City in Zacatecas, Mexico
Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Zacatecas, the capital of the state of the same name, is a city of 138,000 people (2020) in the Bajío region of Mexico. The town offers a rich travel experience with its historical downtown centro full of colonial architecture, 17th century churches, innovative restaurants and lively night clubs. Zacatecas is a .
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Catedral Basílica de la Asunción de María de Zacatecas
One of the most beautiful examples of Churrigueresque arquitecture in Mexico. It is an elaborately carved red-stone (cantera) structure that was built between 1730 and 1760. It is flanked by two towers with an exuberant ornamentation and has a notable facade that was richly sculpted but its once decorated interior was looted during the civil wars of the 19th and 20th centuries. Its coupula was reconstructed in 1836 and imitates that one of the church of Nuestra Señora de Loreto in Mexico City.
The square beside the Cathedral, interesting murals inside the government buildings, such as the Palacio de Gobierno.
Parroquia de Santo Domingo
Built by the Jesuits between 1746 and 1749, this church has a beautiful Baroque facade. Splendid gold wood-carved altarpieces, all of them churrigueresque, as well as 18th-century Francisco Antonio Vallejo paintings that represent scenes of The Passion, can be found inside.
Exconvento de San Augustín
A former monastery from the 17th century. The main church is now used for conferences and cultural events; the monastery still houses the bishop's offices.
Acueducto Del Cubo
Constructed more than 250 years ago, the aqueduct runs through the heart of the city.
Quinta Real Zacatecas
This former bull ring has been converted into a luxury hotel. Enjoy a walk around the ring, and if you feel like splurging a bit enjoy lunch or dinner at the Hotel's restaurant, which has a commanding view of the ring.
Congreso del Estado
A church that now houses the Zacatecas state legislature.
Impressive facade.
Beautiful small park beside a lovely square.
A garden walk in the central city. During the month of April musicians play live music beginning in the early morning.
Parque General Enrique Estrada
Beautiful park beside the aqueduct and the Templo de Fátima. Contains a beautiful fountain, a band stand and a number of places to sit and relax or have an enjoyable stroll.
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Fátima
Impressive neo-gothic temple located on a hill above the Sierra de Alica Park.
Fountain of Lanterns
The centerpiece of a traffic roundabout is a beautifully ornate fountain with wrought iron lamp fixtures. Cobblestone streets lined with quaint shops, restaurants, and colonial hotels attract tourists and locals alike. At night, the streets are softly lit, giving it the feeling of the late 19th century.
Ex Convento de San Francisco
Set in a partially restored convent dating back to the 16th-17th centuries, this museum houses a large and diverse collection of masks drawn from several regions of Mexico and from other cultures around the world. Masks from different regions and eras are grouped together by themes and uses, including masks used in Carnival and in religious pageants, such as those commemorating the Reconquista. Particularly interesting is the alternate incorporation and subversion of pre-Hispanic symbols. The Diablo room is not to be missed. The museum is extensive and although most famous for its masks, it houses more than 16,000 other pieces of folk art (obviously not all on display). Portions of the convent grounds that could not be restored have been converted into a garden, with crumbling walls, standing arches and greenery. The museum was established by surrealist artist Rafael Coronel and does include some of the artist's works.
Located next to the "Santo Domingo" church, it houses a colonial-era library and a large eclectic collection of European, African, American, and Mexican art.
Museo de Arte Abstracto Manuel Felguerez
One of the best museums in Zacatecas. The large building, which once housed a Seminar and later a prison, now houses a large collection of Abstract paintings and Sculptures. The museum was restored in a minimalistic aesthetic, complementing the more than 100 works by Felguérez as well as works by more than 110 other artists from around the world. The room housing the murals that Felguérez made for the Mexican Pavilion at the Osaka World's Exhibition of 1970 is breathtaking and one of the highlights of the Museum's collection.
Showcases artworks of contemporary artists from the Zacatecas region.
Casa de Moneda
A museum located across the street from San Augustín with exhibitions all about Zacatecas, notable residents and its long history. Of note is a large section of exhibits, crafts, and other artifacts belonging to the Huichol culture, whose members still maintain a pre-Columbian lifestyle in the mountains between Zacatecas and Nayarit.
Houses weapons, documents, photos, and other artifacts relating to this decisive battle of the Mexican Revolution. The Battle of Zacatecas took place on June 23, 1914 when the Division del Norte under the command of Pancho Villa won a decisive victory over the federal army led by General Luis Medina Barrón. The battle led to the resignation of President Huerta.
Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio
Built in 1728.
You can hike to the summit of la Bufa, which is indicated by the very large cross. It is not too hard to get to, and the route is fairly obvious. It becomes a bit of a scramble towards the top, and be careful coming down. The view is amazing.
Mausoleum of the Illustrious Persons of Zacatecas
Nothing very exciting about this structure unless you are extremely interested in researching the history of the city, but since you are up there why not spend a few minutes here?
Museo de Guadalupe
Occupies the Franciscan monastery from which missionaries were sent out to Christianize the inhabitants of Texas, New Mexico, and California – it was the mother of the Spanish missions in the United States. Much of the old monastery is a museum of colonial religious art, paintings by Indians trained in the European tradition. The paintings are amazing, and the architecture of the cloisters, the church and the Capilla de Napoli is unforgettable.
Museo Ecoturistico
Showcases Pleistocene megafauna fossils from the region.
An impressive former hacienda that was charged with supplying the city of Zacatecas with meat and grain during the 18th century. Note that as of 2024 it is closed to the public and only visible from the outside.
Archeological ruins of mysterious origin. There is an on-site museum that provides a panoramic view of the ruins.
cable car
Passing high above the city center, it travels 650 m from the lower part of Cerro del Grillo to the northern end of Cerro de La Bufa.
This old silver mine in downtown Zacatecas closed in 1960 and was re-opened as a historical site and museum in the mid-1970s. The tourist facilities were extensively updated in the mid 2000s and today El Eden is Mexico's largest and most popular mine tour. You can go into some of the mine shafts where there are depictions of mining activities and an underground mining train. There's an on-site nightclub that's open on weekends and a big rocks and minerals museum featuring a collection donated by Juan Manuel Navarro. If there's ever a cave-in, don't count on Superman to come save you — the museum has a kryptonite display!
A walking party around downtown's distinctive "callejones" (narrow streets or alleys) complete with live music and a donkey loaded with free Mezcal. Usually everybody is welcomed to join and most likely you won't be the only tourist joining the entourage. Callejoneadas typically begin from the Plaza de Armas.
Small food vendor in the town market, known for over 50 years for their distinctive birria de chivo (goat stew). Grab a bowl of birria, served with tortillas, or you can get it drained of liquid and served as a taco.
Haré Krishna vegetarian restaurant one block from Alameda. Mixture of Mexican, Chinese and Indian fares. Closed Sunday.
French fries.
Very simple, very crispy tacos.
One of the best spots for enjoying a traditional dinner. Expect a little wait as the place is popular and small.
A good bet for tourists who want a conventional breakfast, if you can find a seat. Founded as a small cafe in 1938. Back in the days it used to be a hotspot for dignitaries, celebrities and artists visiting the city, evidence of whose passage line the walls, although these days it has more of a charmless chain-restaurant feel. That said, the Italian-style coffee is quite nice, and the huevos rancheros come recommended.
has excellent food and usually live music (strings, piano, Mexican popular music, not mariachi). Try the cabrito (baby goat).
Good Italian fare in the shopping district.
This restaurant could more aptly be described as an art museum and gallery where you can share a meal and drinks. It's a place of culture, dreams, and nightmares. There's some beautiful pieces of Huichol art, devil masks, paper maché demons and dragons to name but a few of the kinds of works found here. It is an experience, with nearly every surface is a piece of art. The owner and collector is there most evenings and is very approachable. And he welcomes people to come and view the massive collection.
Argentinian restaurant with beautiful view of the Jardín Juárez.
Restaurant is inside the Quinta Real hotel which is the old bullring of San Pedro. The restaurant is on the balcony of the rotation of the bullring, which has been turned into a beautiful colonial patio. Stone pavement and adorned style with abundant flowers combine with the meal to make this a unique restaurant. English menus are available by request.
Cat Café
A cat cafe! Sit with your coffee and play with friendly cats.
Locally famous, one of the oldest cantinas in the city, founded in 1900. Great place to soak up local ambience while admiring the cantina's impressive art collection.
A typical Mexican karaoke bar with respectable drink prices.
Bar with a great view of the city and loud jukebox music.
A nightclub located inside the silver mine. Although not many locals frequent the spot, it is fun to go once just to experience the world's only nightclub inside a mine.
Probably the best you're going to get in terms of hostels in Zacatecas as of 2024, although it's nothing particularly special. Excellent location right beside the cathedral. Only the 8-bed dormitory has exterior windows; all other rooms are interior facing.
A rather unclean hostel, although the prices are good.
Comfortable but not expensive, located midway between downtown and the university campus. If you get a street-side room you may see parades, protests, and other local activities from your window.
Very basic hotel but in an excellent location near the cathedral and with a rooftop terrace with a gorgeous view.
Right beside the central bus station, handy if you don't want to go further for a room. A bit too basic for the price, however.
Located in the heart of the centro historico.
Located at the north of the centro historico. Older building that borders on charming/dilapidated. Parking available, though limited space.
Central location with parking and an indoor pool.
For something more upscale, try the Quinta Real, a truly unique property which was the town's plaza de toros before it was turned into a luxury inn.
Mainly a collection of your typical tourist shops, but there is one shop that sells native Huichol artifacts, some of which can be relatively hard to find elsewhere.
A collection of silver shops within the former silver-processing hacienda, where mercury-based enrichment (developed in Zacatecas and adopted throughout the world) was used for more than a century to get metallic silver from ore. The State of Zacatecas today still mines about half the world's silver, though the mines under the city are abandoned because of the danger of using explosives in an urban area.
By car
You can check for shared rides on Blablacar, especially when coming from San Luis Potosi, León, Guadalajara or Aguascalientes.
By bus
Walking is probably the best way to get around the Centro Historico (Historic Downtown) which is relatively small. It will allow you to see the city at your own pace.
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