This list of places to see in Mexico City, formerly known as Mexico DF, will help you get to know one of the largest and most vibrant cities in the world.
Located more than 2000 metres above sea level and with more than 20 million inhabitants, it has a beautiful historic centre where the Zócalo square is the main meeting point for locals and tourists who come to discover this city where the friendly character of its people, the huge green areas, ruins of ancient civilisations, incredible museums, charming neighbourhoods and squares animated by mariachis, together with one of the best gastronomies in the world, make it a paradise for all those who visit it.
We know that one of the concerns of travellers before travelling to the capital is the issue of safety in Mexico, so we want to comment that our experience in this aspect was incredibly positive, feeling no sense of danger or discomfort at any time during all the days we travelled through Mexico City on our own.
Based on the experience of the days we spent in the city during our 45-day trip to Mexico, we have compiled a list of what we believe to be the 10 must-see places in Mexico City. Let's get started!
1. The Zócalo
The Zócalo or Plaza de la Constitución, is the main square of the city and one of the most essential places to visit in Mexico City. Being one of the largest squares in the world, it is impressive both for its size and for its frenetic activity and social life. With five centuries of history, it is a mixture of the colonial and indigenous past of the country, as well as being the place where all kinds of festivals, concerts, cultural activities and demonstrations are held, as it is the seat of power for the whole country.
Around the square, declared a World Heritage Site, are two of the most beautiful buildings to see in Mexico City, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace.
The baroque-style Cathedral, which took almost 250 years to complete, was built by Hernán Cortés on top of an ancient Aztec temple in 1524 and some of the gems you'll see inside include the Crypt of the Archbishops, the choir, the altarpiece of the Kings and the Royal Chapel.
In the National Palace you can marvel at the great works of one of the most renowned muralists in history, Diego Rivera.
A good way to save money in Mexico City is to book the Mexico City Flexi Attractions Pass which includes several attractions and monuments such as the National Palace, the Cathedral, the Frida Kahlo tour, the tourist bus and the excursion to Teotihuacan, among others.
Visiting hours of the Cathedral: daily from 8am to 8pm.
Visiting hours of the National Palace: Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
The Zocalo2. Templo Mayor
Near one of the corners of the Zócalo are the ruins of the Templo Mayor, the centre of the political and religious life of the ancient Mexican civilisation.
This great temple, located in the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, was buried as a result of the Spanish colonisation in 1521, when a new city was ordered to be built on top of it.
Throughout the 20th century, archaeologists uncovered parts of the ancient temple and it soon became one of the must-see places in Mexico City. During a visit to the ruins you can see seven new phases of construction of the temple that were superimposed on the old ones, including the remains of a double pyramid and other buildings.
Many of the best pieces that have been found in the great temple are kept in the museum located on one of the sides of the complex, which we recommend you not to miss and in which the great jewel is the great stone relief of the lunar goddess Coyolxauhqui, although there are also other treasures such as the effigy of the god of fire, figures of Tláloc or Mictlantecuhtli or the spectacular monument of Tlaltecuhtli.
A good option to get to know the history of the city and not miss anything important is to book this free tour of Mexico City for free!
Visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
Templo Mayor Museum3. Coyoacán neighbourhood
Coyoacán, located in the south of the city, is our favourite bohemian neighbourhood in Mexico City. Throughout time, it has been the place of residence of renowned artists who settled in large colonial houses and nowadays it continues to be a reference point for the cultural and artistic life of Mexico City, with several museums, markets and bookshops.
During our visit to Coyoacán we visited the famous Casa Azul, where Frida Kahlo lived with her husband Diego Rivera, until the day of her death, when 4 years later, the house was transformed into a museum, where a large collection of paintings and personal objects are exhibited, which will help you understand the life of this brilliant artist, who has become a world icon.
Other interesting places in Coyoacán are the San Juan Bautista Parish Church, the Municipal House, the Centennial Garden, the Leon Trotsky House Museum, the Plaza de la Conchita, the Mexican snacks market and the House of Hernán Cortés, places that will show you little by little and in small sips while you stroll through one of the most charming areas of the city.
To get to the more out-of-the-way places to see in Mexico City, such as Coyoacán, we use Uber, which has a very efficient price and service in Mexico's capital.
A good option to make sure you don't miss out on anything in this neighbourhood is to book this guided tour in Spanish, which includes a ride in a traditional trajinera through the canals of the Xochimilco neighbourhood. If you are a Frida Kahlo lover, we recommend you to book this Frida tour through the neighbourhood of Coyoacán with a Spanish speaking guide.
Visiting hours Casa Azul: Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm. Tuesday from 10h to 17:30h. Wednesday from 11h to 17:30h.
Museum of Frida Kahlo in Coyoacán
4. Francisco I. Madero Street
One of the best things to do in Mexico City is to stroll along the emblematic old pedestrian street Francisco I. Madero. Its shops, restaurants and street artists coexist with the great architectural and cultural heritage that this street treasures. Among its most beautiful buildings is the Casa de los Azulejos, a colonial palace with a tile-covered façade and a beautiful interior.
Other outstanding buildings include the Palacio de Iturbide, the Casa Borda, the Templo de la Profesa, the Edificio Guardiola, the Edificio "La Mexicana" and the Torre Latinoamericana, which is worth climbing at 204 metres to enjoy the best views of Mexico City. You can book the entrance to the tower from this page.
Visiting hours of the Torre Latinoamericana: Monday to Sunday from 9am to 11pm.
Calle Francisco I. Madero, one of the places to see in Mexico City5. Bosque de Chapultepec, one of the places to see in Mexico City
Chapultepec Forest is the great green lung of the city and another of the must-see places in Mexico City. In this park, as well as taking pleasant walks along its paths or boat rides on its artificial lake, you will find a great cultural offer in the form of museums, which we recommend you not to miss.
The National Museum of Anthropology is one of the most important museums in the continent, as it has the largest collection of pre-Hispanic art in the world. Among its most important objects are the Stone of the Sun, the tomb of Pakal, the Monolith of Tlaloc and the Teotihuacan sculptures, among many others.
To learn more about the history of the main pieces, it can be very interesting to book this tour in Spanish with a specialised guide.
Another of the most visited museums in the city is the National History Museum located in Chapultepec Castle. Its extensive collection allows you to take a look at the history of the country since the arrival of the Spaniards.
Opening hours of the National Museum of Anthropology: Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 7pm.
Opening hours of the National Museum of History: Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
Entrance to Chapultepec
Our recommended hotel in Mexico City
We stayed at the Hotel Zócalo Central on Avenida 5 de Mayo, with stunning views of the Zócalo. The rooms are spacious and have all the amenities, plus breakfast is included in the price and served every morning on the terrace overlooking the Zócalo and the historic centre, two of Mexico City's must-see sights. Another perfect option is Hotel Stanza. It offers a charming and comfortable experience. Located in the vibrant neighborhood of La Condesa, this boutique hotel captures the essence of Mexico City's cosmopolitan flair. The hotel's central location provides easy access to popular attractions like Chapultepec Park and the trendy shops and restaurants of La Condesa. With its warm hospitality and personalized service, Hotel Stanza creates a welcoming atmosphere for travelers to unwind after exploring the city's cultural landmarks and vibrant streets.
Other well-located hotels with some of the best value for money in the city include Brick Hotel Mexico on brick.mexicohotel24.com, Hotel Principal, Hotel Castropol and Hotel Canada.
6. Palace of Fine Arts and Alameda Central
The Palacio de Bellas Artes, located at one end of the Alameda Central park, is one of the most beautiful buildings to see in Mexico City. This lyrical theatre, which has hosted great opera stars such as María Callas, Luciano Pavarotti and Plácido Domingo, is considered the most important cultural and artistic space in Mexico.
The Palace is a fusion of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles with a Carrara marble façade, a huge bronze dome and beautiful sculptures that adorn its exterior and an interior with 17 murals by seven national artists and the opalescent glass curtain of the Main Hall.
The Alameda Central, located right next to the Palace of Fine Arts, is another of the places to see in Mexico City, considered the oldest public garden in America. This green space located in the historic centre is perfect for a leisurely stroll among trees, fountains and sculptures.
One way to get to know the most important places in the city is to book this tour with a guide in Spanish or this private tour where you can choose the itinerary.
Another famous tour that starts from this square includes two mariachi performances in Garibaldi Square, a visit to a traditional cantina and access to a wrestling show at the Arena Mexico.
Palace opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 11am to 7pm. Sunday from 8:30 am to 7 pm.
Palace of Fine Arts7. Visit the pyramids of Teotihuacán
Teotihuacan, the place where men become gods, is one of the must-see places in Mexico. These ruins, located less than 50 kilometres from Mexico City, were once one of the largest pre-Hispanic cities on the continent.
If you are going to visit them, which for us is a must, it is advisable to arrive early in the morning to enjoy the place without many people, climb the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest pyramids in the world, walk along the Calzada de los Muertos until you reach the Pyramid of the Moon, where you will have spectacular views of the entire archaeological complex.
As we mentioned before, for us visiting Teotihuacan is one of the must-see places in Mexico City and it was one of the best experiences we had during our whole trip to Mexico, exceeding all our expectations.
If you want to do this visit on your own, you can get there by bus in about an hour from Mexico City's Central del Norte station. To get to the bus station, you can take the metro or Uber.
Another more comfortable and interesting option to learn all about the history of this enigmatic place is to book this sunrise bus tour with Spanish guide or book this tour that includes a hot air balloon ride over the impressive Teotihuacan Valley. Both are among the best excursions in Mexico City.
Visiting hours: daily from 9am to 5pm.
Teotihuacan8. Barrio de San Angel
This ancient village from the colonial period became over time one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods to visit in Mexico City, where the constructions of the old Mexican villages are still preserved thanks to the money of many powerful families who chose this area to build their villas and large mansions. Nowadays it is a place to stroll around its beautiful squares and buy some of the best handmade sourvenirs in town, while you discover the charm of this beautiful place.
We recommend a visit on Saturdays, when the Plaza San Jacinto and Plaza del Carmen host street markets selling paintings, ceramics, antiques, regional dolls, among other things.
Another attraction of this neighbourhood are the typical food stalls and restaurants where they serve some of the Mexican specialities such as the delicious quesadillas and aguas frescas. Other interesting places in the neighbourhood are the Licenciados and Arcángeles squares and Diego Rivera's Casa Estudio.
San Angel neighbourhood, one of the places to see in Mexico City.
9. Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe
The Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe is the most visited place dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the world and one of the most emblematic places to visit in Mexico City. This religious complex is made up of several buildings of great historical value in which one of its jewels is the Chapel of the Cerrito, site of the first apparition of the Virgin Mary, which has several frescoes that recall it.
The Cemetery of Tepeyac, considered the oldest in Mexico, the New Basilica of Guadalupe, the Temple and old Convent of the Capuchinas, the Chapel of Pocito, together with the Old Basilica of Guadalupe complete the wonders of this precinct.
To learn more about the history of this interesting church, we recommend you book this free tour.
You can get there by metro from the historic centre by taking line 6 and getting off at La Villa-Basílica station. By Uber it will take you about half an hour depending on traffic.
A good option is to book this Spanish-guided tour that combines the basilica with the archaeological sites of Tlatelolco and Teotihuacán.
Visiting hours: daily from 10am to 5pm. Some of the buildings open at 7am and others close later.
Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe10. Xochimilco
Xochimilco, which means "land of flowers", is one of the most picturesque delegations to see in Mexico City. Located about 20 kilometres from the centre, this area still preserves the chinampas, artificial islands built in the shallows of Lake Xochimilco and cultivated in the ancestral style.
The best way to see the crops, which have been declared a World Cultural Heritage Site, is to ride along the different canals in a trajinera, a traditional wooden boat painted in different colours and decorated with flowers.
Another of the best things to do in this area is to visit the Dolores Olmedo Museum, which has an extensive collection of works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
The best time to go to Xochimilco is on weekends, when the locals set up their parties and ride the trajineras, while the mariachis liven up the party with their rancheras, making it one of the must-see places to visit in Mexico City.
To get there from the centre you can take metro line 2 to Taxqueña, and then continue on the light rail to Xochimilco.
Xochimilco
