Summary
Although Mexico City is renowned for its massive size and excessive pollution, crime, and traffic, travelers who venture to the capital of Mexico will be rewarded with some impressive sights and sounds. As one of the largest cities in the world, there is an abundance of museums, archaeological sites, historical buildings, and bustling markets to occupy a visitor for months on end. The choices can be overwhelming! To optimize your time, here are the top ten Mexico City sights to include in your visit.
Plaza de la Constitución
Address
Plaza de la Constitución, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
This is Mexico City’s main square, located in the historic center. Its official name is Plaza de la Constitución, but it is usually referred to as el Zócalo. At 830 x 500 feet, it’s one of the largest public squares globally. The great expanse of paved space is decorated with a single huge Mexican flag in the center. This is the heart of the city, the site of events, festivals, protests, and a good place to start your explorations.
Catedral Metropolitana
Address
P.za de la Constitución S/N, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone +52 55 4165 4052
The enormous cathedral on the North side of the Zócalo was built over 250 years and features a mixture of architectural styles. This historic building is slowly sinking into the ground; however, an extensive engineering project was undertaken in the 1990s to ensure that the cathedral would sink uniformly. Take a tour to the bell tower (offered several times each day) to enjoy the view of the plaza and rooftops from above.
Palacio Nacional
Address
P.za de la Constitución S/N, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06066 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone +52 55 5093 4900
The government building takes up the East side of the Zocalo and houses the federal treasury and national archives. The main attraction here is Diego Rivera’s murals depicting thousands of years of Mexican history, which are both insightful and visually stunning.
Templo Mayor
Address
Seminario 8, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06060 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone +52 55 4040 5600
In 1978, electric company workers excavated a large round stone depicting the Aztec moon goddess Coyolxauqui, which led to the excavation of this main Aztec temple. This temple was dedicated to Tlaloc, the god of rain, and Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. In the museum, you can admire the stone sculpture that prompted the archaeological project and view various fascinating artifacts discovered on the site.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Address
Av. Juarez S/N, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone +52 528 647 6500
Mexico City’s grandiose Fine Arts Theater, planned to commemorate the centenary of Mexican independence in 1910, was completed in 1934. It contains murals by renowned artists including Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, offering an enriching cultural experience.
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Address
Av. P.º de la Reforma s/n, Polanco, Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone +52 55 5553 6266
Located in Chapultepec Park, the National Anthropology Museum houses the most impressive collection of Mesoamerican artifacts globally. Each cultural region of Mesoamerica is showcased within the museum, including the renowned Aztec exhibit featuring the famous Sun Stone or “Aztec Calendar.”
Museo Frida Kahlo
Address
Londres 247, Del Carmen, Coyoacán, 04100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone +52 55 5554 5999
The Casa Azul, or Blue House in Coyoacán, was the family home of the famous artist and wife of painter Diego Rivera. They lived here during the last 14 years of her life, and the house is decorated with beautiful Mexican arts and crafts that provide a glimpse into their private lives.
Xochimilco
Address
16300, Av. 16 de Septiembre 3750, Xochimilco, San Lorenzo Atemoaya, Xochimilco, 16090 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
The chinampas, or “floating gardens,” of the Aztecs were an ingenious agricultural technique to create arable land on the lake. Today, you can ride brightly colored boats along the canals and purchase items from vendors on barges or even hire a mariachi band to serenade you as you glide along.
Teotihuacan
Address
55800 San Juan Teotihuacán, State of Mexico, Mexico
This remarkable archeological site is located about 25 miles outside of Mexico City and is worth a day trip. The “city of the gods” flourished between 200 B.C. and 800 A.D., at which point it was one of the largest cities in the world, influencing the entirety of Mesoamerica. Highlights include the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Avenue of the Dead, and the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon.
Basílica de Guadalupe
Address
Fray Juan de Zumárraga No. 2, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, Gustavo A. Madero, 07050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone +52 55 5577 6022
The hill where the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego is now one of the most visited religious sites globally. Guadalupe is the patroness of Mexico and a significant national symbol. At the basilica, you can observe the original mantle of Juan Diego with her miraculous image.
Bonus: Chapultepec Park
It’s challenging to narrow down the choices in such a large city that has so much to offer. However, these iconic attractions should be on the must-visit list for first-time visitors. Moreover, if you have explored the other sites on this list and still have time, take a day to explore Chapultepec Park. You can tour the National History Museum located in Chapultepec Castle, hire a pedal boat for a spin around the artificial lake, or visit the zoo for a fun and scenic experience.
