Discover 10 no-cost activities to enjoy in Oaxaca City.

With budget-friendly lodging and cheap street food, Oaxaca offers great value – and when you add in a variety of free attractions, it becomes an incredibly economical destination.

Oaxaca is rich in cultural experiences, many of which are completely free. Numerous museums, galleries, and workshops highlight local crafts, including beautifully crafted black pottery, hand-woven Zapotec rugs, and imaginative mythical sculptures.

Oaxaca's downtown is a paradise for budget travelers, featuring walkable streets, vibrant street art, exquisite baroque buildings, and lively public squares filled with music and dance.

Here's how to enjoy this beautiful part of southern Mexico without breaking the bank.

1. Explore striking street art on the charming cobblestone paths.

Local artists have turned Oaxaca's streets into a vibrant outdoor gallery, featuring stunning murals and clever stencils that brighten the historic neighborhoods of Jalatlaco, Xochimilco, and the Centro. These areas are all within walking distance, making it easy to embark on a free self-guided tour.

In Jalatlaco, seek out the Day of the Dead-themed murals along Aldama, 5 de Mayo, and Hidalgo streets. In Xochimilco, a weaving district dating back to the 15th century, you'll find colorful artworks adorning the cobblestones of Calle Alavez.

2. Admire stunning photography at Centro Fotográfico Álvarez Bravo.

Named after the renowned Mexican photographer Manuel Álvarez Bravo, this former home of Oaxacan artist Francisco Toledo features free exhibitions of intriguing and extraordinary images by contemporary photographers from Mexico and beyond. Occasionally, it showcases pieces from its extensive collection of around 100,000 photographs, including works by Álvarez Bravo, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Graciela Iturbide, Mary Ellen Mark, and other influential photography legends.

Toledo established both the Centro Fotográfico Álvarez Bravo and the nearby Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca, which also offers free exhibitions.

3. Explore the enchanting galleries and artisan shops.

Oaxaca is known for producing some of the finest folk art in the country, making it worthwhile to browse the stunning creations even if you don't plan to buy. Many shops and galleries, especially along Calle Alcalá in the Centro, offer a range of items from barro negro (shiny black pottery) and alebrijes (vividly painted mythical sculptures) to handcrafted textiles and palm-leaf baskets.

The beautifully crafted copal-wood alebrijes showcased at Voces de Copal may come with a hefty price tag, but it's free to admire them. Nearby, the Mano Mágica gallery features hand-woven Zapotec rugs and works by Oaxacan masters like Toledo, Tamayo, and Morales.

4. Celebrate Oaxaca's renowned textile heritage at Museo de Textil.

With over 10,000 pieces of Oaxacan and international textiles, many dating back over a century, the free Museo de Textil highlights traditional clothing and other hand-woven items through exhibits, workshops, and a library.

For an immersive experience in Oaxaca's vibrant textile culture, which has thrived in the region since 500 BCE, visit the famous weaving town of Teotitlán del Valle (15 miles east of downtown), where Zapotec families create colorful rugs and tapestries using traditional pedal looms.

5. Absorb the lively energy and entertainment at the Zócalo.

For hours of free enjoyment, head to the tree-filled Zócalo and enjoy the performances of street artists and marimba musicians captivating audiences in the city's famous main square and the adjacent Alameda de León plaza. With the stunning 16th-century Metropolitan Cathedral and the mural-adorned State Government Palace nearby, these lively squares come alive with brass bands and elegantly dressed couples dancing to danzón music.

If the excitement slows down, explore the nearby Andador Turístico, a pedestrian-only walkway lined with galleries, artisan shops, and cafes offering gourmet coffee sourced from Oaxaca's highlands.

6. Dive into contemporary art and nature in San Agustín Etla.

Many visitors flock to the charming town of San Agustín Etla to explore the Centro de las Artes, and it's easy to see why: this former textile factory has been beautifully transformed into one of Oaxaca's leading contemporary art venues, renowned for its captivating exhibits and innovative eco-friendly design (the exquisite pools are part of a gravity-fed water system that keeps the stunning 19th-century structure comfortably cool).

After enjoying the cutting-edge installations, take a leisurely walk through the grounds, featuring waterfalls and lush greenery, or venture further along the nearby Aqueduct Trail that climbs into the picturesque hills. San Agustín Etla is accessible by budget-friendly shared taxis that leave from Mercado de Abastos, located 11 miles northwest of Oaxaca.

7. Admire the breathtaking architecture.

With an impressive 1,200 historical monuments, the Centro has rightfully received its UNESCO World Heritage designation. Among the notable landmarks are two iconic baroque structures: the 16th-century Templo de Santo Domingo and its neighboring former Dominican monastery, which now houses Oaxaca’s Museum of Culture; and the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, celebrated for its ornate, golden interior and cantera façade dating back to 1690. Both buildings feature exceptionally thick walls designed to withstand Oaxaca's powerful earthquakes.

Another significant landmark is the Xochimilco Aqueduct, constructed in the 1700s to supply fresh drinking water to the city center. Although it stopped functioning in 1940, several of its arches along Calle Rufino Tamayo still serve as entrances to homes.

8. Enjoy expansive city views from Cerro del Fortín.

Oaxaca’s lookout point, Cerro del Fortín, offers sweeping vistas of the city, making it a popular destination for early morning jogs or walks. Ascend the stairs from Calle Crespo leading to the Auditorio Guelaguetza, an open-air venue that hosts the famous Guelaguetza Festival, a vibrant indigenous dance and music celebration held in July. Above the auditorium, a paved path leads to a planetarium and a Christian cross. It's advisable to avoid the upper parts of the hill at dusk and after dark.

9. Observe local artisans as they create their masterpieces.

In several neighboring towns of Oaxaca, charming workshops offer engaging free tours that unveil the secrets behind their crafts. Visit San Bartolo Coyotepec to witness the black pottery-making process, or journey further south to San Martín Tilcajete, the heart of alebrijes, where the renowned workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles creates vibrant wooden animal sculptures, some so detailed they require years to complete.

10. Stroll through bustling markets filled with local flavor.

No visit to Oaxaca is complete without exploring its lively traditional markets, where you'll find some of the most affordable mole dishes alongside a fascinating array of uniquely Oaxacan items. As you wander through central mercados like 20 de Noviembre and Mercado de la Merced, you'll encounter Day of the Dead dioramas, huipiles (embroidered tunics), crunchy chapulines (toasted grasshoppers perfect for snacking), and many other local treasures.