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Guest Post by Soumya Gayatri
If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Mexico City, you’re in the right place.
With its rich and storied history, Mexico City is home to many iconic landmarks and well-known monuments.
From the magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral in the Historic Center to the famous Frida Kahlo Museum in the quaint neighborhood of Coyoacan, the list of exciting places in Mexico City is endless.
In this ultimate CDMX bucket list, we delve into the ten best places to visit in Mexico City.
10 Best Places to Visit in Mexico City
Centro Historico
One of the top places to visit in Mexico City is its historic center, Centro Historico.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Historic Center of Mexico City was built on the top of the ancient Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, by Spanish conquerors who took over Mexico in the 16th century.
Today, the Historic Center is home to the ruins of the Aztec temple called the Templo Mayor and several beautiful colonial buildings such as the Mexico City National Palace, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Postal Palace.
You’ll also find the largest cathedral in North America here. It is called the Metropolitan Cathedral.
At the center is Mexico City’s main public square, the Zocalo, which is the perfect place for people-watching. Mexico City’s famous Day of the Dead celebrations are also held at the Zocalo.
Best things to do in the Historic Center of Mexico City
- Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral for its churrigueresque-style altars with elaborate ornamentation and decorative detailing.
- Join a guided tour of Mexico City National Palace and see some of Diego Rivera’s best murals. The massive “History of Mexico” mural, depicting Mexico’s ancient, colonial, and modern histories is a highlight.
- Explore the ruins of Tenochtitlan and see what remains of Templo Mayor, the main Aztec temple.
- Head to Palacio Bellas Artes or the Palace of Fine Arts for more murals by the Mexican mural masters, including Diego Rivera. Watch a folkloric ballet for a deep dive into Mexican culture.
- Climb up to the observation deck of Torre Latino Americana for splendid views of the historic center and beyond.
The best way to explore the treasures of the historic center is on a Mexico City walking tour, where a knowledgeable guide gives rich insights into the history of the city and its important landmarks.
Coyoacan
Coyoacan is a quaint Mexico City borough known for its association with the famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
Frida Kahlo was born in Coyoacan and lived and died here. Casa Azul, the blue-colored house of Frida Kahlo, is now a museum where you can find her paintings, personal memorabilia, and photographs.
Frida Kahlo Museum is one of the most popular places to visit in Mexico City. It is so popular that tickets get sold out weeks in advance. Be sure to book your Frida Kahlo tickets well ahead of time.
Other attractions in Coyoacan include the Leon Trotsky Museum, the Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum, and the Rivera and Kahlo Studio House.
The San Juan Bautista Church, with its ornate gilded interior, is not to be missed either.
Be sure to spend some time at the Fountain of Coyotes, from which Coyoacan gets its name.
Travelers often combine Coyoacan with Xochimilco on full-day tours like this one.
A better idea is to combine Coyoacan with the lesser-known neighborhood of San Angel, where you can visit a lively artisan market every Saturday. Called Bazar Sabado, this local market is the best place to shop for Mexican crafts, textiles, handmade ceramics and jewelry, and paintings by local artists.
San Angel is also home to the 17 th -century El Carmen Monastery, which has a museum of religious art and twelve mummies from the 1600s.
Teotihuacan Pyramids
One of the most fascinating places to visit near Mexico City is the Archeological Site of Teotihuacan.
Located just 30 miles north of Mexico City (about an hour's drive), Teotihuacan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to three massive pyramids almost 2,000 years old. They are called the pyramids of the Sun, the Moon, and the Feathered Serpent.
Best things to do at Teotihuacan
- Marvel at the pyramids of the Sun, the Moon, and the Feathered Serpent aligned along a north-south axis called the Avenue of the Dead. The pyramids are no longer open to climbing but you can appreciate their sheer size and history.
- Discover murals painted by the ancient people of Teotihuacan thousands of years ago at the Palace of Butterflies, Tepantitla Architectural Complex, and the Beatriz Fuente Mural Museum.
- Ride a hot air balloon to get the most stunning views of the ancient city from above.
It is easy to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City by public transport. Board a Teotihuacan Autobus from the Norte Terminal in Mexico City and get to Teotihuacan in an hour.
You can also rent a car and drive (beware, Mexico City traffic is notoriously slow!) or book a guided tour with hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Floating Gardens of Xochimilco
Mexico City is full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of the most unique ones is the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco.
Located on the southern borders of Mexico City, the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco are a group of artificial islands created by the Aztecs in the 14th century. They are still used to grow crops, and rear animals like the Aztecs did 700 years ago.
Xochimilco’s Floating Gardens are also a popular tourist attraction today.
Visitors can ride on brightly colored gondolas called trajineras and explore the canals of Xochimilco.
Trajinera tours usually include food, drinks, dance, and music, making Xochimilco a fun day trip from Mexico City.
El Angel Monument
If you’re looking for the most iconic Mexico City attractions, visit the monument of El Angel or the Angel of Independence.
Located in downtown Mexico City, the Angel symbolizes Mexico’s War of Independence and its victory over Spain.
The Angel is a 120-foot-tall column topped by a bright golden statue of Nike. The mortal remains of many Mexican revolutionaries, including those of Father Hidalgo, are buried under the monument.
El Angel stands right in the middle of the busy Paseo de la Reforma and is one of the most photographed attractions in Mexico City.
Roma and Condesa
Roma and Condesa are two of Mexico City’s coolest neighborhoods, with cute restaurants, artsy cafes, and trendy boutiques. Tree-lined streets and old art nouveau buildings further add to the charm.
Over time, both Roma and Condesa have come to house artists from all over the world.
Therefore, you’ll find a lot of original street art as well as modern art galleries in these neighborhoods.
Best things to do in Roma and Condesa:
- Stroll in Parque Mexico, a lush green park full of exotic flora and fauna, ponds and fountains, interesting sculptures, and long winding trails.
- Head to Mercado Roma and sample authentic Mexican cuisine from the local food stalls.
- Visit chic art galleries like Galeria OMR and Arto Otra and shop for artsy Mexican souvenirs. Or join a walking tour to explore the eclectic street art of Roma and Condesa.
- Try vegan tacos at Por Siempre Vegana in Roma Norte, one of the best places for vegan Mexican fare.
Chapultepec Park and Castle
Next up on this list of best places to visit in Mexico City are the iconic Chapultepec Park and Chapultepec Castle.
Often referred to as the lungs of Mexico City, Chapultepec Park is a large urban park in the heart of the city.
Apart from charming walking trails and a beautiful lake, the park has many more attractions, including museums, a zoo, Chapultepec Castle, the Ninos Heroes Monument, and several local restaurants.
The National Museum of Anthropology, one of Mexico City’s most famous museums, is located within Chapultepec Park. It is the best place to learn about the pre-Hispanic civilizations of Mexico, including the Mayans, Aztecs, and Olmecs.
Other notable museums inside Chapultepec Park are the Museum of Modern Art, Rufino Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum, and Papalote Children’s Museum.
On the top of a small hill in Chapultepec Park, you will find the Chapultepec Castle, the only royal castle in the Americas.
The castle is home to the National Museum of History, where you can delve into Mexico’s rich history. You can also tour the lavishly decorated staterooms and check out beautiful stained-glass windows inside the castle.
The castle is also the best place to get panoramic views of Chapultepec Park and the Mexico City skyline.
Chapultepec Park is so huge and full of attractions that you can easily spend an entire day here without running out of things to do.
Polanco
Polanco is one of Mexico City’s most upscale neighborhoods and is home to high-end restaurants, luxury boutiques, expensive hotels, and classy galleries and museums.
Polanco has not one but two Michelin-starred restaurants – Pujol and Quintonil. Whether you choose to eat at one of these or a streetside taco stall, you won’t be disappointed. The food in Polanco is delicious everywhere.
Shop at the posh Antara Fashion Hall or take a walk in Parque Lincoln. Everything in Polanco is classy and dripping with swank.
The highlight, however, is the privately-owned Soumaya Museum, which has one of the largest collections of art in all of North America. From masterpieces of European old masters to modern 20th-century Mexican art pieces, the museum has over 60,000 pieces of art open for public viewing free of charge.
UNAM
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, or UNAM, is not only an educational institution but also a popular place to visit in Mexico City.
The Central University Campus of UNAM is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it presents a rare example of 20th-century modernist architecture.
The University Library is a fascinating building with its entire façade adorned by a stunning mosaic by Juan O’Gorman. The mosaic depicts different stages in the history of Mexico, starting with the pre-Hispanic civilizations, the colonists, and modern Mexican people.
If you’re an art enthusiast, visit the University Museum of Contemporary Art (MUAC), which features some of the most innovative and unconventional art creations.
UNAM is located about 10 miles south of the Historic Center of Mexico City. Therefore, travelers often visit UNAM on a full-day tour with Xochimilco Floating Gardens and Frida Kahlo Museum.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of Latin America’s most visited religious sites.
Located only 30 minutes from the Mexico City center, the Basilica is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is known to house a famous cloak that has the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
The impressive architecture of the Basilica is another draw. The old and the new basilicas stand side by side, representing Mexico’s rich architectural history.
Millions of pilgrims visit the Basilica every year. The crowds are enormous on the 12th of December, the Day of Saint Mary of Guadalupe.
You can easily combine the Basilica with a full-day tour of the Teotihuacan pyramids and the Tlatelolco Archeological Site.
Tips for visiting Mexico City Attractions
- Many Mexico City attractions are closed on Mondays. If you’re in Mexico City on a Monday, indulge in a day trip to Teotihuacan or Xochimilco.
- Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world and is home to over 22 million people. Therefore, traffic can get terrible sometimes. Use the metro and Metrobus to get to your destination on time. Getting a Metro Card is extremely helpful.
- The best time to visit Mexico City is in the spring months of March–May. The weather is cooler and drier than in summer, making it perfect to explore outdoors. Jacarandas are also in full bloom during this time, making the areas around Paseo de la Reforma, Centro Historico, and Chapultepec Park even prettier. October-November is also a good time if you plan to attend Day of the Dead festivities.
- Frida Kahlo Museum is extremely popular among tourists. Therefore, tickets sell out fast. Book your Frida Kahlo tickets at least a week in advance.
If you’re looking for more amazing things to do in Mexico City and nearby, head to the beautiful colonial towns of San Miguel de Allende and Puebla, and immerse yourself in the rich Mexican heritage and culture.
About the Author
Soumya is a history and culture enthusiast who helps her readers plan immersive cultural trips through her travel blog, Stories by Soumya. Her writings about travel and culture have been published in BBC Travel, Architectural Digest, National Herald, and many more. Mexico City is one of her favorite places in the world, and she keeps coming back here for the history, the culture, and the food.
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Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.