There is never a dull moment in Mexico City! When living there, I avoided working at coffee shops and restaurants because the action never stopped. There are always musicians, street vendors selling tamales, and loud truck drivers offering goods for sale, so I couldn’t get anything done – it was super fun (and distracting!).
An essential aspect of Mexico‘s culture is to be outside. Mexicans eat out and hang out in parks until late with their families and friends. Also, there is everything under the sun for sale on every corner, from things you’d expect, like fruits, tamales, and tacos, to furniture and lingerie.
This is one of the most populated cities in the world, so finding the right neighborhood to stay in is critical. Then, you’ll do your daily routine without leaving your area and go out of it only to check other Mexico City attractions.
As always, ask locals where the best food is! Chilangos (inhabitants of Mexico City) are incredibly proud of their culture – and they should be! Complimenting any aspect of it will make the best conversation starter, even if it’s a rustic “Amo tu ciudad” (“I love your city) with your thumbs up and a smile.
The best places to stay are Centro Histórico (including the fancy area of Polanco), Coyoacán, Roma, and Condesa. The first two are more authentic; you’ll mingle with locals more, while the others have a much higher concentration of expats.
The public transportation in Mexico City works great, but it gets super busy at certain times of the day. Plan accordingly, or take an Uber. You can also use the public bikes Ecobicis to get around. The excellent Mexico City official tour Turibus is also a perfect option to explore the city.
When is the best time to visit? Every season offers different Mexico City sightseeing experiences. The beautiful flowering jacarandas in the spring, Independence Day in September, the Day of the Dead in late October and early November, and the markets during Christmas.
Mexico City has the best weather: it’s temperate during the day (the 60s and 70s), and the temperature drops at night. It rains every afternoon in the spring and gets cold. So, bring layers!
Are you planning a trip to Mexico City? As someone who has spent a lot of time in this city, here’s my list of top things to do in Mexico City. Of course, there are plenty more things to do, and one cannot experience them all in one life (the same goes for Mexican food). But if you’re not sure where to start, this will get you headed in the right direction. Enjoy!
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15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Mexico City
1. Spend a full day Exploring the Streets of Centro Histórico
Mexico City’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site because of the number of monuments and the sheer amount of history its streets hold (most yet to be discovered).
Your first stop should be the Templo Mayor archaeology museum, one of the must-do things to do in Mexico City if you want to learn the fascinating story of this metropolis.
Zócalo Square is surrounded by the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México) and the Government House (Palacio Nacional). It’s full of life, vendors, and many opportunities for people-watching. Go to La Terraza Café or another terrace for a great meal and amazing Zócalo views.
Then, take some photos of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, one of the most photographed places and best sights in Mexico City, and an excellent art museum featuring the best concerts and exhibitions, including some of Diego Rivera’s art. This place is the city’s cultural heart and is as beautiful and interesting inside as it is outside.
Perusing Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo’s art is another one of the top things to do in Mexico City, and their art is spread all around town. Go to the Museo Mural Diego Rivera to see the extraordinary mural where the famous Day of the Dead character La Catrina (the skeleton woman wearing fancy clothes) was first portrayed and immortalized!
2. Visit the Templo Mayor Museum and Find Traces of Lakes and Ancient Civilizations
The Templo Mayor Museum was founded where the remains of the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan were found in the 1970s. Here you’ll learn about the Aztec Empire (“Mexica,” pronouncing the “x” as “sh,” is the Nahuatl word for “Aztec”).
You’ll love learning how an island surrounded by navigable lakes and once Tenochtitlan – the capital of one of the strongest empires of the ancient world – became the heart of Latin America’s most populated city (and one of the most fun ones!).
You’ll have access to indoor and outdoor exhibitions with impressive pieces, like those of Tlaloc, the god of rain, and the monolith of Tlaltecuhtli, the goddess of life, death, and fertility.
Walking outdoors along the mysterious Aztec sculptures and current excavations will give you a glimpse of some of the best sights in Mexico City. You’ll love the views of the cathedral next door. The Spaniards built their Catholic temples on top of the native ones as part of their invasion strategy.
You’ll learn about the Aztec culture and the daily life in Tenochtitlan (“the belly button of the world”), the magnificent city that still sleeps underneath Mexico City.
3. Follow the Steps of Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera Around Their Beloved Hometown
Is learning more about this iconic pair of artists part of your Mexico City bucket list? Perfect! These are the spots you need to visit to learn all about Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera:
Casa Azul is the beautiful blue house where Frida was born, lived most of her life, created some of her most renowned art, and died. This is where you’ll get the closest to her rich universe, so be prepared for an emotional visit.
It’s in the charming neighborhood of Coyoacán. Be sure to get your tickets in advance and check for evening visits – there is a theatricalized tour, including a tequila-drinking Frida!
The Museo Dolores Olmedo (Xochimilco) is a hidden-off-the-tourist-track gem. It features some of Diego and Frida’s most famous pieces, including the beautiful yet heart-wrenching Henry Ford Hospital.
Dolores Olmedo was one of Diego’s patrons (and she probably doubled as a lover, too). The museum is on her family’s property and features gazebos, a chapel, and charming gardens with peacocks and furless xoloitzcuintli dogs (think about Dante in the movie Coco).
Museo Anahuacalli exhibits the private collection of 50,000 pre-Hispanic pieces that Frida and Diego gifted to the people of Mexico. Your ticket is valid to enter Casa Azul for a month.
Did you know that at some point in their stormy relationship, the artists built two houses (one for each person) united by a bridge? That project is now the Museo Casa Estudio. The San Idelfonso School features the mural Rivera was working on when he and Frida met for the first time in 1922.
4. Stroll Around the Cobblestone Streets of Coyoacán and Discover its Magic
Coyoacán is in the south part of town, and spending a day there is one of the top things to do in Mexico City. It also has wonderful lodging options, and it’s one of the coolest places to stay because of its relaxing vibe, the ample streets full of trees, and the many parks, restaurants, and cafés. Frida’s Casa Azul is the most known attraction, but there is much to do!
Your visit should start in the Plaza de los Coyotes (the main square), another exciting place to people-watch. From street vendors and performers to historical sites and people walking spoiled little dogs wearing hair accessories, there is so much action!
Be sure to visit the San Miguel Church, take a photo with the iconic fountain with coyotes (hence the name Coyoacán), and have a paleta (frozen popsicle) in the upper room of La Catrina for views.
Head to the Mercado de Antojitos for breakfast or lunch and go straight to Irma’s stand. She has the best gorditas and quesadillas! Tip: even though “queso” means cheese in Spanish, in Mexico City (and only in Mexico City), you must order your quesadilla with cheese specifically. Otherwise, they’ll bring you a sad warm tortilla.
Then visit the churches of La Conchita and Santo Domingo. Your final stop should be the wonderful Mercado de Coyoacán, another great place to buy souvenirs and hang out with locals.
5. Take a day to Explore the Incredible Anthropology Museums and Chapultepec
Visiting the Museo Nacional de Antropología is one of the most worth-it Mexico City activities. I’ve been there several times and still haven’t seen everything – it’s so big! It’s located in the Bosque de Chapultepec, the biggest park in the city.
The museum features the most comprehensive archaeology collection, exhibiting pieces from prehistoric times to the marvelous Aztec, Mayan, and Toltec cultures. It also has a beautiful restaurant, a café, a fantastic gift shop, and dozens of very photogenic corners, including the fountain by the entrance.
The most impressive piece is Piedra del Sol, a very complex monolith (24 tons), a key element to understanding the cosmovision of the Aztecs. You’ll also love the funerary mask of King Pakal (the fascinating “Mayan astronaut”) and the replica of the feathered headband worn by Moctezuma, the last Aztec emperor.
Bosque de Chapultepec is a favorite place for families. Its 1,695 acres represent 52% percent of the city’s green area. It’s also the oldest urban forest in Latin America, offering hundreds of photo opportunities.
There is a lake where you can rent boats, botanical gardens, a zoo, many playgrounds, walking and biking trails, cultural activities, cafés, restaurants, and a castle (now home to the National History Museum).
6. Discover why Traditional Mexican Food is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List
If there is one thing you’ll never have to worry about in Mexico City (and in Mexico), it’s going hungry. There is food everywhere. Restaurants and cafés are open all day long, there is a food stand every 10 steps, and there are so many interesting things to try!
One thing to know about Mexico City is that everyone eats at the food stands. Once you find the best taco stand in your neighborhood, you’ll see folks parking their luxury cars to get the same tacos the factory workers are enjoying. Being outside and eating street food is an essential part of Mexican culture.
I won’t tell you what to eat; I trust you’ll find out. But certain foods are typical of Mexico City.
Eating tacos al pastor is one of the must-do things in Mexico City. The combo of pork, pineapple, and cilantro is to die for. Try Los Coyucos (Centro) or La Esquina de los Tacos (Coyoacán), and order a Boing soft drink to go with it.
The torta de chilaquiles is a must! “Torta” in Mexico is a sandwich. You’ll love the mix of textures of crunchy chilaquiles and soft bread, plus lots of cream, avocado, cheese, fresh onions, and jalapeños.
If you are in Mexico City between June and September, try chiles en nogada, Mexico’s national dish. The best place to try it is Hostería de Santo Domingo in Centro. For dessert, definitely try chocolate with churros (Los Moros in Centro has great ones!)
Finally, in Mexico, never pay attention when someone tells you that the food is not spicy!
7. Try These Unique Mexican Beverages
The vast Mexican cuisine is not only about food. Many beverages originated in Mexico, and some of them come from pre-Hispanic times.
Pulque is a pre-Hispanic fermented foamy drink that comes from the maguey sap. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals (they call it “the elixir of eternal youth,” and there is a cool Aztec legend about its origin). It’s also an alcoholic beverage.
The awesome part? It’s best to drink it for breakfast! That’s when the alcohol content is the lowest and tastes better. You can drink it at traditional pulquerías in every neighborhood.
Atole is the most popular Mexican drink to accompany tamales or sweet bread in the morning or early evening. Of pre-Hispanic origin, this comforting drink is made with corn flour, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
There are infinite variations of flavors. One of the most popular is champurrado (atole made with chocolate).
Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from any agave. It has grown in popularity in the last two decades (it was considered a cheap drink before then!) and tastes divine.
Of course, you must also try traditional Mexican chocolate, the most precious thing Mexico gave to the world!
8. Check out What Else Touristy Xochimilco has to Offer
Xochimilco (the “x” here is pronounced as an “s”), in the south of the city, is the go-to party place for locals and Mexicans from all over the country. It’s also a very popular place among tourists.
The colorful “trajineras” (small boats) are the most photogenic thing ever created, and there is no better place to people-watch. So, even though it’s touristy, I can guarantee it’s not a trap. People party for real – it is one of the most fun things to do in Mexico City if you are in the right mood.
People usually rent a boat at one of the piers (Nativitas and Zacapa are the most common). You can also rent a sound system and bring alcohol and food. Then you’ll float in the canals. There are also boats with mariachi who can sing songs to your party for a small fee.
But Xochimilco is so much more than the fiesta. First, this is the last place left to experience how locals lived in pre-Hispanic times when the city was full of canals.
There are opportunities to explore the local Protected Natural Area (go to the piers Fernando Celada, Cuemanco, and Puente de Urrutia). You’ll love learning about the native flora and fauna. The highlight? The amazing axolotl, Mexico’s most beloved amphibian, a native of this ecosystem, and the cutest thing.
9. Find out why Mexico’s Beating Heart is in the Traditional Markets
If you have just a day to spend in Mexico City (or any Mexican town) and you ask me what to do, my advice will always include, “Go to the local market!” The Chilean writer and Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda once said: “I went from market to market for years because Mexico is in its markets.”
The mercados or tianguis in Nahuatl (people still use this name) are excellent places to learn about the local culture. There is food, drinks, flowers, produce, toys, and friendly locals who will give you “un pilón” (an extra gift) before you leave their stand with your groceries.
La Merced in Centro is the biggest market, and it’s been there long before the Spanish invasion. Here you can find absolutely everything you can think of.
Connected to La Merced is the Sonora Market, where you’ll find all kinds of stuff for casting spells and practicing good and bad magic. It’s a fun place to visit! The eau de cologne “Todos a Mí” (All Come to Me) will stop your singleness in one second!
One of the best markets to eat at is the Mercado de Antojitos in Coyoacán – they have excellent pozole and quesadillas. Alternately, the regular market in Coyoacán has a festive food court with great traditional food and live music. Or, for more gourmet-style eats, head over to the Mercado de San Juan.
Finally, Jamaica in Centro has every flower and plant you can imagine, and it’s one of the best places to visit the days before the Day of the Dead when there are thousands of orange and purple flowers.
10. Enter the World of ‘Las Luchas,’ one of the Most Beloved Mexican Family Traditions
It took me several trips to Mexico City to give “lucha libre” wrestling a try. I did it because my son insisted, and I still can’t forgive myself for not doing it sooner. It was so much fun!
Mexican lucha libre wrestling matches are more than a big, hilarious show that mixes terrific physical skills and acrobatics, the best acting, and a superb mise-en-scène. It’s a tradition where families from all social backgrounds blend and have a blast while cheering for their favorite wrestler (“luchador”) and eating the best snacks.
My son and I took this wonderful Turibus tour on our trip to Mexico, and the experience couldn’t have been better. First, we met our group at a mall near downtown; then, we started our ride on the top of the bus to the arena.
We learned some facts about the history of lucha libre, but the best part is that a wrestler who would participate in a match that night was on board, and we got to ask questions, take photos with him, and then cheer for him!
11. Get the Most Incredible Views of Mexico City
Of course, seeing one of the world’s most populated cities from above is one of the must-do things in Mexico City! Here is a list of some of the best viewpoints in Mexico City.
Mirador Torre Latino is on the 44th floor and offers the city’s best views. Be sure to get your tickets in advance. They often host special events, like “Sunrise + Yoga + Photo.” Also, there is an excellent museum.
Go to the top of the monument Angel de la Independencia, one of Mexico City’s landmarks, honoring the centenary of Mexico’s Independence. You don’t need to pay a fee, but the authorization is in person (only for people 12 and up).
Show up at Calle República de Cuba #43 in Centro with your passport, and they’ll explain what to do. The process is straightforward. You’ll have to climb 200 steps, but in exchange, you’ll get amazing views of Paseo de Reforma and even the castle of Chapultepec.
You can also climb Monumento de la Revolución, an exciting place to visit to get great views. Be sure to get your tickets in advance.
Bellini restaurant is on the 45th floor of the World Trade Center Mexico City in Napoles. It’s the only revolving restaurant in the city! Eating a fantastic dinner while enjoying the 360-degree views is easily one of the top Mexico City activities.
12. Go to the Best Cantinas to Experience Mariachi Music
Mexico City’s music scene is vast; you can find everything under the sun. But, of course, spending a night partying with mariachi music is one of the most fun things to do in Mexico City.
Plaza Garibaldi (Centro) is the place where you’ll find the biggest concentration of mariachi. You’ll see them in groups holding their instruments, waiting for folks to hire their services.
You can simply hang out in the square and ask them to sing a few songs for a fixed price. Locals come here to spontaneously hire mariachis to play at their parties or serenatas, a romantic serenade that will wake the receiver (and you!) in the middle of the night.
There are many cantinas around Plaza Garibaldi. Salón Tenampa is the best one, with a great family-friendly ambiance and excellent food, drinks, and music. You must also check out the Tequila and Mezcal Museum, which features cool exhibitions, shops, and a wonderful terrace overlooking the square.
13. Experience the Day of the Dead in Mexico City
If there’s one thing that should be on your Mexico City bucket list, it should be the Day of the Dead. Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2. This festivity is part of UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The best plan is to get there during the last week of October to experience the markets full of traditional cempasuchil (marigolds), Calaveritas (sugar skulls), traditional foods, and elaborate altars.
This tradition starts at home when Mexicans go to the markets to get all the elements of the altars they’ll make to honor their departed ones. From home, it goes out to the streets, where parties, parades, and public altars will be held. It’s truly unique, both festive and humorous and melancholic and sad at the same time – a mix of emotions only Mexicans can create.
The best places to experience Day of the Dead in Mexico City is at the famous parade in Centro, as well as in Coyoacán and at San Andrés Mixquic, a cemetery outside of the city and the inspiration of the movie Coco.
14. Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most important catholic temples in the world, and visiting it is one of the must-do things in Mexico City for Catholics worldwide.
On December 12 each year, people from around the world go on a pilgrimage and thank the Virgen of Guadalupe, also called “La Guadalupana.” I had the chance to witness incredible demonstrations of faith during my visit. You can’t skip visiting this sanctuary to understand Mexico’s complex religious syncretism.
But there is more to the story of Cerro Tepeyac, where the temple was built honoring the place where the Virgin appeared on Saint Juan Diego’s sarape, which is now exhibited in the church.
This has been a sacred place for pre-Hispanic cultures forever. There used to be a temple honoring Tonatzin, the Aztec deity associated with motherhood and fertility, where thousands of people would go on a pilgrimage even before Aztec times.
15. Spend the day Trying to Uncover the Secrets of Mexico’s Most Mysterious Pyramids
Teotihuacan is an hour away from Mexico City and accessible by bus, or you can take a tour. This easy day trip is one of the top things to do in Mexico City.
You’ll love exploring the grounds, climbing the steps to the top of the pyramids, and learning about this sacred Aztec place. The coolest thing about Teotihuacan is that nobody knows who built this incredible site.
By the time the Aztecs arrived, the city had been abandoned for unknown reasons. Nevertheless, they couldn’t believe the magnificence of this former civilization, and they called Teotihuacan “the place where men become gods.”
There is a cool, hypnotizing light show after dark where you’ll learn the history of this place. You can also stay overnight in the town of Tehotihuacán and get a good dinner and a temazcal (a traditional Aztec steam room, a truly spiritual experience!).
There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Mexico City. What’s your favorite thing to do in Mexico City?
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