Ten Things to Do in Mexico City

As in all cities, the best point to start your exploration of the Mexican capital is the main square Zócalo, also known as Plaza de la Constitución. This historical square is located in the city’s old town and is home to many majestic buildings like the old Postal Palace, which granted Mexico City the nickname of “Ciudad de los Grandes Palacios” (Great palaces city). From there you can reach several important landmarks such as the National Palace, the famous Metropolitan Cathedral, and, in the background of the cathedral, the vestiges of the Templo Mayor, once belonging to the Aztec Empire capital of Tenochtitlan.

Right in the middle of the Zócalo square, you will come across one of the most notable cultural venues in Mexico City, the Palacio de las Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts). This splendid building dating back to the Porfirian period was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO thanks to its refined design and the historical and cultural value it represents for the country. The Palace is home to two of the most important Mexican museums, the Museum of the Palacio de las Bellas Artes and the Museum of Architecture, and regularly hosts many permanent and temporary exhibitions.

This central avenue is one of the most emblematic sites in Mexico City. Also known as Paseo de la Emperatriz, the Paseo de la Reforma is a lively urban artery fully packed with restaurants, chic cafes, and picturesque spots that make a perfect background for a picture. The avenue also displays two of the city’s most iconic monuments, Diana la Cazadora and El Ángel de la Independencia (The Angel of Independence). The latter, an imposing column towered by the golden statue of an angel, commemorates the Mexican Revolution and is a mausoleum where the remains of many Independence heroes are preserved.

One of the most romantic places in town and the city’s environmental lung, Chapultepec Park is an unmissable stop during your stay in Mexico City. This extensive urban forest encompassing lakes, museums, a zoo, and many green areas is the ideal spot to relax and enjoy outdoor activities such as running, strolling, and cycling. The Bosque is also home to El Castillo de Chapultepec, the only castle in Central America which used to be the residence of the Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg before becoming a museum. In Chapultepec Park, you will also find the Casa del Lago “Juan José Arreola”, a cultural hub hosting free workshops and music and film events.

Mexico City boasts an unparalleled cultural scene, which is reflected by the abundance of museums and art galleries you can find in all areas. Just a few steps away from Chapultepec Park, you can find three emblematic museums you cannot miss. South of the Bosque, you will find the Museo de Arte Moderno, which displays interesting collections of art pieces and visual works by artists such as Frida Kahlo, Remedios Varo, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. The Museo Nacional de Antropología hosts a vast collection of items from the first settlements in America to the cultures of northern Mexico, whereas the Tamayo Museum is a great place to discover the works of contemporary and modern artists including Francis Bacon, Picasso, and Wilfredo Lam. Other notable museums include the Antiguo Colegio de San Idelfonso, the Franz Mayer Museum, and the Diego Rivera Mural Museum, built to host the famous mural by the renowned artist “Dream of a Sunday afternoon in the Alameda”, all located downtown, and the iconic MUNAL, the National Museum of Art located in Mexico City’s historical center.

When staying in Mexico City for a weekend or an extended visit, a trip to the Pueblo Mágico of Teotihuacan is an excellent idea for an alternative experience. Among the most visited archeological sites in Mexico, this fascinating town was declared a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO for the immense historical and cultural value of its extensive and well preserved Aztec ruins. The site, whose name means ‘’the place where the gods were born” in the náhuatl language, was originally a spiritual and ceremonial center for the pre-Hispanic civilizations that inhabited the area. To complete your experience, climb the two most iconic pyramids of the complex, La Pirámide de la Luna and La Pirámide del Sol or go for a ride on a hot-air balloon and admire a breathtaking view of Teotihuacan from there.

This colorful, bohemian neighborhood is another stop you need to add to your ‘’things to do in Mexico City” list. Notorious for being a hub for intellectuals and artists, the Coyoacán district still preserves the original bohemian allure it became famous for in the 20th century. Stroll along its lively streets and enjoy the many cafes, bookstores, boutiques, and venues you will come across. Among the most notable attractions in this area are the Frida Kahlo Museum, known as La Casa Azul, the Leon Trotsky Museum, and La Cineteca Nacional, where you can enjoy exclusive gems of international filmography.

During your stay in Mexico City, you cannot skip a visit to some of the hippest neighborhoods. La Roma and Condesa have enjoyed a surge in popularity in the last decades, becoming hubs for artists, creatives, and young people attracted by the district’s bohemian atmosphere. If you love indie music, contemporary art, and the hipster lifestyle make sure you stroll along La Roma y Condesa’s alleys, where boutiques, quaint shops, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants line next to each other. In Colonia Santa María la Ribera, just west of the historical center, you will find some of the most picturesque areas in the capital. Make sure you pay a visit to the Alameda Park, boasting an elegant Morisko Kiosk and to the Art Nouveau-style Museo Universitario del Chopo (Chopo University Museum).

Nature and ecotourism enthusiasts visiting Mexico City cannot skip a visit to the nearby town of Xochimilco. The Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco (Xochimilco Eco Park) is one of the most visited natural parks in northeastern Mexico and can be explored on foot, by bicycle, on a pedal boat or onboard a typical trajinera. The park is a corner of paradise far away from the city chaos and offers great opportunities to admire the protected endemic flora and fauna. While in Xochimilco, do not miss the Dolores Olmedo Museum, displaying artworks by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and the Cuemanco Flower Market, the most extensive flower market in all of Latin America.

Your stay in Mexico City would not be complete without full immersion in the local gastronomy. Mexican cuisine is rich and varied, and the regional specialties you can find in the capital make no exception, ranging from haute cuisine and fusion dishes to mouthwatering street food. Besides binging on the traditional tacos, make sure you try some homemade flautas (rolled chicken tacos) and chalupas poblanas, delicious snacks made from fried masa (corn dough) with different savory fillings. If you want to make the most of your culinary experience, you can join one of the numerous food tours starting from the Zócalo square or the Polanco district.