Oaxaca City Walking Tour: Markets, Textile Museum & Lunch
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore vibrant local markets
- Discover traditional textile arts
- Savor authentic Oaxacan cuisine
- Learn about Oaxaca's rich cultural heritage
- Experience the city's lively atmosphere
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided walking tour of Oaxaca's markets
- Visit to a traditional textile museum
- Authentic Oaxacan lunch at a local restaurant
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
Itinerary
The tour will begin in the main square or Zocalo, exploring the modern foundations of the city, the cathedral and its colonial past. From here we will move onto the markets before they get too busy. An integral part of life in Mexico, we will explore both the Benito Juarez food market and the Mercado 20 de Noviembre craft market, where you can find all manner of produce and wares. We will sample some typical food & drinks, have a look at how chocolate is made, visit a Mezcal superstore, checkout the world famous ‘pasillo de humo’ (corridor of smoke) as well as help you understand the layout of the markets for future reference and shopping. Believe us, you can get lost among the plethora of textiles, leather goods, shoemakers, ceramics, fried crickets & foodstalls! A tour of the market is a must on any trip to Mexico for both the local insight and tips on where to eat & acquire interesting local crafts & souvenirs.
After the bustle of the market you will be delighted to enter the oasis of calm and biodiversity that is the Ethnobotanical Garden of Oaxaca. Considered a gem among botanical gardens, although relatively small in size it houses a huge variety of cacti & agave, amny among them endemic to the region. This is an eye opening walk among the representative vegetation of the state and an amazing spot for photo opportunities.
Next up, a welcome break for refreshments and light lunch at La Cosecha Market. This market is relatively small, open air and very clean and as opposed to the main city markets and was setup to showcase the food from different regions of the state, which you can choose from the different vendors that surround a common eating area. A very pleasant & necessary break en route to our next stop.
We finish our afternoon by heading down to Santo Domingo Church and then the Textile museum, a beautifully restored colonial mansion that houses a fascinating collection of Textiles from around the state. Oaxaca is known specifically for its textiles and this museum is a hidden gem
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is conducted in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language.
- Be prepared for a full day of walking; the tour covers several kilometers.
- Check the availability of the tour on your preferred date before booking.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
- Bring a camera to capture the vibrant scenes and artifacts you'll encounter.
- Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated throughout the tour.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Traveler reviews
Great introduction to Oaxaca
My guide was wonderful, taking my me to some interesting places and great food. I learned so much ch about the city
Wonderful tour and guide
Fabulous tour with Bruno. He is kind, friendly and very knowledgeable. I learned a lot about Oaxaca, it's people and culture. We hit all the highpoints of the central district. And he shared his recommendations for additional must see spots outside of the city.
Dia de Los Muertos Tours
Pablo was an excellent tour guide very knowledgeable about the history of the city and was very lively. Had great knowledge of food and places and recommendations for places for later in our trip.
Great Tour of Oaxaca City
I had a wonderful tour with Jorge. His knowledge of the city coupled with his warm personality made the walk of Central Oaxaca City really come alive. Jorge tailor made the walk specific to my wishes (I wanted to visit and photograph the cathedrals) and was knowledgeable about each church - the history, the architecture and the politics. We also visited several markets and museums and took the time to really explore each of them. Again, I can highly recommend the tour and if you’re interested in really learning about the unique character and culture of Oaxaca City, this is definitely the tour to take - I can recommend it emphatically.
Excellent cultural experience
Jorge was an excellent guide, with tremendous knowledge of Oaxaca and the surrounding areas. I learned a lot talking with him and really appreciated his to me as much as he could in a short time. The textile museum was amazing and a note to be missed visit.