Located in the state with which it shares its name, Oaxaca de Juárez is one of the most important destinations in Mexico, owing to its cultural, artistic, and culinary legacies. A walk through its historical center -designated a World Heritage Site and called the Verde Antequera on account of the majestic green quarry structures- is all that's necessary in order to understand its popularity. The same is true for the Santo Domingo Cultural Center, notable for its former Dominican convent.

You can begin your visit at this attraction and continue with a stroll down the Macedonio Alcalá scenic corridor. The streets that branch out from it will allow you to discover important museums, such as the Textile Museum and Oaxaca’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MACO, in Spanish), founded by the well-liked Oaxacan painter, Francisco Toledo. The corridor is also a prominent place in which to purchase handicrafts and often offers the possibility of seeing them crafted live. Your stroll will be enhanced further by the colorful and vibrant restaurants and hotels lining the corridor.

If you’re wondering when the best time is to visit Oaxaca, the city’s best weather doubtlessly occurs between January and May, as well as between October and November.

Your list of things to do in Oaxaca should include a visit to the 20 de Noviembre traditional market and, in particular, its smoke aisle, where you’ll be able to purchase and cook cecina, tasajo, and tlayudas on the spot. Vendors, popularly known as “marchantes”, walk down the aisles, accompanied by baskets filled with quesillo, grasshoppers, chilis, and tortillas in order to round out the culinary feast. The Benito Juárez market isn’t far from there; you’ll find dozens well-priced of local handicrafts, including alebrijes, embroideries, cushions, and even Oaxacan mezcales.

You’ll find the cure to all your ailments at the downtown mezcalerías, as well as the perfect excuse to immerse yourself in Oaxaca’s nightlife. In Situ, Mezcaltitlán y La Mezcaloteca are compulsory if you’re interested in learning about the distillate, since they offer tastings and pairings. If you’re interested in seeing the land from which magueys originate, Mezcatours offers tours to different archaeological sites, such as Mitla and Monte Albán, as well as to the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua.


Archaeology

Monte Albán
Mitla
Dainzú
Yagul
Lambityeco

Museums

The Regional Museum
Casa de la Ciudad
The Museum of the Casa de Juárez
The Rufino Tamayo Museum of Prehispanic Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MACO)
Graphic Arts Institute
Stamp Museum (MUFI)
Museum of Oaxacan Painters
Art Center of San Augustin
Bravo Photography Center

Oaxaca City Historic Center

ARIPO - Oaxaca Institute of Handicrafts
The Macedonio Alcalá Tourist Walkway
The Church and Ex-convent of Santo Domingo
The Arches of Xochimilco
The Macedonio Alcalá Theatre
The State Public Library
The Zócalo
The Alameda de León
The Central University Building
Plaza de la Danza and Jardín Socrates
The Llano Park
Ex Government Palace
Handicrafts Market
20 Noviembre Market
Benito Juarez Market

Main Churches

The Church and Ex-convent of Santo Domingo
The Church and Ex-convent of Carmen Alto
The Church of the Preciosa Sangre de Cristo
The Cathedral
The Church and Ex-convent of San Agustín
The Church of San Juan de Dios
The Church and Ex-convent of the Compañía de Jesús
The Church and Ex-convent of San José
The Church of San Cosme y Damián
The Church of San Felipe Neri
The Church and Ex-convent of San Matías Jalatlaco
The Basilica and Ex-Convent de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
The Ex-Convent of Santa Catarina de Siena
The Church and Ex-convent of Guadalupe
The Church of the Santísima Trinidad
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación
The Church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves

Market days

Market days in Oaxaca are among the most famous in the country. Open air markets are moveable feasts traced back for centuries. They are often called a tianguis, an expression going back to the open air markets of the Aztecs.

The tianguis is different than the established markets — mercados — where vendors sell their wares each day.

Market days are social events for people coming into town from far away.

Domingo/Sunday:
Tlacolula
Nochixtlán
Lunes/Monday:
Ixtlán de Juárez
Miahuatlan
Villa Alta
Martes/Tuesday:
Atzompa
Ayaquezco de Aldama
Miercoles/Wednesday:
Tamazulapan
Zimatlán
San Pablo Etla
Jueves/Thursday:
Zaachila
Ejutla de Crespo
Viernes/Friday:
Ocotlán
San Bartolo Coyotepec
Santo Tomas Jalietza
Sabado/Saturday:
Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca City