Mexico City is the 5th largest city in the world….it’s massive! It would take months to do and see everything considering there is ALWAYS a new festival, popup, or event happening around the city. It’s one of the largest hubs in Latin America, so it’s likely you’ll fly through here on your way south. Mexico City is definitely worth a trip and at the very least, extending your trip for a quick visit.
While it’s a bustling vibrant city full of culture, history, and delicious food, it also has some very quaint neighborhoods to explore (Polanco, Roma Notre, La Condesa. With so many amazing things to do in Mexico City, these are my 9 must-see things!
Castillo de Chapultepec National Museum of History
Inside the Chapultepec Forest sits Mexico City’s very own castle, Castillo de Chapultepec. From the 1500s to 1700s, it was used as a vacation home for the Spaniards but then was abandoned after the damage of a nearby powder keg explosion. It wasn’t until the mid-1800s when President Benito Juárez moved all of his government officials into the castle and was given life again. All Mexican presidents used Castillo de Chapultepec as their residency and often times army training took place here. It wasn’t until after the Mexican Revolution when president Lázaro Cárdenas del Río took up residency elsewhere because Castillo de Chapultepec “was too ostentatious for the President of a country undergoing reconstruction to live there, after years of confrontations generated by the revolutionary movement.”. Four years later, in 1944, the building was turned into the headquarters for the National Museum of History.
Now, the castle holds great significance to the country as a site for national identity and cultural heritage. The baroque architecture and beautifully manicured grounds alone are enough to warrant a visit. But inside you’ll find over 30 exhibition halls filled with historical objects, documents, and preserved living quarters where you can take a peek inside.
Address: First Section of Bosque de Chapultepec S/N, San Miguel Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11580
Hours: 10 am-3 pm, they only let a limited amount in per day so arrive early
Admission: 80 pesos / $4 usd
El Zocalo
The main square in Mexico City, Plaza de la Constitución is informally known as Zocalo, is the heart of Mexico City. It’s THE LARGEST plaza in Latin America holding over 100,000 people. Prior to the Spanish invasion, it was the Aztec’s ritual and ceremonial site. Today it continues by hosting everything from sports and military parades, presidential inaugurations, protests and rallies, and concerts.
Surrounding the Zocalo are some of Mexico City’s most important and stunning buildings. They include Templo Mayor, Palacio Nacional, and Palacio Postal. I spent about half a day wandering around but there were barricades being put up in preparation of the Women’s Day March, so I was unable to go into a lot of the buildings or even see the outsides. I can’t wait to get back to take more photos and explore inside!
Teotihuacan Pyramids
I’d briefly heard of the Teotihuacan pyramids before coming to Mexico City but I hadn’t planned on going. That was until I arrived and every person I encountered asked if I’d been. It was clearly a MUST DO while visiting CDMX! I quickly jumped online and booked a group tour with Get Your Guide. The tour starts around 7 am and returns around 4 pm and includes transportation, lunch, entrance fee, and a guide around the pyramids. A guide is much needed as there are no plaques or signs giving reference to what you’re looking at.
Teotihuacan is known today as the site of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas. Between 1 AD to 500 AD it was the 6th largest city in the world with a population estimated at over 125,000. The
Book your Guided Tour of Teotihuacan Pyramids here.
Casa de los Azulejos
Casa de Los Azulejos also known as The House of Tiles is one of the most beautiful buildings of its time. With stunning blue (Azul) tiles covering the entire outside, it’s quite hard to miss as you’re walking down the pedestrian street in Centro.
It used to be home to the Counts of Orizaba, now it’s home to shops and a second-floor restaurant. Make your way up to the second floor and out onto the terrace (you don’t need to dine here to visit), for live music and stunning views of the city.
Address: Av Francisco I. Madero 4, Historical Center of the City. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06500
Museo Nacional de Anthropology
Museo Nacional de Anthropology is also located in the Chapultepec Forest. It’s one of the biggest and most visited museums in Mexico, so give yourself at least half a day to go through the entire museum. There are artifacts from Mexico’s pre-Columbian era including the famous Aztec Calendar Stone (Piedra del Sol) which goes through life and traditions in all the regions of Mexico starting in 100 B.C.
Address: Av. Paseo de la Reforma s/n, Polanco, Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560
Hours: 10am-5pm
Admission: 80 pesos
Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe
The Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe is a 20-minute drive outside of the city center but it’s worth a visit if you have time. It’s the most visited Virgin Mary and Marian Shrine in the world. I visited on a Sunday, so was unable to go inside the church as there was a full mass. But it was quite an experience to view and see hundreds of people attending. The museums were open and showcase thousands of cultural items including sculptures, paintings, and jewelry. Walking around the grounds is lovely with all the lush greenery and you can grab a snack from the many vendors around because it can get quite hot.
Address: Fray Juan de Zumárraga No. 2, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, Gustavo A. Madero, 07050
Hours: 9am-6:30pm
Museo Soumaya
The Soumaya Museum was one of my favorite museums in Mexico City. It has pieces from Mexican and European artists spanning 3 centuries. The architecture is not only stunning from the outside but throughout the 6 floors of exhibits, it’s organized in a clean minimalist way.
Address: Blvd. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, 11529
Hours: 10:30-6:30pm
Admission: Free
Monumento a la Revolucion
The world’s largest arch, Monumento a la Revolucion is one of Mexico City’s main landmarks. Visitors admire it, especially in the spring when it’s surrounded by beautiful purple Jacarandas, but many don’t realize there is a lot going on inside and underneath. Most of Mexico’s famous revolutionary figures are buried in tombs underneath the four pillars.
Today, there is an exhibition and museum on the main level that covers over a century of Mexican history. Take a ride on the elevator through the center to the observation deck for incredible 360 views of the city.
Address: Pl. de la República S/N, Tabacalera, Cuauhtémoc, 06030
Admission: $80mxn
Hours: 12pm-8pm
Eat all the Street Food in Mexico City
It’s unlikely that you’ll walk a block without encountering a food vendor. But it’s not just tacos and the popular Mexican street corn (elote). You’ll also find fresh-squeezed juice, tortas, tamales, camotes (sweet potatoes) with jam, chicharrones (crispy fried pork skins), and lots more little snacks like popsicles, gummy worms covered in hot sauce, and my all-time favorite mango with chile and lime.
Places to Eat in Mexico City
Entremar
Entremar is a cute little restaurant in the Polanco neighborhood of Mexico City. There’s outdoor street seating covered by a cute veranda, indoor seating, and upstairs seating that is open-air and overlooks the street and a dog park. Entremar is a sister restaurant to the famous Contremar restaurant. Contremar is often always booked out for brunch, so head over to Entremar for an easy and low-key brunch experience. The menu consists of seasonal seafood, raw items, and fresh ingredients.
Address: Hegel 307 BYC, Hegel 307, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Mexico City, CDMX
Hours: 12pm-8pm
Churreria El Morro
Churreria El Morro is a classic spot in Mexico City, it’s been around since 1935! It’s very insta-worthy and their churros are delicious. Order 4 churros and pick from matcha, chocolate, caramel, or condensed milk sauce for only $35mxn. Don’t forget to grab a hot chocolate to pair with it!
There are 5 locations around the city but the ones in Condesa and Centro Historico are the best!
Address: Av Michoacán 27, Hipodromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06170 Mexico City, CDMX
Hours: 8am-10pm
La Polar
La Polar is a little off the beaten path as it’s in San Rafael. But if you’re in the area (it’s a 20-minute walk from Monumento a la Revolucion) then it’s a lovely lunch spot. They’re famous for their birria, which is pretty much all that’s on the menu. Choose your barria in the form of tacos, soup, or a platter.
Address: C. Guillermo Prieto 129, San Rafael, Cuauhtémoc, 06470 Mexico City, CDMX
Hours: 8am-2pm
Cafe Nin
Known for their coffee and baked goods, Cafe Nin is a popular spot come brunch time on Saturday & Sunday! Arrive early (before 10am) to beat the crowds and select from their croissants, scones, and seasonal baked goods. They offer smoothies, juices, and kombucha if you’re not a coffee person, like me! Inside is very rustic and cozy, with lots of greenery on their outdoor patio.
Address: Havre 73, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Mexico City, CDMX
Hours: 7am-9pm
Is Mexico City on your list of places to visit? It definitely should be!
