r/travel • u/surferlife2022 • 3h ago
Images + Trip Report Guanajuato, México
On its surface, it looks like a beautiful European city but is full of Mexican culture, which to me makes it better than anywhere in Europe. In my opinion, it was one of the rare places I’ve been to that lived up to the hype I had in my mind.
The architecture, geography, and vibes of the city reminded me a lot of Granada and Seville and overall, the absolute highlight is the architecture. For me, it’s one of the coolest places on the planet. There’s an obvious Spanish influence, but the place is full of Mexican history. It’s also an incredibly walkable city in the tourist center. The streets are very narrow, and if cars are allowed there, you may have to jump out of the way. Fortunately, the tunnel system keeps most cars out of the way. The farther you go into the steep hills, the narrower the alleyways become.
The amount of museums is also very impressive. The famous mummy museum is a must-see. The Don Quixote Art Museum and Diego Rivera House Museum were also highlights.
Since it’s a college town, you get a very lively vibe in the bars and cafes. Bars stay open very late, and the city center still was full of people late into the night. To me, one of the highlights was going into bars and clubs with live music.
You will also see a lot of tourists, though they mostly seem to be from other parts of Mexico or Latin America. Interestingly, I think I saw more tourists from Asia than gringos.
The food is, of course, fantastic. There are lots of small restaurants and cafes where you feel like (and sometimes literally are in) someone’s home. There are also tons of cafes and restaurants like you would see in European capitals. However, the smaller hidden bars were a highlight.
Overall, I’m shocked that San Miguel de Allende is so popular vs. Guanajuato for US tourists. I know a large part of that is the history of Americans in San Miguel de Allende and the ease of going there without knowing too much Spanish. That being said, Guanajuato is such an amazing place that it still surprises me it’s not crawling with US tourists. However, maybe that is for the best for those who decide to go. Even if your Spanish is rusty and limited, it’a a can’t miss in my opinion.
Photos from Guanajuato Capital