Things to Do in Durango, Mexico: A First-Timer's Walking Guide

The best things to do in Durango, Mexico on a first trip are walking the historic center, riding the cable car (Teleférico) at sunset, strolling the Paseo del Tren, visiting the Old West movie sets and eating caldillo duranguense with a local mezcal. Two or three days covers it all, and if you stay downtown, you can do almost everything on foot.

Our local team put this list of things to do in Durango, Mexico together from what we recommend to guests arriving for the first time. Further down you'll find a day-by-day itinerary and the neighborhoods that make the most sense if you'd rather not rely on a car.

Quick note before you start searching: there's also a Durango in Colorado, with a completely different set of attractions. Everything here is about Durango, the capital of the Mexican state of the same name.

Things to do in Durango, Mexico: the essentials

Durango is a colonial city in northern Mexico, sitting above 1,800 meters (about 6,000 feet). Its stone-built downtown is well preserved and is part of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's not a crowded destination, and that's a big part of its appeal: you walk at your own pace, eat very well and prices are still reasonable.

The must-dos:

• Historic center: the cathedral, Plaza de Armas, pedestrian Calle Constitución and museums in old mansions.
• Teleférico (cable car): the best view of the city, especially at dusk.
• Paseo del Tren: a pedestrian corridor that recalls the city's railroad past.
• Movie sets: hundreds of Westerns were filmed around Durango, and some of the frontier-town sets are still open to visitors.
• Food: caldillo duranguense, gorditas, Mennonite cheese and regional mezcal.

The historic center: start at the cathedral

Your natural starting point is the Catedral Basílica Menor, a baroque cathedral facing Plaza de Armas. Inside, look for the carved choir stalls. If you like colonial art, the Museo de Arte Sacro (sacred art museum) in the Episcopal Gallery sits right next door.

A short walk away is Calle Constitución, a pedestrian street lined with cafés, restaurants and bars with outdoor tables. It's the spot for dinner, and for watching the downtown buildings light up after dark.

Also downtown:

• Museo Francisco Villa, housed in the Palacio de Zambrano behind a baroque facade, with a thorough look at Pancho Villa and his ties to Durango.
• Tourist trolleys (tranvías turísticos), which loop through the center with narration. They work well on your first afternoon, before you've got your bearings.
• Parque Guadiana, the city's big green park, great for an early walk or run under tall trees.

Museum hours and admission change often, so check each venue's official channels or the Durango state tourism office before you go.

The cable car and Paseo del Tren

The Teleférico de Durango links Cerro del Calvario and Cerro de los Remedios, passing over downtown. The ride is short, but you get the cathedral, the rooftops and the mountains behind them all in one view, which makes it worth it. Our tip: go in the last hour of daylight and stay up top to watch the city lights come on. Check current hours and fares first, since they can shift with the season or maintenance.

The Paseo del Tren is a pedestrian walkway built along old railroad tracks, a nod to the years when the train kept the city moving. It's a relaxed stroll, good for photos and for linking different parts of the center on foot.

Movie sets: Durango's Old West

For decades, the high desert around Durango drew Hollywood and Mexican filmmakers, and a long list of Westerns was shot here, including John Wayne productions. You can still visit some of those sets.

The best known is Paseo del Viejo Oeste, a theme park that started life as a film set along the Pan-American Highway on the outskirts of the city. You'll find frontier-town streets, live shows and reenactments that families and film buffs love.

The catch: you can't walk there. Plan on a car, taxi or tour, and check opening days and show times on their official channels before heading out.

What to eat in Durango

Durango cooking comes from ranches and mountains: hearty and full of flavor. Don't leave without trying:

• Caldillo duranguense: the signature dish, a chile-based stew made with dried or fresh beef. Perfect on a cool evening.
• Gorditas: thick corn pockets stuffed with all kinds of fillings. A classic breakfast.
• Mennonite cheese (queso menonita): made by the state's Mennonite communities and sold in markets and shops.
• Durango mezcal: the state has its own mezcal tradition. Order a local one and ask which agave it's made from.
• Regional sweets and ate (fruit paste), which make easy gifts to take home.

For an easy food plan, eat at the downtown markets during the day and on Calle Constitución at night.

A 2–3 day walking itinerary from downtown

Day 1: Historic center and the cable car

• Morning: gorditas for breakfast, then the cathedral and the sacred art museum.
• Midday: Museo Francisco Villa and a wander around Plaza de Armas.
• Afternoon: walk the Paseo del Tren, then ride the Teleférico in the last hour of light.
• Evening: dinner on Calle Constitución with caldillo and a mezcal.

Day 2: The Old West and Parque Guadiana

• Morning: early walk in Parque Guadiana.
• Midday and afternoon: head out to Paseo del Viejo Oeste by car or tour, planned around the show schedule.
• Evening: back downtown for a night walk past the lit-up buildings.

Day 3 (optional): your own pace

• Take the tourist trolley if you skipped it on day one.
• Shop the downtown markets for Mennonite cheese, sweets and mezcal.
• If you're up for adventure, day tours run to the sierra and to outdoor parks outside the city. Book ahead.

Where to stay in Durango to explore on foot

24K manages 24 apartments in Durango, most of them in or near the historic center. These are the best fit for a first visit on foot (see more on our Durango page):

Negrete

Six apartments for 2 to 4 guests, with balconies, an outdoor grill and fast WiFi. Traveling as four? The apartment with two king beds has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and free parking. Parking at the other units is paid.

Calvillo

Four apartments for 2 guests on Calle Aquiles Serdán, all with mini-split AC, a workspace and free parking. The unit with a private garage also has 100+ Mbps WiFi, handy if you'll be working for a few days.

Patoni

A single modern, minimalist apartment with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a king bed, AC, a balcony and an outdoor grill. It sleeps 4, with street parking.

Zaragoza

An elegant condo in the historic center for 2 guests, with 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms and free parking. It's a good choice if you want to walk downtown and still have somewhere to leave the car on the day you drive out to the movie sets.

Practical tips for first-timers

• Weather: because of the altitude, evenings can be cool most of the year, and winters get cold. Bring a light jacket.
• Getting around: downtown is very walkable. For the movie sets and the sierra you'll need a car or a tour.
• Hours and dates: always confirm with official sources, especially around holidays.

Once your dates are set, book direct on our website or through WhatsApp and you'll save 10% compared with Airbnb or Booking.com, with no platform fees. Our Durango team is happy to help you pick the right apartment and answer any questions about the city.

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