Mexico City Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do in Mexico City

Mexico City is an incredibly underrated travel destination, and one of my favorite cities I’ve visited. From street food to fine dining, museums to adventures, shopping to architecture, it truly has something for everyone. This Mexico City Travel Guide has recommendations on the best things to do in Mexico City, restaurants and bar recommendations, the best time to visit, how to get around, and more.

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Where to Stay in Mexico City as a First Time Visitor

Roma Norte is one of Mexico City’s trendiest neighborhoods, known for its art galleries, stylish cocktail bars, and thriving food scene. Roma Sur, just below it, is more residential and quieter, but still full of charm.

Condesa is a favorite for first-time visitors thanks to its leafy streets, Art Deco architecture, and laid-back, walkable vibe. It’s full of cozy cafés, boutique shops, and dog-friendly parks, offering a peaceful but central base. 

Centro Histórico places you in the cultural and historical heart of Mexico City. Here, you’re surrounded by colonial-era architecture, iconic landmarks like the Zócalo and Palacio de Bellas Artes, and major museums. It’s pretty busy during the day, but it tends to quiet down at night and is a good option for travelers on a budget.

Polanco is Mexico City’s upscale neighborhood, full of designer boutiques, elegant hotels, embassies, and top-tier restaurants, including the world-famous Pujol. It’s also close to museums like Museo Soumaya and Museo Jumex, as well as the vast Chapultepec Park.

Coyoacán offers a charming, artsy, and more traditional Mexican feel. Its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, local markets, and tree-lined plazas create a slower, small-town vibe. It’s home to the famous Frida Kahlo Museum and is perfect for anyone wanting a quieter, more cultural stay.

10 Best Things to Do in Mexico City

1. Museum of Anthropology

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The Museum of Anthropology is a world class museum, home to an extensive collection of artifacts from Mexico’s indigenous cultures, including the famous Aztec Sun Stone. Definitely set aside a few hours for this museum, since it is absolutely massive and there is so much to see. 

2. Chapultepec Castle

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Once an imperial palace, this castle now houses the National Museum of History and also offers breathtaking views of the city. Built in the late 18th century, it’s actually the only royal castle in North America and has served as both a military academy and presidential residence. 

Tip: I’d also recommend having the Google Translate app on your phone so you can take pictures and translate some of the descriptions, since many of them are not in English. Also, in order to get to the castle, you’ll have to walk up Chapultepec Hill which can be moderately challenging, so definitely wear comfortable shoes. 

3. Palacio de Bellas Artes

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Once an imperial palace, this castle now houses the National Museum of History and also offers breathtaking views of the city. Built in the late 18th century, it’s actually the only royal castle in North America and has served as both a military academy and presidential residence. 

4. Centro Histórico

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Mexico City’s Historic Center (Centro Histórico) is filled with different sites to see. Start at Plaza de la Constitución, one of the largest public squares in the world. Then head to the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the oldest and largest cathedrals in Latin America. Also in the main square is the National Palace, a vital center of Mexican government and heritage. Then head to Templo Mayor, the main temple of the ancient city of Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital, which now lies under modern Mexico City. 

5. Frida Kahlo Museum

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Known as the La Casa Azul (the Blue House), this museum used to be the home of the famed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera. You’ll be able to see personal artifacts, artwork, clothing, and rooms preserved as they were during her life. 

Tip: If you’re planning to visit this museum, definitely buy tickets in advance as it is one of the most popular things to do in Mexico City and is usually sold out each day. You can buy tickets directly on their website and will get a timed entrance slot for your visit with a 15 minute window to enter. This is one of the few attractions where you absolutely need to get tickets beforehand. I saw several people ask the staff if there were any tickets left for the day only to be turned away!

6. Coyoacán

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After visiting the Frida Kahlo museum, you’ll want to explore the vibrant neighborhood of Coyoacán. It’s an extremely charming area with its architecture, cafes, art markets and has great shopping as well as a huge food market.

7. Street Food Tour

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Mexico City has some of the best food in the world, and a visit here wouldn’t be complete without going on a street food tour. You’ll try tacos al pastor, tamales, elotes, and more from street vendors and there’s plenty of guided tours you can book with locals to explain the origins and significance behind the different types of food you’ll try. 

8. Hot Air Balloon Ride

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One of my favorite things to do in Mexico City is a hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan. About an hour’s drive away, this ancient city features the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and offers a glimpse into the life of the Teotihuacan civilization. You get breathtaking views of the pyramids and a sunrise sky filled with colorful hot air balloons!

9. Xochimilco

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If you’re researching what to do in Mexico City, you may have seen images of beautiful, colorful boats on the water. Xochimilco, known for its canals and colorful trajineras (boats), offers a unique experience with music, food, and nature—a bit like a Mexican Venice. Many of the boats are more of a party experience with drinks, so it can be more fun to go as a group. 

10. Tolantongo Day Trip

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Las Grutas de Tolantongo is a breathtaking hot-spring canyon about three and a half to four hours north of Mexico City. It’s famous for its relaxing thermal pools, but you can also find waterfalls, ziplining, caves, and hiking opportunities if you’re feeling adventurous.

Best Bars in Mexico City

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Handshake Speakeasy

Limantour

Baltra Bar

Bar Mauro

Bijou Drinkery Room

Cafe de Nadie

Hanky Panky

Rayo

Bakeries in Mexico City

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Panaderia Rosetta

El Moro Churreria

Pasteleria Ideal

Esperanza

Odette

The Best Time to Visit Mexico City

The best time to visit Mexico City is from November to April, when the weather is dry and mild. However if you decide to visit during the rainy season, you can still have a great experience (I went in the middle of July and still had a great time!). The rain is fairly predictable, with heavy showers in the late afternoon between 4-6pm, so morning activities are usually safe from weather.

How to Get Around Mexico City

Metro (Subway): Mexico City’s metro is fast, cheap, and extensive—just 5 pesos (about $0.30 USD) per ride. It can get pretty crowded, especially during rush hour so you’ll want to make sure you hold on to your belongings and avoid using it late at night. During peak hours, women-only cars are also available.

Ride-Share Apps (Uber, Didi, Cabify) These are the most convenient and safest options for most travelers. It’s fairly affordable and easy to use, but watch out for surge pricing during peak hours or rain.

How Many Days to Spend in Mexico City

There’s so much to see in Mexico City, you could easily spend weeks exploring. Unfortunately, most of us don’t get that much time off of work. In order to see the major highlights, I’d recommend at least 4 days in Mexico City, but 5-6 is ideal if you want to do multiple day trips and excursions.

Is Mexico City Safe for Solo Travelers

Mexico City is generally safe, especially if you stay in the main neighborhoods and use common sense. Popular areas like Condesa, Roma, Polanco, and Coyoacán are walkable, well-lit, and have a strong police presence. These neighborhoods are filled with cafés, parks, and boutique shops, and are similar to any other big city around the world.

Pickpocketing can happen in busy areas like Centro Histórico or on transit, so keep your belongings secure and avoid flashing valuables. As with any major city, it’s smart to avoid isolated streets and public transportation late at night.

I went to Mexico City solo as a woman and felt safe the entire time since I was mainly in the touristy areas, but I mostly used uber to get around, especially at night. 

Looking for more Mexico City recommendations? Check out some of our other posts from the blog!

Soaring at Sunrise: A Hot Air Balloon Ride in Mexico City

Best Things to Do in Mexico City