Guadalajara is the cultural soul of Mexico: the birthplace of mariachi music and tequila, home to some of the country’s finest murals, and a food scene that ranges from street-side tortas ahogadas to high-end dining. Here are the best things to do in Guadalajara. Start with the Guadalajara travel guide.
Historic Centre and Iconic Sights
Guadalajara Cathedral and the Cruz de Plazas
The Cathedral’s twin neo-Gothic towers define the city skyline. The surrounding four plazas (the Cruz de Plazas) are the historic heart: Plaza Guadalajara, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Liberacion, and Plaza de los Mariachis. The Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres honours Jalisco’s most notable figures. The Palacio de Gobierno houses Jose Clemente Orozco’s dramatic mural of Miguel Hidalgo, a fiery masterpiece of Mexican muralism. This entire complex is free to explore and can occupy a full morning.
Instituto Cultural Cabanas
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Mexico’s most important cultural institutions. The neoclassical building, originally an orphanage, houses Orozco’s magnum opus: the Man of Fire mural in the main chapel’s dome, one of the greatest works of 20th-century art. The building itself is stunning with 23 courtyards. Allow 2 hours. About 80 pesos. Located just east of the Centro. For getting here, the light rail Juarez station is a short walk away.
Mercado Libertad (San Juan de Dios)
One of the largest indoor markets in Latin America, a sprawling three-level maze of over 2,800 stalls selling everything from fresh produce to electronics to handmade crafts. The food section upstairs is the highlight: dozens of stalls serving birria, tortas ahogadas, pozole, and fresh juices. Go hungry. The market is intense, crowded, and overwhelming in the best way. Keep valuables secure; it is a known pickpocketing area.
Tequila Experiences
Jose Cuervo Express tequila train
A premium experience departing Guadalajara on Saturdays (and some additional days) for the town of Tequila. The train ride includes tequila tastings, live music, and spectacular agave field views. At Tequila, you tour the La Rojena distillery and explore the town. About USD 150 per person. Book weeks in advance. This is the most memorable way to experience tequila country. Covered in detail in the day trips from Guadalajara guide.
Tequila town and distillery tours
More accessible than the train, a day trip by car or bus to the town of Tequila is easy and rewarding. Tour distilleries (Jose Cuervo, Herradura, and smaller craft producers), walk the agave fields, and explore the charming Pueblo Magico. The agave landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The day trips guide covers all transport options.
Tequila tasting in the city
If you cannot make it to Tequila town, several tasting rooms and bars in Guadalajara offer guided tequila and mezcal tastings. La Cata in Colonia Americana and several bars along Avenida Chapultepec offer flights of artisanal tequilas with expert guidance. Expect to pay about 300 to 500 pesos for a guided tasting of 4 to 6 tequilas.
Food Experiences
Tortas ahogadas: Guadalajara’s iconic dish
A crusty bread roll stuffed with carnitas (fried pork), drowned in a spicy tomato and chili sauce, and served with lime and onions. Messy, spicy, and unforgettable. The best tortas ahogadas are found at street stalls and casual restaurants across the city. Las Famosas and Tortas Toño are local institutions.
Birria: slow-cooked perfection
Slow-cooked goat or beef in a rich chili broth, traditionally served as a stew (birria en caldo) or in tacos. Birrieria Chololo and Birrieria Las 9 Esquinas are legendary. A weekend morning tradition in Guadalajara; many birrierias open early and sell out by early afternoon.
Mercado food crawl
Mercado Libertad has an entire floor dedicated to prepared food. Work your way through birria, tortas ahogadas, pozole, fresh seafood, and aguas frescas. Mercado IV Centenario near the Centro is smaller and more manageable, excellent for a less intense market food experience.
Fine dining in Guadalajara
Guadalajara’s restaurant scene is one of Mexico’s best. Alcalde (Colonia Americana) is chef Francisco Ruano’s acclaimed contemporary Mexican restaurant, regularly ranked among Latin America’s best. Bruna (Providencia) offers beautiful garden dining. Hueso (Colonia Americana) is striking with its bone-white interior. The Colonia Americana and Providencia neighbourhoods have the highest concentration of top restaurants.
Mariachi and Music
Plaza de los Mariachis
The spiritual home of mariachi music. Bands gather here daily, especially in the evenings and on weekends, to play for anyone who stops by. Hire a band for a song (about 150 to 200 pesos per song) or simply soak up the atmosphere for free. The plaza itself is a bit gritty; focus on the music. Located in the Centro, east of the Cathedral.
Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi
If your visit coincides with late August and early September, this international mariachi festival brings bands from around the world for concerts, competitions, and parades. Free events fill the city.
