Circled by arid and rocky hills, the capital city of Guanajuato state owes its splendour to the discovery of the mine of Valenciana, one of the world's most fabulous silver ore sites. Opened in 1548, it is still exploited today. With its colourful houses, intense cultural and student life (comparable to the international drama festival in October), Guanajuato is one of the most famous Mexican colonial cities. It is impossible not to fall in love with it.