Zacatecas combines a distinctive hillside cityscape with museums, historic buildings and mining history. The historic center lies between the hills of La Bufa and Grillo and was built on the steep slopes of a narrow valley. There are also viewpoints overlooking the city and a cable car ride above the center. This gives you several options when planning your visit: city history and architecture, art collections, or the landscape around Cerro de la Bufa.
The hillside historic center
The layout of the historic center preserves almost all of the 16th-century street network, which later formed the basis for the city’s development in the 18th and 19th centuries. Winding streets on different levels and several squares define the center. The hillside setting is therefore an integral part of the cityscape and a useful point of reference when exploring Zacatecas’ layout.
The historic monuments zone includes 169 blocks with 827 historically significant buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th century. These include 15 religious complexes, most of which date from the 17th and 18th centuries. The monasteries include San Juan de Dios, San Francisco, San AgustĂn and Santo Domingo. The CalderĂłn Theater is also a notable landmark from the past: it dates from 1834. The Gonzalez Market, in turn, is an iron-structure building dating from 1886. Together, these examples illustrate the architectural diversity of the historic area.
Museums spanning art and mining
At the Museo Pedro Coronel, you can encounter works of international art, including pieces by Kandinsky, Picasso, Goya, MirĂł and DalĂ. The museum is housed in the former Jesuit college, Colegio de la PurĂsima ConcepciĂłn. The Museo Rafael Coronel offers a different historic setting, occupying a 16th-century Franciscan building.
The Museo Manuel Felguérez combines art with the varied history of its building, which previously served as a seminary, military barracks and Zacatecas state prison. Today, the museum has 15 permanent exhibition halls and is considered the only museum of abstract art in Latin America. Zacatecas thus offers different ways to explore art and history: international art at the Museo Pedro Coronel, abstract art at the Museo Manuel Felguérez, and historic architecture as part of each museum’s setting.
The Mina el Edén also brings mining history together with a museum: the mine houses the Museo de las Rocas y Minerales, described as the largest mineral museum in Latin America. A guide leads visitors through tunnels and galleries, sharing stories and legends of mining along the way. If you are interested in mining history, exhibits and stories about the mine come together here.
Views and activities at Cerro de la Bufa
Cerro de la Bufa offers views of the cityscape and is considered a symbol of Zacatecas. Its Crestón is described as the city’s highest point, at more than 2,610 meters above sea level. The rock formation has a greenish hue, attributed to lichens and mosses growing on the rocks. At the Mirador de la Bufa, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city; along the way to the Cámara Oscura, you’ll find stalls run by Huichol artisans.
Cerro de la Bufa is also home to the Museo Toma de Zacatecas, which features interactive exhibits about the Battle of La Toma de Zacatecas. A very different activity is the Tirolesa 840: it runs in two sections over a total distance of 840 meters and descends at a height of more than 85 meters. The viewpoint, museum and zip line each offer a different experience. When planning your visit, you can decide whether to focus on city views, the history of the battle or a ride on the Tirolesa.
A ride above the center and festival dates
The Teleférico de Zacatecas crosses the historic center in a seven-minute ride and offers elevated views of the city. This perspective differs from a stop at the Mirador de la Bufa: here, you see the city while riding above the center. If you’re planning to take the cable car, check its current operating status in advance.
Festival Cultural Zacatecas features festive events during Holy Week and the Easter weeks. The detailed program may change. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the event dates as you plan your trip.
Discover more destinations: Jerez De GarcĂa Salinas, PabellĂłn, Villanueva, Sombrerete, Villa De Cos, Villa Garcia, RĂo De Medina, Apozol.
Go to the main travel overview: Zacatecas.
