In this post, I’ll be diving into the best things to do in the city of Guadalajara. My family is from this amazing city so I have frequented GDL quite a bit over the years. Here’s a little background on Guadalajara: it’s a major city located in the state of Jalisco. It is also the birthplace of mariachi music, tequila and lots of yummy food. The city is filled with lots museums and historical buildings dating back to the Spanish colonization era. On top of all that, Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico and is overall an amazing place to visit if you’re traveling to Mexico for the first time. I hope this guide inspires you to visit the city of Guadalajara 🙂
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TOP THINGS TO DO
The city of Guadalajara has no shortage of activities, and it’s centrally located nearby many attractions famous to the state of Jalisco. For the sake of this guide I will narrow it down to the top attractions you must do while visiting GDL.
Visit the Cathedral of Guadalajara
The GDL Cathedral should be your first stop when visiting this vast city. With its distinct yellow rooftops and Spanish renaissance inspired architecture, this cathedral dates back to 1618 and has remained the heart of the town ever since. The cathedral is filled with beautiful roman catholic relics and stained glass, a perfect place to visit when sightseeing.
Visit the Basílica of Zapopan
Another beautiful church attraction to visit during your stay in GDL is the Basílica de Zapopan. This site is frequented by thousands of pilgrams every year who want a chance to see the esteemed “Virgin de Zapopan“. Aside from being a holy site, this church has beautiful Franciscan architecture and is an overall amazing place to sightsee during the day. The church is surrounded by street vendors and lots of food.
Visit Thermal Hot Springs in the city of Chapala
If you’re looking to explore the outskirts of GLD and want a chance to relax, I suggest visiting the lake city of Chapala. This quaint town is known for its freshwater lake, lakeside restaurants and thermal hot springs. It’s a popular living destination for expats as well.
When I visited this town, we stopped at a local thermal spa called Spa Termal Tlalocan and it was such a great experience. You get to experience what a thermal mountain hot spring is like and also get to soak your body in “healing” mud baths. A great day trip just a short drive from GDL.
Go Shopping at the San Juan De Dios Street Market
If you want to a chance to shop for some amazing souvenirs, I recommend stopping at Guadalajara’s largest street market San Juan De Dios. You will find amazing deals here and some authentic Mexican crafts!
Visit the Museo de Artes
If you’re a museum type of person, the MUSA or Museo De Artes is the perfect place to visit in Guadalajara. It’s located within the University of Guadalajara and boasts contemporary art pieces from Mexican artists.
Tequila Tour in the Nearby City of Tequila
This one is self explanatory. You don’t want to miss out on taking a tequila tour when visiting Guadalajara. You can find various tequila tasting tours in the city but if you want the real experience, I recommend doing a day trip to the city of Tequila! Check out my article on 5 Fun Things To Do in The City of Tequila for more recommendations.
Visit the small artisan town of Tlaquepaque
Last but not least is to visit the beautiful town of Tlaquepaque, only a short 10 min car ride from Guadalajara’s city center. This is the perfect place to spend an evening eating, drinking and shopping for hand crafted Mexican pottery and crafts. It’s also known for being more lively at night, so come ready to party it up with the Mariachi 🙂