If you need an escape from the bustle of Mexico City, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about Mexico’s history on a day trip to surrounding archaeological sites and colonial cities. Read on for our top ideas.
Teotihuacan Pyramids — 30 miles (48 km) from Mexico City
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient city of Teotihuacan was once one of the most powerful cultural centers in Mesoamerica and is one of the oldest known archaeological sites in Mexico. Notable features include the Avenue of the Dead, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Pyramid of the Sun, and the Pyramid of the Moon. A typical tour from Mexico City lasts six to seven hours but may be longer if you opt for a tour with an additional activity such as a hot-air balloon ride or a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe).
Puebla & Cholula — 78 miles (126 km) from Mexico City
UNESCO World Heritage–listed Puebla and neighboring Cholula are two of the most significant historical destinations in Mexico—Puebla for its Spanish colonial architecture and Cholula for its Great Pyramid, one of the largest pyramids in the world. Day tours to both sites from Mexico City typically last 10 to 12 hours.
Taxco & Cuernavaca — 110 miles (177 km) from Mexico City
Head to Taxco and Cuernavaca to see Spanish colonial architecture south of Mexico City, including Santa Prisca de Taxco, a church built in the 1750s, and the Palace of Cortes (Palacio de Cortes), a fortified palace built in the 1520s for Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes. Day trips from Mexico City to both colonial towns typically last 10 hours; some include lunch.