Mexico City to Oaxaca
A two-city walking tour itinerary
Combining Mexico City and Oaxaca makes for one of the best multi-city trips you can take. Mexico City and Oaxaca are both in Mexico, making them easy to combine by train or short flight.
Mexico City
Mexico
Mexico City is one of the world's great walking cities, with a historic center built over the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, leafy colonial neighborhoods, and a food scene that earned UNESCO recognition.
Highlights
- •Zocalo and the Metropolitan Cathedral — one of the world's largest public squares
- •Palacio de Bellas Artes — Art Nouveau marble palace with Rivera and Orozco murals
- •Templo Mayor (Aztec ruins) — remains of the Aztec capital unearthed in 1978
- •National Museum of Anthropology — the Aztec Sun Stone and Mesoamerican treasures
Oaxaca
Mexico
Oaxaca is a cultural treasure where indigenous Zapotec heritage blends with colonial Spanish architecture, producing one of Mexico's richest food traditions and a vibrant artisan culture best explored on foot.
Highlights
- •Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman — a lavishly gilded 16th-century Dominican church considered Mexico's finest example of Baroque architecture, with an adjacent ethnobotanical garden
- •Monte Alban archaeological site — The ancient Zapotec capital perched on a flattened mountaintop at 1,940 meters above sea level, founded around 500 BCE and inhabited for over 1,500 years. The Great Plaza stretches 300 meters long between pyramidal platforms, with the Observatory building featuring astronomical alignments and carved 'Danzante' stone slabs depicting captive rulers. The panoramic views over the three surrounding valleys are among the most spectacular at any archaeological site in the Americas.
- •Central de Abastos and Benito Juarez markets — Oaxaca's sprawling daily markets selling mole pastes in seven varieties, chapulines (grasshoppers), mezcal, chocolate, and hand-embroidered textiles
- •Hierve el Agua petrified waterfalls — mineral-laden spring water cascading over cliff edges to form petrified rock formations resembling frozen waterfalls, with natural infinity pools on top
Travel Tip
Mexico City and Oaxaca are both in Mexico, making them easy to combine by train or short flight.
FAQ
How many days for Mexico City and Oaxaca?+
We recommend 2-3 days in each city for a thorough walking tour experience. A week-long trip lets you explore both cities at a relaxed pace with time for day trips.
How to travel from Mexico City to Oaxaca?+
Mexico City and Oaxaca are both in Mexico, making them easy to combine by train or short flight.
Is it worth visiting both Mexico City and Oaxaca?+
Absolutely. Mexico City offers food, history, art while Oaxaca is known for food, indigenous culture, art — they complement each other perfectly.
Can I get walking tours for both cities?+
Yes — Roamee Pro offers walking tours for both Mexico City and Oaxaca with audio narration, hidden gems, and local tips. No booking required.