Guanajuato City
The city of Guanajuato has unrivalled charm. Its labyrinthine and cobblestone alleyways, its little squares, the colors of its buildings, its unique topography, its stairways and its cheerful atmosphere transport visitors to another world. Come and explore its beautiful Historic Center, flanked by colonial facades, and become a part of its energetic cultural life. Get ready to sleep very little, because there is always something exciting to do in Guanajuato!
Highlights
Things to do
Festivities
Services in Guanajuato City
Capital of the state of the same name, it came into being in the 16th century when they discovered rich veins of gold and silver underground. The city developed around this activity and became the colony’s most important mining center.
During the War of Independence, this city played a vital role, along with neighboring populations such as Dolores Hidalgo. Guanajuato became the country’s provisional capital at the beginning of 1858, during Benito Juarez’s first presidential term; and some of the city’s most notable buildings were constructed during the Porfirio Díaz era, such as the elegant Teatro Juárez and the Palacio Legislativo, as well as hydraulic infrastructure projects and monuments.
In 1988 the city of Guanajuato was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its most important celebration, the Festival Internacional Cervantino, attracts thousands of artists and spectators from around the world every year.
Today, one of the most popular places in the city to visit is the Universidad de Guanajuato. At this university you will find not only infinite staircases that serve as the perfect postcard image of the city, but also an Astronomical Observatory on the rooftop. If you are searching for the perfect panoramic photo opportunity, the Monumento al Pípila is the perfect spot.