In a nutshell
- Mexico City is the vibrant capital of Mexico and one of the absolute musts on any Mexico trip. It’s without a doubt one of the best places to visit in the country.
- Best places to visit in Mexico City include the lively historic center, the canals of Xochimilco, and a day trip to the impressive pyramids of Teotihuacán.
- In this guide, we’ll share the best things to do in Mexico City along with our favorite restaurants, plus practical tips on safety and getting around.
Mexico City: Our Map of Attractions
With over 22 million people in the metropolitan area, Mexico City is absolutely massive and one of the best places to visit in Mexico. The city stretches about 45 km from west to east, but luckily most of the main attractions are fairly close to each other.
This Mexico City map of attractions gives you a handy overview of the best places to visit in Mexico City and where they’re located.
The Best Places to Visit in Mexico City
In four days you can see the most important sights and get a great feel for the city.
Don’t miss these top places to visit in Mexico City:
- Centro Histórico
- El Palacio de Bellas Artes
- Templo Mayor
- Xochimilco
- La Roma and La Condesa
- Torre Latinoamericana
- Chapultepec Park
- National Museum of Anthropology
- Frida Kahlo Museum
- Pyramids of Teotihuacán
- Lucha Libre
Centro Histórico
What do you need to know? The historic center, with its colonial buildings and buzzing streets, is one of the absolute must-sees in Mexico City. A highlight is the Plaza Zócalo with the impressive cathedral and the National Palace.
Is it worth visiting the Centro Histórico? Absolutely — exploring the old town is one of the best things to do in Mexico City. Just be prepared for plenty of hustle and bustle.
Our tip for the Centro Histórico: Start at Plaza Zócalo and simply wander through the charming side streets — that’s the best way to soak up the atmosphere.
El Palacio de Bellas Artes
What do you need to know? The Palacio de Bellas Artes is one of the most iconic buildings in the city and a true cultural hotspot. Inside, you’ll find an art museum and regular performances ranging from theater and dance to concerts and exhibitions.
Is a visit to the Palacio de Bellas Artes worthwhile? Definitely — it’s one of the top places to visit in Mexico City for culture lovers.
Our tip for the Palacio de Bellas Artes: Admission is 85 MXN, and the museum is closed on Mondays.
Templo Mayor
What do you need to know? The Templo Mayor was the heart of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was destroyed by the Spanish in 1521, but the ruins can still be visited today right in the middle of the historic center.
Is it worth visiting the Templo Mayor? Yes — the history is fascinating. We recommend taking a local guide to really understand the site.
Our tip for the Templo Mayor: Admission is 90 MXN, and it’s closed on Mondays. To avoid waiting in line, book your ticket online — it’s a bit more expensive but much more convenient.
Book a skip-the-line ticket for the Templo Mayor
Xochimilco
What do you need to know? Xochimilco is famous for its canals and colorful trajineras (boats). Once part of the Aztec agricultural system, today they’re one of the most popular things to see in Mexico City — especially for groups of friends who come here to relax, enjoy music, and sip tequila while floating along the water.
Is a visit to Xochimilco worthwhile? Yes — the vibe is unique and a lot of fun.
Our tip for Xochimilco: Go with a tour or group — the boat rides are much more entertaining when shared.
Book a guided Xochimilco boat tour
The Roma and Condesa Neighborhoods
What do you need to know? Roma and Condesa are among the most charming neighborhoods in Mexico City. They’re known for leafy streets, colorful houses, trendy cafés and a creative vibe. You’ll find plenty of young locals and travelers here, making them two of the coolest places to visit in Mexico City.
Are Roma and Condesa worth a visit? Yes, absolutely. They’re perfect for strolling, café-hopping, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Our tip for Roma and Condesa: book your hotel in one of these two neighborhoods. They’re our top recommendation for where to stay in Mexico City.
Torre Latinoamericana
What do you need to know? The Torre Latinoamericana rises 182 meters over the city with 44 floors. At the very top, you’ll find one of the most popular viewing platforms with great views over Mexico City.
Is it worth visiting the Torre Latinoamericana? Yes, the 360-degree view is fantastic.
Our tip for the Torre Latinoamericana: tickets to the viewing platform cost 180 MXN. Buy them online to skip the line. Another option: head to the café on the 41st floor. The drinks aren’t expensive and the view is almost as good — and free to access.
Get your Torre Latinoamericana ticket online
Parque de Chapultepec
What do you need to know? Chapultepec Park is one of the biggest city parks in the world and a great place to visit in Mexico City. It’s close to Roma and Condesa and offers lakes, markets, museums, and even traditional dance performances.
Is Chapultepec Park worth a visit? Yes, it’s one of the best spots to escape the hustle of the city.
Museo de Antropología
What do you need to know? The Museo de Antropología is Mexico City’s most famous museum. It showcases the history and culture of the country’s many civilizations, with impressive archaeological collections. The museum is located right inside Chapultepec Park.
Is it worth visiting the Museo de Antropología? Yes, if you’re curious about Mexico’s past, this is a must-see.
Our tip for the Museo de Antropología: admission is 100 MXN. Buying online saves you the wait, though it costs a little more.
Book your skip-the-line ticket for the Museo de Antropología
Museo Frida Kahlo
What do you need to know? The Casa Azul (Blue House) in the charming neighborhood of Coyoacán was once the home of the iconic artist Frida Kahlo. Today, it’s a museum showcasing her life and work.
Is the Frida Kahlo Museum worth a visit? Yes. The house itself is lovely, though the exhibition is relatively small. If you’re a Frida Kahlo fan, this is one of the essential places to visit in Mexico City.
Our tip for the Frida Kahlo Museum: book your ticket online well in advance. Entry costs from 320 MXN, and the museum is closed on Mondays.
Book your Frida Kahlo Museum ticket online
Pyramids of Teotihuacán
What do you need to know? The pyramids of Teotihuacán are about 40 kilometers northeast of Mexico City and count among the most important ancient sites in the Americas. Visiting here is one of the top things to do in Mexico City.
Are the Teotihuacán pyramids worth a visit? Yes, they’re incredibly impressive and one of the best places to visit in Mexico City.
Our tip for visiting the Teotihuacán pyramids: go with a guided tour from Mexico City or hire a guide on-site to really appreciate the history of the ruins.
Book a day trip to the pyramids of Teotihuacán
Lucha Libre
What do you need to know? Lucha Libre is Mexico’s version of wrestling and one of the most entertaining things to see in Mexico City. Wrestlers wear colorful masks and put on dramatic fights between heroes and villains — sometimes women compete too. The mix of sport and show makes it an unforgettable experience.
Is it worth attending a Lucha Libre? Yes, definitely. The atmosphere is electric and the shows are great fun, even if you don’t usually like wrestling.
Our tip for attending a Lucha Libre: The best place to watch is Arena México, right in the city center. You can buy tickets at the door or online in advance if you want to be sure of a seat.
Book a Lucha Libre show in Mexico City
Where to Stay in Mexico City?
We recommend staying in Condesa or Roma. These are two of the nicest, most central, and safest neighborhoods — perfect if you want to be close to the best places to visit in Mexico City. There are also hotels in the Centro Histórico, but the area is less safe at night.
Note: Condesa and Roma mainly have boutique hotels and apartments rather than large hotels.
Our hotel tips for Condesa
Our hotel tips for Roma
Restaurant Tips for Mexico City
The food scene is one of the highlights of Mexico City. You’ll find amazing tacos on almost every corner, but also great vegetarian restaurants, juicy burgers, specialty coffee, and much more. Exploring the food culture is one of the best things to do in Mexico City.
Our restaurant tips for Mexico City
- Tacos at El Parnita: A lively restaurant with excellent tacos and stylish Mexican décor. It’s always busy, so come early (the kitchen opens at 3 pm) or reserve the day before. An absolute must when you’re looking for what to eat in Mexico City!
- Orígenes Orgánicos: A slightly pricier spot with daily changing healthy dishes like quinoa salads, potato bowls and whole grain pasta. Don’t miss the cakes (try the matcha!) and the coffee is excellent. A good place to work on your laptop too.
- Vegetarian restaurant El Pan Comido: Delicious burgers, salads, and falafel at fair prices and top quality. They also avoid big-brand sodas and instead serve water and a fresh tea of the day — healthier and refreshing.
- Café Dosis: Fantastic coffee, fast Wi-Fi and a cool atmosphere in Condesa. Perfect for travel bloggers and digital nomads, with seating both inside and on the sidewalk.
- Street food markets: tacos, tacos, tacos. You’ll find them everywhere and they’re always tasty. Roma in particular has lots of affordable street food options and is a great place to visit in Mexico City if you love food.
Useful Travel Tips for Mexico City
Finally, here are some useful tips to make your trip to Mexico City easier.
Also read our best travel tips for Mexico
#1 How to get to Mexico City
There are direct flights from the USA and many European cities. Depending on your starting point, flights with stopovers can sometimes be cheaper.
We usually book flights with Skyscanner.
The safest way from Mexico City airport to your hotel is by Uber, although there are plenty of regular taxis waiting outside too.
Mexico City is also well connected by long-distance buses and domestic flights, making it a great starting point for exploring more of Mexico.
If you come from other cities like San Cristóbal, Oaxaca or Puebla, you can travel by bus. ADO is the main bus operator in Mexico.
#2 How do you get from A to B in Mexico City?
Locals advised us not to flag down random taxis, so we only used Uber in Mexico City.
Uber in Mexico City
Uber is cheaper than taxis and generally safer and more comfortable than public transport. You can track the ride via GPS and check driver ratings in the app. Trips are surprisingly cheap, so we used Uber for longer distances and especially at night.
Metro in Mexico City
Because of heavy traffic, the metro is often a faster alternative. During rush hour it’s the best way to get across the city. You’ll need a Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada (MI) card, which costs 15 MXN, and each ride is just 5 MXN.
Like in many big cities, the metro is very crowded. Keep an eye on your belongings and carry your backpack in front of you instead of on your back.
#3 Safety in Mexico City
The risk of crime is higher here than in cities like Singapore or Melbourne, but with common sense and a few precautions, you’ll be fine.
Mexico City has safe and less safe neighborhoods. We felt comfortable walking around Roma and Condesa during the day. Some areas further north and south can be riskier, especially side streets with little foot traffic.
If you don’t feel safe, call an Uber instead of walking. This is especially important at night. Avoid wandering around drunk and alone, and don’t walk with your phone out. Also note: drinking alcohol on the street is forbidden.
One more thing: the local police aren’t always reliable. Corruption is a problem. Always carry copies of your passport and immigration papers to prove your legal entry if asked. And never take photos of police officers.
#4 When is the best time to travel to Mexico City?
The best time to visit is October to April, during the dry season. But even in the rainy months, showers usually don’t last all day.
Keep in mind that Mexico City is at 2,240 meters altitude. It’s never as hot as the Yucatán, and evenings can get cool.