Needless to say, the street food here is legendary.

Top 5 Cant Miss

Find the tastiest street food on every corner.

Or go formemelas, another traditional dish with similar ingredients served on a thick corn cake griddled on acomal.

Santo Domingo de Guzman Temple, Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca State, Mexico.

Oaxaca’s Santo Domingo de Guzman Temple.Credit:Gonzalo Azumendi/Getty Images

It takes a few days to try it all, and first-timers may want to join a food tour.

Feast on mole and take a cooking class.

Making mole requires more patience than dexterity.

Overhead Shot of Pre-Hispanic Mole Tostada with Chapulines and Quelites in Oaxaca, Mexico

A mole tostada.Rodrigo Ojeda/Getty Images

you might also take cooking classes withSeasons of My HeartandSonia Silva.

Explore the city’s centera UNESCO World Heritage site.

Drive the new highway from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido.

Chile for sale at Mercado 20 Noviembre, in Oaxaca, Mexico

Dried chiles for sale in Oaxaca.Phil Clarke Hill/Getty Images

Family beaches, fishing towns, and resort areas likeHuatulcoare located alongOaxacas coastas well.

The scenic drive to the coast is a perfect side trip for visitors to Oaxaca.

Celebrate Oaxacas premier cultural celebration, Guelaguetza.

People walk in front of the Cathedral of Oaxaca City, during a tour around the state of Oaxaca on August 12, 2021 in Oaxaca, Mexico.

The Cathedral of Oaxaca City at night.Alfredo Martinez/Getty Images

Education Images/Getty Images

One of Oaxacas most important cultural festivals celebrates the rich traditions of the states Indigenous roots.

Naturally, theres plenty of mezcal served during Guelaguetza as well.

Or, plan your trip, around one of the city’s many other festivals.

Aerial view of a coastline

Aerial view of road that follows Oaxaca’s coastline.Itzel Garrido/Travel + Leisure

Jan Sochor/Getty Images

In addition to Guelaguetza, festivals are held year round in Oaxaca.

Theres Feria del Tejate y Tamal, a celebration of traditional foods also held in July.

As is the case in many Catholic countries, theres a lively Carnival celebration before the beginning of Lent.

Zapotec Dancers In a Parade During the Guelaguetza Festival In July, Oaxaca, Mexico

Zapotec dancers in a parade during the Guelaguetza.Education Images/Getty Images

Visit one of the oldest, widest trees in the world.

Dive deep into Zapotec history at Monte Alban.

DedA Vargas/Getty Images

Oaxacas most famous archaeological site isMonte Alban(founded around 500 B.C.)

A young Mexican woman, dressed as La Catrina takes part in the Day Of The Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico

A young woman takes part of Day Of The Dead in Oaxaca.Jan Sochor/Getty Images

and IT served at the Zapotec capital for more than 1,000 years.

Check out the “frozen” waterfall at Hierve el Agua.

The area offers scenic hiking trails, beautiful views, and history.

El Árbol del Tule is one of the world’s largest trees in Santa María del Tule, Mexico

El Árbol del Tule is one of the world’s largest trees.Prakich / Getty Images

Get some steps in while exploring Oaxacan street art.

Plan a dayand bring an extra suitcasefor souvenirs.

Visit San Martin Tilcajete & Arrazola to find your favoritealebrije.

Aerial view of Monte Alban, in Oaxaca, Mexico

Temple ruins of Monte Alban.Dedé Vargas/Getty Images

The animals are hand-carved from copal, a fragrant softwood native to the area.

Within the city, head for La Casa de las Artesanias de Oaxaca.

Dive into Oaxacan art and history at the citys museums.

Water overlooking mountains

Water of Hierve el Agua.Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure

TheMuseo de los Pintores Oaxaquenosfocuses on Oaxacan painters.

Museo Textil de Oaxaca showcases handwoven textiles from Oaxacas Indigenous communities.

Indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment.

Mural depicting a stylized cat in the Xochimilco District of Oaxaca, Mexico

A cat mural in the Xochimilco District of Oaxaca.VW Pics/Getty Images

Take your self-care to the next level with atemazcal.

Some of the best places for the experience in Oaxaca areCeviarem Temazcal OaxacaandTemazcal Centro Quetzalcalli.

Catch alucha librematch.

A woman is using a Back-strap Loom for weaving at the handicraft market in Oaxaca, Mexico

Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images

Buy your ticket at the door and get ready for a good time.

Its as much fun watching the crowdand being part of itas seeing the wrestling.

Skip the morning coffee and opt for hot chocolate.

Painted figurines

Alebrije souvenirs in Oaxaca.Javier López Peña/Getty Images

Sip on mezcal at amezcaleria.

Some of the best places for an educational and enjoyable experience areMezcalotecaandIn Situ.

Explore Oaxaca on a hiking or biking tour.

A pre-Hispanic Danzante stone figure from Monte Alban. Museum of Oaxacan Culture, Oaxaca, Mexico. Originally thought to be dancing figures, they are now believed to be mutilated captives of war.

An exhibit inside Museum of Oaxacan Culture.Jon G. Fuller/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

There are alsofree walking toursin Oaxaca that can help you get in your steps and see the citys sights.

Oaxacas Jardin Etnobotanico is a must-see for nature lovers.

The garden also offers eye-catching historic ruins, stone pathways, and sculptural elements.

A traditional temazcal sauna hut heated by wood

A traditional temazcal structure.mofles/Getty Images

Wide shot of luchador with opponent in headlock during lucha libre match in stadium

A lucha libre match.Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

Pouring Oaxacan hot chocolate into a hand-painted mug

Oaxacan chocolate being poured into a hand-painted mug.DarioGaona/Getty Images

Pouring mezcal into a glass in Oaxaca, Mexico

Pouring mezcal into a glass in Oaxaca, Mexico.Indigoai/Getty Images

Aerial view of San Jose del Pacifico, Oaxaca, Mexico

View of Oaxaca from the top of a mountain.Julio Ortega/Getty Images

A person walking through Cacti

Oaxaca’s Botanical Garden.Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure