When our expensive but comfy bus rolled into Guanajuato from Guadalajara, we were a little let down by the initial view. The city, known for its UNESCO status and rave reviews, didn’t impress us right away. From the bus, we couldn’t spot any intriguing buildings, historical landmarks, or anything remotely attractive. Wondering why we had made this trip, we got off the bus and switched to local transport to head into town.
The small bus climbed up the mountainside, and after about 20 minutes, colorful square buildings appeared out of nowhere. We entered an underground tunnel and were instructed to get off there. Following the driver’s directions, we climbed a narrow staircase and were amazed by what greeted us at the top—it felt like stepping into a postcard!
Gorgeous plazas, historic buildings along the sidewalks, and towering churches and cathedrals filled the scene. With our backpacks on and eyes scanning the beautiful architecture, we made our way to our hostel. To our delight, the room was spacious and lovely, and the rooftop terrace offered stunning views.
Eager to explore, we didn’t even stop to freshen up. We ventured into the colonial town, quickly deciding this was the prettiest city we’d visited and one of the best spots in Mexico. Narrow, cobblestone streets twisted up the mountainside, with cafes and restaurants spilling onto pedestrian-only pathways. Pastel-colored buildings in yellows, oranges, pinks, and some vibrant purples, reds, and blues added to the charm.
The atmosphere was relaxed and romantic, with live music playing in the streets and couples strolling hand-in-hand. Every street we wandered down led us to another beautiful building or landmark. We couldn’t get enough and wanted to take in every sight. After just one day, we knew we needed more time in Guanajuato and wished we had planned for a two-week stay.
We had a packed agenda: a food tour, a visit to the mummy museum, a symphony and theater night, various plazas to explore, and numerous churches and cathedrals to visit. There were also many more museums, markets, restaurants, and day trips that we wanted to experience.
Choosing to come inland and leave the coast was the right move for us. We immediately felt at home in Guanajuato, a city that had so much to offer. Even after just one day, we knew it would be hard to say goodbye when it was time to move on.
