Oaxaca is one of the most fascinating places in Mexico, as well as one of the top tourist regions for its cultural, artisanal, and culinary richness. Both in this city and in the rest of the state, you will find a great variety of attractions that ensure an unforgettable visit: the colors of Oaxaca all around you, fascinating architecture with urban landscapes, nightlife, textile work, and embroidery such as Guelaguetza costumes, hand-crafted goods that are true works of art, such as alebrijes, impressive natural landscapes… Below, we share a short list of places that you cannot miss.
Zócalo
The Plaza de la Constitución or Zócalo de Oaxaca is the main public square in the state. Although sometimes the vendor stalls prevent you from appreciating its vastness, it is well worth visiting. It is where the most important celebrations of the city are held.
Catedral
In the Zócalo, you will find the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción of the city of Oaxaca, with its baroque-style architecture. It is the base of the Archdiocese of Antequera. Construction began in 1535 and was consecrated as a temple on July 12, 1733. It has undergone several renovations due to earthquake damage.
Palacio de Gobierno
Also in the Zócalo, you will find the Government Palace of Oaxaca, next to the Cathedral. The most valuable thing about this place is its interior: the sprawling murals that tell the story of the people of Oaxaca.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Very close to the Zócalo, you can easily walk to the 20 de Noviembre Market, the most famous in the city, where you can find everything. But you especially cannot miss grabbing some food in any of the many inns or traditional food stalls where you will find tlayudas, cheese, chocolate, grasshoppers, and so much more.
Mercado Benito Juárez
Another market near the Cathedral. This one is a little smaller and appealing to those who like traditional Mexican food, handicrafts such as jewelry, textiles, ceramics, and basketry; it is also possible to find cheese and quesillo, excellent knives, and machetes.
Mercado de Artesanías
If you visit the city of Oaxaca, you cannot leave without visiting the Mercado de Artesanías and seeing the admirable work that artisans create with pottery, jewelry, black clay, and colorful textiles, such as loom weaving, clothing, dresses, tablecloths, rugs, bedspreads, and curtains, typically in a unique hand painted variety.
Teatro Macedonio Alcalá
The Macedonio Alcalá Theater is two blocks from the Zócalo and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It was inaugurated in 1909, and it hosts a number of cultural events, including concerts, ballet performances, and stage plays.
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
This Basilica dedicated to the Virgen de la Soledad is truly impressive, with in Baroque style with green stone. The spectacular exterior was made of yellow quarry and is slightly protruding towards the atrium of the temple in comparison with the bell towers.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (MACO)
The Museum of Contemporary Art houses permanent and temporary exhibitions of modern Mexican art. The house it is located in dates back to the 18th century; visiting it for that alone is worth it.
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
One of the most visited sites in the city is the Temple of Santo Domingo, and it is because of its sheer beauty. Its construction began in 1570. The interior is one of the most outstanding examples of Mexican Baroque. It is a true gem.
Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca
Behind the Ex Convent of Santo Domingo and as part of the Cultural Center, you can find this garden, where there are different species of plants, all hailing from different regions of the state of Oaxaca, from both arid and humid climates, from the lowland tropics and the temperate and cold mountainous areas.
Barrio de Jalatlaco
In addition to being a lively neighborhood, Jalatlaco is characterized by having several murals on its walls, with various scenes depicting typical Oaxacan life. You can go for a quiet walk, eat, have a drink, and visit the temple of San Matías Jalatlaco.
Santa María del Tule
This town is home to the famous Tule tree, a tree with the widest trunk diameter in the world. It is estimated to be over 2,000 years old.
Monte Albán
A pre-Hispanic archaeological site located about 6 miles from the city of Oaxaca. It was built by the Zapotec civilization and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico.
Hierve el Agua
It is an impressive natural site with petrified waterfalls and natural pools. It is a popular destination for swimming and hiking.
San Martín Tilcajete
In this population they specialize in the manufacture of the famous alebrijes, gorgeous figurines that combine elements of various animals, both real and imaginary, painted in vibrant colors. There are many shops that sell these beautiful Oaxacan handicrafts.
San Bartolo Coyotepec
They specialize in the manufacture of handicrafts made of black clay. They are precious pieces of great elegance. You can learn the manufacturing process by attending workshops.
San Pablo Villa de Mitla
The magical town of Mitla is one of the best tourist places in Oaxaca. The most famous is the Archaeological Zone of Mitla, also called the “place of the dead.” Before the disappearance of Monte Albán, Mitla was the place of the center of political and religious power for the Zapotec people of the valley.
The mezcal route
Oaxaca is famous for its mezcal, an alcoholic beverage distilled from the agave plant. The mezcal route is a tour of the towns and distilleries that produce this beverage, where you can taste different varieties and learn about the production process.
And if you are already familiar with Oaxaca, how would you like to go further north for your next vacation? In our article Seven luxury resorts and activities in Los Cabos that you cannot miss, you will find excellent options for a luxury stay in the Baja California peninsula.
