20 Must-Visit Attractions in Guadalajara
As one of the most important cities in Mexico and best-known as the home of tequila and mariachi music, Guadalajara has a great deal to offer beyond tipples and tunes. With beautiful buildings, a fascinating history, and a rich heritage that continues to draw visitors from far and wide, its attractions are many. Here we’ve whittled down the best on offer to bring you the must-visits of the city.
1. Instituto Cultural Cabañas
As the most visited place of the city, and declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, this building has been both an orphanage and military barracks during the Mexican revolution, and now it is a museum with the murals of José Clemente Orozco.
Calle Cabañas 8, Las Fresas, San Juan de Dios, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3668 1642
2. Mercado Libertad / San Juan de Dios
Market
This is the largest and most picturesque market in the city, and sells typical Guadalajara food, fresh fruits and traditional candies, clothes and all kinds of souvenirs.
Calzada Javier Mina No.52, San Juan de Dios, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3618 0506
3. Plaza Tapatía
Tapatío is the colloquial name for the inhabitants of the city, and the moniker given to this pedestrian corridor. Built in 1982 with the intention of uniting the city that had traditionally been divided in east and west, it’s a nice place to walk and take some pictures.
Calzada Independencia Sur, Zona Centro, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
4. Teatro Degollado
Theater
The most important theater for the arts of the city, this icon of Guadalajara was built in the neoclassical style and was inaugurated in 1866.
Calle Degollado S/N, Centro, Zona Centro, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3658 0520
5. Palacio de Gobierno del Estado de Jalisco
Building
This building was opened in 1774 and is currently the seat of state government. The venue has four murals by José Clemente Orozco. Admission is free from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Avenida Ramón Corona No. 31,, Centro, Zona Centro, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, +52 33 3668 1825
6. Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres
Built in 1952, this monument is a tribute to the people of Jalisco who were outstanding in the fields of history, art, culture and politics, with statues alongside.
Av. Miguel Hidalgo s/n, Zona Centro, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres I © David Leonardo Méndez/Flickr
7. Museo Regional de Guadalajara
Museum
As with many other buildings in the historic center of Guadalajara, this was originally intended for religious purposes, but over the years it became a museum of the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
Calle Liceo 60, Zona Centro, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3613 2703
8. Catedral de Guadalajara
Building
With tall yellow towers that are a symbol of the city, this is an imposing building that does not go unnoticed in the center of Guadalajara.
Av Alcalde 10, Zona Centro, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3613 7168
9. Biblioteca Iberoamericana
Building
This beautiful building has more than 400 years of history, and is now dedicated to books. On its walls you can see the murals of David Alfaro Siqueiros and Amado de la Cueva.
Calle Pedro Moreno, Zona Centro, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
http://instagram.com/p/BT43SGJhEB9/?taken-at=1016004213
10. Ex Convento del Carmen
Museum
This museum shows works of art, concerts and exhibitions. The five rooms and an auditorium surrounding a large central courtyard are a privileged place for showcases of painting, photography or sculpture by national and international artists.
Avenida Juárez 638, Zona Centro, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3030 1355
11. Museo de las Artes de La Universidad de Guadalajara
Building, Museum
Opened in 1994, this museum shows modern art in a building constructed to French Renaissance style architecture.
Calle Juárez, 975, Colonia Centro, Americana, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3134 1664
12. Templo Expiatorio
Building, Church
13. Arcos Vallarta Guadalajara
Located on Vallarta Avenue, this monument is one of the most important in the city that crosses from east to west. It is a few steps from the emblematic Glorieta de La Minerva.
Av Ignacio L. Vallarta, Arcos Vallarta, Vallarta, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3819 2327
14. La Minerva
The fountain with the Statue of the Goddess Minerva has become an emblem of the city and meeting point to celebrate the triumphs of the soccer teams of the city or the national team.
Av. de los Arcos 4413, Vallarta, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
15. Zoológico Guadalajara
Zoo
Inaugurated in 1988, the Zoo houses almost 4,000 specimens of 392 different species, as well as an animal research center and 14 different areas for visitors.
Calle Paseo del Zoológico 600, Huentitán El Alto, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3674 4488
16. Selva Mágica
Amusement Park, Park, Zoo
17. Tlaquepaque
Art Gallery
18. Basílica de Zapopan
Cathedral
Every year millions of believers make the pilgrimage from the center of Guadalajara to the center of Zapopan, part of the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, in one of the largest religious processions in the country. The tour begins in the Cathedral of Guadalajara and ends in the basilica at Zapopan.
Calle Eva Briseño 152, Zapopan Centro, Zapopan, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3676 1726
19. Museo de Arte Zapopan
Museum
Since 2002, the Zapopan Art Museum has been renowned for contemporary art, including displays of work from architects Maria Emilia Orendáin and Enrique Toussaint.
Prol. 20 De Noviembre 20, Zapopan, Zapopan, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3818 2575
20. Tonalá
This place to the east of the city is a shopper’s paradise of crafts and souvenirs worth knowing about. If you’re looking for souvenirs to take home, browse among the colourful offerings to pick up a gift or two for loved ones back home.
Hidalgo 21, Centro, Tonalá Centro, Tonalá, Jalisco, México, +52 33 3586 6000
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