Things to Do in Oaxaca
Plan your days in Oaxaca, your way
Start with the icons done gently — a morning at Monte Albán, then the gilded interior of Santo Domingo before lunch.
Lunch is a tlayuda and an agua fresca at a market counter, pointed at rather than pronounced.
The afternoon is a wander through Jalatlaco, cobbled streets, murals, and a coffee in a quiet courtyard.
Golden hour belongs to a rooftop near the Zócalo with a small mezcal and the city turning amber.
Dinner introduces mole negro at a family-run spot where the menu is short and trustworthy.
One day goes to the countryside — Hierve el Agua's mineral pools or a weaving village, whichever pulls harder.
The botanic garden fills a slow morning with agaves and mountain views.
You browse a market without a list and leave with something delicious and unplanned.
Evenings stay easy: a plaza bench, marimba music, an early night or a late one, your call.
It is a trip with a little of everything, and all of it good.
Top attractions and places to eat in Oaxaca
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
A grand 16th-century Baroque church and former monastery in Oaxaca, renowned for its ornate gilded interior and stunning ceiling decoration. Travelers visit to admire the elaborate colonial religious architecture and art.
attraction · 4.8 rating · Free
Zócalo de la Ciudad de Oaxaca (Plaza de La Constitución)
Oaxaca's central plaza lined with cafes, arcades and shaded by trees, serving as the social heart of the city. Travelers go to people-watch, relax and soak in daily local life and events.
attraction · 4.3 rating · Free
Mercado Benito Juárez
A bustling covered market in central Oaxaca selling food, crafts, chocolate, mezcal and local goods. A sensory hub for sampling regional products and shopping.
attraction · 4.4 rating · Free
Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca
A botanical garden dedicated to the native plants of Oaxaca, set behind the Santo Domingo cultural complex. Visitors take guided tours to learn about regional flora and its cultural uses.
attraction · 4.4 rating · Free
Museo Textil de Oaxaca
A textile museum displaying Oaxacan and international woven works, embroidery, and indigenous garments in a restored colonial building. Travelers go to appreciate the region's rich textile artistry.
attraction · 4.4 rating · Free
Mercado 20 De Noviembre
A Mexican market with lots of vendors.
market · 4.5 rating · Free
Los Danzantes
A landmark Oaxaca restaurant pairing contemporary regional cooking with a dramatic courtyard and a deep mezcal program.
restaurant
Casa Oaxaca el Restaurante
Chef Alejandro Ruiz’s celebrated terrace restaurant for polished Oaxacan cooking, seasonal ingredients, and views toward Santo Domingo.
restaurant
Levadura de Olla Restaurante
A contemporary Oaxacan restaurant led by a noted chef, showcasing regional ingredients and traditional techniques. Diners come for elevated local cuisine.
restaurant
Criollo
A destination restaurant from chef Luis Arellano and the team behind Pujol, serving a changing Oaxacan tasting menu in a relaxed courtyard.
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Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo
A major museum inside the former Santo Domingo monastery displaying the treasures of Tomb 7 from Monte Albán and regional cultural history. Travelers visit for its gold artifacts and grand ecclesiastical setting.
attraction · 210 MXN
Origen
A celebrated modern Oaxacan restaurant offering refined tasting-style dishes rooted in regional traditions. A destination for creative fine dining.
restaurant
Andador Turístico
The main pedestrian tourist walkway (Andador Macedonio Alcalá) linking Oaxaca's historic center, lined with shops, cafés, galleries and colonial buildings. A prime route for strolling and people-watching.
attraction · Free
Pitiona
An upscale contemporary Oaxacan restaurant known for inventive plating and rooftop dining. Travelers visit for modern regional cuisine with a view.
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Itanoní
A beloved daytime antojería devoted to heirloom corn, with tetelas, memelas, quesadillas, and other traditional masa dishes.
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