Mexico City is one of my favorite cities in the world. This bustling metropolis can seem overwhelming at first, but take it little by little and you’ll undoubtedly fall in love. Mexico City can often feel like a dozen cities in one. It takes time to find your footing and favorite spots in the throes of this city of over 20 million people. Once you do, you will feel right at home. Mexico City is one of the liveliest and most exciting cities I’ve ever been to. Culture, history, and cuisine intersect in every plaza and cobbled street of Mexico’s capital. It is impossible to get bored here. Whether your travel style is hardcore sightseeing or roaming around aimlessly, Mexico City has a slew of things to do for you.

While you’ll surely find your own favorite things to do in Mexico City, this list is a good place to start.

And hey, if this post helps you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going by buying me a beer! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated. It allows me to keep providing free travel guides and creating travel content to help you all travel the world.

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Table of Contents

• Historical Sites, Cultural Attractions, and Sightseeing
• The Best Markets of Mexico City
• Food and Nightlife in Mexico City
• Day Trips From Mexico City
• Miscellaneous Recommendations

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The Best Things To Do in Mexico City: Historical Sites and Cultural Attractions

Roam Through the Historic Zocalo

The historic center of Mexico City, also known as Zocalo, is a beautiful and lively area to walk through. It’s got a hustle and bustle to it that brings you to life. There are countless things to see in the Zocalo, from the Aztec ruins of the Templo Mayor, the iconic Metropolitan Cathedral, the gorgeous ceiling of Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico, and a multitude of museums and historical sites. Roaming around aimlessly here is the way to go. I love simply wandering and then walking into any building that seems remotely interesting. Being in the heart of the chaos is an essential experience in Mexico City, but if you need a breather, just take to a rooftop terrace and catch some beautiful views of the Mexico City’s historic center.

Hostel Recommendation for Zocalo: Casa Pepe

Go on a Historical Booze Cruise in Xochimilco

As tacky and touristy as it gets, Xochimilco is undeniably good fun. Get some friends together, rent one of these colorful gondolas for about $30 per hour, and take on the ancient waterways of Xochimilco. These canals are the last remaining canals of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, but today, you’ll find hundreds of boats on the waterways, ranging from fellow tourists to alcohol vendors and Mariachi bands. It is a guaranteed good time to be had in Mexico City. If you’re traveling solo and don’t have anyone to go with, I’d recommend booking a tour to guarantee that you’ll have a group to revel in the debauchery with.

Wander Through Chapultepec Park, Mexico City’s Massive Urban Forest

Mexico City is home to one of the largest city parks in the world, El Bosque De Chapultepec. This massive 686 hectare forest is an excellent place to wander and surround yourself in greenery and scenic views. You’ll stumble into art museums, botanical gardens, and a plethora of street vendors selling anything you can imagine. It’s a great place to spend the day, but especially lively on the weekends.

Hike Up To Castillo Chapultepec

While you’re at Chapultepec Park, be sure to make the trip up to Chapultepec Castle. The entry ticket costs 90 pesos. A short hike from the entrance will take you up to a castle-turned-museum. It is a beautiful building with lots of displays from throughout Mexican history. The views from the top are absolutely stunning, offering panoramic views of the lush Chapultepec Forest and sprawling Mexico City. I’d say the views are worth the ticket alone. Don’t miss out on the vitrales, a beautiful hallway lined with stained-glass windows that I’d say is the most beautiful part of the castle.

Explore the Urban Creative Space of Ex Fabrica, a Former Flour Factory

A little-known attraction to international travelers is Ex Fabrica, an abandoned flour factory and warehouse that has been transformed into a bustling platform for art, creativity, and expression. Everything is a canvas here, from its hidden stairwells to its towering factory chutes. Ex Fabrica is home to art galleries, restaurants, bars, an arcade, a tattoo studio, and all the street art your heart desires.

Roam Through the Immersive National Anthropology Museum

Mexico City’s National Anthropology Museum is one of my favorite museums in the world. It costs 90 pesos to enter, an incredible value for how expansive and thorough the museum is. it’s easy to spend the entire day at the Anthropology Museum, if not multiple days. I’ve visited half a dozen times now and I discover something new every time. Most people know about the Aztecs and the Mayans, but Mexico’s human history goes far deeper than just those two civilizations. This museum is a rabbit hole for history and culture lovers. It’s one of the most fascinating museums I’ve ever been to, and no matter how often I go, it never fails to capture my intrigue.

Catch Sunset Views from Torre Latinoamericana

It doesn’t get much better than the 44th floor views from the top of Torre Latinoamericana. For 170 pesos ($8 USD), take the elevator to the top of this iconic building offering panoramic views of Mexico City and the surrounding mountainous landscapes. It’s a perfect spot to go for sunset, although it can get crowded. Just clear up your camera roll beforehand because you’ll be taking a lot of pictures. If you want to avoid paying the entry fee for the observatory, you can also go up to Miralto Restaurant on the 41st floor. It is pricy, but you can at least get some food or drinks for your 170 pesos.

Visit the Palacio De Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts)

The Palacio De Bellas Artes is definitely far more impressive on the outside, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth going inside. It has a collection of fine arts and rotating exhibitions, although I found the exhibits to be quite lacking. The Palacio de Bellas Artes also hosts operas and other performances in the museum’s theater, and the Ballet Folklorico on Wednesday nights has been on my bucket list for a while. You’ll likely be walking past Palacio de Bellas Artes several times during your adventures throughout Mexico City, and it never gets old.

Roam Through Alameda Central and the Neighboring Museums

The Palacio de Bellas Ares is also right next to Alameda Central, a beautiful park that is Mexico City’s oldest public park. While you’re in the area, you can also visit the other museums lining the park. On the south side, there is the Museo de Arte Popular and the sombering Museum of Memory and Tolerance dedicated to genocides. On the west side, a huge Diego Rivera Mural and a small museum dedicated to him are the highlights. On the north side, you’ll find the art museum of Museo Kaluz and the Franz Mayer Museum. If you’re in the mood for museum-hopping, this is the area to do it in.

Hostel Recommendation Near Parque Alameda: Hostel Suites DF

Visit the Museum of the Bank of Mexico

One of my Mexican friends visited me in the city and was adamant that we visit the Bank of Mexico. I finally gave in on her last day in Mexico City, and was actually surprised at how cool the experience was. You wouldn’t think visiting a bank was all that interesting, but for a free museum, it was worth stopping by for an hour or two. The exhibits were fascinating, from an immersive display inside the bank’s vault to a scavenger hunt to turn your museum visit into an interactive game.

Browse Through Biblioteca Vasconcelos

The Vasconcelos Library is something out of a sci-fi film. This futuristic library looks brutalist on the outside, but the inside is nothing short of mesmerizing. It’s worth checking out for the pictures alone, but it’s also a surprisingly great place to work. There are several floors, each with reading and working areas. Despite its popularity as a tourist attraction, it is very quiet and spread out enough that you can work or read in silence. Vasconcelos Library also has a number of art displays and galleries to view.

Visit Casa Azul, The Frida Kahlo Museum

I’m not usually a fan of visiting people’s historic houses. They are often underwhelming experiences, but Frida’s house truly blew me away. The Frida Kahlo Museum, or Casa Azul, can be found in the Coyoacan neighborhood. Many of the rooms are left exactly how Frida left them before she died, including her studio. It’s a great look into the life of Mexico’s biggest icon and one of the world’s most fascinating creative minds. While you’re in the area, you can also check out Leon Trotsky’s house about five blocks away, where he spent some time as a Soviet exile (and Frida’s lover) before being assassinated in the same house.

Explore the Neighborhood of Coyoacan

If you’re visiting Frida Kahlo’s house, don’t limit yourself. It is a bit of a journey to get there from Mexico City’s more central neighborhoods, so take advantage of exploring the area while you’re here. The town of Coyoacan is one of my favorites of Mexico City. It feels like a small town within the big city. There are plenty of mercados to explore and hidden gems to be discovered. Some ceviche or pulpo tostadas at Mercado Coyoacan are an absolute must. Be sure to grab a coffee and listen to some live street music at Cafe El Jarocho.

Visit Diego River’s Anahuacalli Museum

If you have some spare time in Coyoacan, be sure to visit Diego Rivera’s magnificent Anahuacalli. It’s one of the most unique museums in Mexico City. Buying tickets to the Frida Kahlo Museum also includes entry to the Anahuacalli. Although they aren’t within walking distance of each other, it’s well worth the trip.

Marvel at the MUNAL National Art Museum

One of Mexico City’s most impressive buildings is the National Art Museum, also known as the MUNAL. The architecture of the building is simply stunning, and almost as beautiful as the works it houses inside it. It is home to masterpieces by Mexican and international artists, and was an eye-opening look into the history of Mexican art. There are massive paintings depicting Mexico’s history, from its Aztec and Mayan roots to its colonization and industrialization. It is a must while visiting Mexico City.

Make A Pilgrimage to Basilica of Guadalupe

The Basilica of Guadalupe is one of the most significant sites in Catholicism. The legend behind it is very fascinating, and whether you’re Catholic or not, you’ve likely heard the story. It’s a very sacred site, but if you aren’t particularly interested in religion, you might not want to go out of your way for it. Many tour agencies offer combination tours of the Basilica of Guadalupe and the ruins of Teotihuacan at a good price, so you can book that if you’d like a convenient way to check it out.

If you happen to be in town during the Feast Days of the Virgin of Guadalupe, you are going to want to head over here. Millions of people make the pilgrimage to this basilica between the days of December 1st to December 12th. The atmosphere is extremely lively, and the street become lined with markets and street food vendors. It’s a powerful experience being in the midst of millions of pilgrims making the journey from all over the world.

Check Out Museum Soumaya in Polanco

Polanco is Mexico City’s most upscale neighborhood, so I don’t frequent it very often. However, there are a few museums in Polanco worth checking out. The most iconic is Museo Soumaya, with its unique exterior unlike anything else you’d find in Mexico City. It is an architectural marvel, although it is definitely more interesting on the outside than on the inside. Snag your pics for the ‘gram, but that’s about all there is to it.

Check Out The Art Museum of Jumex in Polanco

In the neighborhood of Polanco right across from the Museo Soumaya, you’ll find Jumex Museum. While it shares the name with the Mexican juice brand, it doesn’t actually have anything to do with juice, much to my despair. Their mango juice is the bees’ knees. The Jumex Museum is a modern art museum which is completely free. If you’re already in the area, there’s no loss in checking it out. I found it much more fascinating than the Museo Soumaya, although that’s not saying much.

Pop Into Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico

Now, you probably know that I can’t afford to be staying in bougie hotels any time soon. But, I was roaming the streets near the Zocalo and a fancy chandelier caught my eye. I randomly walked into this hotel, and it’s worth popping in and admiring the hotel for a few minutes. The ceiling is absolutely gorgeous. It’s also a renowned filming location, appearing in Frida and the James Bond films Licence to Kill and Spectre.

Visit the House of Tiles (Casa de Azulejos)

You’ll likely pass by this beautiful building on a wander through Mexico City. Don’t just admire it from the outside, it’s worth going inside as well. The inside is mostly a restaurant and a pharmacy, but it is a really cool setting. You’ll find murals from renowned Mexican painters and a lot of historic photographs, among other things.

See the Mariachis at Plaza Garibaldi

Plaza Garibaldi is a renowned hub for mariachi. Make sure to visit in the evening when the plaza truly comes alive. Keep in mind that the musicians do need to get paid, and expect to pay around $7 USD per song if you have a specific request. For mariachi-lovers, this is an essential stop in Mexico.

Check out the Museo del Futuro Exhibit at Antiguo Hotel Reforma

This might just be a temporary exhibit, so see it while you can! It’s a small pop-up museum with just a few rooms, but each one is fascinating and filled with futuristic art exhibits. It is also the first time I’ve seen a museum feature NFTs and properly explain how they work, which was a refreshing change from some tech bro just yelling at my face in a bar or something.

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The Best Markets of Mexico City

Go Antique Shopping at Dr. Ignacio Chavez Garden

Every weekend, antique vendors and local artists set up shop at Jardin Dr. Ignacio Chavez. This is one of my favorite places for a weekend wander, browsing through knickknacks from generations past. There’s something I adore about antique markets and the quirks of the passionate collectors and salesmen. Like I probably wouldn’t buy an aging Mexican traveler’s stamp collection from South East Asia, but boy, the adventures he must have had. Or, what compelled this person to collect dozens of Buzz Lightyear figures? I rarely have room in my backpack for souvenirs, but I picked up a few vintage postcards, some with heartfelt handwritten messages sent back home from the 80’s and 90’s. It’s a nice reminder of our shared humanity and I love me some faded, old-timey postcards.

But I digress. Vinyls, movie posters from the 60’s, antique furniture, you name it. You’ll find plenty of surprises at Colonia Cuauhtemoc’s Bazar de Antiguedades.

Experience Sensory Overload at the Sprawling Mercado de la Merced

Located in the far east of the historical center, you’ll find the massive Mercado de la Merced. It is the largest of Mexico City’s many markets, and as immersive of an experience you’ll find in any Mexican market. Even a seasoned traveler will find themselves getting lost in the labyrinthine throes of this sprawling market. If you’re looking for an authentic dive into Mexico, Mercado de la Merced is where it’s at.

Explore La Lagunilla Market on Sundays

The La Lagunilla flea market is one of the biggest and most chaotic that you’ll find in Latin America. It is one of my favorite places to shop for vintage clothing and browse through quirky antiques. You’ll find it a few blocks north of the main plaza, bordering the infamous neighborhood of Tepito. It’s best to visit on a Sunday if you’re looking for maximum chaos. While Tepito has a bad reputation, La Lagunilla is fairly busy and generally fine to visit. It is a quintessential Mexico City experience, complete with street food, music, and drinking throughout the market.

Grab A Bite To Eat (And Some Insects) At San Juan Market

I didn’t think I’d ever order a charcuterie board of scorpions, spiders, larvae, and other insects, but here I am. The centrally-located Mercado de San Juan is popular among tourists and locals alike, and its central location close to Zocalo makes it a convenient destination for shopping or browsing. For cheap local eats and a few strange delicacies, it is definitely worth checking out.

Push Your Allergies to Their Limits at Jamaica Flower Market

Further outside the city center, you’ll find the Floreria in Mercado Jamaica. The market is huge, selling all sorts of things, but the highlight is the endless rows of flowers freshly picked from all over Mexico. We decided to pop by to pick out some flowers for our apartment, picking up a fat stack of sunflowers for 100 pesos, among other colorful bouquets. Even if you don’t actually plan on buying some flowers, it’s a beautiful place for walking around and snapping some pictures.

Go Souvenir Shopping at Mercado de los Insurgentes

This market, close to the Angel of Independence statue, is one of my favorites in Mexico City. It’s an artisanal market that’s perfect for souvenir shopping. I also just adored the street art that lined the entrance of the market. I mean, how cute is the one on the left!?

Visit the Jardin del Arte Sullivan on a Sunday

On the weekends, this beautiful park transforms into an open-air art museum, where local artists display their work throughout the park. Whether you’re browsing for some new home decor or just admiring their work, it’s a great vibe for a Sunday stroll.

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Food and Nightlife in Mexico City

Go To A Lucha Libre Match

The Mexican tradition of Lucha Libre dates back to the 1800s and is perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of Mexican culture. Going to a Lucha Libre match is a quintessential thing to do in Mexico City. It is great fun, no matter how tacky or cheesy you might think it is. Grab a few friends, a few cervezas, and just suspend reality for a couple of hours and enjoy the show.

Have A Night Out in Roma Norte

Roma Norte is the liveliest nightlife district in Mexico City, home to bars and clubs that accommodate to any budget and music taste. Treat yourself to a cocktail at Supra’s Rooftop Bar or the fully female-ran Bar Las Brujas. Budget a little tighter? Grab some pulque or $5 cocktails at the local and lively Pulqueria Los Insurgentes. Mama Rumba is poppin’ for live Latin music so get your salsa shoes ready. Departamento’s another popular late night spot, although a bit more high end. You have no shortage of options in Roma Norte. Pop into Taqueria Orinoco for some drunk tacos afterwards.

Hostel Recommendation for Roma Norte: Wanderlust District Hostel

Feast on Vegan Food at Condesa

Mexico City is a foodie paradise. Even if you don’t eat meat or animal products, you won’t miss out on much. Mexico City is one of my favorite cities for vegan food, specifically the neighborhoods of Condesa and Roma. Whether you want to sit down for a healthy quinoa bowl at Veguisima or grab a vegan street taco from Gracias Madre, Mexico City will deliver. La Pitahaya has pink dragonfruit-based tortillas, and I’d recommend Gatorta for authentic street eats from the coolest local ladies.

Hostel Recommendation for Condesa: Casa Pancha Hostel

Enjoy Michelin Star Street Tacos at El Califa de Leon

Mexico City is home to the world’s first and only Michelin Star street taco. El Califa de Leon serves up simple tacos with meat so savory that they don’t dress it with much else. They were excellent tacos, and I would recommend the gaonera and bistec tacos. They will be more expensive than your usual street taco, but that is to be expect, and well-deserved.

Visit the Tequila and Mezcal Museum

At Plaza Garibaldi, you’ll also find the Tequila and Mezcal Museum. Tequila and mezcal are two integral parts of Mexican culture, and if you don’t have time to make it to Oaxaca or Jalisco, this could be the next best way to learn about the liquors behind your blackouts.

Go on a Street Food Tour of Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the street food capitals of the world. You’ll find street food vendors all throughout the city. You can explore Mexico City’s street food scene on your own or go with a local guide who knows all the best spots. @TheCuriousMexican has a street food tour that my friends highly recommended. You can find some other options below.

Eat Cochinita Pibil at Tacos El Turix

I tried so hard to remain vegan in Mexico City, but my friend brought me to this local spot in the high-end neighborhood of Polanco and I couldn’t resist. This hole-in-the-wall restaurant is a huge contrast to the mansions and high-class restaurants that neighbor it. However, it might be the best spot to grab tacos in Polanco. The cochinita pibil is out of this world, and I was practically drooling watching the food being made.

Sip on Coffee While Browsing Through Cafebreria El Pendulo

I was definitely on the digital nomad vibe while I was in Mexico City, and Cafebreria El Pendulo was one of my favorite work spots. It’s a bookstore, cafe, and restaurant all in one. My favorite location was in Polanco, pictured above, although they also have a branch in Roma Norte. Something about being surrounded by books just does wonders for my productivity. It’s worth popping in for a coffee while you’re roaming around Polanco. The aesthetic of Cafebreria El Pendulo definitely makes it a good Instagram spot.

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The Best Day Trips From Mexico City

The Ancient Pyramids of Teotihuacan

The archaeological site of Teotihuacan is one of the best that you’ll find in Mexico. Its close proximity to Mexico City also makes it a popular day trip from the big city. Bring some sunscreen and a hat, and get your legs ready to climb these epic pyramids.

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Hike Up Nevado de Toluca

Located in Toluca state is the iconic Nevado de Toluca. It’ll take about three hours from Mexico City to reach the trailhead of Nevado de Toluca. Be warned, though, this is not for the faint of heart. If you plan on reaching the summit, make sure to have acclimatized to the altitude. It’s not the hardest hike in the world, but the fitter you are, the easier it’ll be. You don’t need aspirations of summiting to visit Nevado de Toluca. You can also just walk down and hang out by the beautiful lakes.

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The Pueblo Magico of Taxco de Alarcon

This city of all white nestled in the mountains of Guerrero is one of the best pueblos magicos in Mexico. Taxco captivated me right away. I’d never seen a city like this before. Despite being arguably the most beautiful town in Mexico, it remains off the typical tourist trail. You can easily reach Taxco by bus from Mexico City. It’s a good day trip, but I’d recommend sticking around for a couple of days. 

The Complete Travel Guide to Taxco, Guerrero | Mexico

Grutas de Tolantongo

About four hours away from Mexico City, you’ll find the marvelous Grutas Tolantongo. If you’re making a day trip, I recommend an early start because it can be a journey to get to. However, it’s probably the best weekend trip you can take from Mexico City. This park is filled with stunning waterfalls, caves, swimming holes, and dozens of thermal pools to relax in. It’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever done in Mexico, and worth the journey from Mexico City.

The Complete Guide to Visiting Grutas Tolantongo Without a Tour

The Pueblo Magico of Tepoztlan

The pueblo magico of Tepoztlan is about two hours of Mexico City. It’s a popular weekend getaway for Mexican citizens, but still relatively unknown to international travelers. Tepoztlan is a beautiful village with colorful street art, lively markets, and of course, the stunning mountain backdrop believed to be the birthplace of the Feathered Serpent God Quetzalcoatl.

Backpacker’s Guide to Tepoztlan, Morelos | Mexico

Puebla and Cholula

Less than two hours away from Mexico City is the beautiful and historic Puebla. While Puebla is one of Mexico’s biggest cities, it often feels like a small town. It is home to gorgeous architecture and amazing food. I actually prefer the neighboring pueblo magico of Cholula, so be sure not to miss it on your visit. It’s home to one of the most iconic churches in Mexico, built upon the remains of the biggest pyramid in Mexico. You can explore some underground tunnels before hitting up Cholula’s lively nightlife.

Hiking at Izta-Popo National Park

One of the best escapes into nature from Mexico City is visiting Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl National Parks. It’ll take about an hour and a half to get there from Mexico City, depending on traffic and where in the city you are. You can spend the entire day here hiking whilst in the shadows of two of Mexico’s most revered mountains. For the more ambitious, it’s possible to summit these volcanoes, but you’ll need more than a day trip for that.

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Other Things To Do in Mexico City

Rent A Bike And Cycle Through the City (Best on Sundays)

On Sundays, many streets of the city are closed down to vehicle traffic and only open to pedestrians, cyclists, and other wheeled forms of transports. It’s a great, stress-free way to quickly explore the city without worry of being hit by a car. Sunday mornings tend to be quieter in Mexico City, so it’s a rare opportunity to find some calm in the chaos.

Play With Dogs at Parque Mexico

Whenever I had nothing to do, I’d start my mornings with a coffee at Parque Mexico. This big park was excellent for people and dog watching. Walk through at any given time and someone would be teaching martial arts or a salsa class. Someone will be playing music. And of course, there will be lots of dogs at the dog park. On weekends, they also hold adoptions at the park. A good way to spend a day if you have nothing else to do is help the puppies get adopted.

Ride the Cable Cars All Over the City

There are a few cable car lines running throughout Mexico City, although many tourists don’t realize they exist altogether. They are mostly on the outskirts of the city serving the outer neighborhoods, but there is a station in Chapultepec Forest that is easily accessible. You can hop on with your metro card and just take in the views of the city from this unique mode of public transportation.

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Also, be sure to check out my complete itinerary for backpacking in Mexico with 77 jam-packed pages covering over 33 different destinations in this amazing country!

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If this post helped you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going by buying me a beer! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated, and allows me to keep writing helpful travel guides and creating travel content to help you all travel the world on a budget.