Monte Alban

Considered one of Mexico’s most spectacular archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Monte Alban sit high on a flattened hilltop with magnificent views over a valley, nine miles from Oaxaca. This was the former capital of the Zapotec people and was occupied for over 1,000 years; founded in around 500BC it was one of the first cities in Mesoamerica. At its peak, it was a vast settlement, home to 15,000-20,000 people, and there is plenty of evidence that it interacted with the other superpower cities of the region, including Teotihuacan.

A site that features terraces, dams and canals carved from the mountain and hilltops purposefully flattened, it isn’t just Monte Alban’s setting that is to be admired. Focussed around the Gran Plaza, where you’ll find the fascinating carved stone monuments featuring ‘danzantes’, thought to be depictions of dead prisoners of war, and a good stopping point for taking in your surroundings. The ancient ball courts are equally intriguing (there are plenty of hypotheses as to what game/s they were for) while the excavated tomb and mysterious ‘observatory’ are must-sees. Pop into the little museum by the entrance to see some of the many treasures that have been uncovered around the ruins.