As the birthplace of mariachi and world-famous agave spirits, Guadalajara is also renowned as a cosmopolitan cornerstone of Mexican culture, blending tradition and innovative offerings. Situated west of Mexico City and east of Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara is centrally located in the capital state of Jalisco.
As the second largest city in Mexico with a population of more than four million people, Guadalajara is rich in cultural activities, art, architecture, high-design hotels, and some of the world’s top 50 restaurants and bars. In short, it’s fast becoming the new, less chaotic Mexico City option.
In 2025, Guadalajara will welcome four new hotels, with MOTTO by Hilton Guadalajara Centro Histórico, Fairfield Aeropuerto, Indigo Providencia, and Avid adding to the current 23,000 rooms available. And look for new direct routes from U.S. and Canadian hubs, including Vancouver, Miami, and Las Vegas on Alaska Airlines and Aeroméxico, to name a few.
Tour the Centro Histórico
To get your bearings in this vast city, start with a tour around the Historical Center and its landmark Metropolitan Cathedral. The Roman Catholic church was built in 1516 and is highly revered for its Neo-Gothic architecture and status as one of the oldest religious buildings in the city.
This historic core of the city is fun to explore on foot, with the Plaza de Armas, shops, marketplaces, churches, and restaurants, but you can also hitch a ride on a horse-drawn carriage. If you want to enjoy a drink or snack with a view of the action, head to Bar Piso Siete, perched on the rooftop of the DoubleTree by Hilton Guadalajara Centro Histórico. It offers panoramic views of the plaza and cathedral and makes for a wonderful perch for sunset. It’s also within walking distance of the Degollado Theater, where you might be able to catch a mariachi show.
The nearby Cabañas Museum began as an orphanage in the 1800s before becoming a military base during Mexico’s Independence. It’s now home to some of the most significant cultural frescoes painted by José Clemente Orozco, a caricaturist and muralist who famously painted with only his right hand after losing his left at age 21 in a fireworks accident.
Explore the Colonial Americano Neighborhood
Don’t let the “Americano” in the name fool you—this is one of the coolest areas in town, loaded with artisanal boutiques, coffee shops, and cafes. Among our favorites is the Casa Habita, one of the pioneering design-driven hotels in the area. (Other properties from the brand are sprinkled around Mexico.) The rooftop bar for sunset cocktails should not be missed.
If you want to have your morning coffee in an indoor-outdoor art gallery setting, venture out for breakfast at Biolento, where they also make great pancakes. Another top spot is PALREAL, owned by chef-partner Fabian Delgado, a staple in the Guadalajara community for a decade. His love for literature and anthropology inspires his cuisine and can be seen in the artifacts displayed around the space. Side note: Don’t miss his chilaquiles. Incidentally, both spots are great for wine and a snack later in the day, as well.
For lunch, sit on the leafy terrace at Allium – Cocina de Huerto, which has been noted as one of the best establishments in Guadalajara by the World’s 50 Best The kitchen focuses on fresh garden fare from local artisanal farmers and fresh seafood from Mexico.
In the evening, check out a drag show and a casual dinner at Peligro al Fondo. Owner Alex Serratos is a key mover and shaker in Guadalajara’s LGBTQ+ community. He owns two other restaurants, Peligro and Pinches Pizza, as well as Antiturista, a media company that publishes guides to LGBTQ+-owned and -friendly businesses throughout the city, and Prohibido, an LGBTQ+ arts and culture company.
Book a Historic Cantina Crawl
Guadalajara boasts a vibrant nightlife scene with an array of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Cantina tours are popular with both locals and tourists, and you can make reservations with Panoramex Tours & Travel. This tour stops at the most popular cantinas in Guadalajara.
The 100-year-old Cantina La Fuente downtown is one of the oldest cantinas in the city, and should be your first stop. You will find many locals at this no-frills spot. Take a selfie by the bicicleta (bicycle), which was forgotten by a customer circa 1957 and has been displayed by the owner of the cantina as an exhibit ever since.
El Gallo Altanero is a bar focused on independent tequilas and agave spirits from Jalisco in a two-story space with a “party at home” vibe. The menu changes monthly and is heavily focused on local ingredients. The cantina was named the #48 Best Bar in the World and #14 Best Bar in North America. Pro tip: Don’t miss the guacamole.
The last stop on the tour is Cantina de La O in Colonia Americana, a rustic watering hole and eatery that has been recognized as one of the best establishments in the city. Enjoy cocktails and snacks at the bar that include quesadillas de chicharrón, potato tacos with chorizo, and enchiladas.
Visit the Magical Town of Tlaquepaque for a Pottery Class
As one of Mexico’s top artisanal hubs, Guadalajara is an optimal spot to search for local pottery, colorful blown glassware, leather goods, silver jewelry, and hand-stitched clothing—often at more affordable prices.
Located approximately six miles south of Guadalajara’s city center, Tlaquepaque is a municipality and has been named one of Mexico’s Magical Towns (Pueblos Magicos) where you can stroll the promenades with artisanal shops and stumble upon a few mariachi performances along the way.
If you don’t find the keepsake you’re looking for, you can also make your own. Arrange to visit local singer-songwriter and potter Paco Padilla’s studio to paint a few Day of the Dead skulls or other small ceramic creations.
After creating a masterpiece to take home, stop for a fun lunch with live music and traditional Mexican fare at Casa Luna. Be sure to check out the onsite leather handbag shop, as well. Pro tip: Bring pesos, as some of the smaller shops do not accept credit cards.
Avoid the Tourist-y Side of Tequila
Guadalajara is the gateway city to Tequila, a small town surrounded by sprawling, greenish-blue fields of agave that are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s a weekend express train that transports you from Guadalajara to the magical town, but note that it can be crowded and tourist-y on the weekends.
If you do find yourself in Tequila, Casa Sauza has one of the nicer facilities and offers tours. But our suggestion is to visit an off-the-beaten-path agave area in the eastern town of Arandas in the Los Altos de Jalisco—the opposite direction of the “Tequila Trail.”
Tequilera Los Alambiques is the new home of Tequila Ocho’s distillery, where the first single-estate tequila is produced. This family-owned compound offers tours of its distillery (by appointment here), followed by lunch at Ocho Agaves and drinks at La Cantina Don Tomás, the onsite bar. Plus, you can browse a variety of unique artisanal shops in the main building. Overall, the experience is like visiting a small, friendly self-contained village where you can spend a day without seeing the tequila bottle bus roll by.
For more information on Guadalajara, head to VisitaGDL.com.
