Oaxaca De Juárez: Old Town, Museums and Markets

Colonial urban layout, religious architecture, museums and markets offer different ways to discover Oaxaca De Juárez. The historic center is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site; at the same time, its themes range from the history of textiles and photography to regional cuisine and festivals. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can plan your stay around the interests that draw you to Oaxaca in particular: urban history, exhibitions, crafts or events throughout the year.

Urban Layout and Architectural History

The historic center covers 5.00 square kilometers and includes 247 city blocks and 1,200 listed buildings of civil and religious architecture. The colonial urban layout from the 16th century is characterized by square blocks and arcades on all four sides of the plaza. The city plan and individual buildings thus offer two distinct perspectives on historic Oaxaca. Those interested in architecture will find not only religious buildings here, but also an urban fabric shaped over centuries.

Museums Between History and Art

The Museo de Sitio Casa Juárez is dedicated to documents and personal belongings of Benito Juárez. It explains 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 history museum on December 28, 1974. The Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca focuses on different subjects: it houses the treasure from Tomb 7 at Monte Albán, as well as gold and silver jewelry. Its collections are displayed in 14 permanent exhibition rooms and nine thematic rooms featuring archaeological, historical and ethnographic collections.

The Museo de las Culturas is part of the cultural center in the former monastery of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, built by the Dominican Order between the 16th and 17th centuries. The city's religious heritage also includes the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, built by the Dominicans during the same period: this Baroque complex is known for its gilded altarpieces and frescoes. At the Museo de los Pintores Oaxaqueños, four rooms for temporary exhibitions are named after Rufino Tamayo, Rodolfo Morales, Rodolfo Nieto and Francisco Gutiérrez. The program includes independent and guided visits, talks, book presentations, classes, workshops and exhibitions for all age groups.

Gardens, Textiles and Photography

The Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca is 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 information about tours and access before visiting. The Hemeroteca Pública de Oaxaca Néstor Sánchez Hernández is located at the same site as the garden. It preserves images, documents and newspapers that are more than a century old and available for public consultation.

The Museo Textil de Oaxaca showcases textile designs, techniques and creative production processes from Oaxaca, Mexico and around the world through exhibitions, talks and workshops. Photography is the focus of the Centro Fotográfico Manuel Álvarez Bravo: seven rooms host temporary photography exhibitions, and the center also has a photography library with more than 4,000 volumes. Photography and reading workshops, book and portfolio presentations, screenings and guided visits round out the program. The Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca regularly combines reading workshops and exhibitions with film screenings and music events.

Market Crafts, Food and Festivals

The Mercado de Artesanías, also known as the Mercado José Perfecto García, sells textiles, wood carvings, black and red pottery, glazed ceramics and handmade jewelry. For food, head to the Mercado 20 de Noviembre: the Pasillo del Humo serves grilled tasajo, cecina, chorizo and ribs, along with handmade tortillas, salsa, onions and cilantro. Every Sunday, the Mercado Miguel Hidalgo offers a traditional meat barbecue with freshly made tortillas, homemade salsas and side dishes.

The calendar also shapes the cultural experience. The Ruta de los Siete Templos takes place mainly on the evening of Maundy Thursday and involves praying before the Blessed Sacrament in seven churches. The main feast of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad falls on December 18; it includes calendas, processions and fireworks. In July, the Fiestas del Lunes del Cerro and the Guelaguetza are part of Oaxaca's festival program. Employees of the Mercado Miguel Hidalgo organize a Guelaguetza with music and dancing in the parking lot. Every year on December 23, gardeners display works of art made from radishes, straw flowers and corn leaves at the Noche de Rábanos. Check the latest dates and program before traveling to a festival.

When choosing a holiday rental in Oaxaca De Juárez, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: historic architecture and museums, textiles and photography, markets and cuisine, or a festival date. This lets you tailor your accommodation search to the kind of city visit you have in mind, without letting any one theme define your entire stay.

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