Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Stepping into the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is just an incredible experience, whether you're religious or not. It's truly a place that makes you feel a part of something massive. The sheer scale of the complex is the first thing that hits you. You've got the huge, modern basilica, which is this really unique, circular building designed so everyone can see the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe no matter where they sit. It's fascinating how they've built it to handle the millions of visitors it gets every year. Then there's the Old Basilica right next to it, which is beautiful in its own way, but you can see why they had to build the new one – the old one is visibly sinking! Walking between the two gives you such a strong sense of history and continuity. Even if you're not there for pilgrimage, just seeing the devotion of people, feeling the atmosphere, and taking in the sheer artistic and architectural ambition of the place is really moving. It's a peaceful, yet incredibly vibrant site. Definitely allow yourself enough time to explore the grounds, not just the main church. It's a powerful and memorable stop in Mexico City.

Visiting the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe was a deeply moving experience. The atmosphere is filled with faith, history, and devotion. Seeing the original image of the Virgin on Juan Diego’s tilma was truly powerful and something I’ll never forget. The entire complex—from the modern circular basilica to the older historic chapels—is worth exploring. The site feels alive with prayer and energy, and yet there are still quiet corners for reflection. Last year, I visited Fátima, and I was grateful to have the chance to visit another important Marian shrine. Each visit has left a meaningful impression on me in its own way. If you’re in Mexico City, this is absolutely worth a visit—whether for spiritual reasons, cultural interest, or both.

We arrived on a Saturday afternoon and there were a lot of people visiting the Basilica. The entire complex consists of several buildings including the old Basílica and other churches. There's a great lookout at the top of the hill. I love how they installed moving walkways underneath the Virgen so you can see her up close and you aren't interfering with a mass. One of the walkways was not functioning, but despite that, the traffic was moving along. As a newer designed Basílica, it's more modern shape reminds me of Space Mountain in Disneyland, but that's not a bad thing.

This place is beautiful,the gardens in the back where the first church was magical and peaceful. We entered in the beginning of the mass and it was impactful the reverence and acoustic from the choir, passing on the bottom to see the huipil with the Virgin Mary from Juan Diego was amazing. It's a large square and it's a must do to pass by the church I also want to note that inside the old cathedral I was told by the guide that the building was cracked in the middle and walking in you feel the unleveled floors. Secondly the original church on the hill is not easily accessible to people with walking disability,I was told there might be a little goof cart that does take visitors however I wouldn't know, we didn't get to go up because of the amount of steps but we did appreciate it regardless.

Fantastic cathedral In the heart of Mexico City. Immaculate grounds and beautiful craftsmanship make this one of the premier cathedrals in the world. Truly an amazing example of architecture and construction. Outstanding!

Basilica is a historic church and arguably the biggest attraction in Mexico City. If you make your way there make sure to walk inside of it. Take your hats off, don't talk much, and take it all in on how beautiful It is.

Visited back in February and was one of the most breathtaking experiences I’ve ever visited. The tilma which is located inside the new basilica and seeing her imagine made me feel so close to the mother of God as I felt her presence. Our Lady of Guadalupe Pray for us!

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most significant religious sites in the world, attracting millions of pilgrims each year. Located in Mexico City, this sacred shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. The modern basilica, built in 1976, features a striking circular design, ensuring that visitors have a clear view of the revered Tilma of Juan Diego, which bears the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. The site also includes the Old Basilica, a stunning Baroque-style church from the 18th century. Whether for spiritual devotion or historical appreciation, the basilica offers a deeply moving and unforgettable experience for all who visit.

This is one of the must visit points of CDMX and it definitely didn't disappoint. The building from the outside can be spotted in so many places including while sitting on the Cablebus so I was excited to finally go there. Here are some thoughts on the experience: - Although the outside is not very intricate, the inside of the building was absolutely beautiful as there roof in itself is already splendid. It was amazing how many seats surround this gigantic stage. - When we were there, there was also a wedding procession going alongside mass which I thought was great. I know this was not the intention of many people who were there but I really appreciate that it felt like they were all there to give well wishes to the newlyweds. It was a very beautiful thing to witness. - The back of the church is splendid as well as you can climb to a pretty high point and take in all the views of CDMX. Along the way there are various water structures and gardens that make it all the more beautiful. - I appreciate that the amount of people who are flowing through the place is quite rapid which allows you to never really be stuck as you are with a lot of large attractions. There's always space for you to move around and look at whatever you'd like to see. Overall highly recommend visiting Basilica de Guadalupe, I had a great time!

This religious site is massive in size with a modern church, 3 other older churches, a multi level outdoor religious garden along with an open plaza about the size of the Zocalo. Masses are said every hour on the hour and last about 40 minutes. Below the modern church is a museum and gift shop that can be toured while Mass is being said. All of the other sights mentioned are open during daylight hours and at no cost. The shrines to Our Lady of Guadalupe are all over the property. At the top of the multi level outdoor garden sits another church in her honor. It's a strenuous climb up there. There are gift shops that also sell bottled water along with a simple food court area. Outside of the complex, there are poor food options nearby.

MUST SEE historical site while in Mexico City. Beautifully kept religious site. Massive in size. The buildings are all unique with intricate designs.

Very gorgeous structures. Walking around takes about 30 minutes giving respect to each building and church. Prayed and gave hope por esta hermosa vida. Also has an amazing view throughout Mexico City. Bonita!

The Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe, officially known as the Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in English), is a Catholic basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her title as Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is situated at the foot of the Hill of Tepeyac in the Gustavo A. Madero borough of Mexico City. The basilica is part of the Primate Archdiocese of Mexico under the Guadalupana Vicariate. Since November 4, 2018, Monsignor Efraín Hernández Díaz has served as the general and episcopal vicar of Guadalupe and the basilica's abbot. The church known as the Old Basilica of Guadalupe was designed by architect Pedro de Arrieta, with construction beginning in March 1695. It officially opened on May 1, 1709, with a solemn novena. In 1749, it was designated a collegiate church, meaning it had its own chapter and an abbot, though it was not a cathedral. Its freestanding portal resembles a screen, and the four octagonal towers at its corners, topped with Talavera yellow and blue mosaics (similar to those on the transept dome), symbolize the New Jerusalem mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Rev 21:18). In the early 19th century, construction of the nearby Capuchine Convent caused significant damage to the church's walls and vaults, prompting restoration efforts. During these repairs, the sanctuary was redecorated in Neoclassical style, replacing the original Baroque design. Work began around 1804 and was completed in 1836, though it was paused between 1810 and 1822 due to the War of Independence. Agustín Paz designed the restoration, which was carried out by Neoclassical architect Manuel Tolsá. In 1904, the church was elevated to the rank of basilica. On November 14, 1921, shortly after the Mexican Revolution and just before the Cristero War, a bomb hidden inside a flower arrangement exploded at the main altar. The bomb, planted by Luciano Perez Carpio, an employee of the Private Secretariat of the Presidency, damaged the altar steps and some stained glass windows. However, the original image of the Virgin remained unharmed, with a nearby crucifix bending and allegedly shielding the image. As part of the repairs, the image was raised one meter higher. After this incident, the image was temporarily replaced by a faithful copy and was not restored to its altar until 1929.

A place to visit when you're in Ciudad de Mexico, especially if you're Catholic. Me encanta el lugar! We went here with a private tour, with english speaking tour guide. Love hearing the history!

Great! Peaceful! Magestic! And very congested with tourists! Don't forget, this is a church that does hold regular mass. It still requires visitors to practice respect toward the Catholic faith. This is a large property with two churches and the hill of Tepeyac. Make sure to take your time and stop and visit everything. Don't feel intimidated with the stairs leading to El Cerro de Tepeyac, where Juan Diego saw the virgin mother. Once you get there, they have a souvenir section, a cemetery, which I didn't get to see due to it being closed. You will also visit a small chapel. The chapel is where Virgin Mary tilma used to be. You'll find a souvenir shop and some street food vendors. From there, you can also take in a spectacular view of the city. Definitely well worth the short 15 minutes of steps up. The historic old chapel is also worth seeing, as it is gradually sinking. Its architecture is breathtaking.

Okay, I was in CDMX in May 2023. I was with a group and when the group had some free time a couple went to visit this place. I knew nothing about it at the time and did not know too much later other than they enjoyed the opportunity to go there being the second most visited Catholic shrine in the world after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. So, being back in CDMX in October with a lot more time not being in a group event I thought this would be an interesting thing to see in person. Pretty much a big church I thought. However, when the guide that took me started telling of the story of Juan Diego who is said to have been granted apparitions of the Virgin Mary on four occasions in December 1531 I was thinking, "What? Is this real?" Well, it turned into a story that is too much to write about in detail here but in the end as proof of his encounter he brought back roses that were not supposed to be in season at all. On top of that, he unfurled the shroud carrying the roses before the bishop, and it was not only filled with the roses but also was miraculously imprinted with the likeness of the virgin herself. Okay, interesting story... but the shroud is actually here, and you can see it? Turns out not only can you see it relatively close up, but the place is designed in such a way that you can see it from below even with a mass being said with the way the place is designed. I was stunned at taking this all in since I knew absolutely nothing about the story previously, and now I wonder if the people that visited in May even got a chance to take all of this in. Another fact that is simply too much to attempt to put in this review is the fact that all the churches that are here have survived in one way or another. Yes, you can see the small area where the shroud was first displayed dating back to the 1500s and everything in between. You could spend all day here and still not be able to take everything in. Believe in it or not. Catholic or not. It doesn't matter. Come here and connect with a history that runs deep enough to make you feel different as you walk around attempting to take everything in.

Un lugar bello que te toca la alma. Disfruta la Santa Misa y belleza religiosa. Puedes comprar objetos religiosos y el padre te los bendice en misa en oración or afuera con agua.

This was another must during my Mexico City visit. I only had one hour to roam around and so I knew I had to move quickly. I had no idea how massive this place was. You have to do a lot of walking and going up and down stairs. It was packed on the day we stopped by and it was pretty hectic with tourists. The Basilica itself is big and they had a quincenera going on at the time. The famous Virgin Mary portrait is located on one of the walls that has a moving floor underneath. This so people are constantly moving and not in the way.. It was very peaceful inside and there is plenty of seating. The outside courtyard is huge and there are many gift shops around. Prices are very reasonable at the gift shops. The Tepeyac hill is such a workout but so worth it at the end. The church on that hill was breathtaking and the inside was sooo pretty. I had never seen anything like it. There is such a peaceful feeling that you experience while you are up there. Overall it was a great short visit. Be prepared to do a lot of walking!

This is the church where the Lady of Guadalupe is displayed and in the area where the tale is told she first appeared. There are many shops leading up to the church and once you walk in it is beautiful and huge. Right as we sat down mass had started and we stayed for a few minutes before venturing off to get more views. While inside the church you can go below The lady of Guadalupe and there's electric walkers that lets you get close to take nice pictures. In the same area you will find a shop with lots of souvenirs and right outside there is a priest who can bless you and your souvenirs. I thought that was really cool and there might be long lines but it's quick. I would highly recommend you come visit this beautiful church, it's such a staple in Mexico City.

Very interesting place to visit. Not to miss. During our visit, there are many pilgrims on the site. Some is to payback the prayer answered, some to baptism of children, some to join the service, some to request a prayer. The compound is really big. It need minimum 2.5 hours to complete. The compound includes the big square for the event. Many church and chapel include the old chapel of the Guadalupe, the basilica, the garden and more. The place is famous due to Indian acceptances of Guadalupe and make the clothing of it. The original of this clothing still keep in the basilica. You can can a closer look by going below the main altar of the basilica. This item becomes their holy relic. We witness some pilgrims kneeling and walk to the basilica for requests a difficult prayer. The chapel has many silver made pieces with the prayer answered.

Visited the Basilica in Mexico City and was impressed by the architecture and design as well as the amount of people who visit here. There is always something going on here. The processions are beginning to come in for the December 12 festivities, Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. There were dozens of dancing groups participating on this particular day.

Honestamente, esto se sintió como cualquier otra iglesia para mí. Es grande, con muchos asientos adentro, pero la pintura de la Virgen de Guadalupe era honestamente más pequeña de lo que pensé que sería, y realmente no me gustó que en todos los lugares dentro de la iglesia, había cajas pidiendo donaciones de dinero. Esta iglesia gana MUCHO dinero y, sinceramente, me parece codicioso. El pastor aquí también estaba predicando el odio sobre la comunidad LBGT, que no es lo que hizo Cristo... la única parte de este lugar que disfruté y con la que me sentí conectado fue afuera, donde puedes comprar y encender una vela para un ser querido. y que puedes dejar un regalo para un ser querido en un buzón (lamentablemente, estoy seguro de que los tiran). This honestly felt like any other church to me. It is big with tons of seating inside, but the painting of Virgen de Guadalupe was honestly smaller than I thought it would be, and I really did not like that everywhere you went inside the church, they had boxes asking for money donations. This church makes SO MUCH money and honestly it feels greedy to me. The pastor here was also preaching hate about the LBGT community which is not what Christ did... the only part of this place that I enjoyed and felt connected to was outside of it where you can buy and light a candle for a loved one, and that you can leave a gift for a loved one in a drop box (sadly, I'm sure they throw them away though).

La Basilica de Guadalupe is so beautiful and a must-go to location when visiting Mexico City... I have been going to La Basilica ever since I was a child, and continue to go back whenever I'm in Mexico City... La Basilica de Guadalupe is a historic landmark in Mexico city, even if you are not religious it's a great place to go and enjoy the architecture and beautiful green gardens... There are several churches and temples located on this property and each one has a different story to tell... They offer services at the main church located at the bottom... They are letting people go into the churches again but you must wear a mask and the number of people is still limited due to Covid... If you do plan on going to visit the Basilica I recommend planning to spend at least 2 hours if you want to do everything, the main church at the bottom has the virgin Mary in the bottom behind the alter that you can see which is beautiful, you can also make your way to the temples at the top of the mountain for a spectacular view... There are alot of vendors on the property that sell food and souvenirs, there is also alot of vendors outside the church that are cheaper than inside, I usually buy souvenirs outside and take them with me to get blessed inside with holy water and I always buy a candle to leave for the virgin Mary to say Thank you for all her blessings... The churches and property are very well maintained and clean, they don't let you touch somethings and ask you don't sit on walls to help preserve things since everything is so old.. I absolutely love love love it here, I think it is so peaceful and beautiful to just walk around and see how different all the churchs are, and it still amazes me to see how the oldest church keeps stinking more everytime I visit... I highly recommend adding this to your bucket list of places to visit in Mexico City...

This place BLEW ME AWAY with its gorgeous natural beauty. Because of COVID-19 precautions are in place but everything is open and operating in the area. It's a beautiful campus of worship where the virgin was said to have first appeared and because of that everything is dedicated to her and the story of her appearances. You have to walk a lot in order to get to know the entire area but it is definitely worth it so bring comfortable shoes. Be aware of what you buy on the street and just be aware of your surroundings because of how populated the area is. In general every building is worth the visit because of its historical meaning and because of how beautiful the vegetation is here! Completely blown away completely recommend!

A great place to visit while in Mexico City. We went there around 10am on a Sunday and was not overly crowded. Would also recommend visiting the museum while you're there.

Believers or not, if you are in Mexico City, this is an iconic historical location to visit. It is the deep history of Mexico in all its culture and people are engraved in this location, because Mexico is a highly Catholic country...a must must visit! There is small museum around the area that holds the Pope John Paul II artifacts from his visit to Mexico City, it is fabulous. The gardens are beautiful and there are other little historical chapels around, as well as a type of market with food and souvenirs. Bring a hat and plenty of water, as it is hot to walk up the many stairs to see the cemetery where Juan Diego lays to rest. I highly recommend it!

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe ...the most visited Catholic pilgrimage in the world! Note: I have been to other Shrines to Our Blessed Mother (Fatima in Portugal and Lourdes in France). This one gave me goosebumps as our bus drove closer to the Basilica! The Basilica represents one of the places on this earth that Our Lady appeared to common people. Mexico is so fortunate to be one of the countries where She appeared, resulting in many people joining the Catholic Church. Our Lady of Guadalupe is Our Lady of the Americas. She appeared four times to Juan Diego - he had faith enough to approach the archbishop several times to have a church built in Her name. We were able to see the original church and also go inside the new (third and largest) church where Saint Juan Diego's famous cloak is displayed. Outside, there was a priest giving blessings in Spanish. We all gathered around him and he sprinkled us with Holy Water! I was so happy to go to the different niches where candles were lit; and go to the shops and get some prayer cards (in English) and Holy Water to bring back for my family. Thanks to my friends for going with me to this blessed site!

Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a beautiful collection of churches all in the same space. There are beautiful gardens here and stunning paintings. It is crazy to think the cathedral here may not last much longer with how it is sinking. You can't go into the cathedral right next to the Basilica for safety reasons. I was glad I visited.

The architecture is stunning here, both the older church sanctuary and the newer modern one. This is primarily a "pilgrimage"church due to the original cape with the magical imprint of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The old basilica dates to the early 1700s, but has proven to be somewhat structurally unstable (most of Mexico City is built on a dried lakebed, and the building is sinking). It was recently reinforced structurally and is once again open to the public. A newer structure from 1974 houses the actual cape with the Virgin's imprint. As one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world (22 million annually!), the church is quite busy. It contains the cape that was magically imprinted in 1531 with an image of the Virgin Mary. This image has become the patron saint of Mexico as the Virgin of Guadalupe. Mary appeared to a priest named Juan Diego, who has since been canonized as the first Mexican saint. Conveniently, the virgin's image has the skin tone and features of the original Aztec population, which probably helped convert everyone to Catholicism. The crowds come to see the cloak, but this is also a functioning church. You'll see a number of people approaching the miraculous cloak on their knees and sometimes crawling on all fours. There's a jarring moment when the folks on their knees hit the modern moving sidewalk that efficiently moves everyone past the cloak, which is mounted on the back wall in the modern structure. The one drawback here, as with most big-time shrines in the world, is the crass commercialization, and potential exploitation. Even inside the compound, the priests and other staff seem to be focused on the pesos, with everything for sale imaginable. It was also slightly disturbing to see the number of physically infirm people that the staff allowed to crawl or approach on hands and knees.

05/19/2018 I don't know which to write first, the museo or this one. Just walking the grounds seeing this entire place is a huge museum. There are seven churches and each has its own significance. Under the Spanish rule, I think they have messed up a lot of things in this country. Oppression if they cannot convert the masses and just robbing them blind. The first church that we visit and it has to be at the very top of the hill. Certainly a good hike up the stairs. The view does make for beautiful pictures with different stops at each turn. There are these donkeys and other props you could pay to take pictures like a scene. Machines to turn your shiny peso into those souvenirs. Light a candle and say a prayer as many people already have done. What is really intriguing are the churches that seem to be tilted like the building got hit by a pinball. These churches are actually sinking at a very slow rate. Entrance to one is like going into a fun house. Standing facing the alter, you can feel a significant incline. Just marveling at the architecture and the beauty of the stained glass windows. Sitting in these pews I can just feel the history. Probably millions have filled these seats during service over hundreds of years, at least. This is one place I would like to come back and see again.

I knew I had to visit the Basilica de Guadalupe in my first time in Mexico City. What a beautiful sanctuary! There is the main basilica, where mass was being held. Lots of fresh flowers, international flags, locals praying, and tourists milled about. I sat in a pew and soaked it all in. The ambiance was very peaceful and made me reflect on life. The architecture of the space was made with exquisite detail and prowess. There is also a gift shop that has many different types of souvenirs- rosaries, necklaces, frames, jewelry, plates, bells. In the adjacent church, we witnessed a wedding, which was very beautiful. We also were lucky enough to listen to a mariachi band playing outside in the rain. There's a big plaza outside, where a religious dance was taking place. It's definitely worth stopping by after coming from the pyramids!

As someone raised without a lick of religion I'm amazed at the visuals which still fill my mind: There's a small series of airport-style people-movers that shuttle you past a framed image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. No lingering. You'll snap a photo and learn later that you've just viewed the actual cloak which bears the image of the Virgin and on which she appeared. It was this apparition which served as proof that she had made this request, that the church be erected here. Whether you believe all of this is up to you but I was impressed that anyone would have the chutzpah to think they could pull off a hoax of this magnitude so yeah, I guess I believe. Worshippers come from afar, to make their way to the main chapel on their knees. Out in the square, where overflow services for thousands are held, those who were grateful for god-knows-what crawled slowly and painfully along, stopping frequently. I wondered how far they'd come from, on their knees. My companion wondered what they were atoning for. I explained that confessional is where the atoning happens; these people were giving thanks. It was sort of an amazing sight, the likes of which I've never before seen. After touring the site and getting the story from our guide, we stepped back down into the underground parking lot which is surrounded by a multitude of shops hawking amazing Catholic tchotchkes. En route, my guide had asked if I was religious (not one iota) and when he left me here while he paid for parking he jokingly implored me "don't buy too much". Still, Madonna has been an influence. He stopped me before I left laden with armloads of rosaries and a family of dashboard Jesus'. Sometimes you need to be saved. If I'd not had a tour of this place I'd not have had a clue what I was looking at but I did and boy, it was interesting. I don't really have the religious vocabulary with which to describe it (obvious, when you read everything above) but I was most interested to learn the story of this place and understand that it is second only to the Vatican in worshippers. Does that make sense? You might have a tour to the pyramids of Teotihuacan and your tour guide might offer a second stop at the Basilica de Guadalupe. Whether you're religious or not, learn the story, and don't miss this place. Very impressive and made even more so if you're given the opportunity to learn a bit about what you're seeing.

This is why we came to Mexico City to visit and thank our lady for all the blessings that we have received through her intercession. This is a beautiful and holy place. They have masses every hour and the walking floor that allows you to get near Lupitas image is fantastic as you are able to get so close to the image without disrupting mass. All the other temples and the Mercado next door are worth the crowds.

Basilica de Guadalupe is one of the bigger church in Mexico City. Definitely a tourist place. There is the real Basilica de Guadalupe painting inside the church. The one in the Museum of Anthropology is fake. This place is like a plaza. There are lots of architect and artwork to see here. Other than the big giant round circle look a like building church, there are two other smaller church. Its pretty nice to be in this plaza. Nice artwork. I came with the tour guide so she explained the story behind Basilica de Guadalupe. Nice place to visit.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is less for tourists than it is for pilgrims. It's a site of extreme importance to Latin American Catholics, a place with deep history that's in as active use as ever, attracting millions of people every year (I think our tour guide said it gets 7 million visitors in one week in December alone). We went as tourists on a Sunday, during a day tour of important sites in and near Mexico City. We were definitely outnumbered by the worshippers and pilgrims, some of whom we saw crawling to the church on their knees. The complex encompasses the Old Basililca and the New Basilica, which sit next to each other on a giant square. Both seem to get plenty of traffic, though the New Basilica is where most of the action is at. The old church is beautiful, impressive and intricately designed. It's also visibly sinking, with sloping floors and light fixtures that hang down straight, revealing the angled tilt of the walls and ceiling. The new church is modern and massive, with ten enormous doors opening onto the square, the better to manage the incredible flow of people. The New Basilica houses the original cloak of Juan Diego, the indigenous peasant who is storied to have seen the Virgin Mary, or Our Lady of Guadalupe. This appearance seems to be foundational to Latin-American Catholicism, and the Basilica was built to commemorate it, and to enshrine Juan Diego's cloak, where roses were said to stain her image. The cloak is now encased in a more fully realized portrait of the Virgin, and you can see it from a moving walkway crowded with worshipers. I'm not Catholic, but this was a memorable visit, especially with a tour guide to give us context. I'd recommend coming to the Basilica if you're curious about Mexico's culture and religion. It's a pretty awe-inspiring place.

I've been to this church six times and every time it's a different experience, it's incomparable! It's a must-go if you're in Mexico City, everything about it is gorgeous!

A very popular church visited by locals and tourists in Mexico City. Except for the commercialized act of blessing religious artifacts, which was a bit disappointing for a person raised as a Catholic, I still think it's worth the visit. Seeing the original image of the Guadalupe left me at awe. The place was crowded. But I understand that it's a main tourist attraction. Even though it is a place of worship, it's hard to keep a solemn atmosphere with the number of visitors and/or parishioners. If not for the heat, I would have ventured going up the shrine. But I didn't dare with our two toddlers on hand. I wouldn't have been able to survive the hike up and down. So we contented ourselves with just snapshots of the steps and observing the crowd. It is worth the visit. You just have to look past the commercialism that is prominently displayed around the area.

I just love this place. I have been here a few times over the years and it is always a nice place to see. I came here for the first time in 2012 when dating my now wife. I wasn't Catholic at the time so now when I visited this last trip it had a whole new meaning. We made it a point to attend a mass while in town. They have mass hourly with communion. They have several confessionals available also. This is a historic gem that is simply an amazing place to visit. No matter your religious choice this is a beautiful place to see. The grounds offer some amazing views of the city. They have a couple of shops that contain religious items.

Bring coins! Last night we are at this AWFUL American establishment (Hooters) which made me very sick so I had to use the baño several times. Thank God I had coins. I've never prayed in a public baño before. This was a first. Jesus was truely punishing me for gawking at the Mexican waitresses.....lesson learned JC.....leasson learned. Anyway the church itself was beautiful. Even if you don't speak Spanish or you're not very religious you should still appreciate this mass. The beauty of the church itself will amazing you. The gift shop downstairs sells all kinds of merchandise. Make sure to get it blessed. Outside there's a priest throwing holy water and blessing people and stuff they just bought. You can't miss him. He's on an alter/stage to the left of the main square. Find him. Toilet paper was 1 peso. Entrance to the baño was 5 or 10 pesos. I can't remember because I was trying to shove coins as fast as humanly possible. Worth a visit!

A gorgeous church that of course I was pressured to attend because of my traveling party's religious affiliations (board membership of our school's Catholic club but I digress). The nature of our travel was a little bit risky as we were to carry our bags with us to take a bus to get to Leon. Of course, we were more than willing to believe that churchgoers would not try to steal from us. Otherwise, God would punish them! Even though I am a Buddhist, I find myself captivated by the rich architecture of the church. It makes me wonder how much of those church donations did it take to really build up this place. (A whole lot I'm guessing!) And if I were a Catholic, if I were to pray I would love to do it here. The place is able to seat hundreds of people. As Mexico is very Catholic, I wonder how many people go through the church in one day. Of note, a little girl kept staring at me as I am visibly Asian, and it wasn't until I saw that her backpack had a picture of Korean boy band BTS on it did I realize why. I'm BTS now.

This was a very beautiful place to visit. Even if you're not Catholic, you can respect and enjoy this religious holy place. One thing to keep in mind; wear modest clothing. Another thing, it cost you money to use the bathroom, and an additional peso if you want toilet paper. I have a very short video from when I went there last week. I can't seem to post the video in here, but it's on YouTube under my name luv_teach_travel

One of the more architecturally impressive collection of buildings I've seen. Religiously important for the history behind the story of La Virgen de Guadalupe and her reported apparitions that led to the construction of the original church at the top of the hill.

Beautiful majestic place even for the non-religious. Went on a guided tour to the pyramids and a stop to the Basilica was included. I definitely felt like I needed more time here but the guided tour is great to come since it is out of the main city to get here on your own. To view the portrait of the Virgen fe Guadalupe, you are taken in through the side and on a moving platform you get to view the portrait. This all happens while mass is happening pretty amazing. Little trinkets are for sale on the outside before you enter as well as a gift shop inside the property. Restrooms- $3 pesos to enter, if you require toilet paper $1 peso extra. Very clean.

I am not religious, but am spiritual with a strong appreciation for culture and people. My friends took me here during my visit and I was impressed by the history and size of it all. From the beautiful stained glass to the massive light fixtures, you can't help to feel a holy and positive vibe from this place. Be sure to venture around and also the older surrounding structures.

To non-Catholics, this is one of the world's most important Catholic shrines! Even if you do not believe in the story of a beautiful image miraculously imprinted on a cloak, it's hard to deny the real impact of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Already a popular cult along the locals, Our Lady of Guadalupe truly became the symbol of the Mexican heritage when Miguel Hidalgo raised the first insurgency to spark the struggle for independence with her on the battle banners. But the Guadalupan influence is no longer limited in Mexico today, as she is also a popular figure venerated throughout the American continent! Take the religious element aside, and the famous cloak is still a historically, culturally, and socially significant item to witness! The basilica is actually separated into two major structures: the original colonial-era basilica and the newer cloak-theme hall, which was built when the older building was sinking. Although the cloak has been moved to the newer building that can host larger congregation, the older building was repaired and reopened. Admire both buildings to see the physical evolution of Christian architecture side-by-side! To see the cloak, go to the underground entrance in the back and ride the conveyor belts - quite an ingenious way to allow people to admire Our Lady of Guadalupe without interfering with the hourly masses. Anyway, either avoid the weekend or go early because this basilica is the world's most visited Catholic pilgrimage site so it will be really crowded during normal hours. If you want to buy a religious "souvenir", the road leading up to the basilica is filled with shops that sell the image in various medias and sizes. This basilica is truly a must-see for all visitors of Mexico City! --- tl;dr version: 1) The home of the original Our Lady of Guadalupe 2) Avoid the weekend or go early 3) Must-see in Mexico City

This is one of the paces to visit while you are visiting the Basilica de Guadalupe. The last earthquake made significant damage to the structure so it might not be up for a long time. if you look at it from far you can see that is tilted and it might fall at one point. I know that fixing it will cost a lot of money since it is a very old structure. While inside you enjoy the silence and the many paintings and sculptures. You may also stop by and just pray. All around there is plenty of detail that went into its construction. I went after Christmas so it was not so crowded but if you go on either a Sunday it might be.

This place gave me chills and I am not even religious. Such an amazing cultural experience that cannot be missed. I appreciate the devotion displayed by the patrons of Basilica de Guadalupe even though I may not agree with their points of view and perspectives or with those of the Catholic church. This was part of a tour and our tour guide gave us great pointers and history lessons along the way.

Beautiful place. If you are Catholic or not, you must come visit this place. It has beautiful architecture and wonderful story behind it. Lots of old churches and chapels, and huge gardens. To walk the whole grounds it will take yoy approximately 2 hours. But you can easily spend 3+ hours here looking at everything. Just the little museum on the grounds will take about 45 mins to walkthrough. The best part about it is that its absolutely free. No admission fee, if you have your own car, you would just pay the parking fee which is about 3 dollars. Nice cheap souvenirs that wont break the bank. Never be afraid to haggle, especially because they might give you some outrageous price if you look like a tourist.

It's a local landmark and a must see if you're into religion or into history. The main church has masses all day and you can preview the Guadalupe Frame. Its a cool place to check out. You can be in and out within an hour. The coolest part is the climb in the nearby hill to view a part of the city.

The Basílica de Guadalupe is the 2nd most visited in the world! The first one is St Peter's at the Vatican. The Cloak that Juan Diego wore is on display. The previous Basilicas made before are also on the property and can be touted as well. There's a museum that has many beautiful paintings and artifacts. This landmark is rich in history, cultural and religious activities.

What a beautiful place where you can truly feel the presence of Mother Mary if you are catholic! This is a must see when in Mexico City! Unfortunately I was only here for a few hours and didn't get to see everything. There were numerous spiritual buildings in this area to visit.

Without doubt a Mexico City destination, and a true icon of the country's Catholic heritage, Our Lady of Guadalupe is a breathtaking space for both believers and those who are simply fascinated with architecture, both the rounded building itself and the surrounding hills and smaller churches providing for several hours of exploration and education as the faithful are regularly seen praying to various artifacts, temples and altars. Crowded and a bit out of town, though Uber can get most there from Polanco in less than thirty minutes for about $8USD, this should be high on any visitor's agenda.

I am not Catholic, but this place is amazing. You must come here to appreciate the greatness. If you are in Mexico City, you gotta do this place. You can purchase souvenirs there too that are not so expensive. This is probably a half day trip. Come super early so you can beat the crowds.

It is a good idea to buy stuff from the merchants who are in front of the gates before entering the Basilica so that the objects you buy get blessed at the Church but only if you have enough time to do so. If not then don't waste time looking at the stuff the merchants have (low key a distraction) and just walk into the gates because my goodness it is such a peaceful ambience upon entry. You can always come back after exploring the Basilica. All the loud noise of the people and cars immediately go away because one just feels God's peace. Make sure to attend the Mass provided; I did not quite like that the preacher was so high up and so far away but then again, the Basilica is pretty big so it gets crowded with tons of people. They still take one's temperature and provide hand sanitizer along with encouraging people to keep a distance of 6 feet at the benches. As soon as Mass is over, people are split between those who want to take the Bread of Life and those who want to move on. The people who take the bread go row by row up to the front in a line and then join those who moved on to the moving stairs thingy to look at the Blessed image of Our Lady. It's a grand thing to do, especially if you're living the faith! I wished I had the chance to see the place where Mother Mary appeared to Saint Juan Dieguito (I'm not even sure where that is in there :(.

Awesome architecture and design. Very traditional and heavy in history. Centrally located to other tourist sites. Traffic can be a challenge so it I personally recommend that you take a taxi or similar mode of transportation.