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In this one day Guadalajara itinerary, I’m going to share all of the must-visit attractions with you!
As the second-largest city in Mexico, you’d think more people would have heard of Guadalajara, but you’d be surprised! I had no expectations when I arrived in Guadalajara during my six week trip to Mexico.
After spending a day exploring the city, though, I was astounded by how interesting it was. Guadalajara really does have it all!
So, if you’re wondering what to do in Guadalajara in one day, you’re in the right place. Here’s the day trip itinerary you’re going to want to steal!
Oh – and it’s pronounced gwah-dah-lah-hah-rah. You’re welcome 😉
Top tip: The currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN).
Table of Contents
Guadalajara One Day Itinerary
Stop 1 – Plaza de la Liberación (Guadalajara sign)
The first stop on this one day Guadalajara itinerary is the Plaza de la Liberación, the heart of the city and one of the most beautiful places in Guadalajara.
From here you’ll have views of some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Guadalajara Cathedral.
In the square you’ll also find the famous Guadalajara Guadalajara sign where you can pose for a photo! I had to queue to take the photo, but it only took a couple of minutes, so it was worth it.
You may wonder why Guadalajara is written twice on the sign.
This is because Guadalajara Guadalajara is the name of a famous mariachi song and, since Guadalajara is the home to mariachi, it makes sense to honour both the song and the city here.
Stop 2 – Guadalajara Cathedral
Guadalajara Cathedral was built during the 15th and 16th centuries in the Spanish Renaissance style. It’s certainly far more impressive from the outside than in and becomes even more impressive during the holidays when a festive light show takes place on its walls.
It’s free to go inside, and although the interior is pretty tame by cathedral standards it’s worth going inside for a few reasons.
The first is that there are often ceremonies taking place whilst you’re allowed to visit, so I got to see a quinceañera taking place here. It was very interesting given that we don’t have quinceañeras at home!
The second reason to go inside is the mummified girl on display in the cathedral. It’s probably the most bizarre attraction in Guadalajara, and it’s not super clear why she’s there or how long she’s been there.
One legend says that she was murdered by her father who was mad at her for taking an interest in Catholicism, and her body was preserved by members of the church.
Who really knows… What I do know, though, is that it’s super weird!
Stop 3 – Government Palace
Just across the plaza from the Guadalajara Cathedral you’ll find the fairly unassuming Government Palace, which is free to enter. And trust me, it’s worth entering.
Inside, you’ll find a Spanish-style plaza area, Turn right, to the huge staircase, and look at the ceiling. Here, you’ll find one of the most awesome pieces of art in Guadalajara – “The People And Its Leaders” mural by José Clemente Orozco, which is HUGE.
This is one of the coolest pieces of art I’ve ever seen, guys! It depicts the Mexican revolutionary figure Manuel Hidalgo holding a flaming torch surrounded by… Chaos?
I don’t know how to describe it, so I guess you’ll have to go and check it out yourself!
Aside from the mural, there are also a few permanent historical exhibits inside the Government Palace which you can check out if you have time.
It’s worth noting that the Government Palace is only open on weekdays.
Stop 4 – Biblioteca Iberoamericana Octavio Paz
The university library is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to Guadalajara tourist attractions. You’re allowed to go inside and have a look if you show some original ID at the front desk. Plus, entry is free!
Inside, you’ll find a stunning library with walls stacked full of books and students working hard at their desks.
If you’re a fellow bibliophile you’ll love wandering the shelves here, but you don’t need more than 10 minutes to check it out.
Stop 5 – Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres
This cool-looking structure honouring the most important and successful people from Jalisco state (where Guadalajara is located) through the ages.
You’ll find statues of these important people surrounding the Rotonda, and there are QR codes for each one that you can scan for more information.
You might notice a few familiar faces, such as the artist José Clemente Orozco or Rita Perez de Moreno, a heroine of the Mexican War of Independence.
Stop 6 – Lunch at Mercado Libertad
You’ll have probably worked up an appetite by now, so it’s time to immerse yourself in Mexican culture by visiting one of Guadalajara’s many markets!
I recommend heading to Mercado Libertad where you can find flowers, produce, souvenirs and, of course, great Mexican food!
Guadalajara has several famous dishes, but the most famous of all is probably the Torta Ahogada. This is a sandwich in a crusty bread roll filled with pork and red onions and then drenched in tangy tomato salsa.
The salsa makes the sandwich all soggy so that you can eat it with a spoon, and it’s freaking DELICIOUS.
I paid just 40 pesos ($2!) for my Torta Ahogada at Mercado Libertad – a bargain! Of course, though, there are countless food stalls here, so even if you don’t fancy a Torta Ahogada you’ll easily find something else delicious.
Barely anybody at this market speaks English, so a little Spanish does go a long way. You should also keep your belongings secure here because it’s quite crowded.
Stop 7 – Instituto Cultural Cabañas
The Instituto Cultural Cabañas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see attraction in Guadalajara if you were impressed by the Orozco mural you saw at the Government Palace.
Inside this former orphanage, which is now an art museum, you’ll find around 340 pieces of art by Orozco, as well as numerous impressive murals on the ceiling by the artist.
The main attraction here is the murals, which depict humanity, and Mexico’s, struggle for freedom. It’s as good as any of the more famous art museums in Mexico City!
There are numerous benches where you can lie down and look up at the ceiling’s murals. Free guided tours of the murals also run regularly in multiple languages. Entry costs 70 pesos ($3.50) but is free on Tuesdays.
Stop 8 – Explore Tlaquepaque
If you still have energy after so much sightseeing then you’ll have just enough time to cram in a visit to Tlaquepaque.
Tlaquepaque is a city that’s been absorbed into Guadalajara over time but is a beautiful and worthwhile stop on any Guadalajara itinerary.
You can take the subway here from Guadalajara Centro, and the journey takes 11 minutes.
There aren’t any must-see attractions that I’d recommend in Tlaquepaque – instead, I recommend just exploring the historic centre by foot.
Snap photos of this extremely photogenic city and potentially head to Mercado Libertad, the largest market in Latin America!
Stop 9 – Dinner at Karne Garibaldi
For dinner, I recommend visiting the fastest restaurant in the world, Karne Garibaldi. And nope, that’s not just my opinion! Karne Garibaldi actually has the world record for the fastest restaurant in the world, with the food taking just 13.5 seconds to arrive at your table once you order.
Of course, that’s the record, so it might be slightly slower than that when you visit, but you certainly won’t have time to wonder where your food is.
There are a few Karne Garibaldis in the city and they all have a similar reputation. Despite what you might be wondering, the food here is really tasty – so the speed is far from the only reason to dine here.
The restaurant serves just one thing, carne en su jugo. Basically meat in its juices. It comes out slightly soupy, and you eat it with tortillas and a variety of toppings. Yum!
Where to Stay in Guadalajara
Hostel
I stayed at this central hostel in Guadalajara and it was totally fine for what I was looking for. They have female-only dorms, the price includes breakfast, and they run several free social events throughout the week.
I paid around 250 pesos (around $12) per night for a bed in a female-only dorm, and I felt like it was decent value.
Click here to check latest prices and book!
Budget Hotel
If you’re looking for a good-quality place to stay in Guadalajara on a budget you can’t go wrong with this central hotel! It’s located right in the thick of things, so almost everything you’ll want to explore will be right on your doorstep.
Digital nomads take note – they get a 10/10 rating from guests for their superfast wifi!
Click here to check latest prices and book!
Mid-Range Hotel
If you’re looking for a hotel in the heart of the city that will meet all your needs, look no further than this boutique hotel just 400 metres from Guadalajara Cathedral!
The great news is, a mid-range budget in Guadalajara is far, far lower than what it would be in the US or Western Europe. Rooms here start from around 1000 pesos ($50) per night.
Click here to check latest prices and book!
How Many Days in Guadalajara?
You only need one day in Guadalajara to see all of the city’s main sights and top attractions. If you want to take a day trip to Tequila, two days in Guadalajara is the right amount.
Obviously, if you want to take a day trip to any other destinations like Lake Chapala, you’ll need to add extra days on.
How to Get to Guadalajara
So, how do you actually get to Guadalajara?
Guadalajara Airport
Guadalajara has its own international airport (GDL) which is around 20km from the city centre. You can travel to the centre by either bus or taxi.
To take the bus from the airport you’ll apparently have to walk around 15 minutes from the airport to the bus stop on “Chapala Road”, but I can’t for the life of me work out where this bus stop is so it’s worth asking at the airport when you arrive if you want to take this option.
The journey apparently takes around 45 minutes and costs 13 pesos, which you pay in cash to the driver.
The easiest option is to just take a taxi from the airport, which costs around 400 pesos. You’ll probably get a cheaper price with Uber (as I write this the cost from the airport to the centre is 270 pesos) and I always used Uber in Mexico as an extra layer of safety.
Arriving in Guadalajara by Bus
If you’re getting the bus into Guadalajara it can be confusing as there are numerous bus stations! I got the bus from Sayulita to Guadalajara’s Tlaquepaque station and it was super easy to get into the city from there.
Just outside the station there’s a metro stop which will take you into the city centre in 20 minutes. The journey costs just 10 pesos!
Since it’s so straightforward and cheap to get to central Guadalajara from the Tlaquepaque station I recommend using this one where possible.
How to Spend 2 Days in Guadalajara
If you have time, it’s worth adding another day to your Guadalajara itinerary and heading out on a day trip to the town of Tequila. Tequila is, you guessed it, the place where Tequila comes from!
I was super keen to do this but unfortunately just didn’t have the time. If you’re hanging out in Guadalajara for two days or more, though, this is the perfect thing to do with your extra day.
You don’t need too long in Tequila – friends of mine went on a whopping ten-hour day tour there and said it was far too long. It seems like six hours is about the sweet spot.
Luckily, this top-rated Tequila tour lasts for six hours, includes a visit to a traditional distillery, and is one of the most affordable tours out there!
Click here to check out the latest prices & availability.
When is the Best Time to Visit Guadalajara?
The best time to visit Guadalajara is from October to December, when the temperatures are mild with barely any rain.
You’re looking at highs of 28℃ (82℉) with the lowest night-time temperature being around 9℃ (48℉). It’s the perfect weather for sightseeing!
Another reason why October to December is the best time to visit Guadalajara is because there are so many festivals that take place in the city during this time!
In October, there’s the city-wide Fiestas de Octubre, where you’ll see loads of concerts, exhibitions and performances taking place across the month.
November is Dia de los Muertos, followed by the Guadalajara International Book Fair, and December is, of course, Christmas!
If you’ve read my guide to what to pack for Mexico, you’ll know that you need to pack a range of clothing. That’s because Guadalajara is far colder than the nearby coastal destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita.
Is Guadalajara Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! There are plenty of reasons why Guadalajara should be on your Mexico itinerary. The main reason is that it’s the home to many of the traditional “Mexican” things known around the world – tequila and mariachi!
Guadalajara also has a delightful historical centre full of historic landmarks detailing the history of Mexico.
As if that wasn’t enough, some of the best works of world-famous artist José Clemente Orozco are in Guadalajara!
Places to Visit Near Guadalajara
Most visitors to Mexico don’t just go to Guadalajara on their trip to Mexico. So, once you’ve seen Guadalajara, where else is nearby that you can visit on the same trip?
Here are my top picks!
- Puerto Vallarta: western-favourite beach resort town filled with awesome secret beaches and plenty of free things to do. The bus journey from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta takes around 4.5 hours. Three days in Puerto Vallarta is the perfect amount of time.
- Mexico City: Mexico’s capital is jam-packed full of fascinating things to do and world-class museums, like the Frida Kahlo Museum, Leon Trotsky’s House, and the Anthropology Museum. You need around 5 days in Mexico City. The bus journey from Guadalajara to Mexico City takes around 6.5 hours.
- Sayulita: gorgeous, hippie-filled beach town ideal for surfers. You only need a couple of days in Sayulita to soak it all in, but I stayed there for six days and didn’t get bored! The bus journey from Guadalajara to Sayulita takes 3 hours.
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