Zocalo (Main Square), Oaxaca (must see)
Welcome to the beating heart of Oaxaca鈥攖he Z贸calo鈥攚here history naps under the shade of laurel trees and marimbas provide the unofficial soundtrack. If you鈥檙e looking for the city鈥檚 social switchboard, you鈥檝e found it.
This plaza has seen it all鈥攃eremonies, revolutions, parades, protests, puppet shows, and impromptu salsa dancing. Though officially renamed The Constitution Square in honor of the 1812 C谩diz Constitution, nobody really bothered with the paperwork鈥斺�淶贸calo鈥� stuck, and so did its place in local lore.
In colonial times, this square became the setting for official ceremonies鈥攚here Spanish authorities made announcements, held military gatherings, and welcomed new rulers with plenty of ceremony. Today, it鈥檚 still the heart of public life. Religious traditions like Holy Week and Corpus Christi bring color and devotion to its streets, and if there's a national celebration鈥攐r a national frustration鈥攊t often starts here.
These days, it鈥檚 less powdered wigs, more pi帽atas. Picture an open-air living room framed by the Oaxaca Cathedral and Government Palace, filled with blooming gardens, iron benches, and a steady supply of street snacks. No matter what you're craving, there鈥檚 a vendor or a patio chair with your name on it.
One moment it鈥檚 a stage, the next a soapbox, and by evening it鈥檚 a dance floor鈥攖he Z贸calo keeps Oaxaca鈥檚 heartbeat loud and steady.
This plaza has seen it all鈥攃eremonies, revolutions, parades, protests, puppet shows, and impromptu salsa dancing. Though officially renamed The Constitution Square in honor of the 1812 C谩diz Constitution, nobody really bothered with the paperwork鈥斺�淶贸calo鈥� stuck, and so did its place in local lore.
In colonial times, this square became the setting for official ceremonies鈥攚here Spanish authorities made announcements, held military gatherings, and welcomed new rulers with plenty of ceremony. Today, it鈥檚 still the heart of public life. Religious traditions like Holy Week and Corpus Christi bring color and devotion to its streets, and if there's a national celebration鈥攐r a national frustration鈥攊t often starts here.
These days, it鈥檚 less powdered wigs, more pi帽atas. Picture an open-air living room framed by the Oaxaca Cathedral and Government Palace, filled with blooming gardens, iron benches, and a steady supply of street snacks. No matter what you're craving, there鈥檚 a vendor or a patio chair with your name on it.
One moment it鈥檚 a stage, the next a soapbox, and by evening it鈥檚 a dance floor鈥攖he Z贸calo keeps Oaxaca鈥檚 heartbeat loud and steady.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oaxaca. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Zocalo (Main Square) on Map
Sight Name: Zocalo (Main Square)
Sight Location: Oaxaca, Mexico (See walking tours in Oaxaca)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Oaxaca, Mexico (See walking tours in Oaxaca)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Oaxaca, Mexico
Create Your Own Walk in Oaxaca
Creating your own self-guided walk in Oaxaca is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Oaxaca Introduction Walking Tour
If cities could dance, Oaxaca would move to a slow, graceful rhythm鈥攅qual parts ancient pulse and everyday joy. Officially called Oaxaca de Ju谩rez, this southern Mexican capital is where cultures don鈥檛 just meet鈥攖hey throw a fiesta. You鈥檒l find indigenous roots running deep, wrapped in colonial charm and topped with some of the best mole sauce you鈥檒l ever taste.
Long before the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Long before the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Pubs and Clubs of Oaxaca
Oaxaca is a very artistic city, full of musicians and artists trying to get their revolutionary message out. It has a few salsa joints but Oaxaquenos would rather be heard. There are some fantastic funky little pubs that have live music or even at times poetry readings. Later on in the night you can...
A Taste of Oaxaca
Mexican food is world famous but what most people do not know is most of that distinctly Mexican food comes from Oaxaca. Many famous chefs come to this city to study the art of Mexican cuisine, including top chef Susana Trilling who now calls Oaxaca her home. This tour highlights the best Oaxaca has...