Stunning photos show why Oaxaca, Mexico, was just named the best city in the world

The petrified waterfalls at Hierve el Agua outside of Oaxaca, Mexico.© Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

• Oaxaca, Mexico, was just named the best city in the world in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2020.
• Each year, the publication releases its World's Best Awards, where it surveys readers and ranks destinations, hotels, and cities around the world.
• Oaxaca topped this year's list with a score of 93.54 points out of 100.
• These photos show the colorful city's architecture, nature, and flavorful cuisine.

Oaxaca has nearly everything a person could dream of exploring.

A church in Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, Mexico.      Norma Cordova/Getty Images

The city sits in southwestern Mexico and is surrounded by mountains.

An aerial view of the city.      Jon Lovette/Getty Images

"One of the most delightful cities I've ever visited," one person wrote to Travel + Leisure.

Colorful buildings line the city.      Indigoai/Getty Images

With stunning architecture, history, markets, music, and food, the Mexican city is a must on every bucket list.

A Spanish colonial catholic church in Oaxaca, Mexico.      Gabriel Perez/Getty Images

It's perfect for nature lovers who want to escape to the city's lush outdoors.

Fascinating outdoor landscapes sit just outside the city.      Lindsay Upson/Getty Images

And visit places like the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua.

The waterfalls are connected to nearby hot springs.      Ricard Martínez Cuders/Getty Images

Or the Zapotec temples and ruins.

The site is located six miles away from the city center.      Craig Lovell/Getty Images

For the foodies, the city has an abundance of markets teeming with fresh fruit, vegetables, and other goods.

The city is filled with markets.      Octaviano Merecias Fotografia Photography/Getty Images

The city also has an exciting street food scene.

Red, black, and green mole.      Grant_Hayward/Getty Images

Don't forget to try staples like the mole ...

A mole amarillo quesadilla.      ©fitopardo/Getty Images

... Or the Oaxaca delicacy, chapulines, which are roasted grasshoppers.

Tlayuda tortilla with chapulines.      ©fitopardo/Getty Images

Beyond delicious cuisine, the city is also known for its mezcal, which is an alcohol made from agave and often referred to as "smoky tequila."

Mezcal is a traditional Mexican spirit.      Indigoai/Getty Images

The city is also rich in culture and home to multiple churches, the most stunning of which is the Templo de Santo Domingo.

The space is open to visitors, but it's still a functioning church.      Carlos Sanchez Pereyra/Getty Images

But perhaps the best part of the city is its people.

Oaxaca has one of the largest indigenous populations in Mexico.      Glow Images/Getty Images

Local artisans spin yarn, carve wood, and master a variety of skills.

A woman weaving in Oaxaca, Mexico.      Glow Images/Getty Images

It's a city you won't forget.

A view through a Spanish colonial window with the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range.      Gabriel Perez/Getty Images

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