Considered the most romantic city in Mexico, Guanajuato is a UNESCO World Heritage site chock-full of gorgeous colonial buildings, colorful homes speckling hills, narrow alleys akin to Venice, and tree-lined plazas.
Positioned in the northern central highlands about 220 miles from Mexico City, you can snag a luxury bus there (will take approx four hours) or drive, thanks to new high-speed toll roads. Since the city’s main roads meander around the hillside and through tunnels that used to be rivers, this drive is quite an epic one.
Because the city’s kick-ass architecture and maze-like cobbled streets are so well-preserved, coming to Guanajuato is like stepping back in time. Since the city is a UNESCO site, it’s illegal for people to paint their houses any other color – so you are seeing the real deal!
This bustling city is best known for the Festival Cervantino in October, which celebrates the guy who wrote a little novel you may have heard of…Don Quixote. If you’re in the lovey-dovey mood, a must-see is Callejón del Beso “Alley of the Kiss,” where Mexico’s nod to Romeo and Juliet can be witnessed in the recited star-crossed lovers tale on the beautiful (and snug) balconies.
If you’re over the romantic nonsense, head to Guanajuato’s Mummy Museum just outside the city on the northwest side, where you can take a fascinating tour of incredibly preserved mummies, courtesy of the country’s ultra-dry climate.
Killer place to stay: Nena Hotel, for the boutique rooftop terrace outfitted with a sophisticated bar and pool…oh, and 360-degree views of the city.
Amazing restaurant: El Midi Bistro, for when you need a break from Mexican food, this authentic French bistro serves excellent cocktails and has live music.
