Visiting Mexico City: what are the best things to see and do in Mexico’s capital? Discover the must-sees in a city that’s sure to make you fall in love!
Mexico City, an atypical city brimming with folklore, invites visitors to lose themselves in its colorful streets full of surprises. A must-see destination in Central America, Mexico’s capital is one of the world’s largest cities, home to impressive sites and a formidable artistic and culinary scene. You’ll find museums, archaeological sites, historical monuments and bustling markets, enough to satisfy everyone.
Ready to visit Mexico City? Here are the top 13 things to do in this colorful city.
1. Plaza de la Constitución or Zócalo
Photo credit: Flickr – Eutopia Mexicor
Considered one of the largest squares in the world, the Plaza de la Constitución is located in Mexico City’s historic center. Bordered by the Palacio Nacional, Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral and tall colonnaded buildings, it proudly flies a huge Mexican flag. The Zócalo is the venue for a variety of events, festivals and demonstrations. You’ll also come across street vendors selling small objects bearing the effigy of Frida Kahlo. An excellent place to start your exploration of the city.
2. Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral
Photo credit: Flickr – Alejandro Juarez
Located on the north side of the Zócalo, this immense cathedral was built over a period of 250 years and has been a World Heritage Site since 1987. With its mix of architectural styles, it’s a real eye-catcher. If you’re taken aback by its sloping appearance, don’t panic! Like many buildings in Mexico City’s historic center, built on marshy ground, it slowly sinks into the ground. A plumb line in the nave even indicates the building’s inclination. An engineering project was undertaken in the 1990s to save the building and ensure that it sinks evenly.
3. The Templo Mayor
Photo Credit: Flickr – Riccardo Maria Mantero
Buried for centuries, this extraordinary site came to light in 1978 during the construction of the new city of Mexico. Workmen first made an extraordinary discovery: an enormous stone disc (3.25 metres in diameter) on which a carved bas-relief depicted Coyolxauhqui – the Aztec moon goddess – dismembered. Subsequent large-scale archaeological excavations unearthed over 7,000 artifacts and part of the enormous Templo Mayor, an important religious structure from the time of Tenochtitlan. Opt for a walking tour of this vestige that has stood the test of time.
4. Palacio Nacional
Also on the Zócalo, the Palacio Nacional is the seat of Mexico’s federal executive power. It houses the Federal Treasury and the National Archives. Inside, you can admire several murals by the famous painter Diego Rivera illustrating thousands of years of Mexican history.
5. The Palacio de Bellas Artes
Photo Credit: Flickr – Rajesh Pamnani
This grandiose theater, originally planned to commemorate the centenary of Mexico’s independence in 1910, was not completed until 1934. A venue for opera, dance and theater, the Palais des Beaux-Arts is above all a neoclassical and art nouveau masterpiece featuring splendid murals. Discover the Palace’s art deco interior, frequently hosting small exhibitions. For a magnificent view of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, enjoy a coffee in the Sears department store across the street.
6. The floating gardens of Xochimilco
Looking for a haven of peace away from the hustle and bustle of a bustling city? Don’t hesitate to visit the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Climb aboard one of the colorful boats(trajineras) and let yourself be guided through the canals, where music, gastronomy and gaiety are the order of the day. An ideal place to spend the morning and have a picnic.
7. Teotihuacan
48 kilometers northeast of Mexico City lies the city of Teotihuacan (« place where the gods were created »), a large complex of pre-Columbian pyramids. This is undoubtedly the must-see stop in Mexico City. The « City of the Gods », an enormous city occupied from 200 BC to 800 AD, had a population of 200,000 at its peak. Its influence was such that it was felt throughout Mesoamerica. Admire the Templo de Quetzalcóatl, walk along the Avenue of the Dead and climb the famous Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Want to get even higher? Take a hot-air balloon ride over Teotihuacan.
8. National Museum of Anthropology
Photo Credit: Flickr – Kefith
Located in the Chapultepec woods, the Museo Nacional de Antropología is one of the jewels of Mexican history. Divided into twenty-three thematic rooms, it contains the most impressive collection of Mesoamerican artefacts in the world. If you choose to visit this fantastic museum, you’ll find the archaeological section on the first floor, where twelve rooms chronologically trace the settlement of the region up to the advent of the Aztecs. Upstairs, you’ll find a number of ethnological exhibits.
9. The Frida Kahlo Museum (Museo Frida Kahlo)
Photo Credit: Flickr – Aldar Adame
Casa Azul, or the Frida-Kahlo Museum, nestled in the heart of Coyoacan, was the family home of the famous artist and wife of painter Diego Rivera, where she lived with him for the last 14 years of her life. Their home, decorated in Mexican style, gives you a glimpse into the private lives of these eccentric artists. Take advantage of your stay in Coyoacan to visit the historic center of this suburb of Mexico City, which has retained a village atmosphere.
10. Gastronomy
Mexico City still has plenty of surprises in store for you. Among them, a gastronomic extravaganza – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – that delights the palate. Visit the puestos – street vendors – and sample the street food with a taco, burrito, chorizo or quesadilla.
For more substantial dishes, head for the fondas. These traditional, affordable, family-style restaurants serve full menus, including the comida corrida, which consists of a soup, a main course of rice and red beans, and a dessert.
11. Mexico City’s markets
Photo Credit: Flickr – Lucy Nieto
Once you’ve satisfied your appetite, visit Mexico City’s famous mercados. Take a look at Sonora, a daily market famous for its ceramics of all kinds. You’ll also find medicinal plants, shamans and healers. The Ciudadela market, also a daily affair, is renowned for its colorful local crafts. A little less crowded, the Market of Mexican Crafts and Curiosities is a must-see in Mexico City. Here you can find textiles, furniture, silver crafts and other oddities.
12. La Lucha Libre
Photo Credit: Flickr – Phil King
For total immersion, if there’s one thing to do in Mexico City, it’s to attend a Lucha libre fight. A Mexican wrestling style akin to wrestling, Lucha libre is practiced in arenas vibrating with fervor. More than just a sport, Lucha Libre is a spectacle in which the protagonists fight masked and dressed in extravagant outfits that feature rhinestones and sequins.
13. Six Flags Park
Photo Credit: Flickr – Victor Pineda
Looking for an adrenalin rush? Head for one of Latin America’s biggest theme parks: Six Flags. Perfect for a day out with the family, you’ll discover an area divided into several universes: Mexican, Polynesian, French, the DC Comics universe and much more.
How do I get to Mexico City?
If you’re flying from France, allow an average of 11h57 for the flight from Paris to Mexico City.
Our Skyscanner flight comparator will help you find the best rates according to your availability.
Once you’ve arrived at Mexico City airport, you have several options for getting to the city center:
- By metro
Located 200 meters from the airport’s Terminal 1, the » Terminal Area » metro station offers fast, inexpensive access to the city center. However, the metro is not the most convenient option for travelers with luggage.
- By metrobús
More practical than the metro, the metrobús has luggage lockers. Line 4 stops at Puerta 7 in Terminal 1 and Puerta 3 in Terminal 2.
- By cab
Based on a fixed-fare ticket system, licensed cabs are a safe choice. Each ticket is valid for a maximum of four passengers. Tickets are available from the ticket offices located in sala E1 and near the sala A exit. The journey to the city center takes around 45 minutes.
Where to stay in Mexico City?
Mexico City covers an area of 1,485 km², with no fewer than 400 neighborhoods spread over this gigantic surface. This means that choosing where to stay is essential. Apartments, homestays, youth hostels or hotels, there’s a wide range of options to choose from. And when it comes to price, there’s something to suit every budget.
But which barrio is right for you? Lovers of history and cultural tourism may prefer the Old Mexico district ( » el centro historico« ), where many historic buildings are concentrated. If you prefer livelier districts, the Roma/Juárez/Condesa trifecta is for you. Adjacent to the historic center, they will delight you with their bars, restaurants, nightclubs and relatively young, trendy population. Feeling like an artist? Choose Coyoacan, a bohemian neighborhood where you can take refuge in the calm of a park or admire the splendid colorful houses. Make your search easier with this hotel comparator, and don’t forget to take a look at our article « Where to stay in Mexico City » to find what you’re looking for!
Map of hotels and accommodations – Mexico,mx