From monuments to museums and everything in between, Guanajuato is brimming with must-see attractions. When you sign up for a Spanish course with our Enforex partner school in Guanajuato, our Spanish school and Guanajuato accommodation options are all located within a short walk from all of the city's attractions. Plus, our school arranges all sorts of activities and excursions, both in the city and beyond, to ensure that you truly get to know the fascinating city surrounding you!

Alhóndiga de Granaditas

Located on the western edge of Guanajuato is the imposing Alhóndiga de Granaditas, one of Guanajuato's most historically and culturally important buildings. The fortress-like stone building was originally constructed to store grain and seed. However, with increasing turmoil between the locals and the occupying Spaniards, Spanish troops and loyalists barricaded themselves inside and quickly turned it into a military stronghold.

What makes the Alhóndiga so vital to the city is because of what happened next. Miguel Hidalgo and his freedom fighters managed to take over the building in what is considered the first major victory in the quest for Mexican independence from Spain.

Following the War of Mexican Independence, the Alhóndiga was used for a century as a prison before taking on its current role as a regional museum and art gallery. Be sure to stop in and check out this living piece of history!

El Pípila

The Monument to El Pípila was constructed to honor Guanajuato native Juan José de los Reyes Martínez, a local hero who essentially risked his life for Mexican independence. With Spanish troops holed up in the Alhóndiga shooting out at Miguel Hidalgo and his cohorts, things were looking grim. Juan José de los Reyes Martínez - nicknamed "El Pípila" - risked his life by strapping a slab of stone on his back, running through the gunfire to torch the gates of the Alhóndiga and thereby helping Miguel Hidalgo and his cohorts to enter and take over.

The story of this war hero as well as the monument dedicated to him are of great cultural and historical value, but perhaps the best part of venturing to this hill-top monument - take the "funicular", a trolley-like railway to the top - is the incredible views over the picturesque city of Guanajuato.

Guanajuato Mummy Museum

Learn more! Mummy Museum

La Valenciana

For 250 years the Valenciana mine produced a fifth of the world's silver and provided Guanajuato with the wealth used to construct and preserve the beautiful cityscape that we see today. In fact, while it was shut down just after the Mexican Revolution, it's been back up and running since 1968. Given that it's an active mine, you can't enter the Valenciana mine, but you can see miners disappearing into the 500 meter-deep main shaft as well as the ore being lifted out. If you're interested, check out the nearby Bocamina Valencia, a section of mineshaft that is open to visitors anxious to get a glimpse.

The La Valenciana church, located not far from the mine of the same name, is a perfect example of the elegant colonial architecture erected following the surge of wealth that poured into Guanajuato.

Universidad de Guanajuato

Learn more! Universidad de Guanajuato

Callejón del Beso

Looking almost exactly as it did hundreds of years ago, the city of Guanajuato is a tangle of tiny, winding streets brimming with charm. The narrowest of the bunch, however, is Guanajuato's famous "Callejón del beso", or Alley of the kiss. It's so narrow, in fact, that the balconies of the houses on either side of the street practically touch.

Local folklore tells the story of a pair of star-crossed lovers- the daughter of a wealthy Guanajuato family and the common miner she fell in love with. Forbidden to be together, the miner rented the room across the alley from here, which allowed the two to secretly share private moments and even a kiss or two. While the tale ends rather tragically for the pair, it's quite romantic nonetheless.

Cristo Rey

Cristo Rey (Christ the King) is a towering 20-meter tall bronze statue of Jesus set atop the mountain Cerro de Cubilete, located just 15 kilometers west of Guanajuato. The statue, one of Mexico's most important and beloved religious monuments, allegedly marks the exact geographical center of Mexico. For religious Mexicans there is something to be said in having Jesus in the very heart of their country, a factor which certainly plays into its being on of the most popular day trips for Mexicans visiting Guanajuato.

Under the statue and composing its base is a spherical building containing an art deco sanctuary where you'll find a circular arch, marble floors and rich shades of red and yellow. Outside, meanwhile, enjoy the fresh air and incredible vistas over the Guanajuato plains.