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Mexico Mexico City travel guide
31 things to do in Mexico City, where to stay, airport transfers, 4 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Mexico City
- Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral — cathedral in Mexico City (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) — Frida Kahlo's blue house in Coyoacán with her studio, clothes and garden; book ahead. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- National Museum of Anthropology — national museum of Mexico (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Palace of Fine arts — cultural centre in Mexico City (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Templo Mayor — main Temple of Tenochtitlan (visit ≈ 60 min)
- National Palace — Seat of the Executive branch of the Mexican Federal Government in Mexico City (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Zócalo — plaza in Mexico City (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Chapultepec Castle — palace in Mexico (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Angel of Independence — monument in Mexico City (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Monumento a la Revolución — Mexico City monument (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Plaza de las Tres Culturas — square in Mexico City (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Museo Nacional de Arte — art museum in Mexico City, Mexico (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Alameda Central Park — public park in Mexico City (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Academy of San Carlos — first major art academy and the first art museum in the Americas (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Palace of Iturbide — former Imperial Palace of Mexico (1822-1823) (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museo de Arte Moderno — Art museum in Mexico City, Mexico (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museo Nacional de San Carlos — National Museum of Mexico (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Franz Mayer Museum — art museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- plaza Garibaldi — square in Mexico City, Mexico (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Monument to Cuauhtémoc — sculpture in Mexico City (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Colegio de Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco — 16th and 17th century school of higher learning in Mexico (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Fuente de Cibeles — public fountain in Mexico City (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Chapultepec Zoo — zoo in Mexico City (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Teatro de la Ciudad — theatre in Mexico City (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Museum of Mexico City — museum in Mexico City (visit ≈ 120 min)
- San Ildefonso College — Art museum in Mexico City (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Historic Synagogue Justo Sierra 71 — Mexico City (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Church of Nuestra Señora de Valvanera, Mexico City — church in México City (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Hemicycle to Juárez — monument in Mexico City, Mexico (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Museo Nacional de las Culturas del Mundo — national museum in Mexico City, Mexico (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museo de la Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público — art museum in Mexico City (visit ≈ 120 min)
3-day Mexico City walking itinerary
Starting point: Roma Norte. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 7.9 km · 10,730 steps · 1 h 45 min on the way): Chapultepec Castle → National Museum of Anthropology → Angel of Independence
- Day 2 (≈ 8.2 km · 11,120 steps · 1 h 50 min on the way): Monumento a la Revolución → Palace of Fine arts
- Day 3 (≈ 9.4 km · 12,750 steps · 2 h 7 min on the way): Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral → National Palace → Zócalo
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Mexico City
- Xochimilco — Ride colourful trajinera boats along Aztec-era canals among floating gardens and music. (visit ≈ 180 min)
- Torre Latinoamericana — 1950s skyscraper in the historic core; its top floors overlook Bellas Artes and the endless city. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Palacio Postal — A grand 1907 building still working as a post office, with gilded stairways and bronze details. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Museo Soumaya — Free art collection inside a curvy futuristic building clad in hexagonal aluminium tiles in Polanco. (visit ≈ 90 min)
Where to stay in Mexico City
- Roma Norte: Leafy streets, cafés and restaurants.
- Condesa: Parks, Art Deco buildings and nightlife.
- Centro Histórico: Walk to the Zócalo and museums, good value.
- Polanco: Luxury hotels near Chapultepec Park.
- Juárez / Reforma: Central and well connected on Reforma.
- Coyoacán: Quiet colonial squares and the Frida Kahlo Museum.
Getting from the airport to Mexico City
- Benito Juárez (MEX): Metrobús Line 4 ≈ 45 min; taxi ≈ 30 min
Getting around
Metro and Metrobús are cheap and fast with the rechargeable Movilidad Integrada card. Uber or DiDi are safer at night.
Classic places to eat
- El Cardenal: Conchas and hot chocolate for breakfast.
- Contramar: Pescado a la talla and tuna tostadas.
- Café de Tacuba: Enchiladas and tamales since 1912.
- Churrería El Moro: Churros and hot chocolate since 1935.
- Taquería Los Cocuyos: Late-night suadero and campechano tacos.
- Bar La Ópera: Bar from 1876, famous for a bullet hole in the ceiling.
- Pujol: Mole madre and a modern Mexican tasting menu.
- Mercado de Coyoacán: Tostada stalls and fresh juices.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Pujol — 2 MICHELIN stars, Mexican, creative
- Quintonil — 2 MICHELIN stars, Mexican, creative
- Rosetta — 1 MICHELIN star, Mexican, Italian
- Sud 777 — 1 MICHELIN star, Mexican, creative
Romantic views
- Chapultepec Castle (Late afternoon): From the hilltop castle terrace you see Paseo de la Reforma and the city.
- Coyoacán Main Square (Evening): A calm evening walk across tree-lined squares and past the church.
- Alameda Central (Evening): The old park with fountains faces the Palace of Fine Arts as it lights up.
- Chapultepec Lake (Afternoon): Rent a rowing boat on the lake inside the forest for a calm ride.
Football stadiums in Mexico City
- Estadio Azteca: Home of Club América, Cruz Azul
- Universitary Olympic Stadium: Home of Pumas UNAM
- Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium: Home of Atlante F.C.
Day trips
- Teotihuacan — 42 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Mexico City
- Fine: Bringing firearms or even a single bullet brings heavy prison sentences.
- Fine: Selling and importing e-cigarettes and vapes is banned.
- Fine: Drug offences carry severe penalties.
- Warning: Don't hail street taxis; use apps or official sitio ranks.
- Pay in pesos and decline DCC; markets need cash.
- In many places toilet paper goes in the bin.
- Emergency: 911
- Plugs: A/B, 127V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: 10–15% is customary in restaurants.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Mexico, Wikivoyage — Mexico, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Mexico City travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Mexico City?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 3 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 6 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Teotihuacan).
- What are the top things to do in Mexico City?
- Highlights: Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul), National Museum of Anthropology, Palace of Fine arts and Templo Mayor. The map has 31 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Mexico City?
- Roma Norte: Leafy streets, cafés and restaurants. Other options: Condesa, Centro Histórico, Polanco, Juárez / Reforma and Coyoacán.
- How do you get from the airport to Mexico City city centre?
- Benito Juárez (MEX): Metrobús Line 4 ≈ 45 min; taxi ≈ 30 min
- How do you get around Mexico City?
- Metro and Metrobús are cheap and fast with the rechargeable Movilidad Integrada card. Uber or DiDi are safer at night.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Mexico City?
- According to the last known data there are 4 starred restaurants: Pujol (2 stars), Quintonil (2 stars), Rosetta (1 star), Sud 777 (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Mexico City?
- Emergency: 911.
- Do you tip in Mexico City?
- 10–15% is customary in restaurants.
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