Guadalajara is a city that can be easy to overlook when planning a trip to Mexico. For many people, the beach towns and cities like Mexico City and Oaxaca usually come to mind first. But Guadalajara has a completely different feel, and after spending 5 months living in the city, I found myself with a list of places I wanted to recommend to anyone heading there.

Guadalajara is not a touristic city, and that is one of the things I love about it. From colorful neighborhoods, enormous markets, mariachi music, beautiful parks, and some seriously good eats, Guadalajara has plenty to keep you busy without spending a fortune.

If you’re planning a trip to experience it for yourself, here are some of my favorite things to see, do, eat, and experience around Guadalajara.

Spend an Afternoon Getting Lost in Tlaquepaque

If you only have time for one area outside of central Guadalajara, make it Tlaquepaque.

I recommend giving yourself at least half a day here; roughly 12pm to 6pm is perfect. Tlaquepaque is colorful, walkable, full of artisan shops and galleries, and has a completely different atmosphere from the busier parts of Guadalajara. One of my favorite things about Tlaquepaque is that you don’t really need a strict itinerary. It is a lovely place to simply wander around, pop into shops, stop for a drink, check out a museum, and see where the afternoon takes you. But here are some places you should visit when you go.

To reach Tlaquepaque, you can simply uber from whereever you are in Guadalajara, you can expect a 20-25 minute car ride. Once you arrive, I suggest starting at Jardín Hidalgo, the main square and heart of the town. It’s a great place to wander, people-watch, grab some street food, and get your bearings before exploring the surrounding streets.

From there, make your way down Calle Independencia, a pedestrian walkway lined with artisan shops, galleries, restaurants, and plenty of things that will make you want to stop every five minutes. My favorite gallery is the Sergio Bustamante Gallery; the art & jewelry is beautiful, but my favorite part of the gallery is the backyard- don’t miss it!

Pass through the Pantaleón Panduro Museum & Ceramics Museum; these two free museums housing impressive collections of ceramics from around Mexico are a great way to learn about the area’s pottery traditions and Mexican folk art, and they are less than a 10-minute walk from each other.

Be sure to spend some time at the Centro Cultural El Refugio. This former hospital and convent has been transformed into a cultural center with art exhibitions, a theater, art school, and multiple courtyards. It’s free to visit, and don’t skip the underground tunnels!

Take a peek inside the Parroquia de San Pedro Apóstol, which dates back to the 16th century, and the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. Tip: Check the opening hours; these churches often close midday, then reopen briefly in the late afternoon, and close again in early evening.

Stop by Mercado Juárez for local crafts and a more traditional market experience. Make sure to do this during the first half of your day because it closes at 5pm.

And while you’re wandering around, do yourself a favor and try a nieve de garrafa, a traditional Mexican ice cream/sorbet-style treat, and drink a cantarito (if you drink alcohol). You’ll be glad you did!

Explore Guadalajara Center

Guadalajara’s Centro Histórico is where you’ll find many of the city’s major landmarks, and it’s easy to spend an entire day there!

One place you shouldn’t miss is Mercado San Juan de Dios, which is reportedly the largest indoor market in Latin America. It’s absolutely enormous, and you can find everything from food and clothing to souvenirs and random things you didn’t know you needed.

Nearby, you’ll find the beautiful Catedral de Guadalajara, as well as the Museo Regional de Guadalajara. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, the museum is free, although it closes at 4pm, so plan accordingly.

Another must-see is the Instituto Cultural Cabañas, housed inside a former hospital and orphanage. The building itself is impressive, but the real highlight is its collection of murals, including works by famous Mexican artist José Clemente Orozco. It’s free on Tuesdays and closes at 5pm.

While you’re exploring Centro, make a point of stopping at the Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento. The architecture is beautiful, and it’s one of those places that’s worth seeing even if you’re not someone who normally seeks out churches when traveling.

A quick 2-minute walk from the Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento, you should visit MUSA, the Museo de las Artes Universidad de Guadalajara, a free art museum focused on modern and contemporary art. It’s part of the University of Guadalajara and is an easy stop to add to a day of exploring.

And don’t leave Centro without trying tejuino and turrón from street stands or at the market. Tejuino is a traditional fermented corn drink that’s very different from anything you’ll probably find back home, and definitely worth trying at least once. Turrón is a traditional, chewy, taffy-like candy sold by mobile street vendors in the historic center. It is typically served “prepared” with fresh lime juice, chili powder (like Tajín), and chamoy; but personally, I prefer mine plain.

Oh, and if you like sweets, stop for donuts at Donitas del Centro. Sometimes the best travel recommendations are the ones that involve eating something delicious for very little money.

Don’t Skip Zapopan

If you have an extra afternoon or evening, take an Uber or bus over to Zapopan. Zapopan is an easy addition to your Guadalajara itinerary without needing to dedicate an entire day.

The center is easy to explore on foot and has a nice mix of historic buildings, restaurants, cafés, bars, and public spaces. Visit the church and government palace, where you can see murals and gardens, and stop into the free art museum.

Then walk down the pedestrian area along Calle 2 de Abril/Av. Hidalgo toward the Arches of Zapopan. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and places to grab a snack or drink along the way.

Get Outside at Bosque Colomos

I love having a park day mixed into a city trip. You don’t have to constantly be sightseeing to feel like you’re experiencing a place. If you need a break from the city, head to Bosque Colomos during the day.

This huge green space is especially nice for walking, running, or having a picnic. It’s a completely different experience from wandering around Centro, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need when you’re traveling. The park is open 7 am- 7 pm, but the Japanese garden inside closes at 5 pm, so keep that in mind if you’re trying to visit both.

Spend a Sunday Outside

Like many of my recommendations, another one of my favorites is free as well! On Sundays, Vallarta Road closes to cars from 8am to 2pm for the Ciclovía, giving the major streets of the city to people to use for walking, running, skating, biking, and just generally enjoying the city without worrying about traffic. If you like being active, or just want to experience Guadalajara like a local, this is a really fun way to spend a Sunday morning outside, moving your body, and getting around the city without worrying about cars!

Another great Sunday option is Chapalita Roundabout Park. There’s a beautiful fountain in the center, and local artists set up to display their work on Sundays. You’ll often find live music too, and there are plenty of restaurants nearby when you’re ready for lunch.

Restaurant & Bar Recommendations:

Let’s be honest. You can tell me about museums and historic buildings all day, but one of the biggest reasons I love traveling through Mexico is the food. Guadalajara is no exception.I have a few specific food recommendations that I’d make sure to add to your list, especially if you’re looking for good food without spending a ridiculous amount of money.

TOMATE Taquería: My absolute favorite taco restaurant in Guadalajara! They don’t take reservations, so I recommend to go at an “off time” (like mid-day) because during popular dining times the line can get LONG. It does move quickly though, so if you encounter a line, try not to let it scare you off, it’s worth it!

Taquería Sirloin Regio: This is my husband’s second favorite taco spot in the city (second to the one mentioned above), their focus is steak tacos, and they have a huge trompo of sirloin cooking instead of the traditional pork (al pastor).

Taco Nativo: Alright, you’ve tried pastor, and siroloin, now it’s time to try my favorite taco style, quesabirria. Birria is a rich, slow-cooked meat stew native to the state of Jalisco. Traditionally made with goat (chivo) or lamb, the meat is marinated in dried chiles, garlic, and spices, then simmered until very tender. Now you can easily find it with meat (res) as well, which is my preference.

Jardín Americana: If you’re looking for somewhere casual and outdoors to eat and hang out in the evening, check out Jardín Americana, particularly on Thursday and Friday nights. It’s a great place to grab food, have a drink, and enjoy the atmosphere without needing a complicated plan. This is one of those recommendations where I’d say: go hungry, walk around, and see what looks good.

Chiquitas Hamburguesas: Sometimes you just need a burger. If you’re craving something other than Mexican food, there’s a great smash burger spot that’s worth adding to your list.

Slice New York Pizza Club: This spot that serves pizza by the slice that’s much better than the average quality you find for quick service pizza in Mexico. They also have a great special involving two slices and a beer, which makes it a particularly good option when you’re trying to keep your travel budget under control.

Pizzeria Aprt. 380: This rooftop pizza place keeps a simple menu, 8-10 pizza options, wine, beer, and two types of cocktails. Their pizza dough is always perfect, service is friendly and quick and they often have a live DJ.

Neko-hi Café: If you like cats, you’ve got to visit this cat cafe! There is no cover charge and no pressure to purchase anything (although, you really should, to help support the care of the cats), and you can enjoy a drink or snack and play with cats that are up for adoption in this clean, cute cafe.

Tortas Ahogadas El Profe Jimenez: Trying a torta ahogada is a must do, during your time in Guadalajara, and this is a great place to make it happen.

Cerveza Loba Brewery & Insurgente Tap Room: Both of these breweries produce awesome craft beer, and they are not located far from each other at all, so you can even check them both out in the same run.

Tejuino Marcelino: If you didn’t follow my instructions regarding trying a Tejuino in centro, or if you did and you loved it, heres another chance to have a good one!

360 Rooftop Bar: For a completely different view of the city, head to the RIU, Guadalajara’s tallest building, and visit the rooftop bar. Reservations are not required, but I recommend making one because you can request a table along the window for an unobstructed view. Watching the sunset from up here is awesome, so try to time it correctly to enjoy it! It’s also a nice way to transition from sightseeing into an evening of food, drinks, and exploring Guadalajara’s nightlife.

Génesis Disco: Speaking of nightlife, if you want a casual and inexpensive night out, Génesis Disco is worth checking out on Friday or Saturday. The music spans several decades, starting with music from the 70’s then moving into the next decade each hour as the night goes on, until focusing on the 2000’s later in the night.

It’s casual, cheap, and much more about having fun than dressing up for some ultra-exclusive nightclub. I recommend to get there between 10-11, because after 11 you’ll likely be dealing with a line down the block to wait to get in. Basically, if you like dancing and don’t take yourself too seriously, give it a shot. Important to note that your cover cost is only payable in cash; last I was there, the cost was 50 pesos. Inside at the bar, you can pay with a card.

How I’d Spend My Time in Guadalajara

If you’re overwhelmed by all of these options, here’s how I’d break it down:

Day 1: Explore Centro Histórico, Mercado San Juan de Dios, the Cathedral, MASA, and Instituto Cultural Cabañas. Finish with dinner and bar hopping in the Colonia americana neighborhood.

Day 2: Spend the afternoon in Tlaquepaque. Start around noon and stay through the evening. Wander Andador Independencia, visit the museums, explore El Parián, eat nieve, drink cantaritos, and enjoy the mariachi.

Day 3: Explore Zapopan, visit a museum, enjoy sunset drinks at the RIU and finish with dinner in Jardín Americana.

Extra time: Add a visit to the Bosque Colomos, the zoo, the aquarium, the Sunday Ciclovía or day trips to the nearby towns of Ajijic or Tequila.

Guadalajara is a large city, and with the surrounding towns to visit, I would recommend at least 5-6 days there if your scheudle allows it, but if you’ve got to keep it to 3 days, I hope my blog helps you make the most of it! If you have questions about Guadalajara, or the surrounding towns, that I didnt answer here, feel free to reach out here! Happy Travels!