Zacatecas: Old Town, Museums and Cerro de la Bufa

Zacatecas combines a historic center in a narrow valley with museums, striking buildings and viewpoints on Cerro de la Bufa. These highlights can help you plan your visits; assess the location and amenities of a specific hotel based on its individual listing.

The historic center between La Bufa and Grillo

The historic center lies between the hills of La Bufa and Grillo and was built on the steep slopes of a narrow valley. Winding streets run at different levels, and several squares are also part of the cityscape. Rather than a uniform grid, the layout of the center is shaped by the terrain. The 16th-century street plan has been almost completely preserved and later formed the basis for development in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The historic monument zone can also be described in terms of numbers and buildings: it includes 169 blocks with 827 historically significant buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th century. It also includes 15 religious complexes, most of them dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. The monasteries named include San Juan de Dios, San Francisco, San Agustín and Santo Domingo. Two further examples of the city’s architectural history are the Calderón Theater, built in 1834, and the Gonzalez Market, a building with an iron structure dating from 1886.

Museums in historic buildings

Art and local history come together at the Museo Pedro Coronel: the museum is housed in the former Jesuit college, Colegio de la Purísima Concepción, and displays international art. Artists represented include Kandinsky, Picasso, Goya, Miró and Dalí, among others. These names give an idea of the collection’s wide-ranging scope. The Museo Rafael Coronel offers a different historic setting, occupying a 16th-century Franciscan building.

The Museo Manuel Felguérez has 15 permanent exhibition halls and is considered the only museum of abstract art in Latin America. The building’s former uses also contribute to its history: it served as a seminary, military barracks and Zacatecas state prison. At Mina el Edén, a guide leads visitors through tunnels and galleries, sharing stories and legends of mining. The mine is also home to the Museo de las Rocas y Minerales, considered the largest mineral museum in Latin America.

Cerro de la Bufa: city views and experiences

Cerro de la Bufa offers views over the city and is considered a landmark of Zacatecas. Its Crestón is described as the city’s highest point, at more than 2,610 meters above sea level. The rock formation has a greenish hue attributed to lichens and mosses on the rocks. The Mirador de la Bufa offers panoramic views of the city; on the way to the Cámara Oscura, you’ll find stalls run by Huichol artisans.

Cerro de la Bufa is also home to the Museo Toma de Zacatecas, with an interactive exhibition on the Battle of La Toma de Zacatecas. Tirolesa 840 offers a different kind of experience: it runs in two sections over 840 meters and descends from a height of more than 85 meters. If you plan to visit these viewpoints or take part in these activities, you can treat them as separate highlights of your trip rather than grouping them with the center’s art and history.

Include travel and event dates in your plans

The Teleférico de Zacatecas crosses the historic center in a seven-minute ride, offering elevated views of the city. If you plan to take the ride, check the current operating times. Festival Cultural Zacatecas features festive events during Holy Week and the Easter weeks; plan for specific events based on the current dates.

Discover more destinations: Apozol, Pabellón, Plateros, Villa De Cos, Tonalá, Sombrerete, Fresnillo, Jalpa.

For the main travel overview: Zacatecas.