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Taxco packs a lot into a small, steep town: a landmark baroque church, more silver shops per block than almost anywhere in Mexico, and a cable car that lifts you 175 metres above the rooftops. Most sights are in the historic centre and within walking distance, though the hills make it a workout. Here are the things to do in Taxco, with prices, hours and practical tips; the Taxco travel guide links the full set of Taxco guides.
Things to Do in Taxco: Historic Centre and Landmarks
Parroquia de Santa Prisca y San Sebastián
This is the postcard image of Taxco, a baroque church built between 1751 and 1758 and paid for by silver magnate José de la Borda. The facade and twin bell towers are carved from pink local stone, and the interior holds gilded altarpieces and paintings by Miguel Cabrera. It stands on the east side of Plaza Borda and is open roughly 6 am to 8 pm daily; entry is free, with donations accepted. Go inside in the morning when light hits the gold leaf, then photograph the towers from the plaza at dusk. The church is also the focus of the Taxco events and festivals Semana Santa processions each spring.
Plaza Borda (the Zocalo)
The main square is the social centre of town, ringed by cafes, a kiosk, and the church steps. Families promenade here in the early evening, and street vendors set up around the edges. It is the natural starting point for any walk, and most of the silver shops fan out from its west side along Calle del Arco and Calle San AgustÃn, with the surrounding streets mapped in the Taxco neighborhoods guide. Grab a cafe table and watch the town go by for the price of a coffee, roughly MXN 35 to 50.
Cristo Monumental
A large Christ statue stands on the hillside above the western edge of town and gives the best free panorama of the red-tile rooftops and the Santa Prisca towers. It is a 20 to 30 minute uphill walk from the plaza, or a short taxi ride of around MXN 40 to 60. Come late afternoon for the clearest light and carry water; the climb is steep.
Things to Do in Taxco: Silver, Museums and Shopping
Museo Guillermo Spratling
William Spratling was the American designer who revived Taxco’s silver industry in the 1930s and trained a generation of local silversmiths. His former home, at Porfirio Delgado 1 behind the church, now holds a museum with his original workshop, silver designs, and a large collection of pre-Columbian artefacts. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, roughly 9 am to 5 pm, with a small entry fee of about MXN 45. This is the single best place to understand why Taxco is called the silver capital of Mexico.
Casa Borda
José de la Borda, the mine owner who funded Santa Prisca, built this mansion in the 1750s facing the plaza. Today it operates as the Casa de la Cultura, hosting rotating art exhibitions and cultural workshops. Entry is free, and it is open daily except some holidays, generally 9 am to 6 pm. The interior courtyard is a quiet break from the shopping streets.
Tianguis de la Plata (Saturday Silver Market)
Every Saturday the streets around Plaza Borda fill with extra silver stalls, joining the permanent shops along Calle del Arco. You will find earrings, bracelets, and chains at lower prices than the fixed storefronts, but quality varies, so look for the .925 sterling stamp and haggle politely. Weekday shopping is calmer, and many serious buyers prefer the established Spratling-lineage shops for certified pieces. The best time to visit Taxco guide can help you time a visit around the busier fair weeks.
Things to Do in Taxco: Outdoors and Day Trips
Teleférico de Taxco (Montetaxco Cable Car)
The cable car runs from a station above town up to the Montetaxco resort, climbing 175 metres for a sweeping view over the valley. A round trip costs about MXN 95 for adults and MXN 65 for children, and it operates daily from morning to early evening. At the top you can walk the resort grounds or sit at a lookout restaurant before riding back down, and the where to stay in Taxco guide covers the Montetaxco resort if you want to stay up there. It is one of the few cable cars in Mexico and a good way to skip the steepest climbs.
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa
About 30 km north of Taxco, Cacahuamilpa National Park protects one of the largest cave systems in the world, with enormous chambers you walk through on guided tours that last around 90 minutes. The temperature inside stays near 20°C (68°F) year round, making it a good rainy-season escape. Entry is about MXN 70 to 90, and tours run in groups on a fixed schedule, so arrive before midday. You can drive there in about 40 minutes or join a local tour. Check the Taxco weather by month guide if you want to pick a month with dry roads for the trip.
Ex Convento de San Bernardino de Siena
This 16th-century former monastery sits at the northern edge of the centre and now serves as a cultural venue with a quieter courtyard than the main plaza. It is free to visit and open during daytime hours, with occasional exhibitions and concerts. Combine it with a walk through the surrounding neighbourhood for a calmer side of town, using the Taxco travel tips and FAQ tips to get around the steep streets.
