This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2015. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
The first time I stepped foot outside my hotel in Mexico City, I instantly fell in love with the place.
Mexico City has received a bit of a bad rep in the past, but if there’s one thing travel has taught me, it’s that the majority of reputations are meaningless.
Mexico City’s population is almost 22 million, putting in the top 10 largest cities (by greater population) in the world. While a lot of people live there, I didn’t think it felt overcrowded – it was just busy have a bustling atmosphere, as the residents love to be out and about using the sidewalks and streets as their backyard. It kind of felt like New York City, in that way.
With so many residents, Mexico City was once the most polluted city in the world. But in the mid-nineties, the government decided to curb its carbon emissions – the subway system was built, and restrictions were put on cars and drivers allowing them to only be on the road certain days of the week. As a result, pollution levels are now on par with Los Angeles.
To me, Mexico City felt much like being in many other large European-influenced cities. The people were lovely, there were street food vendors on every corner creating all sorts of delicious smells to tempt you as you wander by, and there were a heap of amazing sites and activities for travellers to see.
If you’re planning on visiting Mexico City anytime soon (and I highly recommend that you do!) here’s the top things to do in Mexico City plus some essential travel tips.
Quick summary:
Planning a trip to Mexico City? This guide shares my personal experiences along with the top things to do, travel tips, and top tours — from historic landmarks and colourful neighbourhoods to markets, museums, and day trips.
Recommended tours & tickets:
👣 Historic Downtown Walking Tour – Explore the Zócalo and uncover layers of Aztec and colonial history.
🏰 Castillo Chapultepec Entrance Ticket – Visit the castle, museums, and enjoy sweeping views of the city.
🛶 Xochimilco Boat Ride – Float along colourful canals on a traditional trajinera with food and music.
🤼 Lucha Libre Experience – Watch masked wrestlers in an energetic show at Arena Mexico.
🎭 Palacio de Bellas Artes Tour – Admire Mexico City’s most beautiful building and its stunning interiors.
🎨 Frida Kahlo Museum Ticket – Step inside Casa Azul, the artist’s vibrant former home in Coyoacán.
🏙️ Torre Latinoamericana Ticket – Take in panoramic sunset views from the 44th-floor observation deck.
🚐 Teotihuacan Pyramids Day Tour – Explore ancient pyramids and ruins just outside the city.
How to get around Mexico City:
From the airport – you can take a taxi to the city for a few hundred pesos (there are a few ATMs after immigration in the airport to get cash out). Take your pick of taxi stand to negotiate a price. We went to one that offered us a ride for 350 pesos, then tried another and scored the same route for only 215 pesos (note that this was in 2015, so prices may be a fair bit higher now!).
Throughout the city – you can use taxis or Uber to get around. For taxis you can negotiate a fare or pick a metered taxi (just make sure the meter is turned on before you take off). If you’re heading outside the city or want a more comfortable, door-to-door option, private car transfers are worth considering. They’re ideal for day trips and longer distances, with flexible timing and English-speaking drivers, plus the option to add stops along the way.
The subway system – the metro is a convenient and cheap way to get around as tickets cost only a few pesos. We found it very similar to the Paris or Moscow subway system. Rush hour in the morning and afternoon is something you should definitely avoid as the trains can get extremely crowded.
Where to stay in Mexico City:
The downtown area has plenty of options for places to stay. Around the historic centre is where you’ll find most of the hotels, but don’t be afraid to go a little further out to save a few dollars. The city is pretty damn large, just pick a place where public transport is convenient.
🏨 We made ourselves comfortable at Hotel Metropol which had a great location and comfortable rooms.
Best time to visit Mexico City:
Mexico City has a mild climate year round, ranging from 7-21ºC (45-70ºF) in December to 12-27ºC (54-80ºF) in May. The city can get pretty drenched during the rainy season, so travelling in the dry season (between November and April) would be a smart idea.
Spring in Mexico City can be particularly lovely as the jacaranda trees burst into purple blooms, or if you’re wanting a cultural experience, visiting around Day of the Dead (late October to early November) means the city will be adorned with colorful altars, parades and a festive energy.
Best things to do in Mexico City:
Dive into history at the Zócalo
The Zócalo (main square) is the third largest plaza in the world, after Tiananmen Square in Beijing and Red Square in Moscow. In the heart of the historic centre, you’ll find a bunch of the oldest and most important buildings in Mexico City including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. This is also the location of the ruins of the ancient Aztec city, the Templo Mayor.
👣 Take a Historic Downtown Walking Tour to see the best Mexico City attractions and unpack the layers of pre-Hispanic and colonial history with an expert local guide.
Check out Castillo Chapultepec
Castillo Chapultepec is a Spanish-style castle, about 15 minutes from the main square via the subway. This sprawling park is one of the largest urban green spaces in the world. The main drawcard here is the super pretty views of the city, though you could easily spend an entire day here exploring the zoo, lakes, and museums.
🏰 You can skip the line by purchasing your Castillo Chapultepec entrance tickets online in advance. Don’t make the same mistake we did and attempt to visit on a Monday, as the castle (as with all museums in Mexico City) will be closed to visitors.
Explore the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco
🛶 For a truly unique experience, head to Xochimilco for a colorful Trajinera Boat Ride. Float down the canals in a festive little flat-bottomed boat with mariachis serenading you as you glide past floating islands that date back to the 14th century.
Watch a Lucha Libre show
Mexican wrestling is quite similar to WWF wrestling, but it’s a little more acrobatic and the wrestlers are wearing colourful masks and capes that make them look sort of like weird superheroes. We got our tickets online and collected them from Arena Mexico a few hours before the match.
🤼 You can also book a guided Lucha Libre Experience which includes a cultural introduction to the sport and a visit to a traditional Mexican tavern for a local cocktail.
Get lost in the Mercado de la Merced
If you’re up for a sensory adventure, Mercado de la Merced is a sprawling maze of stalls selling everything from fresh produce and traditional spices to piñatas and leather goods. It’s a tad chaotic but rewarding for those who love exploring local culture.
Admire the Palacio de Bellas Artes building
The Palace of Fine Arts is, in my opinion, the most beautiful building in Mexico City! We head up to the cafe atop Sears across the road for this money shot of the building.
🎭 You can also head inside for a guided tour of Palacio de Bellas Artes to visit the performance theatre and explore the museum’s impressive collection of Mexican art.
Wander around Coyoacán & the Frida Kahlo Museum
Coyoacán is a bohemian neighbourhood south of the city. Head to Plaza Hidalgo, about 25 mins walk from the Coyoacán subway station, and you’ll come across the most beautiful collection of restaurants, shops, and historic buildings. In this area you’ll also find the Leon Trotsky Museum
🎨 The Frida Kahlo Museum is a popular choice for art lovers visiting Coyoacán. See where the artist lived for most of her life at La Casa Azul.
Catch the sunset at Torre Latinoamericana
🏙️ Wrap up your day with epic views of Mexico City from the top of the tickets to Torre Latinoamericana. This 44th-floor observation deck is best to visit as the sun sets with the city lighting up beneath you.
Head out to visit the Teotihuacan pyramids
Technically not in the city, but this day trip is 100% worth it. The Teotihuacan pyramids are about an hour’s drive from the city centre, and are well worth the journey. The UNESCO world heritage site includes two major pyramids and ruins of the ancient city.
🚐 Be sure add a Teotihuacan Pyramids Day Tour to your Mexico City itinerary. This day tour includes entry tickets to the site plus transport via minibus.
Essential Mexico City travel tips:
Learn a few Spanish phrases. If your Spanish vocabulary is as empty as mine, download a phrasebook app or learn a few basic terms as not many locals speak English, and signage/menus almost never include English words.
Prep for the altitude. Mexico City sits over 2,200 meters (7,300 feet) above sea level, so the altitude might catch you off guard – take it easy for the first day or two, drink plenty of water, and avoid overexerting yourself.
Carry a small amount of cash. While many places accept credit cards, street vendors, small eateries, and markets often prefer cash. Keep small bills and coins handy but avoid flashing large amounts of money.
Don’t drink the water. The tap water in Mexico City is not safe for most visitors. Stick to bottled or filtered water. Also, avoid ice in drinks unless you’re sure it’s made with purified water.
Use sunscreen and stay hydrated. The combination of high altitude and sunny days means UV exposure is stronger. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, and stay hydrated to avoid fatigue.
Blend in with the locals. You won’t see anyone (aside from children and tourists) showing their bare knees with shorts or skirts. We attempted to Google the reason for this and were unsuccessful in finding an answer, but we ended up finding out from a friend that it was because the Mexican people consider long pants dressy, and they wouldn’t dare leave the house without looking their best.
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