Guanajuato

Overview

Founded in the 16th century and enriched by silver mining, Guanajuato was inscribed with its adjacent mines in 1988. The town climbs a ravine in stacked layers of colour, often called the most photogenic city in Mexico. Because the terrain is so narrow, dried riverbeds were turned into a system of underground streets. The Renaissance-style university, the Alley of the Kiss and the mummy museum are also here.

History

Founded for silver mining in the 16th century, it became one of the world's leading silver producers in the 18th, saw a key battle in the war of independence in the 19th and was inscribed in 1988.

Highlights

• •The colourful houses in the ravine
• •The Pipila viewpoint
• •The Alley of the Kiss
• •The underground streets and mummy museum

Practical tips

• •The town is built on a slope — expect many stairs
• •Reach the Pipila by funicular or on foot

Practical information

Best time

Year-round

Tickets

The city is free; the mummy museum about MXN 90

Opening hours

City open all day; museum 9:00-18:00

Local food

Tacos, pozole, tequila

Getting around

About five hours by bus from Mexico City, or fly to León and drive an hour.

Visa

A visa is required; holders of a valid US, Canadian, Japanese, UK or Schengen visa may enter visa-free.

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