22 Unmissable Things to do in Mexico City

Looking for the best things to do in Mexico City? Delve into the city’s top attractions and lesser-known gems with this guide. 

Built on the destroyed ruins of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlán and with an over 650-year history, Mexico City is one of the oldest metropolises in the Americas and a must-visit on any Mexico itinerary. 

I’m not going to lie – I wasn’t sure what to expect from Mexico City on my first trip but what I found was a place I straight up fell in love with. Sure, it helped that I had some local friends and got more than a few insider tips, but do Mexico City (or CDMX as those in the know call it) right and you can’t help but see why it’s named as one of the most stylish cities in the world.

What’s not to love? Brimming with historical landmarks, colonial-era architecture, iconic artwork and tasty cuisine, it’s the perfect destination to explore on your travels. 

Want to get the most out of your visit to Mexico’s capital? I’ve scoured high and low and tapped up my local sources (and clocked up lots of steps along the way) to help you discover with this guide to the best things to do in Mexico City. 

Best Things to do in Mexico City

Delve into History at Templo Mayor

Strolling underneath the modern skyscrapers on Avenida Reforma or through the neighbourhood of Santa Fe, it’s hard to believe that these areas in Mexico City date back centuries. There’s no such doubt about the historic origins of the 14th-century Templo Mayor.

Named Templo Mayor (which translates to Main Temple) because it was the most important temple of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán, the ruins sit in the heart of Mexico City’s Centro Histórico. Tenochtitlán was one of the most remarkable cities of the ancient world: built on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, connected to the mainland by enormous raised causeways, with a population that rivalled the great cities of Europe at the time of its founding in 1325.

At the centre of this city stood the Templo Mayor, a pyramid-shaped structure around 60 metres high with twin shrines at the summit — one dedicated to Tláloc, the rain god, and one to Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of war and the sun. The Aztecs believed the temple to be the centre of the universe, and it functioned as the sacred ceremonial centre of the city, a place where priests addressed both gods and made sacrifices in their name.

The temple was demolished and largely built over following the Spanish conquest of 1521, during which Hernán Cortés and his forces destroyed most of the city and constructed colonial Mexico City directly on top of it. For centuries the temple was buried and largely forgotten, its location only vaguely known.

Then on 21 February 1978, electrical workers laying cables near the Metropolitan Cathedral struck something enormous in the ground: a perfectly carved circular stone disc nearly four metres across, depicting the dismembered body of Coyolxauhqui, the Aztec moon goddess who according to myth was slaughtered by her brother Huitzilopochtli. The discovery was immediately recognised as significant, and archaeologists began what became one of the most important urban excavations in the Americas: a project that continues to this day, with significant finds still being made, including a stone box of extraordinary Aztec gold discovered as recently as 2017.

In 1987, the Templo Mayor earned a spot on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites and is one of the country’s most famous landmarks. Fascinating as the temple itself is, be sure to put aside a few hours to spend in the on-site museum — the exhibits are extraordinary. You can see the original Coyolxauhqui stone, a stone used to perform human sacrifices, and thousands of objects recovered from the temple’s many offering caches.

Visit the Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul)

Tucked away in the quiet neighbourhood of Coyoacán, the Frida Kahlo Museum (often nicknamed Casa Azul thanks to its brilliantly blue exterior) should be high on your Mexico City itinerary.

Kahlo was born in the house in 1907 and lived here on and off with her husband Diego Rivera until her death in 1954. The house was where she recovered from the catastrophic bus accident that shattered her spine at the age of eighteen, where she began painting seriously during her long convalescence, and where she produced many of the deeply personal works that would eventually make her one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century. It is also where she died.

Sometimes I think that house-museums can border on the kitsch, but the Casa Azul offers a genuinely fascinating look at Kahlo’s life and the influences on her art. Rooms have been kept as they were during her lifetime, including an impressive collection of works by 18th- and 19th-century Mexican artists and pre-Columbian artefacts that reflect her lifelong engagement with Mexican indigenous culture. Her studio, her bedroom, and the kitchen she shared with Rivera all feel remarkably present: this is not a sanitised museum experience but a house that still feels lived in.

Book in advance. This is one of the most popular museums in the city and often sells out.

Marvel at the Palacio de Bellas Artes

Few architectural structures can rival the beauty of the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts). This is one of the most famous landmarks in Mexico City and is a staple feature on just about any Mexico City guide or brochure, but no photograph really prepares you for seeing it in person.

Located near Alameda Park and Centro Histórico, a visit here is a must. The Palacio de Bellas Artes dates back over a century. Designed by the Italian architect Adamo Boari, construction on the Art Nouveau building began in 1904 with the aim of having a national theatre ready for inauguration by 1910, a centenary gift to the Mexican nation.

The project ended up taking nearly three decades to complete due to delays caused by the Mexican Revolution and the extraordinary engineering challenge of building on the soft, swampy ground of what was once Lake Texcoco. The building, largely constructed from Carrara marble imported from Italy, has sunk more than four metres into the ground since its completion, a geological reality that only adds to its remarkable character.

Although it functions as an opera house and concert hall, the Palacio de Bellas Artes also houses some of the most beautiful Mexican murals in the city, including two large works by Rufino Tamayo and, my personal favourite, Diego Rivera’s El Hombre, Controlador del Universo (Man, Controller of the Universe), a vast and politically charged depiction of the conflict between capitalism and socialism that was originally commissioned for Rockefeller Center in New York before being destroyed and recreated here.

Eat The City’s Best Tacos at Los Cocuyos

If you are a foodie, head to Los Cocuyos. I do not think I can put it more plainly than that.

It is easy to walk by this unassuming single-window taqueria in the Centro Histórico as it sits on one of the busiest streets in the area. That would be a mistake. Follow the inviting aroma of slowly simmering meats and the inevitable queue to the spot that Los Cocuyos has occupied for over 50 years, serving an array of tacos that you will not find at any ordinary taco joint.

Wondering what to order? Just about anything on the menu pops, but I would very much recommend their suadero (brisket) and longaniza sausage tacos, both of which are long-time fan favourites. For the adventurous, Los Cocuyos offers some genuinely unique options including tacos de sesos (brains), diced ojos (eyeballs), tacos de cabeza (beef cheek), and chewy lengua (tongue). It may not all sound appetising, but trust me — these tacos pack a punch and are an authentic alternative to the usual carnitas or chorizo.

Explore the Plaza del Zócalo

You have not truly visited CDMX without spending time on the city’s main square, the Plaza del Zócalo. Measuring 220 metres from north to south and 240 metres from east to west, this is the largest plaza in Latin America and one of the largest public squares in the world.

The Zócalo has been the political and ceremonial heart of this city for far longer than Mexico City itself has existed. Before the Spanish arrived, this ground was the sacred centre of Tenochtitlán, the ceremonial precinct where the Templo Mayor stood, surrounded by palaces, temples and ritual spaces.

The Spanish demolished all of it and built their colonial city directly on top, laying out the current plaza as the symbolic centre of New Spain, flanked by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacio Nacional to demonstrate the dual power of church and state. That colonial logic and the deliberate assertion of new power over indigenous foundations, is what you are standing on when you stand in the Zócalo today.

It is a hectic spot. On an average day, the plaza is busy with vendors, street entertainers, and tourists, and it is also a common site for festivals, protests and national celebrations. Among the buildings surrounding it is the gilded Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the oldest and largest religious buildings in the western hemisphere, whose current form largely dates back to 1563 but was built over a period of nearly 250 years. I recommend heading inside to see the elaborately carved ultra-Baroque Altar of the Kings and a collection of striking art.

See Diego Rivera’s Murals at Palacio Nacional

The Palacio Nacional is one of the oldest buildings in Mexico City, serving as the seat of the federal branch of the Mexican government and housing the offices of the president and the Federal Treasury. It also contains the Biblioteca Miguel Lerdo de Tejada, one of the most important libraries in the country.

If we are being honest about why most visitors come here, though, it is to see the extraordinary murals of Diego Rivera housed within its walls.

Rivera is one of Mexico’s most famous artists and arguably the most important muralist in the history of Latin American art. While his reputation today is often overshadowed by his famous former wife, Frida Kahlo, he remains one of the first Mexican artists to gain worldwide acclaim and his influence on how Mexico represented itself to the world is incalculable.

His most ambitious work at the Palacio Nacional, Mexico a Través de Los Siglos (Mexico Through the Centuries), covers more than 450 square metres across nine murals along the main staircase. It is a sweeping depiction of Mexican history from the ancient indigenous civilisations through the Spanish conquest, the colonial period, and into the post-revolutionary state, all painted with extraordinary detail, political conviction and a command of colour that makes it one of the great public artworks of the 20th century.

Dine at CDMX’s Most Renowned Restaurant – Pujol

Pujol is pretty much the most talked-about restaurant in Mexico.

Celebrity chef Enrique Olvera founded this restaurant back in 2000, with the aim of introducing rustic Mexican flavours in a more contemporary light. Since its establishment, the restaurant has continued to receive acclaim from many and has long had a spot on the list of the 50 best restaurants in the world. Jesús Durón has now taken over as chef de cuisine, continuing Olvera’s vision of memorable flavours and culinary excellence.

While the menu changes seasonally, the signature Mole Madre, Mole Nuevo is always available. Think a perfect circle of fresh mole surrounded by a larger ring of mole aged for over 1,300 days, accompanied by a basket of warm tortillas. It provides a genuinely profound taste of Mexico’s culinary past and present in a single dish.

For the best gastronomical experience, try the seven-course tasting menu. This will cost you around $93 USD and is available for lunch or dinner. 

Watch a Mariachi Band at Plaza Garibaldi

Plaza Garibaldi is the focal point for Mariachi music in Mexico City, a glorious celebration of the unique ranchera music that dates all the way back to the 18th century. Mariachi originated in the western Mexican state of Jalisco and evolved from a blend of indigenous, Spanish and African musical traditions, eventually becoming one of the defining sounds of Mexican national identity. UNESCO recognised Mariachi as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011.

I knew I had to spend an evening listening to some Mariachi music in the Plaza during my most recent trip (somehow I’d skipped it on previous visits) and it didn’t disappoint. Bands have gathered here since the mid-1900s, playing to the crowds that flock to the plaza each night. 

To get the full experience, visit after 11 pm and cosy up at one of the plaza’s many lively tequila joints. 

Spend Time in the National Museum of Anthropology

The National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología) is one of the things you absolutely must do in Mexico City, particularly if you have any interest in the region’s extraordinary pre-Hispanic history.

It is the most visited museum in the country and houses the world’s most extensive collection of ancient Mexican relics, artefacts and art, covering everything from the Olmecs and Toltecs to the Maya, Zapotecs and Aztecs across 23 exhibition rooms spread over two levels and more than 44,000 square metres.

The collection is genuinely staggering in its scope and quality. Some of the most famous exhibits include the ceremonial headdress believed to have belonged to the Aztec emperor Moctezuma II, made from hundreds of quetzal feathers, and the famous Aztec Calendar Stone: a 3.6-metre-wide basalt disc weighing around 24 tonnes that is one of the most recognisable symbols of Aztec civilisation. The museum also holds the monolithic statue of Tlaloc, the rain god, that once stood at Chapultepec and is so vast it required a specially reinforced vehicle to transport it to the museum when it was moved in 1964.

Set aside at least three to four hours here. The sheer volume of exhibits means a cursory visit is genuinely insufficient.

Walk Around Chapultepec Park

Chapultepec Park, or Bosque de Chapultepec, is a 1,695-acre park that dates back to ancient Aztec times.Its name derives from the Nahuatl word meaning Hill of the Grasshopper, and the site has been significant since long before the Aztecs arrived in the Valley of Mexico.

When the Aztecs did establish themselves here around 1325, they recognised Chapultepec immediately as a place of power: sacred to Tlaloc, the rain god, and abundant with fresh water from natural springs. It was here that the Aztec rulers built their palaces and botanical gardens, and it was here that the ashes of their emperors were buried. Emperor Nezahualcóyotl built the first summer palace on the site in 1428, and Moctezuma I and Moctezuma II both maintained royal residences here.

After the Spanish conquest, the site passed through successive phases of colonial, military and imperial use. Chapultepec Castle, which is perched on the rocky hill at the park’s centre, began as a Spanish viceregal summer palace in the 1780s, served as a military academy, became the residence of Emperor Maximilian I and Empress Carlota in the 1860s, and then served as the official residence of the presidents of Mexico until 1940, when it was converted into the National Museum of History that occupies it today.

All of this history surrounds what is now the lungs of Mexico City, a vast, lush park criss-crossed with trails perfect for walking, running or cycling, filled at weekends with local families, street vendors and performers. Within its borders you will also find the National Museum of Anthropology, the Rufino Tamayo Museum and the Chapultepec Zoo. It is a lovely place to spend a few hours, whether or not you visit the museums.

See Contemporary Art at Museo Jumex

Opened in 2013 in the heart of Polanco, Museo Jumex is one of the newest and largest contemporary art museums on the scene. Designed by British architect David Chipperfield, the 1,400-meter-square white-concrete cube is as distinctive as the art that it houses. 

Inside the museum, you will find one of Latin America’s largest contemporary art collections. This includes works by Andy Warhol, Martin Kippenberger, Cy Twombly, Damien Hirst and many more. 

This spread of artists allows for a range of mediums, from paintings and drawings to video and light installations. 

Did I almost lose my mind when I turned up at the museum only to find they had a special exhibition dedicated to the works of one of my favourite artists, James Turrell – a primary figure in the Light and Space movement? Yes. Did I immediately book a ticket for said exhibition in a couple of days (it was already largely sold out) and then proceed to have my mind blown? Absolutely.

All this to say that you should check out the museum’s special exhibitions before your visit – but even if there isn’t a temporary exhibition on, the core collection is brilliant.

See the Extensive Collection at Museo Soumaya

Look across from Museo Jumex and you’ll see a giant and rather interesting building, tiled with thousands of silver hexagons. This impressive piece of architecture is the Museo Soumaya, which is home to a large collection of art, totalling 66,000 pieces. Among these are works from famous artists, including Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Matisse, and Degas. 

Since it opened in 2011, the Museo Soumaya has quickly become one of the most popular art museums in Mexico City.

I can see why. I hate to play favourites but the Soumaya really is one of the best museums I’ve visited – not only because of the extensive collection of impressive exhibits, but because of the gorgeous light-filled building too.

Among the collection are works by Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Matisse and Degas, spanning five centuries of European and Mexican art. Since opening in 2011, the Museo Soumaya has quickly become one of the most popular art museums in the city. Entry is free, which makes it even harder to justify not going.

Shop at Mercado de San Juan

Mercado San Juan is one of the best shopping destinations in Mexico City among professional chefs, local foodies and travellers with their cookbooks in tow. It is often referred to as the “chef’s market” due to the wide range of high-quality produce found here.

The area is also known as a hub for exotic meats. Inside the market are many vendors selling armadillo, iguana, wild boar, stingray, alligator among them. Some also serve their own dishes. If you’ve got a strong stomach, try your hand in some crocodile a la veracruzana or grab some crispy ants, beetles, or grasshoppers for snacking. 

Note that this market is constantly busy and filled with vendor chatter and for those who are squeamish, it may be best to stay clear of the peripheral meat stands. 

See Sky-High Views from Torre Latinoamericana

The Torre Latinoamericana is a 44-story skyscraper located in Centro Historico. At 166 meters (545 feet), it is the tallest building in downtown Mexico City. It’s somewhat dubiously renowned for withstanding an 8.1-magnitude earthquake in 1985 and then a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in 2017.  

However, its biggest draw is the incredible views it offers. While visiting, head to the observation deck for an awe-inspiring 360-degree view of the city. From here, you will be able to see a number of the city’s top tourist spots, including the Palacio de Bellas Artes and leafy green Alameda Park. 

For a truly memorable experience, grab dinner or a drink at one of the newly renovated restaurants and bars. Located on the 40th and 41st floors, Miralto Restaurant & Bar is a great option for a relaxed cocktail with a view. 

Buy Handicrafts at the Mercado de Artesanías

Looking to shop for local folk art, handicrafts, or colourful souvenirs to take home from Mexico? Be sure to stop by Mercado de Artesanías. Centred around a descending pedestrian walkway lined with stalls of artists and vendors, it’s a hive of colour and activity. 

While there are many artisan markets in Mexico City, this one is among the best. Some popular pickups here include silver jewellery from Taxco, talavera pottery from Dolores Hidalgo, and rugs from Oaxaca. 

This is also a good spot to shop for clothing, tote bags, leather goods, and various pieces of art. 

Grab a Bite and a Drink at Mercado Roma

Mercado Roma is another one of Mexico City’s many bustling markets. But what some may not know is that residents originally protested the idea of building a market in the neighbourhood. Many believed that gentrification would ruin the area. Though the three-story market is more upscale than its surroundings, it is now a common gathering point amongst locals and tourists alike. 

The market is home to dozens of restaurant and bar stalls serving a wide selection of foods and beverages. This includes wines, tasty tapas, tacos, desserts, and plenty more. Head to the rooftop of the three-story market, to chill out in the beer garden. Enjoy some delicious drinks, mingle, and perhaps even try your hand in foosball. 

Coffee and Breakfast at Lalo! 

Lalo! Mexico City is one of Mexico City’s best specialty cafes for trying locally-sourced Mexican coffees in a sleek and trendy coffee shop. Tucked away in upscale Roma, it’s a haven of clean design, with green plants providing a stunning contrast against the grey interior.

That’s great and all, but what we’re really interested in is the food and the coffee, both of which are excellent. It’s got a bit of a reputation for incredible local roasts (and breakfasts) and let me tell you – it’s well-deserved.   

Sip Cocktails at Limantour

If you love cocktails, you have to go to Limantour. This cool cocktail bar has been serving up some of the city’s best cocktails since 2011. It also just so happens to feature on the World’s 50 Best Bars List. So yeah… go.

Swanky cocktails aside – the mixologists are really friendly and always on hand to make recommendations or even shake up something to suit your taste if you really can’t find something you like the look of on the menu (unlikely).

Step Back in Time at Maison Artemisia

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Mexico City at night, then make a trip to the popular Maison Artemisia, a dark cocktail lounge designed to transport drinkers to Paris and the Belle Epoque. As the name suggests, this is a highly exclusive spot (a “Maison” refers to the private houses that once functioned as clubs where famous and wealthy personalities went to drink).

The Maison Artemisia revives this sense of prestige in a 19th-century house in Mexico City. The French decor and low light create an intimate setting, ideal for a grown-ups night out. As the night rolls on, the city’s bohemian spirits flock in to enjoy the tasteful range of alcoholic beverages and dance to the sounds of modern beats. 

There is also a lovely restaurant downstairs where you can sample various French-inspired dishes, including escargots and pickled pigs’ trotters.

Day Trip: Take a Trip to Teotihuacán 

t is not in Mexico City itself but the pyramids of Teotihuacán are so close (around 50 kilometres northeast of the city) that it would be a genuine shame to miss them.

This is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world. Teotihuacán was not an Aztec city, which is a common misconception: it predates the Aztec Empire by many centuries. The city was founded as early as 400 BCE and reached its peak around 400 to 500 CE, when it was home to an estimated 125,000 to 200,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the world at that time. Its origins remain one of the great mysteries of archaeology.

The builders are unknown: it was the Aztecs who, when they discovered the city already abandoned centuries later, gave it the name Teotihuacán, meaning the place where the gods were created. According to Aztec belief, this was where the gods sacrificed themselves to create the sun and moon that brought the current era into existence, which gives some sense of the reverence the city commanded even in its ruined state.

The site is arranged along the grand Avenue of the Dead, which runs for more than two kilometres and is lined with temples and palaces. At its northern end stands the Pyramid of the Moon, and to the east, dominating the entire site, is the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest structures ever built in the pre-Columbian Americas, standing over 65 metres high with a base more than 220 metres on each side.

The Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcóatl) at the southern end of the avenue is smaller but extraordinarily detailed, its facade covered in carved serpent heads that represent one of the most important deities in Mesoamerican religion.

Excavations beneath the pyramids have revealed vast tunnel systems, ritual chambers and extraordinary offerings: discoveries that continue to reshape our understanding of who built this city and why.

Practical Tips for Your Mexico City Trip

To ensure you get the most out of your visit to Mexico City, here are some important things to know. 

How Long to Visit Mexico City? 

A first-time visitor needs a minimum of three days to cover the major highlights without feeling rushed. But if you want to take it slow, eat your way through the neighbourhoods, explore properly, and actually absorb the city’s extraordinary layers of history and culture, seven days is what I would recommend. Mexico City rewards time.

Best Time to Visit Mexico City?

Mexico City sits at over 2,200 metres above sea level, which keeps temperatures moderate throughout the year — daily highs typically fall between 20°C and 27°C regardless of season.

The dry season runs from November to April and is the most reliable period for weather, with sunny days and cool evenings. March and April are particularly good: warm, dry, and the city is in bloom with jacaranda trees turning whole streets and parks purple.

The rainy season runs from May to October, with short but often intense afternoon downpours: these generally pass quickly but can disrupt outdoor plans. Avoid December if you want to avoid crowds and higher prices, though the city is alive with celebrations during the holiday season. November is worth considering for Día de los Muertos, one of the most extraordinary cultural events in Mexico.

Where to Stay in Mexico City

Mexico City has many distinct areas and neighbourhoods, each offering various accommodations and attractions. 

For tourists visiting the capital, some of the best places to stay include Centro Historico (the Historic Center), Polanco, Paseo de La Reforma, Condesa, and Roma. Listed below are some of the best accommodation options for your Mexico City trip. Or opt to stay in one of Mexico City’s gorgeous Airbnbs.

Read More Mexico City & Mexico Guides

• Spend 3 Days in Mexico City with This Itinerary
• Brilliant Day Trips from Mexico City
• The Insider’s Guide to Condesa Mexico City
• Where to Stay in Mexico City

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