Guadalajara surprised me in the best way possible. As Mexico’s one of the largest city after Mexico City, I arrived expecting mariachi music, tequila, and maybe a pretty historic center. What I didn’t expect was how layered the city feels — colonial plazas sitting beside edgy art spaces, grand cathedrals a few blocks from trendy cafés, and neighborhoods that each tell their own story. If you’re looking for things to do in Guadalajara, here’s how I explored the city — slowly, on foot, with plenty of coffee stops in between.

If Mexico City is also on your travel radar, you can check out my Mexico City travel guide

Wander Guadalajara’s Historic Center (Where the City Tells Its Story)

One of the most rewarding things to do in Guadalajara is simply walking its Historic Center. This isn’t just one attraction — it’s a connected web of plazas, landmarks, and living history. Everything sits close together, making it perfect for slow wandering. Start early while shopkeepers lift their shutters and street vendors prepare breakfast.

Every few blocks reveal something new: a hidden courtyard, a quiet church doorway, or a sudden burst of music drifting across a square. If you’d like deeper context without losing that relaxed pace, you can also join a guided Guadalajara city center walking tour — it’s a great way to learn the stories behind the buildings while still exploring on foot. 

Book the Guadalajara City Center Walking Tour and let a local guide bring the neighborhood to life.

Admire 16th-Century Grandeur at Guadalajara Cathedral

The Cathedral is impossible to miss, its yellow towers rising proudly above downtown. Dating back to the 1500s, it anchors the entire historic district. Inside, the atmosphere softens. Vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and hushed footsteps create a peaceful pause from the lively streets outside. Walk around the exterior too — every side offers a different perspective and photo opportunity. It’s one of those classic things to do in Guadalajara, but it never feels cliché.

Feel History Through Orozco’s Murals at Palacio Municipal

Inside the Palacio Municipal, Guadalajara shows its emotional side. José Clemente Orozco’s murals fill the walls with powerful scenes of revolution, resilience, and humanity. These aren’t decorative paintings — they demand attention. I stayed longer than planned, reading the historical notes and watching visitors quietly take it all in. This is where Guadalajara stops being just beautiful and starts feeling meaningful.

Reflect at Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres

This circular monument honors influential figures from Jalisco, including leaders from Mexico’s independence movement. Despite its central location, it feels calm and reflective. I used it as a reset point between sightseeing stops, letting the city noise fade for a few minutes before continuing on.

Climb Árbol Adentro’s Giant Head Viewpoint

One of Guadalajara’s most unexpected sights is Árbol Adentro — a massive head sculpture. You can climb inside for a unique viewpoint overlooking the avenue. The contrast between modern art and colonial architecture makes it feel delightfully out of place. It’s a reminder that some of the most memorable things to do in Guadalajara aren’t found in guidebooks.

Experience Local Life at Plaza de Armas

Plaza de Armas feels like Guadalajara’s communal backyard. Locals gather beneath trees while vendors sell fresh fruit, churros, and tortas ahogadas. I grabbed a snack and settled onto a bench, watching office workers hurry past and musicians casually set up. It’s also a great orientation point — nearly every major downtown landmark sits just minutes away.

Discover Creative Guadalajara in Colonia Americana

After soaking in history, Colonia Americana feels like stepping into Guadalajara’s present. This neighborhood blends elegant old homes with trendy cafés, galleries, and boutique shops. It’s where locals brunch, remote workers open laptops, and evenings begin with cocktails on leafy patios.

Explore Contemporary Art at MUSA — Museum of the Arts

MUSA (Museum of the Arts of the University of Guadalajara) occupies a former university building and now hosts rotating contemporary exhibitions alongside historic works, making it one of the most rewarding cultural things to do in Guadalajara. The galleries are approachable and thoughtfully curated, but the real standout is the Paraninfo Enrique Díaz de León.

In 1935, José Clemente Orozco began sketching the frescoes here, tackling his most technically ambitious challenge yet: painting a dome using perspective on a concave surface for the first time. The result is immersive and powerful — figures curve and shift with the ceiling, surrounding you with themes of human struggle and progress. Standing beneath it feels less like viewing art and more like stepping inside it.

Step Inside El Expiatorio’s Neo-Gothic Beauty

El Expiatorio is one of Guadalajara’s most visually striking churches, built in neo-Gothic style with intricate stonework and towering arches. Inside, the atmosphere feels solemn and cinematic, especially when sunlight streams through the stained glass.

Beyond landmarks, Colonia Americana shines in everyday moments: sipping espresso on shaded patios, browsing independent bookstores, and discovering tiny bakeries hidden behind ivy-covered walls. If you want to feel like a temporary local, this is the place.

Fall for Tlaquepaque’s Colorful Streets, Ceramics & Mariachi Music

Tlaquepaque deserves its own chapter. Located just outside central Guadalajara, this artsy district feels like a small town wrapped in color, music, and craftsmanship. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Guadalajara because it combines culture with pure joy.

Shop & Stroll Calle Independencia, Tlaquepaque’s Pedestrian Heart

Calle Independencia is the heart of Tlaquepaque — a pedestrian-only street lined with galleries, artisan shops, and cheerful storefronts. I wandered slowly, popping into ceramic studios and handcraft boutiques, chatting with shop owners who proudly explained their work. It’s incredibly walkable and full of small surprises.

Browse Artisan Treasures at Plaza de Artesanías

This plaza is packed with stalls selling locally made ceramics, glassware, jewelry, and textiles. If you’re looking for meaningful souvenirs, this is the spot. Prices are reasonable, and bargaining is gentle — more friendly conversation than negotiation.

End the Day at El Parián: Mariachi, Margaritas & Energy

El Parián is legendary — often called the largest bar in Mexico — and it truly feels like a giant open-air celebration. Live mariachi bands rotate through the courtyard while servers deliver tequila flights and colorful cocktails. It’s lively without being overwhelming, and incredibly social. Come in the evening, order something local, and let the music carry your night.

Step Back in Time at Guachimontones (Circular Pyramids & Ancient Mysteries)

If you want to add something truly unexpected to your list of things to do in Guadalajara, make time for Guachimontones. Located about an hour outside the city, this archaeological site feels quietly powerful. Unlike the square pyramids you might expect, Guachimontones is known for its rare circular step pyramids — built by the ancient Teuchitlán culture over 2,000 years ago. Walking among them, with wide valleys and agave fields stretching in every direction, feels worlds away from Guadalajara’s busy streets.

Some Tequila day tours include Guachimontones as part of the itinerary, making it an easy cultural add-on — and one that brings a deeper historical layer to your Guadalajara adventure.

Day Trip to Tequila (Yes, the Town)

A Guadalajara visit feels incomplete without heading to Tequila. Day tours take you through rolling agave fields, working distilleries, and the charming town itself. You’ll learn how tequila is made (properly), sample different varieties, and walk cobblestone streets lined with colorful buildings.

It’s educational, scenic, and — unsurprisingly — fun. If you want to combine all of this into one seamless day, The Fire TOUR – Pyramids, Volcanoes, Agaves & Tequila is a great option, pairing Guachimontones with tequila country and dramatic volcanic landscapes. 

Book the Fire TOUR for an easy, all-in-one adventure beyond the city.

Relax on a Chapala Lake Day Tour

For a slower pace, escape to Lake Chapala — just over an hour from Guadalajara. The lakeside town offers breezy promenades, mountain views, and relaxed cafés perfect for lingering lunches. Wander the malecón, enjoy fresh food, and watch local life unfold. It’s one of the most underrated things to do in Guadalajara, especially if you’re craving nature and calm.

If you’d rather skip the logistics, the Chapala–Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara makes it easy to experience both lakeside towns with local insight and comfortable transport. 

Book the Chapala–Ajijic Area Tour for a laid-back day of scenery, culture, and fresh air beyond the city.

Final Thoughts

Guadalajara rewards travelers who slow down. Its magic lives in the mix: historic plazas beside modern art, quiet churches a block from buzzing bars, and neighborhoods that feel completely different from one another. The best things to do in Guadalajara aren’t about rushing from landmark to landmark — they’re about wandering, tasting, listening to mariachi echo through courtyards, and letting the city reveal itself one street at a time. Give it space. Guadalajara knows how to fill it.

📌 Pin this guide for later — whether you’re planning your first trip to Guadalajara or dreaming about a return, this guide is here whenever you’re ready to wander slowly.