Guadalajara tours

Things to do in Guadalajara

Guadalajara pulses with life, where mariachi tunes fill the air and the scent of tortillas is ever-present. A local guide will show you that Guadalajara tours are about more than just landmarks; they're about connecting with Mexico's very essence. Private tours weave through bustling plazas and historic cathedrals, each with tales to tell. On a walking tour, explore Tlaquepaque's colourful streets, or join a food and wine tour to indulge in birria and tequila, learning the stories behind each flavour. With your guide, bypass the ordinary and uncover Guadalajara's authentic spirit, where tradition and modernity intertwine in a captivating dance. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Guadalajara. Explore Guadalajara your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Guadalajara tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Guadalajara for every interest, including: History tours: Explore the Cathedral and the Government Palace to see José Clemente Orozco’s mural. Continue to Hospicio Cabañas, a UNESCO site, for more of his work and the story behind it. Art and Culture tours: Meet artisans in Tlaquepaque or Tonalá for live pottery and glassblowing demos, and catch a mariachi set on Plaza de los Mariachis. On select nights, your guide can get you ringside at Arena Coliseo for lucha libre with masks and chants. Layover tours: Get picked up at GDL, stow your bags in the vehicle, and do a focused circuit of the Centro and Mercado San Juan de Dios before a timed drop-off back at your terminal. The historic centre is very walkable and served by SITEUR light rail and BRT, but traffic is heavy and connections can be slow when time is tight. For layovers and cross-town hops, a chauffeured tour with private transportation keeps you on schedule. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Guadalajara inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Explore Guadalajara with a private walking tour and dive into its vibrant neighborhoods alongside a local guide. Discover the unique character of each area as you wander through the city. - Centro Histórico: Perfect for cultural tourists, this area is rich in history with landmarks like the Guadalajara Cathedral and Teatro Degollado. - Tlaquepaque: Families and those interested in arts and crafts will enjoy this neighborhood, known for its artisan shops and lively plazas. - Zapopan: Ideal for those seeking meaningful connections, Zapopan features the iconic Basilica and offers a mix of tradition and modernity. Day trip ideas from Guadalajara From Guadalajara, you can branch out to nearby towns and landmarks that make quick day trips feel easy, with short drives and plenty of variety, and these work well as private tours tuned to your interests. Tequila sits about an hour northwest, with blue agave fields and historic distilleries where you can see roasting, fermenting, and aging, taste different styles, and walk a UNESCO-listed landscape; if you care about craft, your tour can focus on small producers, and if you like big names, it can include a major house. Tlaquepaque is close and built for browsing, thanks to pedestrian streets lined with ceramic studios, blown glass shops, and galleries, plus live mariachi at El Parián; art fans and casual shoppers can spend a full afternoon here, and food lovers get solid options for regional dishes in shaded courtyards. Tonalá draws you in for its huge open-air markets on Thursday and Sunday, known for bargains on pottery, ironwork, and wood carvings; if you want to see how pieces are made, many workshops open their doors, and your tour can time the visit to market days so you don’t miss the best stalls. Lake Chapala and Ajijic offer lakeside walks, breezes, murals, and cafés, with a malecón for easy strolling, birdlife along the shore, and local trout on menus; if you like art and relaxed streets, Ajijic suits a slower pace, and your tour can split time between Chapala’s pier and Ajijic’s galleries. Guachimontones near Teuchitlán features rare circular pyramids, short hillside hikes, and big valley views, paired with a small museum that makes the Teuchitlán tradition easy to understand; if you’re into archaeology or just want a quick nature break with history, this site fits a half-day plan from the city. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Guadalajara most travellers miss.