Oaxaca City Itinerary: The Perfect 3-Day Travel Guide + Map
TL;DR
Looking for the best things to do in Oaxaca City? Our 3-day itinerary combines tasty food, colourful streets, Monte Albán, and Hierve el Agua into one unforgettable trip.
When people think about the best things to do in Oaxaca City, one thing usually comes to mind first: the food. And for good reason. Widely regarded as Mexico's culinary capital, Oaxaca is famous for its colourful markets, rich mole sauces, smoky mezcal, and iconic dishes like tlayudas and tamales. But while eating your way through the city is an essential part of any visit, there's far more to Oaxaca than what's on your plate.
After spending several days exploring the city and its surroundings, we realised that the perfect 3-day Oaxaca City itinerary combines incredible food with fascinating history, colourful neighbourhoods, ancient Zapotec ruins, and unforgettable day trips into the surrounding valleys. The biggest challenge isn't finding things to do – it's deciding which experiences are worth your limited time.
That's exactly why we put together this itinerary. It shows you how we'd spend three days in Oaxaca City as fist-time visitors. Whether you're travelling on a backpacker's budget or simply want to make the most of your time, our guide covers Oaxaca City's biggest highlights without feeling rushed.
3 Day Oaxaca City Itinerary
Best Things to Do in Oaxaca City Map
Day 1 – Historic Centre, Street Art & Food Markets
Morning – Explore Oaxaca's Historic Centre
If there's one thing you should do in Oaxaca City, it's simply wander. We completely fell in love with the city's colourful streets, colonial architecture, lively plazas, and laid-back atmosphere. Unlike Mexico City, Oaxaca is compact enough to explore on foot, making it one of our favourite cities in the country.
Make your way through the beautiful historic centre, stopping at landmarks like the Zócalo with the Cathedral, walk down the pedestrian Calle de Macedonio Alcalá to the magnificent Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, and check out the Jardín Etnobotánico if you're interested in Oaxaca's unique plant life. And don’t miss the picturesque Plaza Cruz de Piedra!
If you’re into museums, there are cool free options like the Museo De La Filatelia MUFI or the Museo Textil de Oaxaca.
Before lunch, head to Barrio de Jalatlaco, one of the city's most photogenic neighbourhoods. Colourful facades, street art, cafés, and quiet lanes make it one of our favourite places to simply wander.
How to explore Oaxaca City on a budget |
How to explore Oaxaca City with more comfort |
| You can just wander around and explore on your own, especially if your interest in the history and context is limited. | As always, we recommend starting your time in a new city with a free walking tour. Not only will you learn about Oaxaca's fascinating history and culture, but you'll also get your bearings before exploring on your own. |
Afternoon – Oaxaca's Famous Food Markets
Oaxaca is often called Mexico's food capital, and after spending several days eating our way around the city, we completely understand why. It’s not just about fancy restaurants – in Oaxaca, some of the very best food is served inside bustling local markets.
Some of our favourite markets include:
- Mercado 20 de Noviembre – famous for its grilled meats and the legendary Smoke Hall.
- Mercado de La Merced – one of the best places to try authentic tamales.
- Mercado Hidalgo – perfect if you're craving freshly made quesadillas.
Dishes to try include tlayudas, grasshoppers (yes, the insects, don’t dismiss it before you try it), and of course the famous chocolate sauce mole.
How to try Oaxaca Food on a budget |
How to try Oaxaca Food with more comfort |
| It is absolutely possible to wander around the markets yourself, but it can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t speak Spanish and you don’t know what to try and where. | If you're short on time, we'd recommend joining a guided food tour. You'll not only taste regional specialities but also learn about Oaxaca's unique culinary traditions. This tour is from the same provider as the free walking tour and can be booked on platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator. |
Day 2 – Day Trip to Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, and Mitla
One of Oaxaca's most famous day trips is Hierve el Agua, a natural rock formation resembling petrified waterfalls. While rock pools are certainly unique, the surrounding mountain scenery is just as impressive as the pools themselves. So grab your bathing suit and let’s go!
Along the way to Hierve el Agua, you can visit several other highlights like the Árbol del Tule (Tule Tree), with one of the world's widest tree trunks and estimated to be over 1,000 years old.
Another highlight is Mitla, the second most important Zapotec archaeological site after Monte Albán. Mitla is famous for its intricate geometric stone mosaics.
These additional stops turn the journey into a full-day experience rather than just a visit to the petrified waterfalls.
How to visit Hierve el Agua on a budget |
How to visit Hierve el Agua with more comfort |
| Independent travel is possible using colectivos, but you'll need multiple connections and carefully timed return transport. If you're only spending three days in Oaxaca City, we think a guided tour is well worth it. |
This Hierve el Agua, Mitla & Tule Tree Tour includes all transport, making it by far the easiest option if you're short on time. Other worthwhile stops along the way are a traditional mezcal distillery and artisan workshops. |
Day 3 – Day Trip to Monte Albán
If you only have time for one day trip from Oaxaca City, we'd recommend Monte Albán.
Built high on a mountain ridge overlooking the valley, this ancient Zapotec city impressed us even more than we expected. Besides its fascinating history, the panoramic views across Oaxaca Valley are simply spectacular.
It’s the most important Zapotec site, but unlike famous archaeological sites such as Chichén Itzá, Monte Albán feels surprisingly uncrowded, allowing you to explore the temples, plazas, and tombs at a much more relaxed pace.
How to get to Monte Albán on a budget |
How to get to Monte Albán with more comfort |
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Monte Albán is one of the easiest archaeological sites in Mexico to visit independently. Frequent tourist buses leave from the city centre, and the journey takes around 30 minutes, making this the option we recommend for budget travellers. Be aware that there are not many signs and explanations on site if you want to learn about the history and significance. |
If you'd rather learn more about the site's fascinating Zapotec history, this Half-Day Monte Albán Guided Tour includes transport and a knowledgeable guide who brings the ruins to life. A cool feature is the flexible return time! |
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