Things to Do in Mexico City
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Mexico City, Mexico, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Mexico City. Built on a lost lake, mind the subsidence, once the site of one of the largest cities in the pre-Columbian world, and today one of the largest, highest, and most genuinely ambitious capitals anywhere on Earth. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Mexico City: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the walk. Five main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Built Atop Tenochtitlan
Mexico City is built on the former site of the grand Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, once one of the largest cities in the world, built on an island in a lake that no longer exists, a genuinely staggering piece of history, the Spanish drained the lake and built directly over the Aztec city following the conquest, meaning modern Mexico City sits quite literally atop one of the great civilisations of the pre-Columbian Americas.
The Templo Mayor, excavated Aztec ruins right in the historic centre, discovered accidentally by utility workers in 1978, is genuinely essential, worth combining with the adjacent museum covering the extraordinary artefacts recovered during the ongoing excavation.
Hours Tue–Sun, roughly 9am–5pm
Address Templo Mayor, central Mexico City
The Zocalo
Mexico City's massive central square, one of the largest in the world, is called the Zocalo, hosts everything from military parades to ice rinks, depending on the season, a genuinely enormous public space, the National Palace (with significant Diego Rivera murals depicting Mexican history) and the Metropolitan Cathedral both face onto it, together forming the historic and political heart of the city.
It's worth visiting at different times, the square's character genuinely shifts between a quiet early morning and a lively evening or festival period, worth checking what's currently happening there during your visit.
Address Zocalo, central Mexico City
Mexico City's High Altitude
Mexico City sits at a notably high altitude for a major capital, roughly 2,240 metres above sea level, high enough that visitors genuinely notice the thinner air, worth taking this seriously in the same way as other high-altitude destinations on this site, mild altitude effects, shortness of breath on exertion, are common for the first day or two, particularly if you're arriving from somewhere closer to sea level.
Take it easy on your first day, stay hydrated, and don't be surprised if a normal amount of walking feels more tiring than expected initially, this genuinely improves within a day or two as you acclimatise.
Teotihuacan Pyramids
About an hour from Mexico City, the ancient city of Teotihuacan, home to the massive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, predates the Aztecs entirely, genuinely one of the largest pre-Columbian cities ever built, and its original builders and their fate remain debated among archaeologists.
Climbing the Pyramid of the Sun (currently permitted, though this can change) offers genuinely sweeping views over the whole site, worth an early start to beat both the heat and the crowds given how popular this essential day trip is.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–5pm
Getting there About 1 hour from Mexico City
Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Heritage
Mexico City holds genuinely significant sites connected to Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, two of the country's most significant 20th-century artists, the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul), her former home, and Rivera's murals across several public buildings, including the Palacio de Bellas Artes, are both worth prioritising.
Casa Azul in particular sells out consistently, book timed entry well ahead, this is genuinely one of the most popular museum visits in the city.
Hours Casa Azul Tue–Sun, roughly 10am–5.30pm
Address Casa Azul, Coyoacan, Mexico City
Best time to visit Mexico City
March through May and October through November give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without the heaviest summer rain. For the full seasonal breakdown, see our Best Time to Visit Mexico City guide.
The wet season (roughly June through September) brings heavier, if often brief, afternoon rain, still workable if you plan around it, and the high altitude keeps temperatures genuinely moderate year-round regardless of season.
Getting around Mexico City
Mexico City's metro is genuinely extensive and cheap, though it can get very crowded during peak hours. Central areas, including the Zocalo and Templo Mayor, are walkable, and ride-hailing apps are the practical, safe option for longer distances. If you're mapping out exactly how to spend your time, our 24 Hours in Mexico City and 2 Day Mexico City Itinerary guides lay out an hour-by-hour and day-by-day plan.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Mexico City worth visiting?
- Yes, unquestionably, few cities anywhere offer this concentration of history, the Aztec ruins beneath the modern centre, the Zocalo, and Teotihuacan nearby together represent thousands of years of continuous significance.
- How many days do you need in Mexico City?
- Four days covers the historic centre, Templo Mayor, and Casa Azul comfortably; add a day for the Teotihuacan day trip.
- Is Mexico City expensive?
- No, generally affordable, museum entry, food, and local transport all remain reasonably priced by international standards.
- What is Mexico City famous for?
- Being built atop Tenochtitlan, the former Aztec capital, the Zocalo, one of the largest public squares in the world, and its high altitude, among the highest of any major world capital.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
