The 15 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca (Updated 2026)
Nomadic Matt's round-up of things to do in Oaxaca, mixing the headline sights with smaller places worth the detour.
↗ Nomadic Matt2023-06Our Oaxaca route →
A light introduction to Oaxaca, from Templo de Santo Domingo to Casa de Benito Juarez. Four highlights with room to add your own discoveries.
The stops are drawn from the guides below; daily order, times and durations are our suggested adaptation. Available map pins are approximate, not provider-verified; missing coordinates remain unset. Prices are left unknown; check tickets, opening hours and transport before booking.
Route data adapted from Wikivoyage contributors, with our own selection and suggested timing; shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source pages link to contributor histories. This is a starter route, not a community rating or a complete city guide.
These picks have positive travel-guide coverage or a named professional recommendation; they are not live customer ratings. Suggested times are not reservations. Confirm service days, dietary needs and prices. Other days remain open for your own food discoveries.
Sources checked 2026-10-30. Community-guide dining data is adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; source pages link to contributor histories.
iSuggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Approximate map pin from a community guide; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Oaxaca_%28city%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Suggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Approximate map pin from a community guide; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Oaxaca_%28city%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Dish photoiTraditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Mon-Thu 08:00-22:00, Fri Sat 08:00-01:00, Sun 10:00-22:00. Recheck with the restaurant. About 0.1 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Oaxaca_%28city%29 (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5385945; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.
iSuggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Approximate map pin from a community guide; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Oaxaca_%28city%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
iSuggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Approximate map pin from a community guide; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Oaxaca_%28city%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Dish photoiRestaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Sun-Wed 13:00-22:00, Thu-Sat 13:00-23:30. Recheck with the restaurant. About 0.3 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Oaxaca_%28city%29 (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5385945; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What was worth it, what you'd skip, where you ate. Your tips help the next traveller plan this trip.
Nomadic Matt's round-up of things to do in Oaxaca, mixing the headline sights with smaller places worth the detour.
↗ Nomadic Matt2023-06Our Oaxaca route →A 4-day route through Oaxaca from The Planet D, suggesting what to see each day and in what order.
↗ The Planet D2022-07Our Oaxaca route →Stop photos come from Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia under the free licences shown. “Dish photo” images illustrate the cuisine, not the restaurant itself.