimaginable issues to do in Mexico Metropolis that you simply shouldn’t miss, Guadalajara is way smaller and simpler to get round than the capital.

There’s sufficient to see within the historic centre to maintain you busy for a day or two, loads of superior day-trips to scenic places, and glorious culinary and nightlife scenes to return dwelling to.

In case you’re planning a journey to Mexico, make sure to add Guadalajara to your itinerary. It’s the proper place to cease for just a few 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. Nevertheless you get right here, you’re positive to have a good time having fun with all the highest issues to do in Guadalajara. 

Pictures on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.

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