Things to do in Mexico City
Welcome to Mexico City
Culturally and culinarily rich, Mexico City is a vibrant Latin American metropolis which boasts hundreds of museums and several tree-lined neighborhoods perfect for exploring on foot. By day, enjoy walking tours of the Historic Center’s colonial buildings and Mexica ruins; artsy explorations through cobblestoned Coyoacán (one-time home to artist Frida Kahlo); and trajinera boat rides down the canals of Xochimilco. There are plenty of things to do after hours too—from late-night lucha libre spectaculars to barhopping in La Roma and after-hours taco tours of the city’s best street food stalls.
Top 15 attractions in Mexico City
Frida Kahlo Museum (Museo Frida Kahlo)
Teotihuacan
Xochimilco
Coyoacán
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe)
National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología)
Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes)
Plaza de la Constitución (Zocalo)
Centro Historico
Chapultepec Castle (Castillo de Chapultepec)
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana)
National Palace (Palacio Nacional)
Museo del Templo Mayor (Templo Mayor Museum)
Anahuacalli Museum (Museo Anahuacalli)
Chapultepec Park (Bosque de Chapultepec)
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When to visit
After the summer rainy season (which usually runs from late-May to September), the drier, warmer days of November are easily the best time to visit Mexico City. Not only does the start of the month see city-wide Day of the Dead festivities, it’s also when the Corona Capital music festival comes to town. Alternatively, spring—with its colorful jacaranda blooms and quiet Easter week—is just as pleasant for on foot exploration.
Getting around
While you can explore most of Mexico City’s central neighborhoods on foot, the metro is the most intuitive way for visitors to explore the sprawling capital. Color-coded and easy-to-access with a rechargeable metro card, navigating the Mexico City Metro shouldn’t require too much of a learning curve. However, it’s worth avoiding the morning and evening rush hours (6am to 9am; 5pm to 9pm), when basically every line is overcrowded and unpleasant—opt for a ride share instead but be prepared to hit traffic.
Traveler tips
Some of the best views over downtown Mexico City, including the Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes), can be had from the Miralto bar on the 41st floor of the Latin American Tower (Torre Latinoamericana). Skip the organized viewings from the 44th floor observation deck and grab a sunset cocktail and window seat in Miralto instead. Prefer coffee? Visit the Don Porfirio café in the Sears building opposite Bellas Artes for (lower but just as striking) vistas.
A local’s pocket guide to Mexico City
Luis spent the first 25 years of his life in his native Mexico City. He now lives in London and loves exploring the world, frequently playing tourist in his own country of origin.
avoid public transport and use Uber instead. It’s safer, pretty cheap and, unless you get stuck in a traffic jam, you’ll get where you need to be much faster.
starts with brunch and people-watching at Saks San Ángel, browsing the Bazaar Sábado, and coffee in Coyoacán. Finish the day with dinner and drinks in Condesa.
the Anthropology Museum in Chapultepec Park, one of Mexico City’s largest green spaces. You can spend days there and still not see everything.
book a market and street food tour. You can tackle this on your own, but it’s difficult to know the best stalls and the last thing you want is “Moctezuma’s revenge” to ruin your trip.
go up the Latin American Tower in the Centro Historico. Once Latin America’s tallest building, it’s withstood multiple earthquakes.
is thinking Mexico City is dangerous for tourists. Like any big city, you need to have your wits about you but Chilangos (Mexico City locals) are happy to help.
People Also Ask
Mexico City is best known for the grand architecture of its historic center (Centro Historico), including the Palacio Bellas Artes and zocalo, as well as its world-class museums, such as the Museo Frida Kahlo and the National Museum of Anthropology, and stunning cuisine, which ranges from street-side to Michelin-starred.
...MoreThe most visited place in Mexico City is Chapultepec Castle, perched on the highest point of the Chapultepec Wood (Bosque de Chapultepec). Housed inside the castle—former home of the Mexican president—is Mexico’s National History Museum, with historic murals and indigenous artifacts dating back hundreds of years.
...MoreThree tourist attractions in Mexico City are Chapultepec Park—home to Chapultepec Castle and the National Museum of Anthropology; the Museo Frida Khalo, located in Casa Azul, the artist’s home with her husband Diego Riviera; and the city’s historic center, home to the Palacio de Bellas Artes and Metropolitan Cathedral.
...MoreIf you only have one day in Mexico City, see the Zocalo in the historic center before strolling around Chapultepec Wood—home to Chapultepec Castle. Then, visit Casa Azul (Museo Frida Kahlo). At night, watch Mexican wrestling (lucha libre) and sample the city’s best tacos and tequila in the Roma neighborhood.
...MoreFour days will give you time to explore Mexico City hot spots such as the historic center, Chapultepec Park, Coyoacán, and Roma, in addition to taking a day trip. Close destinations include the ancient Teotihuacán Pyramids or the charming Pueblos Magico of the state of Puebla.
...MoreYes, Mexico City is safe to explore if you take the usual precautions, such as watching your belongings closely in busy areas like the historic center. The Condesa and Roma neighborhoods are safe, but keep an eye on your map and avoice areas like Doctores and Tepito—especially after dark.
...MoreMexico City information
Number of Attractions | 69 |
|---|---|
Number of Tours | 927 |
Number of Reviews | 35,465 |
Currency | MXN |
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