Oaxaca walking tour & city guide
Colorful streets, indigenous culture and Mexico's best food.
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Oaxaca de Juárez, in southern Mexico, is a colonial city of colorful houses, green stone churches and lively markets. It is the heart of a region with a strong indigenous heritage, famous for its crafts, its festivals and above all its food, from rich moles to mezcal.
The historic center
The Zócalo, with its bandstand and shady trees, is the city's living room. From there, the pedestrian Andador Macedonio Alcalá leads past galleries and craft shops to the Church of Santo Domingo, a baroque masterpiece covered inside with gilded decorations. The former monastery next to it houses a museum with treasures from Monte Albán and a beautiful ethnobotanical garden.
The city's streets are painted in bright colors and decorated with street art, and the jacaranda trees bloom purple in spring.
Monte Albán and the valleys
Monte Albán, on a flattened mountaintop overlooking the city, was the capital of the Zapotec civilization for over a thousand years. Its great plaza, pyramids and ball court are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the historic center.
In the surrounding valleys, villages specialize in crafts such as black pottery, wool rugs and painted wooden figures called alebrijes. Hierve el Agua has natural mineral pools and 'petrified waterfalls', and mezcal distilleries welcome visitors for tastings.
Visiting tips
Oaxaca's Day of the Dead celebrations, from late October to early November, are among the most beautiful in Mexico. In July, the Guelaguetza festival brings traditional dances from all over the region. Book accommodation early for both.
Top sights in Oaxaca
- 1
Church of Santo Domingo
A baroque church with a gilded interior.
- 2
Zócalo
The city's main square.
- 3
Andador Macedonio Alcalá
A pedestrian street of galleries and shops.
- 4
Monte Albán
The ancient Zapotec capital on a mountaintop.
- 5
Hierve el Agua
Mineral pools and stone waterfalls.
- 6
Ethnobotanical Garden
A garden of native plants.
Food markets & where to eat in Oaxaca
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Famous for its smoky grilled meat hall.
Mercado Benito Juárez
Chocolate, cheese, chapulines and crafts.
Mercado de Abastos
A huge market where locals shop.
Jalatlaco
A charming neighborhood of cafés and murals.
Food to try in Oaxaca
Mole negro
A dark, rich sauce with chilies and chocolate.
Tlayuda
A large crispy tortilla with beans, cheese and meat.
Chapulines
Toasted grasshoppers with lime and chili.
Oaxacan hot chocolate
Made with water or milk and spices.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Oaxaca
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in OaxacaCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Oaxaca.
- eSIM for MexicoStay online from the moment you land.
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