5 days in Guadalajara

Day by day

1. Day 1: Guadalajara Cathedral and Hospicio Cabañas

   Guadalajara Cathedral, Hospicio Cabañas and Plaza de los Mariachis, then Lucha libre at Arena Coliseo in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Guadalajara Cathedral

      Walk around all four sides of the cathedral; each plaza frames the spires differently, and the Rotonda side is quietest. (45 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Hospicio Cabañas

      Lie back on the benches provided in the chapel to look up at the dome; it is the intended way to see the Man of Fire. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Torta ahogada

      Torta stands and small shops across the city, especially in the centre and around markets; ask for 'media ahogada' for less heat.

   4. Afternoon

      Plaza de los Mariachis

      Agree the price per song before the band plays, and visit in the early evening rather than late at night. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Lucha libre at Arena Coliseo

      Buy a cheap mask from the sellers outside and sit in the middle sections, where the atmosphere is loud but family-friendly.

2. Day 2: Palacio de Gobierno and Teatro Degollado

   Palacio de Gobierno, Teatro Degollado and Plaza Tapatía, then Tlaquepaque and El Parián in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Palacio de Gobierno

      Climb to the top of the staircase and look back down; the mural is designed to be seen from below and above. (30–45 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Teatro Degollado

      Seeing a performance is the best way inside; check the programme and buy tickets at the box office for folkloric dance or the philharmonic. (1–2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Birria

      Birrierías across the city, the upper floor of the Mercado San Juan de Dios and the specialist birria restaurants in Las Nueve Esquinas, a small plaza south of the centre.

   4. Afternoon

      Plaza Tapatía

      Walk it from the cathedral end towards Cabañas in the late afternoon, when families and street performers fill the plaza. (30–45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Tlaquepaque and El Parián

      Visit on a weekend afternoon to browse the galleries, then stay for drinks and mariachi at El Parián as the evening begins.

3. Day 3: Museo Regional de Guadalajara and Mercado San Juan de Dios

   Museo Regional de Guadalajara, Mercado San Juan de Dios and MUSA – Museo de las Artes, then Avenida Chapultepec in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museo Regional de Guadalajara

      Start with the ground-floor palaeontology and shaft-tomb figures, the museum's most distinctive rooms. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Mercado San Juan de Dios

      Head straight to the top-floor food court for lunch, then try a cup of tejuino from the vendors around the ground floor. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Carne en su jugo

      Traditional restaurants and fondas across the city; it is a classic weekend family lunch.

   4. Afternoon

      MUSA – Museo de las Artes

      Combine it with the Templo Expiatorio, about ten minutes' walk away, to see more Orozco without the Cabañas crowds. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Avenida Chapultepec

      Explore the side streets, such as Calle Libertad and Calle Morelos, where many of the best small bars and coffee shops are.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Tequila

   About 1–1.5 hours by road each way. Getting there: Bus, tour, tourist train or car via Highway 15.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Tequila

      About 1–1.5 hours by road (Bus, tour, tourist train or car via Highway 15); about 65 km.

   2. Day

      Tequila

      The town that gave the spirit its name sits among blue-agave fields that form a UNESCO-listed landscape. Best for food lovers, couples and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Guadalajara

      Dinner: try Pozole rojo.

5. Day 5: Tonalá street market and Templo Expiatorio

   Tonalá street market, Templo Expiatorio and Barranca de Huentitán, then Colonia Americana in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tonalá street market

      Go on Thursday or Sunday for the street market, and bring cash and space in your luggage for ceramics. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Templo Expiatorio

      Ask locally or check the times posted at the church for the apostles' procession, and stay for the food stalls on the plaza in the evening. (30–45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pozole rojo

      Pozolerías and the market fondas; many places serve it in the evenings.

   4. Afternoon

      Barranca de Huentitán

      Start early in the morning, carry plenty of water and go with company; even the viewpoint at the top is worth the trip if you skip the hike. (3–4 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Colonia Americana

      Avenida Chapultepec and nearby streets such as Calle Libertad have cocktail bars, mezcalerías, clubs and LGBTQ+ venues.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Centro Histórico keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Colonia Americana and Lafayette ($$$) suits nightlife, food lovers, couples and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–31 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.9 hours in December to 13.4 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Guadalajara
• 2 days in Guadalajara
• 3 days in Guadalajara

Questions travellers ask