The Ultimate Guide to Mexico City: 45 Must-See Attractions

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As you may already know, Mexico City is the country’s capital and political and financial hub.

The Aztecs founded it under the name of Tenochtitlan in the year 1325 (according to historians).

It has a warm climate most of the year, but in winter, it cools down because the temperature drops several degrees.

Mexico City is known for many things, primarily its rich gastronomy, archaeological sites, cultural venues, museums and galleries, parks, and many more.

45 Top Places to See and Visit in Mexico City

Mexico City has the most museums on the American continent and is second only to London.

Among the main tourist attractions in Mexico City are religious centers such as the sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Now, without further ado, let’s go over the 45 top places to visit in Mexico City.

1. Mexico City’s Teotihuacan

What is Mexico City Best Known for
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Teotihuacan is the City of pyramids, and you can admire the ones dedicated to the sun and moon.

In the Nahuatl language, Teotihuacan means City of the gods. It is one of the most important archaeological centers in the world and, therefore, one of the best places to visit in Mexico City.

But it’s a mysterious place because it is unknown who were its original inhabitants.

The Aztecs founded these ruins in the mid-13th century.

From Mexico City, there are bus routes every 15 minutes to the World Archeological Center; the trip takes an hour and a half.

The transportation starts from 6 am until 10 pm and includes returning to the City.

In Teotihuacan, visitors will see the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.

At 63 meters high, the Pyramid of the Sun is the tallest construction in the area.

While the Pyramid of the Moon is the second largest.

These places have platforms where it is supposed that these pre-Columbian cultures worshipped their gods.

You can enjoy the site better with a map that will serve as a guide to make the tour.

2. Inbursa Aquarium

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inbursa aquarium

The Inbursa Aquarium is the only one of its kind in Mexico City, housing more than 14,000 species of fauna.

This aquarium is perfect for children because it’s interactive and has an area to touch some of the animals, especially dolphins.

There’s a space where visitors can see where insects that will later serve as food for the fauna are cultivated.

The interactive area has spaces for simulation, microscopes, and video screens. It is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

3. Lake Xochimilco

What is Mexico City Best Known for

Xochimilco is like a small Venice where you can navigate its romantic canals amidst beautiful vegetation.

It’s an environment consisting of a network of water canals navigated by charming, colorful boats (called trajineras).

Tourists can see the beautiful gardens planted on the sides of these canals.

Xochimilco is located southeast of Mexico City and can be reached by car, or by the city’s subway. The trip takes about an hour.

This lake is one of Mexico’s oldest and most traditional attractions precisely because of the boat tours called trajineras in the style of Venetian gondolas.

You can visit some artificial islands called chinampas, where the locals grow flowers and vegetables.

Once you are in the middle of the tour, don’t be surprised if other boats approach full of vendors offering food and drinks, among which the Michelada stands out.

At the end of the tour, you’ll find the Xochitl market, where you can try various specialties of its typical gastronomy.

4. The Chapultepec Castle

What is Mexico City Best Known for
chapultepec castle

The Chapultepec Castle was built between 1785 and 1787 by orders of Viceroy Bernardo de Gálvez as a rest house in the woods of the same name (Bosques de Chapultepec).

Later, with the arrival of Emperor Maximilian of Hasburg to Mexico in 1864, it was designated as his official residence.

Currently, it is the home of the National Museum of History.

You can see the fancy colonial French-style bedrooms of the 1900s Mexican President Porfirio Diaz (1830-1915), and his wife within the castle.

The museum displays the history of Mexico, from the arrival of the Spaniards to Tenochtitlan and the Mexican Revolution.

5. Coyoacan

What is Mexico City Best Known for
Quiet cobblestone street in the historic, colonial Coyoacán neighborhood of Mexico City

Coyoacan is the cultural and tourist district of Mexico City.

It houses the National University of Mexico, important museums such as the Frida Kahlo, the University of Contemporary Art, and the National Museum of Watercolor.

One way to get to Coyoacan is to take the so-called blue line of the Mexico City subway, exit at the General Anaya station, and then take a bus on 20 de Agosto Street.

The trip takes between 15 and 20 minutes from downtown Mexico City. Or you can hire a guide to take you on a private site tour.

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In Coyoacan, you will also find the Centro de Artes Vivas, a space that hosts activities such as concerts and art workshops.

The Museum of Popular Cultures is also on the premises, where you can see poetry recitals in the Nahuatl language.

6. Papalote Children’s Museum

What is Mexico City Best Known for

Want to go back to childhood? Visit the Papalote Children’s Museum, no matter your age, and you will have fun.

It is located in the “Bosques de Chapultepec,” whose goal is to strengthen children’s learning abilities through fun and technology.

The museum’s headquarters structure was designed to ensure that children enjoy their visit.

The museum has exhibits on different thematic areas such as the behavior of the human body and health care.

A visit to this museum is a must if you have children because it was designed for them to learn about the history of this country and how to conserve its natural resources.

7. Visit the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City

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The Franz Mayer Museum Plaza
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The Library

The Franz Mayer Museum is a very colorful place with spaces for fun and entertainment.

If you like ceramic handicrafts, handmade textiles, and silverware painting, this place is for you.

Located in the City’s historic center, it specializes in decorative techniques. You can take the subway and exit Hidalgo station to get there.

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The museum is located in what used to be the Hospital de Los Desamparados headquarters, run by the San Juan de Dios Order.

It bears the name of Franz Mayer, a German collector of objects based in Mexico since 1905. The place exhibits his collection.

Mayer was a photographer and philanthropist.

These spaces have photography exhibitions, educational activities, and cinema forums.

In the summer, there are art and graphic design courses for children.

It is a very colorful place that attracts the attention of locals and tourists. Its library has over 14 thousand titles, including historical and collectible books.

8. Basilica de Guadalupe: Home of Mexican Catholics

What is Mexico City Best Known for
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If you’re a Catholic (or just curious), this is a place you must visit.

The sanctuary was built on the site where it is believed that the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego, leaving her image printed on the blanket that Juan Diego carried.

Its official name is Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe.

More than 12 million faithful Catholics from Mexico and other countries visit the Basilica every year in gratitude for the favors received.

You can quickly get to the sanctuary from downtown Mexico City by taking a cab or the subway, which will take approximately 40 minutes.

9. Frida Kahlo Museum

What is Mexico City Best Known for
The famous Frida Kahlo Museum, aka Blue House (La Casa Azul)

The museum is known as “La Casa Azul” (the blue house), the home where the famous Frida Kahlo was born and died, located in one of the oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in Mexico City.

After Kahlo’s death, it was converted into a museum in 1958. If you drive or take a cab from downtown, you will reach the site in less than 40 minutes.

The museum preserves the rooms just as the owner left them, such as the kitchen when she was alive. Frida used to meet in this house with other artists who came to visit her.

It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

On the last Wednesday of every month, there is a dramatized visit to the “Blue House” by actors representing Kahlo and her famous visitors. This activity is recommended for children.

In addition, guided tours are offered for up to 20 people in English and Spanish groups.

10. Revolution Monument

What is Mexico City Best Known for

Enjoy the beautiful light show offered by the Monument to the Revolution.

This monument is located in Mexico City’s Plaza República. It is 67 meters high and is dedicated to commemorating the Mexican Revolution.

In its beginnings, these facilities were the seat of the Federal Legislative Palace during the government of President Porfirio Diaz.

After the end of the Revolution, its construction was restarted under the leadership of Mexican architect Carlos Obregón and was finally completed in 1938.

It houses the National Museum of the Revolution, which tells the history of this era of Mexico from 1867 to 1917.

There’s an excellent viewpoint to contemplate the beautiful landscape of the City.

If you want to visit this tourist attraction in Mexico City, it will only take 25 minutes to get there (from downtown), taking a cab or the subway lines two and three.

It’s open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. However, it offers a beautiful light show you cannot miss at night.

11. Garibaldi Square

What is Mexico City Best Known for

You can hire street Mariachis in Plaza Garibaldi to liven up your private party.

The space is famous because Mariachi groups and several regional music orchestras with their typical clothing perform in the area, making it one of the main tourist attractions of Mexico City.

Since it is surrounded by restaurants, it is a great place to gather with family and friends.

Those with a birthday party or a wedding at home can go to Plaza Garibaldi, choose the musical group they like, and hire them.

You can even walk from downtown; in 15 minutes, you will reach this beautiful space. The site was known during the colony as the “Plazuela del Jardin.”

In 1921 it was named after one of the Italian soldiers who participated in the Mexican Revolution, José Garibaldi.

And then, with the rise of Mexican charros like Jorge Negrete, music groups would go to the place to perform their songs during the golden age of Mexican cinema.

12. Desert of the Lions

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In Desierto de Los Leones National Park, you can visit the old convent of the founding friars.

This fantastic space was one of the first places to walk in Mexico City, projected by the mayor’s office.

It is a forest close to the City with trees such as pines and oaks, where raccoons and squirrels coexist.

Previously, a convent run by the Carmelites was damaged by an earthquake and a fire between 1722 and 1739.

In 1814 the friars abandoned the convent and gave the land to the jurisdiction of Mexico City, which decided to turn it into a park.

Here you can go hiking, and cycling enthusiasts can take their bicycles. You can also bring your lunch set up for a picnic.

To get there, you can take Metro Line Seven, which travels for about 20 minutes if you come from downtown.

13. Museum of Memory and Tolerance

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The Museum of Nonviolence has pieces that explain the diversity of humanity.

The museum aims to spread the importance of Nonviolence, Memory, and Human Rights.

It is located in Plaza Juarez, about a ten-minute walk from downtown. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm.

It houses two permanent exhibition sections, one dedicated to Memory and the other specializing in Tolerance.

The Memory section presents cases that call for historical reflection on the genocide committed against humanity.

The Tolerance section, on the other hand, has pieces that explain the diversity of humanity and the keys to not allowing discrimination among human beings.

The building opened to the public in 2010 and has seven floors with spaces that reach 1500 square km.

14. The Roma Market

market roma mexico city
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The Roma Market is the first of its kind in Mexico City to offer delicacies to your palate.

It is the first gourmet market in town, and its goal is that parishioners and tourists share the taste for good food, so if you are looking for a place to eat in Mexico City, this is it.

Here you can find organic products and sweets, among other delicacies. It is 35 minutes from downtown, and you can arrive by Metrobus or exit at the Chilpancingo subway station.

The place has its history because, for more than 40 years, it was the headquarters of Bar Gran León, where big parties were held during its glorious time.

Here you will also find hamburgers and tacos in the lovely stalls inside the market. It opened in 2014.

15. Munal Museum

art museum

The National Museum of Art, known as MUNAL, exhibits pictorial and sculptural works created in Mexico in the 16th and 20th centuries.

It is located in what used to be the Palace of Communications and Public Services downtown.

The building itself is an actual work of art; its lamps and doors are beautiful. Before being a museum, it functioned as a hospital.

Later, on the First Centenary of Independence, the president, Porfirio Diaz, asked to convert it into the Palace of Communications and Public Services.

The place has an extensive library, including documents and magazines.

It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. It is located near the Bellas Artes subway station in downtown Mexico City.

16. Tamayo Museum

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If you like contemporary art, the Tamayo Museum is a place you must visit.

The museum’s specialty is to exhibit contemporary art and that of its creator Rufino Tamayo, a Mexican modernist painter.

It was founded in 1981 and became under the tutelage of the National Institute of Fine Arts five years later. It is in the first section of the “Bosques de Chapultepec.”

The easiest way to get there is by taking the subway.

The museum has among its collection works by Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and even Fernando Botero and Rufino Tamayo.

If you like painting, this is a place you should not miss.

17. Universum Museum

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It was inaugurated on December 12, 1992. Universum is the Science Museum of the Autonomous University of Mexico.

It is in charge of transmitting scientific knowledge in a fun way, especially to children and young people.

You can reach it very easily by taking the subway from downtown Mexico City, and in 25 minutes, you will arrive at the nearest station, Universidad.

As I mentioned, this museum wants to bring scientific knowledge closer to its visitors.

Additionally, it has international exhibitions; among them are those dedicated to mathematics and the ones to water.

This element of nature is shown in different stages: solid, liquid, and gaseous.

18. San Juan Market

What is Mexico City Best Known for

There is no better way to learn and appreciate the culture of Mexico (and Mexicans) than by visiting the San Juan market.

The space is the union of four public markets in Mexico City, and if you want to know more about its gastronomy, it is suggested to take a tour.

It is located in the City’s historic center, so you can even walk there if you stay nearby.

Tourists don’t come here often, but it could be considered one of the tourist destinations in Mexico City because it is possible to find delicacies that are not available anywhere else in the City.

Locals go to this market to buy exotic proteins such as wild boar, ostrich meat, and even deer.

The fish market offers eels and manta rays. It is a curious fact to observe the sale of these types of foods.

19. The Sonora Market

What is Mexico City Best Known for

Touring the Sonora Museum around the Day of the Dead is pretty fun.

The space has 404 stalls selling all kinds of food. In its beginnings, it was known as the market of sorcerers because of the type of merchandise you find there.

It took the name of Sonora, due to the proximity of a movie theater that had the same name.

If you are staying downtown, you can reach it on foot, which will take you a few minutes.

The nearest subway station is “La Merced” on line one.

Visiting it close to the Day of the Dead celebration is quite fun because they sell cardboard skeletons.

During Holy Week, they do the traditional burning of Judas, a tradition involving burning a doll representing Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ, for 40 silver coins.

20. Templo Mayor Museum in Mexico City

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Its creation arose after the archaeological excavations in the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan.

About 7000 objects were recovered, so it was decided to create a museum to exhibit these findings. It opened its doors on October 12, 1987.

It has the same distribution as the Great Temple, according to the cult that the pre-Hispanic ethnic groups rendered to their gods: in the first place, they took into account the solar god of war, Huitzilopochtli, whose room of adoration was to the south of the temple.

Next and to the north is the room of homage to Tlaloc, the deity of rain.

The museum’s main attraction is the representation of Coyolxauhqui, the goddess of the moon.

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In short, it exhibits the evolution of Mexico’s indigenous ancestors from their settlement at Lake Texcoco to the arrival of the Spanish conquest.

The place is located in the heart of the City, and you can even walk to it.

21. Bosques de Tlalpan

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It is a protected natural area of 250 hectares south of Mexico City. There was a zoo there until 1988.

At present and under the tutelage of the Government, it functions as an ecotourism park since its surface is used for the environmental conservation of several native species of flora and fauna.

Visiting it will be very relaxing, especially if you want to make excursions around Mexico City.

Breathing fresh air, practicing sports, and even having a picnic.

In ancient times, the forest served as a settlement for the primitive ethnic groups of Mexico.

Soccer lovers will have the opportunity to practice because the area has different fields.

Other disciplines that can be practiced are boxing and yoga.

22. LAMM House

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This visual arts center also features beautiful plant and flower spaces.

It was built in the early 1920s, and in 1994, it was restored to become a visual arts center, where literature and art classes are also provided.

It also functions as an exhibition gallery and has a restaurant where tourists enjoy tasty Mexican gastronomy.

If you move around Mexico City by subway, the closest stations to this tourist spot are Niños Heroes and Insurgentes.

Another attraction of the area is its beautiful gardens with various flowers and plants that integrate with European architecture buildings and give visitors a beautiful perspective.

These spaces have been used for social and cultural events.

23. National Museum of Cultures

culture museum

You can see ancient cultures such as Egyptian or Mesopotamian in this museum.

This museum seeks to educate Mexicans about the world’s cultures.

It was inaugurated in December 1965 and is located in a beautiful old building from the 18th century, which previously served as the Mint and Firehouse, among other institutions.

It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and has free admission.

As a curious fact, the building was the headquarters of the first Mexican Museum called the Public Museum of Natural History, Archeology, and History.

Getting there is very easy if you use the subway or public transportation in the City. It is only 5 minutes off the Zocalo station.

Here you can visualize ancient cultures as fascinating as the Egyptian or Mesopotamian.

24. Alameda Central Park

What is Mexico City Best Known for
alameda park

The Alameda Zona Central is a beautiful tourist park near the Historical Center in Mexico.

It is the oldest in America because it has existed since 1592 and was inspired by the Alameda de Hercules in Seville, created in 1574.

You can head to this park to admire its historic sculptures that were recently restored and its singing fountains.

These fountains show jets that vary in size and are illuminated with colored lights for the enjoyment of visitors.

A place to take souvenir photographs in this park is the Mural Sueño de Una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda (Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda) by the famous painter and muralist Diego de Rivera.

This mural reflects important characters in Mexico’s history.

25. Coyoacan Plant Nurseries

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You can acquire beautiful varieties if you like growing plants in the Coyoacan Nurseries. This place produces plants and trees to reforest the urban area of Mexico City.

You can buy various beautiful plants their growers offer if you visit them.

Taking the subway makes it easy to get there; exit at the Viveros station, and in five minutes, you will be inside this beautiful space in Coyoacan.

In their “Arboretum” they offer environmental conservation classes for those interested. It has a compost and seed area.

The place combines environmentalism with sports and offers a jogging and walking track made of natural clay.

This beautiful place has many walking trails, and each has its name.

Visiting the trail called Las Acacias is recommended, adorned with beautiful wooden sculptures with original designs that will attract visitors’ attention.

26. Mexico City’s Lucha Libre

What is Mexico City Best Known for

Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) is a sport with many fans in Mexico and had its boom in the 40s and 50s thanks to the influence of Mexican movies.

The Arena Mexico is where this hobby has been presented since 1933, with a capacity of 4500 spectators.

It is an honor for the wrestlers to perform in this Arena, which has been characterized as multipurpose because it has been used to present circus performances and basketball shows, among others.

It has served as a stage for famous singers such as Camilo Sesto or Calle 13 to perform in front of their audiences.

Today, it is the World Wrestling Council headquarters, and gladiators continue to perform there for the pleasure of the fans who come to see their sports idols.

27. Cerro de la Estrella

Indigenous settlements have been discovered on this hill since the Mesoamerican Pre-Classical period.

In this space, these ethnic groups built the Temple of the New Fire, in which a ceremony was held to prevent the sun from dying, according to their beliefs.

It bears the name La Estrella because, in colonial times, there was a hacienda with the same name.

This space is also the Fuego Nuevo Museum, which exhibits the archaeological findings in the area.

To get there, you must go to Iztapalapa station on line 8 of the subway; if you are in the center of the City, the transfer will take you 45 minutes.

Today this site is famous during Holy Week because Christians perform the living representation of the Passion of Christ.

Interestingly, the place has trails or paved paths that take you to caves with petroglyphs from the pre-Hispanic era.

28. Metropolitan Cathedral

What is Mexico City Best Known for

The Metropolitan Cathedral is the largest in Latin America and is located in the City’s historic center.

It is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the advocation of the Assumption.

Its construction took around 250 years, so it combines several architectural styles.

It is centrally located near the Plaza de la Constitución, so you can reach it in minutes in the heart of the capital.

A significant element of the Metropolitan Cathedral is the altarpiece of the Kings and the Royal Chapel dedicated to royal personages consecrated as saints.

In the main altar you can contemplate the statues of the 12 apostles next to Jesus preaching the gospel.

The styles of Spanish churches inspired their builders. The Metropolitan Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Mexico City.

This sanctuary frequently hosts choral and sacred music festivals, making it one of the preferred places.

29. Independencia Market

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This market represents a new concept in the City’s historic center, offering innovative and exquisite ways to present original delicacies to its visitors.

It belongs to the same group that works with the Mercado del Carmen, so they complement both gastronomically and architecturally.

The Independencia market is located in a beautiful old mansion in the heart of the City and offers eclectic options for all types of palates, from Argentinean meats to sushi.

It also offers dessert and coffee options for your partner and friends.

For those visiting downtown Mexico City, it is an unmissable option at lunch or dinner and is easily reached by cab.

On weekends they present live music at night, the most famous DJs in the City have their space in this place.

30. National Museum of Popular Cultures

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culture museum

This museum exhibits the vision of the indigenous cultures residing in the country and the customs and expressions they represent.

The building that serves as headquarters dates from 1734. The place presents lectures, film series, and spaces for reading children’s stories and gastronomic fairs.

If you come by subway, you can exit at the General Anaya station and take a minibus at the exit that leaves you in front of the place in five minutes.

You can admire ceramics and fabrics in this museum and even utensils in Talavera, clay, and wood. All are decorated with lots of colors, as is the Mexican culture.

Among its spaces are a children’s room, a library, and a beautiful courtyard where musical shows are presented.

The goal here is to promote dialogue and respect among the Mexican people. It formally opened its doors in 1982.

It is also the venue for presentations of books related to the theme and exhibits of handicrafts from indigenous ethnic groups.

31. Chapultepec Castle Museum

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As I mentioned earlier in this post, the beautiful Chapultepec Castle houses the National Museum of History, built between 1785 and 1787, and was the imperial residence of Maximilian of Habsburg during his reign in Mexico.

The museum’s purpose is to show artistic pieces of the history of this country. It was inaugurated in 1944.

It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, and if you go by subway, the easiest way is to exit at Chapultepec station, with a journey that takes 15 minutes from downtown.

The place also features the furniture used by Emperor Maximilian and his wife Carlota.

The exhibits range from paintings and sculptures to musical instruments and documents of the time.

32. Antique Toy Museum

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Children and adults will have lots of fun in this museum, where you will find beautiful toys to admire.

The museum is a paradise for children and those who love toys because it has the most extensive collection.

It also houses toys that are representative of the culture of the country. It is divided into rooms, and the exhibition is done according to the thematic area: cars and robots and dolls and Barbies.

The museum was born from the initiative of Roberto Shimizu, a Mexican architect of Japanese origin who began collecting all kinds of toys.

It was inaugurated in 2006 and has collections built between 1920 and 1960. It offers workshops and guided tours for all ages.

Among the most outstanding are those dedicated to Mario Moreno “Cantinflas.”

33. Visit San Andres Mixquic near Mexico City

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In San Andres Mixquic, a magical religious ritual is performed to worship the dead.

It is a town near Mexico City where it is a tradition for the locals to commemorate the Day of the Dead every November 2.

The trip from Mexico City to San Andres takes about an hour and a half.

On October 31, the town begins to fill up with visitors who come to decorate the tombs and watch performances that represent situations comically related to death.

In the tombs, the mourners usually place offerings to strengthen the souls with the smells and flavors of the food prepared with love by their relatives.

This beautiful ritual only occurs on All Souls Day. San Andres Mixquic is a quiet village dedicated to agriculture for the rest of the year.

34. Saturday Bazaar

What is Mexico City Best Known for
San Jacinto Square

Do you like handicrafts? In this famous “bazaar,” you will find unique works of art.

It is a colorful flea market to buy shiny objects and handicrafts such as paintings and ceramics.

The bazaar house is surrounded by gardens where artisans display their products for sale. It is open only on Saturdays from 10 am to 7 pm.

It is located in San Jacinto Square in Mexico City.

35. Cumbres del Ajusco National Park

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This park experiences light snowfalls in winter and is ideal for mountaineering.

It is a protected natural area from which you can see any point of the City, with 962 hectares of vegetation to walk and exercise.

In its surroundings, gorgeous trees such as pines grow, and you can find animals such as rabbits and foxes.

If you feel like having a classic Mexican dish for breakfast, you can go early to the stalls set up by the locals selling food at the park entrance.

It is also possible to practice motocross, and you don’t need to have a motorcycle because you can rent one right there to ride the tracks at high speed.

36. Dolores Olmedo Museum

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Traditional Mexican Kitchen at Museo Dolores Olmedo

This museum contains over 3000 Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera collections pieces.

It is located in the south of the City and is named after a collector of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s work.

The collector’s name was Dolores Olmedo, one of the cultural places in Mexico City that every tourist wants to visit.

Additionally, there are more than 600 objects of pre-Hispanic culture.

Beautiful gardens surround the museum and are home to peacocks, geese, and Xoloitzcuintles dogs.

It was inaugurated on September 17, 1944, and is one of the museums where outstanding local and international artists exhibit their works and host artistic workshops and cultural shows.

37. Soumaya Museum Plaza Carso

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mexico city

It opened in 1994, sponsored by the Carlos Slim Foundation to exhibit works of art representing Mexico and Europe’s artistic testimony.

The museum also hosts lectures and film series, among other activities. You can go to the San Joaquin subway station with a 30-minute ride to its facilities.

The museum has two spaces: one in Plaza Loreto and the other in Plaza Carso.

The one in Plaza Loreto is an old building from the 16th century, transformed into a stationery store that suffered a fire.

In the 90s, it transformed into a museum with five permanent exhibition halls.

Meanwhile, the Plaza Carso sub-site is modern and spectacular, covered with hexagonal aluminum plates, which allows the upper floors to be illuminated with natural light.

This area exhibits decorative pieces of square and gold and works of art from Asia made of ivory.

38. Visit the Celaya Candy Shop in Mexico City

candy store celaya
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It is a traditional candy store founded in 1874 by the Guizar family.

Initially, they sold desserts provided by their suppliers, but the demand was such that they began to manufacture them on-site, thus improvising a small factory.

The main joint is located on Cinco de Mayo Avenue, and they opened a sub-office in the Roma neighborhood.

They sell typical Mexican candies; among the tastiest are walnut princes and lemon manzanitas.

If you want to taste this area’s best and most traditional Mexican gastronomy, do not hesitate to spend an afternoon there. It is an experience that no tourist should miss.

Visiting the candy store itself, especially the one located on 5 de Mayo Avenue, is to be transported to the time of its creation because it has preserved its facilities very similar to 1874.

39. Palace of Fine Arts – Mexico City

What is Mexico City Best Known for

The Palace of Fine Arts is a monument to culture and a must-see for tourists.

It was inaugurated on November 29, 1934, under the “Museum of Plastic Arts” and transformed into the Palace of Fine Arts in 1968.

In 1987 UNESCO declared it an Artistic Monument. It is the home of The National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico and the National Opera Company of Mexico.

The Bellas Artes subway station is the closest to this beautiful art and culture space since it is only 130 meters from its entrance.

Frescoes and murals of famous country painters such as Rufino Tamayo and Diego Rivera are on its walls.

Artists of the stature of Maria Callas have passed through these spaces.

It has a beautiful façade, a spectacular dome, and a main hall that functions as a stage with a capacity of 1,400 spectators.

The National Museum of Architecture exhibits the best Mexican artists in this field on its third level.

40. Regina Street

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Regina Street is the musical stage for amateur artists.

It is a small street located in the Historic Center of Mexico City, on whose sides there are restaurants and bars where tourists can enjoy the best of the local gastronomy.

In 2007, the City’s mayor’s office converted it into a pedestrian street to promote tourism there.

It has benches throughout its length and breadth where you can sit and absorb the City’s flair, which is why it is considered one of the most bohemian places in Mexico City.

It is also the stage for amateur artists who perform beautiful songs hand in hand with a musical instrument.

If you are thirsty, there are several bars to enjoy a beer or a glass of wine.

Nearby are the Museo de la Memoria Indómita and the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes.

In the evenings, you can come across painting exhibitions or the presentation of random works of art by street artists.

41. Masaryk Avenue in Polanco

What is Mexico City Best Known for

Masaryk Avenue presents the chic and elegant side of Mexico City.

This avenue is home to the City’s main boutiques and the most prestigious restaurants.

It was baptized with this name in 1936 by President Lázaro Cárdenas in honor of the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomás Masaryk.

Masaryk was a staunch human rights defender, and it is no coincidence that the Mexican Jewish community lives along this avenue in the Polanco neighborhood.

If you want to visit this famous and fancy avenue, you can take the Metro and get off at the Polanco station; it will only take minutes.

It is common to see the richest people of the city walking along the street with their pets.

And if you want to treat yourself, here you will find wonderful spas and beauty centers where you will come out looking fresh and renewed.

42. Mexico City National Palace

What is Mexico City Best Known for

Since July 2019, the Palace has been the official residence of the President of Mexico.

It is the seat of the Executive Power of Mexico and is built on 40000 square km.

Its construction began in 1522 as the residence of the conquistador Hernán Cortés, and since July 2019, it has again become the residence of the President of Mexico.

Diego Rivera’s murals are at the entrance of this famous Palace.

In the 1920s, this painter was called by the Mexican Government to transmit the history of this country through painting by employing murals, a fashionable artistic technique in those years.

43. Diego Rivera’s House-Studio

What is Mexico City Best Known for

This house preserves the pictorial work of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.

It is located south of Mexico City to preserve the work of this Mexican artist and his wife, the famous painter Frida Kahlo.

There were two houses that Diego Rivera had built that served as studios for each artist and in which they produced a large part of their pictorial work.

An easy way to visit these spaces is to take the Metrobus to La Bombilla station.

It opened its doors to the public in 1986, and visitors can contemplate the spaces where these great artists made beautiful creations.

You should know that the two houses do not look alike. Diego Rivera’s is more prominent, with two floors.

While Frida Kahlo’s house is predominantly blue and has a kitchen on the top floor, a bridge connects the two residences.

44. Constitution Square – El Zocalo

mexico travel and leisure
Aerial view of the Zocalo Square

Known as the Zocalo, it is the largest square in Latin America.

It has a rectangular surface and got its name from the Constitution of Cadiz promulgated in 1812. It is the largest square in Latin America and the second-largest in the world.

In its surroundings, you can visualize the past through the ruins of Tenochtitlán and find critical historical buildings of the City, such as the National Palace and its beautiful cathedral.

You can not miss one of the most famous tours, as the walk is beautiful.

In these spaces, the city hall usually organizes colorful events, and in its surroundings, there are restaurants where you can get the typical food of the City.

45. National Museum of Anthropology

National Museum of Anthropology

If you admire archeology, you will contemplate Mexico’s Aztec past in this gallery.

This museum exhibits the archeological past of the indigenous peoples of Mexico and its surroundings.

It was built between 1963 and 1964 in the vicinity of the Bosques de Chapultepec by instructions of the president of Mexico at that time, Adolfo Lopez Mateos.

It was inaugurated on September 17, 1964, and to get there, you can take line one or seven of the City’s subway, and in a few minutes, you can reach its spaces.

Mexico City: Conclusion

In conclusion, Mexico City is a fascinating and vibrant city with endless places to explore and discover.

From the historic sites of the Aztecs and the Spanish colonial era to the modern and eclectic neighborhoods filled with art, music, and delicious food, there is something for everyone in this bustling metropolis.

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, check out some of the top places on this list and experience the best of Mexico City.

Mexico City will leave a lasting impression on all who visit with its rich cultural heritage, friendly locals, and dynamic energy.

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