Guadalajara

Where should I stay?

Where should I eat?

• Mercado San Juan de Dios · Centro · Food market: Huge three-story market whose upper floor is packed with cheap food stalls serving birria, pozole and tortas ahogadas.
• Tortas Toño · Several locations · Tortas ahogadas: Popular local chain for the torta ahogada, Guadalajara's signature pork sandwich drowned in tomato and chile sauce.
• Karne Garibaldi · Santa Teresita · Carne en su jugo: Open since 1970 and famous for its lightning-fast service of carne en su jugo, a beef-and-bean broth.
• La Chata · Centro · Jalisco home cooking: Downtown institution since 1942 serving classic Jalisco dishes like pozole, enchiladas and flautas; expect a line.
• Birriería Las 9 Esquinas · Las Nueve Esquinas · Birria: Traditional spot in a historic little barrio known for birria de chivo, goat slow-cooked in a spiced broth.
• Alcalde · Providencia · Contemporary Mexican: Chef Francisco Ruano's acclaimed restaurant reinterpreting Jalisco ingredients in a tasting-style menu; reserve ahead.

What should I do?

• Instituto Cultural Cabañas · Centro: UNESCO-listed former orphanage whose chapel holds José Clemente Orozco's powerful murals, including the Man of Fire.
• Catedral de Guadalajara · Centro: The city's twin-spired cathedral, begun in the 16th century and surrounded by four historic plazas.
• Palacio de Gobierno · Centro: State government building with Orozco's dramatic mural of Miguel Hidalgo over the main staircase.
• Tlaquepaque · San Pedro Tlaquepaque: Colorful pedestrian town known for ceramics, crafts galleries and mariachi at El Parián square.
• Barranca de Huentitán · Huentitán: Deep canyon on the city's northern edge with a steep trail down to the river, best hiked early.
• Arena Coliseo · Centro: Classic downtown arena for lucha libre, Mexico's masked wrestling, with lively crowds on show nights.
• Day trip to Tequila · Tequila: The town that gave tequila its name, surrounded by UNESCO-listed agave fields and distilleries offering tours.
• Live mariachi music · Centro / Tlaquepaque: Jalisco is the birthplace of mariachi; hear it at Plaza de los Mariachis or El Parián, paying musicians per song.