15 Best Things to Do in Guadalajara: Complete City Guide

Guadalajara, the capital of Mexico’s Jalisco state, has plenty of tradition mixed with modern charm.

It’s known as the birthplace of mariachi music and tequila – and what can be more iconically Mexican than that! Mexico’s 2nd biggest city is a hub of rich history, dynamic art, and incredible cuisine. 

Firstly, How to Get to Guadalajara?

➡️ Mexico City: Guadalajara is about a 7-hour drive or a 6-7 hour bus ride from Mexico City. For convenience, check Busbud for booking options – many buses offer reclining seats, USB chargers, and sometimes even snacks.

If you’re pressed for time, a flight is the quickest option at just under an hour. There’s several daily departures, and you’ll find competitive prices if you book early!

Book your bus from Mexico City to Guadalajara here.

➡️ Guanajuato: The best way to get from Guanajuato to Guadalajara is with a scenic 4-5 hour drive, or you can take a direct bus. It’s a comfortable ride, especially on first-class buses, with views of charming towns and fields. We’ve written a full Guanajuato to Guadalajara guide here, so check it out before you travel!

Book your bus from Guanajuato to Guadalajara here.

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Where to Stay in Guadalajara

Guadalajara is known for its diverse neighbourhoods, each with its own vibe. Here are some top picks:

• Centro Historico: For first-timers, this is a great spot. Close to landmarks like the cathedral, Teatro Degollado, and Palacio de Gobierno. It’s lively during the day and quieter at night.
• Colonia Americana: Known for its ‘artsy’ vibe, cool cafés, and bars. You’ll also find colourful murals, boutique hotels, and trendy restaurants here. It’s a great place to be at the weekend with lots of brunch spots!
• Zapopan: A bit further from the city center but perfect for a more laid-back experience. There’s the beautiful Basilica of Zapopan, plus some cool cafés, local breweries, and quieter streets.

Best Things to Do in Guadalajara

1. Take a Walking Tour

We will say this time and time again – wherever you are in Mexico, check to see whether there is an Estacion Mexico walking tour! We loved every single one we did (apart from Oaxaca…)

They offer 2 tours in Guadalajara, one in the historic centre and one in Colonia Americana. We would really recommend both to get a good insight into the city and get tips from the locals that run these tours. 

The tours are offered in both English and Spanish – and best of all, they’re free! However, giving a tip at the end (if you had a good time) is encouraged.

The guides really do share fascinating stories that bring the city to life. In our opinion a walking tour is the best way to get acquainted with a new city/town!

2. Day Trip to Tequila

You simply can’t go to Guadalajara without taking a day trip (or spending even longer) in Tequila. The clue is in the name, but this is the birthplace of tequila!

We joined a guided tour which was SO fun. We drove about 1 hour to a tequila distillery and had a tour with tasting (we got very tipsy here!), followed by a drive through the scenic agave fields. We stopped with our guide at one of the fields to learn about the agave and walk through them. 

After stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, we headed to the town of tequila to mooch around for a few hours. The tour was brilliant and informative, so we would absolutely recommend it! 

If you want to look at the tours available we’d recommend booking a Tequila Day Trip on Get Your Guide.

If you have a bit more money to spend, the Jose Cuervo Express Train (aka the tequila train) is the best way to experience Tequila. They only operate on Saturdays, so make sure you book early. 

There are different packages depending on your budget but for all you can expect, amazing views, great food, tequila tasting, unlimited drinks (at specific times, make sure you book a tour with this included), a tour of a distillery and time to see the town of tequila. 

Book your tequila train experience here!

However you choose to see Tequila in one day, you’ll tour distilleries, taste tequila, and explore agave fields. It’s a full-day experience, so leave early and plan to stay until evening.

You can also chose to stay overnight in Tequila if you really want to explore the area in depth. Check out these amazing properties on booking.com for your Tequila stay!

3. Visit Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque is just a short taxi or metro from central Guadalajara and makes a perfect visit for a half day.

The neighbourhood has a quaint central square surrounded by shops and restaurants and a cool market to explore (unfortunately the market was under construction when we were there in Oct 2024 so we couldn’t enter ourselves).

This area is said to have a great shopping scene if you’re looking for ceramics or leather goods!

4. Lake Chapala

Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest lake and sits just 45 minutes from the city.

You can take a walk along the lakefront, enjoy some fresh seafood, and breathe in the laid-back vibe of the lakeside towns. This is another great half day trip, so paired with a visit to Tlaquepaque, you can have a great full-day out! 

You can explore both by taxi or you can book a tour to visit both Tlaquepaque and Lake Chapala like this one.

5. Try Birria at Birriería Las 9 Esquinas

If you’re in the state of Jalisco, you NEED to try Birria!

Birria is a traditional stew from Jalisco/Western Mexico and is usually made with goat or beef. Our hostel recommended Birriería Las 9 Esquinas – coincidentally, the most highly rated Birria joint in the city, and it was amazing! 🤤

We shared a large portion between 2, and you can of course ask for more tortillas when you run out. This cozy restaurant on a pretty square is a must if you’re in Guadalajara!

6. Calaverandia (Day of the Dead Theme Park)

If you’re in Guadalajar during Día de los Muertos (late October to early November), you cannot miss Calaverandia. It’s a Day of the Dead-themed park and opens only in the evening around the Day of the Dead.

There are live performances, as well as lots of themed areas to take pictures and wander around. You’ll find a massive food/drink area plus heaps of places to buy souvenirs – or even get your face painted ‘la Catrina’ style!

This is one not to be missed if you’re in Guadalajara at this time of the year. We bought our tickets for 2024 on TicketMaster. 

7. Museo de Historia Natural

The Natural History Museum in the centre of Guadalajara is free on Sundays, which makes it an easy stop if you’re in town for the weekend.

It’s a small but fascinating museum, with good exhibits covering the region’s plants and animals.

8. Listen to Live Music in the Main Square

If you are in Guadalajara on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Sunday make sure to stroll over to watch free live music at the bandstand in Plaza de Armas between 6-7pm.

Enjoy the tunes, join the locals dancing, and take in the ambiance.

9. Explore the Palacio de Gobierno

Head over to the Palacio de Gobierno for another free museum!

This museum is famous for the incredible mural by José Clemente Orozco (he murals a lot about the Mexican revolution). It’s free to enter, and the mural, depicting Mexico’s struggle for independence, is really powerful and striking.

10. Grab a Drink at Cantina La Fuente

Cantina La Fuente is a historic bar with great drinks, good vibes and live piano music. Make sure you head there after 5pm when it’s busier. It’s one of those spots that make you feel like a true local, so don’t miss it!

11. Try a Torta Ahogada

Guadalajara’s famous Torta Ahogada (or “drowned sandwich”) is an absolute must-try.

Traditionally these sandwiches have pork, but these days you can get many different flavours. For the most authentic experience, go to Tortas El Pique, known for their spicy, flavourful tortas that are as messy as they are delicious!

12. Carne en su Jugo at Karne Garibaldi

Another foodie stop (if you can’t tell, we ate well in Guadalajara)! Karne Garibaldi is famous for previously being a Guinness World Record-holding experience. The restaurant serves up “carne en su jugo” (or “meat in its juice” in Englush) at record speed!

We actually timed our experience, from ordering to the food being on the table in 1 minute 58 seconds! The tender, flavourful meat is best enjoyed with fresh tortillas and salsa.

13. Sip Tejuino

Tejuino is a unique fermented drink made from corn and is a local specialty. For the best, as recommended by our Estacion Mexico tour guide, look for a stand in front of the cathedral, behind the fountain, where you can try this refreshing drink. It has a distinctive flavour, often served with lime and salt. 

We didn’t really like it, but it’s definitely one to try when you’re here! 🫣

14. Museo Cabañas

Museo Cabañas is known for its stunning architecture and incredible murals by Orozco, one of Mexico’s most famous muralists. His work is super dramatic, with themes of social justice and human struggle. It’s not free, but worth every peso! We’re not particularly into art but this was amazing. 

15. Mercado San Juan de Dios

Mercado San Juan de Dios is one of Mexico’s biggest markets. You can find everything from fresh produce to leather goods, souvenirs to clothes – and most importantly, the super torta!! On the bottom level are many super torta stalls! All seemed really popular so sit yourself down and order one.

They are perfect for sharing, and if you’re alone, ask for a half sandwich! It’ll be messy… but worth it!

We really enjoyed our time in Guadalajara but I think it is one of those places where you are best to research your days before you arrive, rather than just wander around hoping to stumble upon cool spots!

Hopefully, this guide helps you with just that – enjoy your trip to this Mexican city full of delicious food and tequila shots!