The historic center of Oaxaca De Juárez is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its colonial layout, museums housed in historic buildings, handicrafts and markets offer various ways to explore its culture. When planning your visit, you can choose what to focus on: architecture and history, collections and textiles, or food and festival dates.
A center with a clear layout
The 16th-century colonial city layout is defined by square city blocks and arcades on all four sides of the plaza. The historic center covers 5.00 square kilometers and includes 247 city blocks and 1,200 protected civil and religious buildings. These dimensions give an idea of the diversity of the city’s architectural heritage.
The Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán adds its own architectural note: the Dominicans built this religious Baroque complex between the 16th and 17th centuries. Its defining features include gilded altarpieces and frescoes. Those interested in architectural history can explore this complex alongside the colonial city plan as another way to learn about the city’s history.
History and collections
The Museo de Sitio Casa Juárez is dedicated to Benito Juárez. It displays documents and personal belongings, and also covers the Reform War, the French Intervention and the victory of the Republic. The house dates from the 18th century and opened to the public as a small historical museum on December 28, 1974.
The Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca is part of a cultural center in the former Santo Domingo de Guzmán monastery, built by the Dominican order between the 16th and 17th centuries. The museum’s collection includes the treasure from Tomb 7 at Monte Albán, as well as gold and silver jewelry. The collections are displayed across 14 permanent exhibition rooms and nine thematic rooms featuring archaeological, historical and ethnographic holdings.
The Casa de la Ciudad also explores the city’s history: it provides information about the origins, development and preservation of the historic center and is open to the public. Check current opening hours before your visit. The Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca is also located in the heart of the historic center and is part of the Centro Cultural de Santo Domingo. Public tours follow paved paths; check the latest tour details in advance. The Hemeroteca Pública de Oaxaca “Néstor Sánchez Hernández” is located at the same site as the Jardín. Visitors can consult images, documents and newspapers that are more than a century old.
Textiles, prints and changing exhibitions
The Museo Textil de Oaxaca explores textile designs, techniques and creative production processes from Oaxaca, Mexico and around the world. Its program includes talks, workshops and exhibitions. Photography exhibitions rotate through seven rooms at the Centro Fotográfico Manuel Álvarez Bravo, whose library, specializing in photography, holds more than 4,000 volumes. The center also offers photography and reading workshops, book and portfolio presentations, screenings and guided tours.
Four rooms at the Museo de los Pintores Oaxaqueños are dedicated to changing exhibitions by artists Rufino Tamayo, Rodolfo Morales, Rodolfo Nieto and Francisco Gutiérrez. Self-guided and guided visits, talks, book presentations, classes and workshops for all age groups are also offered. The Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca regularly complements this selection with reading workshops, art and cultural exhibitions, film screenings and music events.
Handicrafts and food at the markets
The Mercado de Artesanías, also known as Mercado José Perfecto García, sells textiles, wood carvings, black and red pottery, glazed ceramics and handmade jewelry. The communities from which vendors come include Tlacolula de Matamoros, Teotitlán del Valle, Mitla, San Bartolo Coyotepec, Arrazola and Ocotlán de Morelos. This brings different craft traditions together without limiting the market to a single type of product.
For a culinary highlight, the Pasillo del Humo in the Mercado 20 de Noviembre serves grilled tasajo, cecina, chorizo and ribs, accompanied by handmade tortillas, salsa, onions and cilantro. Another regular opportunity to enjoy a meal is the traditional Sunday barbecue at the Mercado Miguel Hidalgo, where you’ll find grilled meats, freshly made tortillas, homemade salsas and side dishes.
Plan around festival dates
Some experiences take place at specific times. The Ruta de los Siete Templos takes place mostly in the evening on Holy Thursday in the city center and involves visiting seven churches to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Oaxaca’s July festivities include the Fiestas del Lunes del Cerro and the Guelaguetza. Every July, employees of the Mercado Miguel Hidalgo also organize a Guelaguetza with music and dancing in the parking lot. Check dates and schedules before your trip.
The main feast of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad takes place on December 18, with calendas, processions and fireworks. Noche de Rábanos is celebrated every year on December 23, when gardeners from Oaxaca display artworks made from radishes, strawflowers and corn leaves.
Find a hotel that suits your travel interests
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: San Pedro Pochutla, San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca, La Luz, Mazunte, Puerto Ángel, Santa Catarina Lachatao, San Antonio De La Cal, Villa De Tamazulapam Del Progreso.
Back to the main travel overview: Oaxaca.
