Things To Do
Historic Center (Zócalo & Templo Mayor)
The vast Zócalo plaza has been the ceremonial heart of this valley since Aztec times, now flanked by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the ruins of Templo Mayor, the empire’s main temple. Wander cobblestone streets to discover colonial arcades, baroque churches, and hidden courtyards that layer Spanish conquest atop ancient foundations.
National Anthropological Museum
The National Anthropology Museum houses the world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including the Aztec Sun Stone and Olmec colossal heads. This famous institution features 23 halls that trace the rise and fall of Mexico’s indigenous civilizations, making it a cornerstone for understanding the country’s cultural heritage.
Chapultepec Park & Castle
Spanning over 1,600 acres, Chapultepec Park is one of the largest urban green spaces in the Americas, offering lakes, botanical gardens, and museums. At its summit sits the Castillo de Chapultepec, the only royal castle in North America, which served as an imperial residence for Emperor Maximilian and now showcases period rooms and panoramic city views.
Teotihuacan Pyramids
Located about 30 miles northeast of the city, Teotihuacan was a colossal pre-Hispanic metropolis that thrived between 100 BCE and 750 CE. Visitors can climb the Pyramid of the Sun and the smaller Pyramid of the Moon to gaze over the Avenue of the Dead, imagining the once-bustling city that may have housed over 100,000 people
Palacio de Bellas Artes
The Palace of Fine Arts, built between 1904 and 1934, is Mexico City’s premier cultural center, featuring an art nouveau exterior of Carrara marble and an art deco interior. It houses a 1,590-seat theater, the National Museum of Architecture, and the Museum of the Palace of Fine Arts, where 19th- and 20th-century murals by Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco adorn its grand halls.
Frida Kahlo Museum
The birthplace and lifelong home of Frida Kahlo is now a popular museum dedicated to her work and life. Nicknamed the Casa Azul for its bright blue exterior, the museum will take you through the beautifully decorated rooms and the quaint family garden, as you learn about the incredible influence of Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
One of the world’s most-visited Catholic pilgrimage sites, the new Basilica, consecrated in 1976, shelters the tilma (cloak) of Saint Juan Diego bearing the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, one of Catholicism’s most revered icons. Drawing upwards of 10 million pilgrims each year—peaking on December 12—it stands as Latin America’s most visited shrine and a testament to Mexico’s enduring faith heritage.