Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Guadalajara?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Guadalajara?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Guadalajara. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great museums and landmarks and fun charming old town, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, shopping, and big city activities by staying for a weekend.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Guadalajara?

Many travelers spend two to three days in Guadalajara during their visit. After all, the vibrant city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the restaurant scene.

Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco. It has a large historic city center that is filled with landmarks and beautiful buildings. The city also has many plazas, markets, and shopping streets that are fun to explore. Visitors will appreciate the city's authenticity and rich sense of tradition.

Do you have one or two days to visit Guadalajara? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Guadalajara?

As a medium-sized city, Guadalajara offers plenty of activities and attractions for visitors. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions around the city. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the vibrant city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to fully enjoy the city even though it's not huge. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Guadalajara

Don't miss the Guadalajara Cathedral during your trip to Guadalajara, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The cuisine uses some key ingredients such as corn tortillas, chilis, and beans. You'll find a lot of street food which includes tacos and tortas as well as restaurant dishes like birria (meat stew), pozole (hominy soup), and fish ceviche.

A few tour suggestions include:

Full Day in Tequila with Tasting and party in Cantaritos ($74)
Small-Group Professional Craft Tequila Tasting Tour By Mickey Marentes ($175)
Full Day Guided Tour in Amatitán and Tequila with Tasting ($48)

Guadalajara is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The city center is pedestrian-friendly. This is also where you'll find most of the sights.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Guadalajara?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Guadalajara. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great museums and landmarks and fun charming old town, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, shopping, and big city activities by staying for a weekend.

Guadalajara, Mexico

How to spend 2 days in Guadalajara

With a weekend (two to three days) in Guadalajara, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Guadalajara a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. It's a city that's filled with culture and history, with many impressive landmarks such as the Guadalajara Cathedral. Also make sure you visit the Instituto Cultural de Cabañas, Expiatory Temple, the Government Palace, and the Regional Museum of Guadalajara.

A few tour suggestions include:

Private Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and visit to the Castle of Tequila ($178)

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city comes to life at night. You'll find vibrant dance clubs, live music, and traditional bars. The craft beer scene has also grown in recent years. The most active areas are around Chapultepec Avenue and Zapopan.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Guadalajara, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.