Once a city of its own, Tlaquepaque was engulfed by the conurbation in the 20th century, and is set just six kilometres southeast of the centre of Guadalajara.
The Historic Centre of Tlaquepaque is as pretty as it gets, with historic mansions, orange trees, colonial churches and a beautiful arcaded plaza, El Parián.
This is traced by bars and restaurants and has a bandstand at the centre, and the sound of Mariachi bands will never be far away.
Tlaquepaque is famed for these ensembles, and they’re a key part of the San Pedro festivities in June when the streets of the Historic Centre are garlanded with papel picado (paper banners). The city also has an artisan tradition, and glassware, pottery shops, candle stores, pewter forges and art galleries abound.