Guanajuato

Guanajuato is one of Mexico's most beautiful cities, a UNESCO jewel of the colonial silver country where brightly coloured houses tumble down steep ravine hillsides in a joyful jumble. Its centre of plazas, baroque churches and a grand theatre is threaded by twisting alleys and a network of tunnels built into old riverbeds, and as a lively university town it hums with students, music and festivals.

What you actually see

• The colourful hillsides - the tumble of brightly painted houses on the ravine.
• The plazas and theatre - the elegant squares and the Juarez Theatre.
• The tunnels and alleys - the underground roads and the Alley of the Kiss.
• The viewpoint - the Pipila monument overlook over the whole city.

When to go

Year-round thanks to the mild highland climate; the dry season from October to May is best. The Cervantino arts festival in October fills the city with music and theatre but also crowds.

Honest expectations

It is steep and hilly, a city for walking up and down, tiring on the legs, and the tunnels can be confusing to navigate by car. It is a joy to get lost in, but bring good shoes. It is popular with Mexican tourists and students, lively and often busy, especially during festivals.

Nearby

The colonial town of San Miguel de Allende and the pyramids of the region are close.