The Most Instagrammable Places in Oaxaca
Take yourself on a walking tour of Oaxaca and explore all that this beautiful city has to offer. If all it takes to make you happy is wandering the streets of a foreign city with your camera and a few dollars for coffee, you’ve come to the right place.
This is a list of cute neighborhoods, public squares and picturesque streets to wander in Oaxaca.
The Aqueduct & Oaxaca Mural Walk Tour
You’ve seen aqueducts but this one is integrated into the very bones of Oaxaca. About 300 meters remain of this colonial structure built to transport clean drinking water into the city.
This aqueduct walking tour takes you along the aqueduct from downtown Oaxaca to the Xochimilco neighborhood with its colorful murals and trendy restaurants. It’s a cute and peaceful part of town that you might not discover unless you seek it out specifically.
*clicking on the waypoints in the walking tours here will take you to google maps
Walking Tour Waypoints:
Start at Aripo, a beautiful stone building a short walk from Santo Domingo Plaza. Aripo is a shop featuring Oaxacan handmade goods, but it’s also at the end of the aqueduct and you’ll see the old fountain still standing.
From here, head north away from the city center on Calle de Manuel García Vigil. You don’t have to worry about the name of the road, just walk along the aqueduct keeping it on your left.
One block up on your right is Cruz de Piedra Plaza which is worth a detour (see below for more)
Further up on your left is a fun stop: Apparently a scene from Nacho Libre was filmed in this tiny alley accessible through the arch and someone named it Calle Nacho Libre on google maps (which is hilarious).
As you continue north, you’ll start seeing murals on your right and eventually you’ll get to a bike/pedestrian alley. Here’s where you’ll cross to the Xochimilco neighborhood.
Fun fact: You’re crossing Highway 190 which is the Pan-American Highway!
Soon you’ll see a bunch of shops and restaurants on the raised sidewalk of the Xochimilco neighborhood. Continue straight on Calle José López Alavez passing a mini plaza with a cafe and bakery.
This tour unofficially ends at Arcos Acueducto De Xochimilco or Plaza de la Hermandad, but feel free to continue to wander this cute neighborhood of Oaxaca!
Downtown Oaxaca Walking Tour
The Oaxaca Tourist Walkway
Starting from the Oaxaca Metropolitan Cathedral heading north all the way to Santo Domingo Church, the street that connects the two is pedestrian only* (with an occasional taxi). The street is Calle Macedonio Alcalá and it’s known as the Tourist Walkway or Corridor.
Santo Domingo Plaza
On the north end of the Tourist Corridor is Santo Domingo Church with a beautiful plaza in front, a daily marketplace and pedestrian friendly wandering all around.
Zocalo and Alameda de Leon
On the south end of the Tourist Corridor is Oaxaca Metropolitan Cathedral flanked by Zocalo and Alameda de Leon Plaza. This area is perfect for grabbing lunch in the park and people watching.
Read more about Santo Domingo and Oaxaca Cathedral in our Sightseeing Guide.
Cruz de Piedra Plaza
Adjacent to the aqueduct and closer to Santo Domingo Plaza is a smaller public square called Cruz de Piedra Plaza. Check out the cool monument made from stone grinding wheels. Frequently you’ll be joined by live music or other community events in this cute corner of the city.
El Llano Park
One of the biggest green spaces in Oaxaca is El Llano Park east of Santo Domingo. It’s a super lively space with tons of street food options, organized zumba classes and frequent community celebrations. Surrounding the park are a few cute-looking hotels if you’re on the hunt.
Wander the Jalatlaco Neighborhood
This small neighborhood is undoubtedly the cutest. Jalatlaco is quieter than downtown despite being just across the (curvy) road from Santo Domingo. The main draw is the amazing street art and murals and cool coffee shops and bars.
An Epic Oaxaca View
This is a little off the beaten path but if you want a shortish uphill walk to a sweeping vista of Oaxaca or mirador, this is the walking tour for you. You’re an adventurer, I can tell.
Plaza de la Danza
Plaza de la Danza is a small public square with outdoor cafés and a great view of the city next to the Municipal Palace and Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude. It’s worth visiting even if you aren’t doing the whole mirador walk.
Oaxaca Vista Walking Directions
Your destination is El Mirador de Cerro del Fortin (Lookout on Fortin Hill) but google walking directions are going to send you on a wild goose chase. Do this instead:
From the top of Plaza de la Danza take a left heading west on Av. José María Morelos. Cross over to the bike lane side of the road so you’re next to the bike lane walking in the the direction of traffic.
Take your very first sharp right up a narrow and colorful road called El Calvario.
After a minute take a left onto Del Punto. If you pass Café Caracol Púrpura on your right, you’re heading in the correct direction. It’s a reddish building on a corner and you’ll only see the sign if you look back at it.
Continue following Del Punto up the hill until you get to the staircases. Head up the stairs and at the top take a right on Panorámica del Fortín.
You’ll see a fork in the road right in front of you and you’ll stay left at the fork and then immediately take another left onto Niño Artillero. Follow this little road all the way up to the switchbacks. At the top of the switchbacks and to the left is El Mirador de Cerro del Fortin. Congrats on that climb!
View From The Amphitheater
I’ve haven’t walked this but have heard that it’s similar view as El Mirador. You start at Escaleras al Cerro del Fortín and end at huge tented stadium on the hill called Auditorio Guelaguetza. This walk is really straightforward and at the top is a tunnel to cross the busy road over to the lookout.