Plaza de las Artesanias

Veracruz City


This covered market, packed with stalls selling Mexican souvenirs, is worth a browse. Opposite here booths line the stretch of the malecón closest to the zócalo, selling everything from T-shirts to vanilla. However, shop carefully as some of what is for sale is factory-produced dross from China.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Veracruz City attractions

1. Museo Histórico Naval

0.1 MILES

Occupying a former naval academy, this high-tech museum offers a titanic lesson in Mexico’s maritime heritage, with plenty of interactive displays and an…

2. Fototeca

0.1 MILES

On the southeast side of the zócalo, this small arts center has rotating photographic and video exhibitions. It’s spread over three floors of a restored…

3. Palacio Municipal

0.11 MILES

This handsome 17th-century building, occupied by local government offices, faces onto the zócalo.

5. Altar a la Patria

0.14 MILES

Two blocks inland from the malecón is the 1998 Altar a la Patria, an obelisk marking the buried remains of those who defended Veracruz during its numerous…

6. Zócalo

0.14 MILES

Any exploration of Veracruz has to begin with its zócalo (also called the Plaza de Armas and Plaza Lerdo), the city’s unofficial outdoor ‘stage’ where…

7. Centro Cultural La Atarazana

0.18 MILES

This colonial-era warehouse has been beautifully converted into an exhibition space and sports a striking mural by Melchor Perado. Worthwhile temporary…

8. Museo de la Ciudad de Veracruz

0.18 MILES

Housed in a charming colonial-era building, this museum recounts Veracruz’s history from the pre-Hispanic era. Standout exhibits include some Totonaca and…