
💡 About Oaxaca
Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, is a city of extraordinary cultural richness widely regarded as the country's culinary and artistic capital. Nestled in a valley ringed by mountains, its beautifully preserved colonial centre, built from green volcanic stone, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of great charm and colour.
The region is the heartland of Mexico's Indigenous cultures, home to the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples whose traditions remain vividly alive. This heritage is showcased at the nearby ancient hilltop ruins of Monte Albán, one of the earliest cities in the Americas, and in the vibrant markets and craft villages that surround the city.
Oaxaca is a paradise for food lovers, celebrated for its complex mole sauces, its street-food specialities like tlayudas, and as the world capital of mezcal, the smoky agave spirit produced in the surrounding hills. Eating and drinking here is a profound cultural experience.
The city is also famous for its spectacular festivals, above all the Day of the Dead, when its cemeteries and streets fill with marigolds, candles and celebration. Colourful, creative and deeply rooted in tradition, Oaxaca is one of Mexico's most captivating destinations.
⭐ Traveller Ratings & Tips
🏆 City Rankings →Rate Oaxaca
⭐ Known For
🏛️ Top Attractions
- Monte Albán
- Santo Domingo Church
- Zócalo
- Mercado 20 de Noviembre
- Hierve el Agua
- Mitla
- Teotitlán del Valle
🍽️ Local Food
- Mole
- Tlayudas
- Mezcal
- Chapulines (grasshoppers)
- Quesillo
- Tamales oaxaqueños
- Chocolate