15 Wonderful Things To Do in Mexico City
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I absolutely love Mexico City. From the food, culture, architecture and the people, it is hard to pinpoint what makes Mexico City so fascinating. I never feel quite cool enough to be there but somehow I always feel cooler for having being there. You need to get there to get it.
In this post, I share 15 wonderful things to do for those visiting Mexico City for the first time.
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<3 Dominique
1) Visit the Anthropology Museum
Museo Nacional de Antropología or the National Museum of Anthropology is famous for its world-class collection of ancient Mesoamerican art and artifacts. Here you will see the famous Aztec Sun Stone, Olmec stone heads, and treasures from ancient cities like Chichén Itzá and Teotihuacán. This is the most visited museum in Mexico, attracting over two million visitors a year. It is one of the largest museums on the continent!
I am listing a visit to the Museum of Anthropology as the TOP thing to do in Mexico City as it will give historical context to not only the other attractions on this list but also the top attractions in the country.
Related read: 5 Essential Tips for Visiting Chichén Itzá
Tips for your visit to the National Anthropology Museum
The National Anthropology Museum is MASSIVE. There is a lot of ground to cover. For this reason, I would suggest the following:
- Allocate about half a day for your visit. Even if you aren’t super invested in learning about EVERY Mesoamerican culture, I would still budget a few hours for your museum visit. The building in itself is huge and architecturally interesting that you may lose some time exploring it.
- Visit the museum independently. I am typically a fan of hiring a knowledgeable guide to make the most of my time at a place. The museum is easy enough to navigate independently. By exploring independently, you can go at your pace. You never know, you might get completely absorbed by an exhibit.
- Stay hydrated. I cannot emphasize enough how massive this museum is. By the time I realized how thirsty I was, I was quite far away from the cafe.
- Do not visit on a Monday. The National Anthropology Museum and most Mexico City museums and public buildings are closed to the public on Mondays. I learned this the hard way on my first visit to Mexico City.
2) Discover Chapultepec Park and Chapultepec Castle
A visit to Castillo de Chapultepec makes it to the second spot on my top things to do Mexico City because of its proximity to the National Anthropology Museum. Personally, this is one of my favourite places in Mexico City.
Chapultepec Castle is one of only two royal residences found in the Americas. Its most famous residents appear to be Emperor Maximillian and Empress Carlota during their reign of the Second Mexican Empire (judging by the exhibits within the castle). After the fall of the Second Mexican Empire, the castle was home to Mexican presidents.
Today, the castle houses the National Museum of History which provides a detailed look at Mexican history through artifacts and murals. Chapultepec Castle also offers one of the best panoramic views of Mexico City.
Tips for your visit to Chapultepec Castle and Chapultepec Forest
You can apply my tips for visiting the Anthropology Museum to your visit to Chapultepec Castle as well. The castle in itself is pretty big. It is located within Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Forest). Chapultepec Forest is the second largest city park in Latin America. It is considered to be the most important of Mexico City’s “lungs”.
- Allocate at least half a day for your visit. Depending on how much you want to see of each, visiting both the Anthropology Museum and Chapultepec Castle in one day is doable. However, you will definitely see less of one. But if you also want to spend time within Bosque de Chapultepec, I would suggest visiting the Anthropology Museum on a different day.
- Visit the museum independently. The museum and park are easy to navigate independently. I therefore suggest foregoing a guide so you can take your time.
- Stay hydrated. I actually got so thirsty on the uphill walk through Chapultepec Park to get to the castle. I recommend hydrating before going in to the castle as food and drinks are not permitted inside. There are plenty of vendors at the park on the way to the castle entrance.
- Do not visit on a Monday. Chapultepec Castle and Chapultepec Forest close to the public on Mondays.
3) Explore the Zócalo
The Zócalo is the main square of Mexico City. It is the cultural and historical heart of the city. Since the time of the Aztecs, the Zócalo has been the site of major civic, military, and religious events throughout Mexican history. The Zócalo literally is where the city was founded and any list on the top things to do in Mexico City without it would be incomplete. After all, the Mexico City’s main square is probably the first image most people think of when mentioning the Mexican capital.
The Zócalo together with Chapultepec Castle are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For those interested in history, architecture or just observing local life, the Zócalo is a must-see. It offers a clear window into Mexico City’s past, present, and near future.
Key buildings/sites to see near the Zócalo
The Zócalo (formal name Plaza de la Constitución) is within the Centro Histórico neighbourhood of Mexico City. You can find many iconic Mexico City buildings/sites in Centro Histórico. In this section, I list notable buildings for your exploration of the Zócalo.
Templo Mayor
This is the archaeological site of the most important temple of Tenochtitlan, the great Aztec capital that was destroyed by the conquistadors. There is an on-site museum that houses thousands of artifacts found at the Zócalo.
If you’re familiar with the Mexican flag, then you know that the eagle perching on cactus with a snake tells the origin story of Tenochtitlan and Mexico itself. Templo Mayor is thought to be the exact spot where the Aztecs saw THE eagle. Templo Mayor is quite literally the center of the universe for the Aztecs.
Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de Mexico
This church is one of Mexico City’s most iconic buildings. The conquistadors began building this imposing structure on top of Templo Mayor in 1573. To really rub salt to the wound, the conquistadors used the stones off of Templo Mayor to build their church. Work on the church would continue throughout the entire colonial period, which explains why the church displays an eclectic mix of architectural styles. Each successive builder applied the innovative styles of their time.
Palacio Nacional (National Palace)
This building houses the offices of the president of Mexico and the Federal Treasury. Aztec emperor Moctezuma II built the first palace on this spot in the early 16th century. The conquistador Hernán Cortés destroyed the palace in 1521 and built his own on the site. The Spanish crown would later buy the palace from the Cortés family and it became the residence of whoever is in power. You can find an impressive mural by Diego Rivera within Palacio Nacional.
Since 2022, officials have considerably limited public access to Palacio Nacional. Tours are still possible though. Limited English and Spanish tours are available throughout the day. Tickets can be obtained in the museum across the street (Museo de la Secretaría de Hacienda). Adults will need to leave an ID. Alternatively, skip to #4 on this post for info on a more comprehensive murals tour that includes Palacio Nacional.
Travel tip: the Zócalo is so rich in historical and cultural context that I HIGHLY recommend joining a tour to appreciate even a small part of it. Check out this tour that will pass by many of the sites I mentioned here or alternatively this tour which combines a historic tour with a food tour of Centro Historico.
4) Go on a murals tour
In my travels through Mexico, I noticed that large scale murals are prevalent in public spaces. My curiosity led me to learn about Mexican muralism.
Muralism is an art movement that originated from Mexico in the 1920s after the Mexican Revolution. It is characterized by large-scale, narrative murals. In the 1920s, the goal with muralism was to promote a unified, national identity by using public art to educate a largely illiterate population about Mexican history, pre-colonial culture, and what the future can be (through revolutionary ideals). The art movement was popularized by the “Big Three”: Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
I went on a murals tour with a local historian and highly enjoyed it. The murals tour gave me a better understanding of the murals and led me to some amazing public buildings in Mexico City. For these reasons, I am ranking a murals tour as one of the top things to do in Mexico City.
Travel tip: check out this murals tour which will take care of your entrance to some of Mexico City’s iconic buildings.
5) Cheer for your favourite luchador at Lucha Libre
Lucha Libre is Mexico’s version of professional wrestling. Besides futbol, it is one of the country’s biggest spectator activities. Lucha Libre has been a staple in Mexican culture for over a century, so why not catch a show while you’re in Mexico City? It’s campy. It’s quirky. You will learn some very COLOURFUL Spanish. It’s all in great fun.
How to catch a Lucha Libre show in Mexico City: it is possible to show up at Arena México (aka the Cathedral of Lucha Libre; where Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday shows are held) or Arena Coliseo (oldest arena in Mexico City for Saturday shows) and buy tickets right at the booth. Alternatively, you can buy your tickets in advance on Ticketmaster.
My recommendation: check out this tour which begins at a taqueria where you will be briefed on all things Lucha Libre before heading into the arena.
6) Catch a futbol game
I love watching live sports. Specifically, I love watching a live match of the locals’ favourite sport. Mexicans LOVE futbol. To witness the Mexican passion for soccer, head over to an iconic stadium like Estadio Azteca. Estadio Azteca has hosted two FIFA World Cup finals and was where the infamous “hand of god” incident took place.
I would love to do this tour where you tailgate with al pastor tacos before heading into Estadio Azteca for a futbol game.
7) Eat your way through one of Mexico City’s trendiest neighbourhoods
Mexico City is one of those cities where each neighbourhood has its own personality that adds to the overall vibrant culture of the place. I highly recommend spending a day to explore a Mexico City barrio to get a feel for the soul of the neighbourhood. For a more in depth look at seven of my favourite Mexico City neighbourhoods, check out my post: Travel Guide to Mexico City: 7 Trendy Neighbourhoods to Explore.
I am a huge fan of food tours led by locals. Not only do they help me get my bearings on the place but also I feel like you get an insider’s perspective on the best places for food and drinks. There is excitement in independently finding your favourite local haunts but if you’re short on time, consider joining a food tour!
Below, I have consolidated some of the best rated food tours per neighbourhood in Mexico City:
8) Enjoy the architecture
One of the many things I love about Mexico City is its eclectic mix of architecture. Aztec, Spanish colonial, Beaux-Arts, Art Deco, Brutalist, and more you can find it all in Mexico City. The architectural styles in the city reflect the influence of various cultures, regions, and periods that have shaped not just the city but the country’s history and identity.
While I have covered quite a few iconic Mexico City buildings in the previous section of this post, below are some more of my favourite Mexico City architectural gems.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
This is Mexico City’s iconic cultural center. It hosts performing arts events, literature events, and exhibitions (including important permanent Mexican murals). The exterior of Bellas Artes is primarily Art Nouveau and Neoclassical and the interior is primarily Art Deco. If you’re into architecture, you can admire the building from outside (it located close to Centro Histórico and right by a metro station). I was able to go inside during the murals tour that I joined.
Biblioteca Vasconcelos
This is a public library located in the Buenavista neighbourhood. It was built in 2006. I’m rarely impressed by modern architectural styles but the Vasconcelos Library is just awe-inspiring.
The architects of the library chose a barren, urban space in Mexico City for this project. The project integrated the public library with a botanical garden. The vision was to build a 250 meter steel, concrete and glass structure surrounded by greenery and water. The Botanical Garden houses a comprehensive array of Mexican endemic flora. The reading areas within the library benefit from natural lighting and ventilation, offering library-goers the opportunity to interact with nature and the garden.
Casa de los Azulejos
The House of Tile, also known as Palacio de los Condes del Valle de Orizaba (Palace of the Counts of the Valley of Orizaba), is an 18th-century Baroque palace located in Centro Histórico. Blue and white Talavera tiles cover three sides of the building. The palace was built by the family of the Counts of Valley Orizaba and was privately owned until near the end of the 19th century. Today, it operates as a Sanborns restaurant and belongs to the richest man in Mexico.
Torre Latinoamericana
This is another iconic Mexico City building that is a dominant focal in Centro Histórico. Torre Latinoamerica was the tallest building in Latin America when it was built in 1956. It has (through engineering feat) survived the devastating earthquakes of 1985 and 2017. Smog permitting, Torre Latinoamerica offers panoramic views of Mexico City from its 44th floor observation deck and via the lounge at its 41st floor.
9) Admire the Palacio de Correos de México
Also known as Palacio Postal or, in English, Postal Palace of Mexico City. This is the main post office of Mexico City located in Centro Histórico. The architectural style of this building has been described as a mix of Art Nouveau, Moorish, Venetian Gothic Revival, Baroque, Neoclassical, Spanish Renaissance Revival, etc. To me, it is just so wonderfully Mexico City. Palacio Postal was the inspiration for Grand Central Station in the movie Coco.
The main floor of Palacio Postal still functions as a postal office. For a fee, you can get a ticket to the Postal Museum located on the first floor of the building. I easily lost two hours exploring the building and taking in the museum.
10) Get lost in MUNAL
MUNAL is what the locals call the National Museum of Art. MUNAL occupies a neoclassical building in Centro Histórico. The government originally built the structure as the Palace of Communications in the early 20th century to demonstrate Mexico’s commitment to modernization. MUNAL houses impressive collection of Mexican art, particularly from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can take in the architecture while also enjoying the art museum.
If modern art is more to your liking, then head over to Museo Soumaya or Museo Jumex over in the trendy Polanco neighbourhood.
11) Discover Coyoacán
South of the Mexico City core is the charming borough of Coyoacán. Once upon a time, Coyoacán was its own village and served as the Spanish headquarters during the Conquest of Tenochtitlan. It served as the capital of New Spain for two years until Cortes recognized the strategic importance of Mexico City and moved the capital there. Today, Coyoacán is a borough of Mexico City. The urban sprawl of CDMX swallowed Coyoacán to its south around 1857 but up until then it was a village where the upper class of New Spain society lived.
The sprawl changed farms, ancient lake beds, and forests into developed areas. They have preserved the architecture and layout of former villages built between the 16th and 20th centuries, giving the borough its distinct character. Because of its charm, Coyoacán is a popular destination for locals to visit on weekends.
How to get there
- You can take the Metro; the closest station is Coyoacan on the green-ish line (Line 3).
- For convenience, you can take an Uber.
- Consider booking a small group tour that would take you to Coyoacán, Ciudad Universitaria, and Xochimilco (see list #13 and 14). Tour operators would pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. I enjoyed having a Guide to give me context on this fascinating borough.
12) Tour Ciudad Universitaria
Ciudad Universitaria (University City) is the main campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). It is located in the Coyoacán borough. Built in the 1950s, the completion of Ciudad Universitaria was the largest construction project in Mexico since the time of the Aztecs. It received its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 2007.
Ciudad Universitaria is recognized as an ingenious example of urban architectural design. The complex consists of the 1968 Olympic Stadium, the Central Library, 40 faculties of UNAM, an ecological reserve, the Cultural Centre and a few museums. Ciudad Universitaria has plenty of beautiful, open space that is a popular destination for local families to explore its footpaths and gardens on Sundays.
How to get there
- You can take the Metro; the closest station is Universidad on the green-ish line (Line 3).
- For convenience, you can take an Uber.
- As previously suggested, you can book a small group tour that would take you to Coyoacán, Ciudad Universitaria, and Xochimilco to avoid the hassle of planning your route to all three destinations.
13) Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Outside of Vatican City, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the most visited Catholic site in the world. It is located on the northeast portion of Mexico City. You don’t necessarily need to be a Catholic to enjoy the site. The complex has some interesting architecture and, in my opinion, the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is interesting from a historical perspective. Our Lady of Guadalupe has a played a huge role in shaping Mexican history.
The story of Juan Diego (aka Cuauhthlatoatzin) and his mantle
An Aztec peasant named Juan Diego had four separate apparitions of the Virgin Mary. These events supposedly took place in December 1531 on Tepeyac Hill. The Virgin Mary had told Juan Diego to ask the bishop of Mexico City to erect a chapel for her so that she may relieve the stress of those is need.
Juan Diego followed the apparition’s instructions but was turned down. When the Virgin Mary followed up, Juan Diego explained that his mission failed and that perhaps she should ask a non-indigenous person to carry on with the task. The Virgin Mary insisted that Juan Diego had to do it. When Juan Diego asked the bishop a second time, the bishop asked for proof that the request really did come from the heavens.
Juan Diego relayed this message to the Virgin Mary. She told him to climb up Tepeyac Hill to gather flowers in his cape (aka mantle). He did as he was told and was surprised to find an abundance of flowers at the top of the hill. These flowers were not in season and had grown in an area where only cacti and shrubs normally grow. The Virgin Mary told Juan Diego to take the flowers to the bishop. Later, when Juan Diego opened his cape in the presence of the bishop, the flowers rolled out of the cape and revealed an imprint of the Virgin on the cape. The bishop venerated the image on the spot as “Our Lady of Guadalupe”.
Today, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands very close to the location of the apparitions. Juan Diego’s cape is displayed over the altar. There are multiple churches, chapels, and a convent on the site. Many day trips pair a visit to the basilica with tours to Teotihuacán because it is possible to pass by the basilica on the way back to downtown Mexico City.
How to get there
- You can take the Metro; the closest station is the La Villa – Basilica on the red line (Line 6).
- For convenience, you can take an Uber.
- As previously suggested, you can book a small group tour that would take you to Teotihuacán AND Our Lady of Guadalupe.
14) Spend an afternoon in Xochimilco
Xochimilco is a Mexico City neighbourhood. It is internationally famous for its system of canals and the trajineras (colourful, flat-bottomed boats) that float on them among chinampas (artificial floating gardens). The canals in Xochimilco measure up to about 170 km². These canals are the only reminder of the traditional, pre-Hispanic use of the lagoons on the Mexico City basin. This fact helped grant Xochimilco its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1987.
Renting a trajinera on Xochimilco is a special treat for locals. Expect the canals to be PACKED on Sunday. Trajineras can be rented by the hour with a recommended minimum of two hours to enjoy the canals. The quoted price per hour refers to the boat; so the more friends you invite to rent a trajinera with you, the more economical.
How to get there
- I highly recommend doing a small group tour for Xochimilco. You wouldn’t have to worry about how to get there or haggling for a good price on a trajinera. If you don’t want to spend an entire day at the canals, you can even book a tour that bundles Xochimilco with Coyoacán and Ciudad Universitaria.
- Via Metro, you can take the blue line (Line 2) to Tasqueña station and then the Light Rail (Tren Ligero) all the way to Terminal Xochimilco. The con to this option is having to haggle with tour operators at the canals on trajinera rental prices.
- As always, there’s always Uber for convenience but again, you’ll have to haggle for trajinera rental prices.
15) Go on a day trip
While there is plenty of wonderful things to do in Mexico City, it also serves as the perfect base for day trips. Why not explore beyond the capital’s boundaries and get deeper into the heart of Mexico?
Below are some of the best day trips from Mexico City:
- Teotihuacán
- Toluca
- Tula
- Cuernavaca
- Taxco
- Puebla
- Cholula
- Queretaro
- San Miguel de Allende
- Tolantongo
Related read: 10 Awesome Mexico City Day Trips
Where to Stay in Mexico City
For budget travellers, I recommend the following hotels:
- Hotel Catedral in Centro Histórico.
- Hotel Benedicta in Zona Rosa (I have stayed here and I have no complaints).
- Roma Conesa Hotel Boutique or Hotel Marbella in Roma Norte.
- Casa Melgar or ZAMORA By Mr. W near Chapultepec Castle.
If you are working with a mid-ranged budget, I recommend the following hotels:
- Historico Central Hotel in Centro Histórico.
- Hotel Geneve in Zona Rosa (I have stayed here and, as a history nerd, absolutely loved it!)
- Stanza Hotel in Roma Norte.
- The Green Park Hotel Boutique or Grans Chapultepec Residencial near Chapultepec Castle.
For those looking for a luxury stay, I recommend the following hotels:
- Gran Hotel (Ciudad de Mexico) in Centro Histórico.
- Sofitel Mexico City Reforma in Zona Rosa.
- Maison Celeste or ONTO Alvaro Obregon Mexico City in Roma Norte.
- Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City or Hotel Dama near Chapultepec Castle.
Posts About Mexico
What was your favourite thing to do in Mexico City? Did you have any questions for your upcoming visit? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!
