Sights and landmarks in Guadalajara

35 sights worth seeing in Guadalajara: landmarks, galleries, monuments and viewpoints.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan
This basilica whose construction began in 1689 is especially popular because it preserves a wooden Virgin relic that came from Spain in the 16th century, and which is tied to a visitation by the Virgin herself with the intent of getting the indigenous people to lay down their weapons in the process of Spanish colonization. On October 12 a pilgrimage that includes up to a million people travels from the Cathedral of Guadalajara to this Basilica, where a mass is held and people celebrate with music, food and fireworks.
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Belén Cemetery
Panteón de Belén
This old cemetery dates back to 1786. It has been converted into a museum that is full of interesting stories of cemetery hauntings and Tapatío culture in general. There are also night tours Th-Sa that many people are afraid to take! Photos and videos for a fee. Tours are offered.
Tours Tue-Sat 10:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 14:00, Thu-Sat also at 20:30, 22:00 and 23:30
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Blue Water Park
Parque Agua Azul
Open air concerts, a butterfly enclosure, an aviary and plenty of greenery are some of the things that can be enjoyed at Agua Azul. This is a good place to take a break from the often dry, dusty and crowded environment of the city. The park houses a museum of paleontology, and there is a museum of regional archaeology just across Calzada Independencia. The 1.5 km from the Centro Histórico to the park is quite walkable, but it is also accessible via the 62A and 62D buses along Calzada Independencia.
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00
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Cabañas Cultural Institute
Instituto Cultural Cabañas
This UNESCO World Heritage Site east of Plaza de la Liberación is a cultural and art center where the fresco paintings of Jose Clemente Orozco are exhibited.
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00M$80; teachers, students, and seniors $60 ($30 with valid ID, kids 6-12 also), free entry on Tuesdays; camera fee $30, video fee $40; Guillermo del Toro Cinema $30, teachers, students and seniors $25
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Centro Cultural El Refugio
This building built in 1885 to be a psychiatric hospital now hosts cultural events and the Pantaleón Panduro, or display of winners from the National Ceramics Contest.
Mon-Fri 09:00-15:00
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Chapalita Roundabout
Glorieta Chapalita
A verdant gathering place in a lovely neighborhood (colonia) in the suburb of Zapopan, this "garden of art" sees local artists showing off their creations every Sunday while local residents show off their dogs. Raucous celebrations take place here on national holidays.
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City Museum
Museo de la Ciudad
Exploring Guadalajara's over 450 years of history, the Museo de la Ciudad is situated in a former convent in the Centro Histórico that dates to the 18th century. The museum's permanent collection is housed in six exhibition halls arranged chronologically according to century (16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st) and comprises artifacts and explanatory tests related to the history of Guadalajara in terms of art and architecture, ethnography, urban development, and the everyday life of Tapatíos. Temporary exhibits are also displayed, and lectures, workshops and symposia often take place in the auditorium and outdoor courtyard.
Tue-Sat 10:00-17:30, Sun 10:00-14:30M$20, teachers and students $10, free for children under 12 and Su
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Colomos Forest
Bosque Los Colomos
This lovely, family-friendly green space is a 92-hectare urban forest that boasts 30,000 trees of diverse species. Its mission is to conserve a beautiful example of a native woodland in an urban environment and educate visitors on ways for humans to better coexist with nature. In terms of visitor amenities, Colomos boasts lovely gardens including a Japanese garden and a cactus garden, goldfish ponds where children enjoy feeding the fish, and horseback riding. Smoking is strictly prohibited.
Mon-Fri 09:00-15:00
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Government Palace
Palacio de Gobierno
This is the historical center of the government of the State of Jalisco. Today it is mostly visited for its murals, the work of the famous Jalisciense artist, José Clemente Orozco. The most famous of these is a huge portrait of Miguel Hidalgo in the vault of the old chambers of the State Council.
Daily 09:00-20:00
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Guadalajara Cathedral
Catedral de la Asunción de María Santísima
Construction of this Guadalajara landmark started in the 1560s and took about 50 years to complete. The current towers were replaced on 1854 by architect Manuel Gómez Ibarra after an earthquake destroyed the originals in 1818. While visiting the Cathedral, a must-see is the mural "The Immaculate Conception" (La Purísima Concepción) by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Also here is the Museo de Arte Sacro. The cathedral's architecture is an eclectic mix of the Gothic, Neoclassical and Palladian styles.
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Guadalajara Regional Museum
Museo Regional de Guadalajara
A pleasant museum to spend a few hours in, especially on a hot day when you need some time out of the sun. It features the skeleton of a mammoth found on the nearby Laguna de Chapala.
Tue-Sat 09:00-17:30, Sun 09:00-16:30
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Guadalajara Zoo
Zoológico Guadalajara
The modern Guadalajara Zoo is next to the Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos. It's worth visiting for its view of the canyon, and for its collection of animals, its safari ride, aerial cable cars, and its panoramic train. Other highlights include a reptile house, an arctic habitat, a nocturnal environment exhibit and a tropical forest simulated environment. Special packages available for different combinations of access to panoramic train, safari, aerial cable cars, and/or aquarium
Wed-Sun 10:00-18:00 when school is in session, daily 10:00-18:00 during summer break and on holiday weekendsvaries by packet, M$200-400 (Nov 2024)
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Huentitán-Oblatos Canyon
Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos
This is the forested gorge of the Río Lerma-Santiago, accessible via buses #62A and #62D which run along Calzada Independencia. There are two locations with fine views of the gorge.
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Independencia Overlook Park
Parque Mirador Independencia
This lovely park is at the northern terminus of Calzada Independencia adjacent to the Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos, with beautiful views of the canyon. Pretty gardens and benches are peppered around the park, allowing visitors to sit and enjoy the different views the park has to offer. This is also the starting point for many of the hiking trails that traverse the canyon.
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Minerva Roundabout
Glorieta Minerva
This glorieta (traffic circle) showcases a giant statue of the Roman goddess Minerva (one of the most important symbols of Guadalajara), surrounded by a fountain. It's sometimes shut down to traffic and opened to pedestrians when there's a major city celebration—such as when the Chivas football team wins a major game.
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Monument of the Child Heroes
Monumento a los Niños Héroes
A massive stone spire that memorializes six teenage military cadets who died defending Mexico City's military academy from U.S. forces during the Mexican-American War.
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Museo Regional Tonallan
Includes artwork pertaining to the Nahual, a shapeshifter sort of being.
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed Monfree
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Museo Regional de la Ceramica
A tribute to the pottery heritage of Tlaquepaque. Portrays different styles like burnished clay, high temperature, flag clay and petatillo.
Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00free
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Museo de lo Increíble
It sounds tacky, but this wax/oddities museum can be an interesting way to learn about Jaliscian history.
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Museo del Ejercito y Fuerza Aerea
Museum of the Army and Air Force
Originally a barracks and military academy, the facility was renovated in the late 1990s and opened in 1999 as a museum documenting Mexico's military from its evolution from a colonial Spanish army to its complex and evolving role in providing for the national defense. 15 galleries highlight historic conflicts while providing displays of flags, uniforms, tanks, jeeps, artillery and other military equipment.
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Museum of the Arts University of Guadalajara
MUSA, Museo de las Artes Universidad de Guadalajara
University museum featuring temporary exhibits by local artists. The museum's star attraction is a lecture hall with a backdrop of a famous mural by Jose Clemente Orozco.
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed Mon
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Parroquia San Pedro Apóstol
Baroque/Byzantine-designed parish that dates to 1845, fronting the city square known as Jardin Hidalgo.
Mon-Fri 09:30-13:30, 16:30-20:00 Sat; 09:30-13:30; closed Sun
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Parroquia de Santiago Apostol/Capilla de la Cruz Blanca
16th-century churches. The parroquia is known for its Dance of the Tastoanes featuring masks on July 25th.
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Plaza Guadalajara
Located directly in front of the cathedral, Plaza Guadalajara contains a circular fountain and an outdoor restaurant. Under the fountain there is an underground commercial center which offers all kinds of goods for sale including fruit, beverages and jewelry.
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Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas offers one of the best views of the cathedral, as well as the Government Palace. It features a French ironwork bandstand that was purchased by former Mexican president Porfirio Díaz in 1885, and four statues on the corners of the place symbolizing the four seasons. The bandstand serves as the performing arena for marching bands.
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Plaza de la Liberación
This plaza features two large cup-shaped fountains and a gigantic sculpture of Miguel Hidalgo, the man who signed the Mexican Declaration of Independence in the current Governor's Office. It also serves as an atrium for the oldest surviving theater in the city, the Teatro Degollado, and it's the usual spot for massive free concerts.
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Plaza de los Mariachis
The official name of this small triangular plaza is Plaza Pepe Guizar, named for the composer who was responsible for the song "Guadalajara". However, its popular name comes from the mariachi bands who, for a small fee, will serenade you while enjoying the restaurants and bars around the square (a word of warning, though: this neighborhood becomes sketchy after dark). The Plaza de los Mariachis is where the famous Mexican Hat Dance (Jarabe Tapatío) was born.
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Rotunda of Illustrious Jaliscans
Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres
This lovely circular monument of fluted columns is a mausoleum containing the ashes of 98 important men and women born in Jalisco. The bright and busy atmosphere of the park around it contrasts with the serious aspect of the Rotunda. On the southern side (across the street from the cathedral) is the bus stop for the TuriBus.
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The Expiatory Church of the Blessed Sacrament
El Expiatorio, Templo del Santísimo Sacramento
This finely detailed Gothic Revival cathedral was built over decades starting in the late 19th century. There is a mechanical clock in the bell tower that features a procession of the Twelve Apostles at 09:00, 12:00 and 18:00. The interior of the church features a lovely collection of stained glass windows.
See Not mapped
Cross of Plazas
Cruz de Plazas
These four plazas are laid out in the form of a cross, with the Catedral at the center. Any of them offer a nice spot to walk through or rest in for a few minutes, and most have plenty of food vendors nearby. The plazas that make up the Cross are:
See Not mapped
Vallarta Arch
Arcos Vallarta
This Romanesque double arch stands at what was once the western edge of the city. There are nice views to be had from the top, and interesting murals to view on the way up.
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Acuario Michin
Good representation of aquatic species here.
Daily 11ː00-18ː00
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Calaverandia - Parque Temático
A thematic amusement park.
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Museo Nacional de la Cerámica
more about ceramics.
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed Mon
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Trompo Mágico Museum
Interactive kids museum.
Tue-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat Sun 11:00-19:00, closed Mon

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Guadalajara (CC BY-SA 4.0).