In downtown Guadalajara, monuments, museums, and art abound. Covering the highlights of the city-center, this two-day itinerary is perfect for business travelers or others on a tight schedule. If you have more time to spend in the region, consider combining this itinerary with excursions further afield.

DAY 1
Start your sightseeing at the cathedral (half hour), then continue north to the adjacent Plaza de los Hombres Ilustres and the neighboring Museo Regional (total one hour). Continue behind the cathedral to the broad Plaza Independencia, the Teatro Degollado and the monumental brass (half hour). Continue east to the expansive Plaza Tapatía and the adjacent Magno Centro Joyero (Great Jewelry Center) and the giant Mercado Libertad behind it (90 minutes).

After lunch at the mercado, spend most of the rest of your day admiring the grand murals and other works of José Clemente Orozco in the historic Hospicio Cabañas (Instituto Cultural Cabañas), Latin America’s largest colonial building (90 minutes). If you have time, walk or take a short taxi ride southwest of the cathedral and visit the excellent Museo de la Ciudad (one hour).

DAY 2
On your second day, explore the sights south of the cathedral. Start by visiting the arresting 1937 Orozco mural in the Palacio de Gobierno (half hour), east side of the Plaza de Armas, just south of the cathedral. Walk or taxi about six blocks south to the tree-shaded Plaza San Francisco and visit a pair of beloved, colonial-era churches, the Templo de San Francisco and the Capilla de Aranzazú (one hour). Meander south through the picturesque Nueve Esquinas district to the neighborhood square, Plaza Nueve Esquinas and enjoy lunch at the restaurant Birrias Nueve Esquinas on the Plaza (two hours).

After lunch, taxi south several blocks to the Museo de Arqueología (half hour) and continue across the street to Parque Agua Azul (90 minutes). Finally, taxi or walk to the far east side of Parque Agua Azul to the Museo de Paleontología (one hour).